[Budapest] Day 1

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It’s a little bizarre to be blogging about winter in Budapest during Paris’ gorgeous summer time, but what needs to be done needs to be done. Without further ado (….it’s been 8 months already), here are some snapshots of snowy Budapest from back in December 2012.

(If this intro looks similar to my Prague post…well, it is.)

Starting the day off with breakfast at Central Cafe (not especially recommended).

Central Breakfast (2190 ft) – mangalica sausage, grey beef salami, mangalica ham, boiled egg, garden vegetables.

With an added kuglof.

Breakfast at Central Cafe was nothing worth traveling to, but its mojitos are supposedly amazing – perhaps something for you to think about on your visit.

Then, a visit to St. Stephen’s Basilica, a Roman Catholica basilica named in honor of the first King of Hungary (whose right hand is housed in the reliquary). Free entrance.

Following that, a stroll through Dohány Street Synagogue, Europe’s largest synagogue. There is an entrance fee and the price varies depending on how much you want to see.

Even just wandering the streets can be great fun.

A very late lunch at Pesti Disznó, a stylish gastro bar serving Hungarian tapas.

Mulled wine (790 ft), a must. Also tried a glass of house Palinka (750 ft), a strong, fruity brandy.

Baked pumpkin with blue cheese and pumpkin seed oil (890 ft).

Smoked trout with potato doughnut and fresh dill sour cream (990 ft).

Braised jowl with onion (890 ft).

A chic place, though the tapas dishes didn’t impress.

Finished the day off with a good soak at Széchényi thermal bath. Did you know that Budapest is called the “City of Spas” because it has 118 springs that provide over 70 million liters of thermal water a day? Széchényi is one of the most popular public baths in the city, and if you come here, I recommend the huge outdoor bath – imagine immersing in soothing hot water while breathing in ice-cold air…yes it’s nice. Do know that the change area is a bit of a mess, and don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and towel (can be rented). Detailed pricing here.

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