Budapest 5--31--11 to 6--5--11



 Budapest is a most beautiful city. Our analysis credits the plethora of architecture of churches, castles, bridges, statuary and practically every other kind of structure.  They were all done with a heightened degree of artistic effort, at least that's how we see it.  Even the ramparts along the banks of the Danube are more than just a seawall.  They are stepped perfectly. 

A few experiences that we counted as our favorites have to be the Szechenyi Baths (beautiful aqua water set against Baroque buildings of buttery yellow)

Mary and Gloria ready to take the plunge

Every window has flowers, and the rooftop is for nude sunbathing!

Beautiful castles

the cruise down the Danube and back (at night it was so beautiful to look up at the hillside on the Buda side and see so many churches and the castle bathed in golden light, and the Pest side with its Parliament and other churches likewise)

Picturesque bridges--this one Chain Bridge

Visiting architectural wonders (the Opera House with its beautiful, Baroque style and oodles of gold leaf everywhere). Incidentally, this opera house was the site of the movie “Evita” and we heard that Madonna paid a fortune to use the presidential box for the film) Also saw St. Stephens Basilica and St. Mathias church. Both very beautiful and very different. St. Mathias was the most unusual with its Moorish style. Lots of patterned walls and columns. Mathias married Beatrix of Belgium there in 1498. Pretty old)

Interior of the Opera House

Altar of St. Stephen Basilica

Opera house seating

Exterior of St. Mathias Church

King St. Stephen

Altar of St. Mathias Church

Just looking at all the different buildings from such early times. Everywhere we looked we saw beautiful ornamentation of animals, people, designs of concrete, marble, granite, travertine. And walkways and streets of brick, stone, marble and travertine. It was evident that the city put a great deal of effort and funds into beautification for a lengthy period of time.

Enjoying the food and flowers. Flowers and more flowers seem to be the order. We see mostly geraniums, both upright and hanging, wax begonias, hanging begonias, petunias, hydrangeas, and roses. They form a explosion of color everywhere. The food is also colorful with paprika being the major spice, although we had a delicious risotto with asparagus and pine nuts among other dishes that incorporated cream, dill, pickles. Nice combination of flavors. Enjoyed some flavorful Italian food, too. About halfway through our stay, we found nearby a newly opened little cafe with delicious pastry and great coffee. We went back for lunch: fresh croissants with cheese and veggies.

Terry & Mary at breakfast

Definitely we are sad to leave such a picturesque country.  It's one we will plan to revisit.

The Wienerschnitzel inspection