PHOTO BY DORA SAJO
Wine is not one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Hungary, but Hungarians are proud of their many fine local wines. And rather than end a meal with a brandy, Hungarians start off with a shot they call Palinka that packs a punch at 40% to 90% alcohol. It is made from just about any fruit flavor, with apricot, peach, pear, and plum being the most popular. Of course, Goulash is the national dish and should be tried before leaving town. Best to taste it in one of the more traditional Hungarian establishments like Kehli Vendeglo founded in1899 for a more authentic experience.
Of course, no trip to Budapest is complete without visiting one of the many baths. After all, Budapest is known as the Spa Capital of the World and the ritual dates back over 2000 years. It has more thermal springs than any other capital city in the world with over 70 million liters of hot thermal water pumping daily. Spending an afternoon at opulent Gellert Spa or 450-year-old Rudas Bath on the Buda side is not only a therapeutic experience, but a feast for the eyes with their decadent design and decor. When in Budapest….
After all the healing hours spent in a Budapest bath, it’s time to go underground and explore the caves, yet another surprise and one of the most visited attractions in Budapest. There is a huge network of underground caves and tunnels in the Buda Castle District, which is one of the oldest areas of the city. They were used as bomb shelters and cellars back in the day.