House of travel Northern, Central & Eastern Europe Brochure 2017 | Page 27

Budapest
A visit to St Stephen’s Basilica will leave you breathless for more than one reason:
there are 146 steps to climb if you want to reach the top of the dome, but when you
reach the top, you’ll have your breath taken away all over again: the views across
the city and the Danube are spectacular. If you need somewhere to recover from
your exertions, you’ve chosen the right city, Budapest has been renowned for its
thermal hot springs since Roman times. The Art Nouveau-style Gellért Baths are
the most famous option, but there are plenty of others, indoors and out. There
are many other reasons to love this city, from the impressive architecture to the
leafy parks. On World Heritage-listed Castle Hill you can explore museums and
monuments, or simply soak up more views of the city and river.
Our favourite things to see and do
Terror Museum – This illustrates the decades of Nazi
and Communist repression. It is in the former headquarters
of the secret police of both these governments and is also a
memorial to the victims. It is fascinating, and while presenting
the horrors it also makes people understand that the sacrifice
for freedom was not in vain.
Communism Statue Park (Memento Park
Budapest) – Displayed in the park are 42 pieces of art from
the Communist era between 1945 and 1989. You’ll find Marx
and Lenin here and gigantic heroic monuments and statues to
the ‘workers’ and other famous personalities.
Baths – Budapest has some of the world’s finest Turkish baths.
They boast original Ottoman architecture with wonderful
octagonal pools, stained glass windows and mosaics. Some
are pretty elaborate; just as they were when built in the early
1900s.
Take a Cruise on the Danube – Get out on the river to
admire its beauty close up. The Danube River divides ‘Buda’
and ‘Pest’, so you can enjoy all the attractions along the river
banks at a relaxing pace.
Romkocsma – On the hill on the ‘Buda’ side the castle
overlooks the city. It houses the Hungarian National Gallery
and has certainly had many facelifts over the past seven
centuries due to fires, bombings and renovations.
Labyrinth – Under the castle is a 1200 metre cave system
Our favourite places to stay:
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Erzsebet City Centre
Boutique Zara Hotel
Adina Apartment Hotel Budapest
Corintha Hotel Budapest
that was created from hot water springs almost half a million
years ago. They have been used as cellars, storage and rooms
for the castle. During wartimes in the 1930s it was able to
shelter up to 10,000 people.
Gundel – Next to Pest’s City Park, this elite Budapest dining
institution has paintings by Hungarian masters adorning the
walls. Enjoy a refined Hungarian meal, washed down with
Hungarian wines. For dessert you have to try Hungarian
palacsinta; a pancake stuffed with chocolate sauce and
flambéed.
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