Spend the Day on Danube Bend, Budapest

Floating along the scenic Danube Bend on a cruise is one of the most wonderful ways to see Hungary. Cruises and tour boats range in price and distance so that travelers can choose their trip according to time and budget. For tours visiting a few cities and villages along the river like Esztergom, Visegrad and Szentendre, a good full day is needed making a stay in one of many holiday apartments Budapest a good home base to seeing these cities.

Danube Bend HungaryEsztergom

Some City Facts and Attractions -

- The city is nearly 50 kilometers to the northwest from Budapest.
- Esztergom is located across the river from Slovakia.
- This city was Hungary's capital from the 900s to the 1200s AD.
- Basilica – The largest cathedral in all of the country includes a chapel made of red marble.
- Hungarian Waterworks Museum – Near the heart of Esztergom, this museum is a celebration of water and the Danube with fascination for people of all ages.

A Great Restaurant -

Fili Etterem – For quiet dining and authentic Hungarian cuisine, this restaurant just down from the Basilica is an excellent place with outdoor and indoor dining options.

Visegrad

Some Village Facts and Attractions -

- The castle town is just over 40 kilometers from Budapest.
- The village is famous for the medieval ruins of the citadel and summer palace of King Matthias.
- The castle sits high above the Danube Bend, and this amazing stronghold that is open for touring was built in the mid-1200s.
- Summer and Winter Bobsled Track – Visitors can purchase tickets to try an exciting ride on the two good-sized toboggan tracks.

A Great Restaurant -

- Renaissance – Right across from the ferry station, this establishment provides a true dining experience set in the Renaissance era from the delicious food to the music to the servers' clothing.

Szentendre

Some Town Facts and Attractions -

- This charming village has a Mediterranean feel, and it is known for its artists and art galleries as well as its museums.
- The town is only about 20 kilometers from Budapest.
- The Margit Kovacs Ceramics Museum has a huge collection of lovely ceramics some of which have Byzantine or folk motifs.
- Skanzen-Hungarian Open-Air Museum – Begun in 1967, this captivating museum is a step back into traditional Hungarian life and history.

A Great Restaurant -

Cafe Christine is on Gorog utca 6, and serves Hungarian specialties and international dishes.

 
Travelers will find holiday apartments Budapest an ideal idea to get to know Budapest as well as taking day trips to surrounding cities and country side.

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Parliament House, Budapest is truly a site to behold

Parliament House Budapest is known as the largest building in the country of Hungary. Home to the National Assembly of Hungary, tours of the impressive structure are given to members of the general public. After visiting Parliament House, guests still have time to visit additional Hungarian attractions.

Parliament House, Budapest, HungaryConstruction began on Parliament House in 1885. Citizens wanted a unique Parliament building to commemorate local millennial celebrations. Hungarian architect Imre Steindl designed the building, drawing inspiration from the Palace of Westminister. Parliament House construction was completed in 1902.

Parliament House is truly a site to behold. Sitting along the Danube riverbank, the Gothic Revival style of architecture gives Parliament House its distinctive appearance. Neo-Gothic started in England around the 1700s and continues to be popular in modern construction. Less than a mile in length, the building is outfitted with white turrets and arches. Statues of Hungarian royalty and noted military leaders guard outer walls. A dome measuring 226 feet in height stretches up to the sky.

The interior of Parliament is equally impressive. Visitors walk through 690 rooms, exploring large halls frequented by government officials. Guests view the central staircase, Session Room and Great Vaulted Hall.

As of July 2011, tours of Parliament House Budapest cost approximately $26.53. The 90 minute tour is offered in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Hebrew, Japanese and Italian. Tours are only available when Parliament is not in session. Guests may purchase tickets in advance via the internet. Travelers staying at one of the many apartments in Budapest will find tour pickups are available at the larger Budapest hotels.

Tour features vary by company, but most include the following: pickup from a designated hotel, entry into Parliament House Budapest, the House of Parliament Tour and a local tour guide. Gratuities are not included. Unless specified, tours do not offer food or drink. Guests should inquire about additional amenities with the tour company before making their purchase.

Return transportation to your Budapest apartments or hotels after the tour is not included in the ticket price. Public transportation in Budapest is plentiful and easy to follow. The area has become increasingly more accommodating of pedestrian traffic. A large number of stone walkways make walking in heels difficult.

Nearby attractions include the Museum of Ethnography (neprajz.hu/), originally known as The Palace of Justice. Manuscripts, traditional Hungarian music recordings, films and videos are on display in the museum. Contact the museum directly for information on temporary exhibitions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sits next door to the museum.

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Day Trips from Budapest

Budapest, the largest city of Hungary, is ranked by Forbes magazine as Europe’s seventh most idyllic cities in which to live. Located on the bank of the Danube River, Budapest draws over two million tourists a year. With so much to do in this exciting city, visitors that have decided on a extended stay either in a hotel or renting one of the many apartments in Budapest, will find that many worthwhile day trips from Budapest are just waiting to be discovered.

Vajdahunyad Castle,in Budapest, HungaryA trip to this beautiful city offers tourists a spectacular venue of attractions including: Vajdahunyad Castle, a grand structure that represents Budapest’s many architectural styles; Andrassy Avenue, an iconic city boulevard featuring renaissance architecture; and the Millennium Underground Railway, which is the second oldest underground railway in the world. While tourists never have to leave the city to explore world-class heritage sites, fine dining, and luxurious shopping, there are still many worthwhile sites to see in the outlying areas surrounding Budapest. Two highly recommended day trips would be to cities of Szentendre and Visegrad.

Szentendre, a historic Baroque town, is situated approximately twenty kilometers from Budapest’s city center. Easily accessed by car, rail, bus, ferry, or even bicycle, this lovely town is a must-see on any traveler’s list. After being destroyed during the Mongol invasions, Szentendre was rebuilt in the 17th century in Baroque style which has been preserved to this day. Cobblestone streets, secret garden, and outdoor cafes provide an enchanting atmosphere in which to peruse the many galleries and artists studios. Szentendere is a showcase of architectural wonder with nine Baroque-Rocco and Orthodox styled churches and well-preserved merchant houses. While exploring the city, take time to dine in several fine restaurants including the Aranysarkany Restaurant, the Fa Inn Restaurant, or enjoy a meal at the Labirintus located inside the National Wine Museum where you can taste fine wines from their 220 year old wine cellar.

Visegrad, located approximately 35 kilometers outside Budapest, is best approached by boat in order to fully appreciate the view of the Citadel which is perched on a hill high above the Danube. However, Visegrad can also be assessed by bus, rail, or car. Once in this quaint city, tourists will be awed by it’s many impressive monuments including the Upper Castle, the Lower Castle, the Royal Palace, and the ruins of Sibrik, an ancient Roman military camp. Each site is an unique testament to the bountiful history of the area. While in Visegrad, allow a full day to hike or bicycle through the beautiful countryside and visit all the sites. When taking a break from sightseeing, enjoy many wonderful restaurants including the Nagyvillam Restaurant on top of Fekete Hill or the Renaissance Restaurant located in the city center.

Overall, it’s easy to see why Budapest and the surrounding countryside is popular with tourists. Visitors with extended stays in Budapest apartments or hotels will find the area offers magnificent architecture, majestic scenery, fascinating historical sites, fine artesian wares, and world-class dining. There is something for every traveler!

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Visegrad, a Nice Day Trip From Budapest

 

You have just spent a few days exploring Budapest Hungary and now are ready to see the sights within easy reach of the city. Easily accessible from your Budapest apartment or hotel, is the small, yet lovely town of Visegrad. Just 40 km to the North, Visegrad is situated in the area of the country known as the Danube Bend. It is this section that is widely considered to be home to the most beautiful parts of the river. Danube River, Hungary

Driving or taking a bus is possible to reach Visegrad. It can be done in about an hour, making it the quickest form of transport, but driving is not recommended for tourists as traffic in Budapest can be difficult to navigate, especially on weekends. Taking the train is another alternative, but there is no direct service, so a connection must be made. By far the most enjoyable mode of transportation is by boat. It takes a bit longer, (nearly three hours), but the spectacular scenery makes it well worth it.

It is easy to spend at least half a day in Visegrad and difficult to leave. One of the main attractions are the fortresses and castles that date back to the 1200s. Hiking around these old structures and taking in the fantastic views will leave no question why the builders chose this location. More trekking can be found behind the castles and the hike to the Ördögmalom waterfall is just one of the natural highlights of the valley. For those of you looking for a bit more of an adrenaline rush, try ziplining high above the trees and see the river from a whole new perspective.
Castle in Visegrad, Hungary
Since the Pilis hills surrounding the town are abundant in differenty types of game, there are plenty of restaurants to sample the local fare. A couple of places that should be tried are the Nagyvillám restaurant, which specializes in regional dishes and Mediterranean cusine, and the Renaissance restaurant, where they recreate a medieval feast.

Summer in Visegrad plays host to the International Palace Games. This multiday medieval fair is full of demonstrations, reinactments, and shows to give visitors a taste of what life used to be like. If you miss the fairs in the summer, don´t worry as a mild climate ensures that Visegrad is a pleasant place to visit all year-round.

If you find yourself in Budapest, Hungary, make sure you put forth the effort to make the short trip to Visegrad. You will be well rewarded by breathtaking scenery and a cultural experience you won´t soon forget. A short trip back to your apartments in Budapest will have you yearning for your next day trip from this magnificent city along the Danube river.

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Visiting Budapest, Capital of Hungary

Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is also one of the most historic. Once two cities on opposite banks of the Danube River, Buda and Pest, it became Budapest in 1873 when the two were joined. The history goes back much further than that. The settlement dates back to Roman times and through the centuries as waves of conquerors swept over the area, each left their influence behind as they receded. Magyars, Mongols and the Ottoman Empire all left their mark on what would become Budapest.
City Park, Budapest Hungary
The Magyars, who founded the kingdom of Hungary, built the Royal Castle that still dominates Budapest after almost seven centuries. In the early years of the twentieth century Budapest was the capital of Hungary and held a million people. During the Communist Era, Budapest rose up against the Soviets in 1956, and in the late 80s won their freedom. Today, Budapest is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe, and the most cosmopolitan city in Hungary.

Visitors to Budapest will want to seek out the Vaci Utca, the commercial heart of the city for centuries. It offers shopping, sights, and the visible pulse of the city. To relax, visit one of the thermal baths Budapest boasts, and soak your cares away in the hot waters. Budapest is the center of an excellent transportation system, and the second oldest underground Metro in the world. With many Budapest apartments and hotels located in the heart of the city, getting where you want to be is easy. A city full of history, Budapest holds many museums well worth a visit.

Castle Hill, Budapest HungaryCastle Hill on the Buda side has the Royal Palace, with the National Gallery held inside it, fantastic views of the Danube and the city lying spread out beneath the traveller. Also on the hill are the Historical Museum of Budapest, the Music Museum, the Military Museam, the Marzipan museum, and more. A promenade across the River Danube on one of the beautiful bridges will bring you to the Pest side of the city.

In Downtown Pest you can see the neo-gothic Parliament building, and take a tour inside it. St Stephen’s Basilica and the Great Synagogue are both worth a visit. The Eotvos Lorand University nearby boasts a garden where musical performance and food vendors can be found. The Andrassy ut boulevard reaches from the downtown to the City Park and is a world heritage site for all the museums, historic sites, and the State Opera House that lie along its length.

Travelers flying to Hungary and the capital city of Budapest, most likely will be arriving at Budapest International Airport, one the largest and busiest airports in Europe. Once arriving, visitors will find a wide choice of hotels and apartments in Budapest available at reasonable prices.

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