Budapest combines contrasting notions and idiosyncrasies well. It is posh, monumental, and almost Londonesque but vast stretches of its inner city fabric devastatingly neglected and unfathomably dilapidated. It is quaint but grand and busy, highly cultured but casual to a fault. Its old world charm weighs down on you with the full weight of melancholy and defeatism of a permanently lost empire – and within the Empire, the Kingdom of Hungary lost more territory and political gravitas than any other land – yet it is resourceful and full of young energy. The city is unmistakably Christian, Catholic – having hosted from time to time the Holy Roman Emperor’s court – but also far from marginal to the history of prosperous, enlightened, and, for a period, highly assimilated European Jewry. Anchored 1,100 years deep in Central European history, Budapest is thoroughly integrated and inseparable from the Continent’s core, though this did not stop it from at times acting like Europe’s rebellious, anti-establishment teenager. It is spectacularly Greco-Roman in its outward appearance but has thoroughly Ottoman plumbing of at least half a dozen public baths and many more interior courtyards dutifully encircled with tiered balcony galleries – that is, if you care to look inside, past its grand Neoclassical doorways.

Had to google that. Cliff notes version is… originally the entire area was a settlement named Obuda. After some wars and conquering, the area separated into cities. More war and destruction. Buda ended up being the capital of Hungary and Pest declined. All three cities unified in 1873.

Yes, the United States doesn’t give Americans much vacation time. 48-72 hours is about all we can spend in a city when overseas. We have to make choices, sometimes they are hard choices!

I wish I was 10th as creative as the people who designed the ruin bars!

That is great to hear!

Check this weeks Facebook for posts on individual activities AND I posted a video pin from gelato rose 🙂