Day 10: Budapest
So far, we were in love with Budapest, what a wonderful city!
We woke up in the morning for another walking tour, except this time we were to see the "Buda" side of Budapest. We explored the castle district with our fantastic guide, Monika. We were able to cross the lion bridge, (where the statues have no tongues) and then rode the Budapest Castle District Funicular to the top of the castle district.
The Hungarian history is slightly complicated, so Nicole ended up writing names and looking them up once we got home :) . We toured the Matthias Church and it was amazing to see that every part of the church was painted. Frescos were on every wall.
We woke up in the morning for another walking tour, except this time we were to see the "Buda" side of Budapest. We explored the castle district with our fantastic guide, Monika. We were able to cross the lion bridge, (where the statues have no tongues) and then rode the Budapest Castle District Funicular to the top of the castle district.
The Hungarian history is slightly complicated, so Nicole ended up writing names and looking them up once we got home :) . We toured the Matthias Church and it was amazing to see that every part of the church was painted. Frescos were on every wall.
After our group tour, Nurse Nicole wanted to check out the "Hospital in the Rock". This Hospital is located near the castle district, so it was very easy to get to from where our walking tour ended. Nicole loved everything about the hospital and she even brought home some authentic souvenirs to put in her office! The hospital was built into a rock during WWII and it was used again during the 1956 revolution. During the Cold War it added on chemical and Nuclear bomb shelters. The tour was very informative and we walked in a group with a guide telling us about the different rooms. They have wax figurines in the rooms and period appropriate equipment on display. It is hard to imagine working underground in overcrowded rooms. If you are in the medical field, you will find this very interesting!
After the Hospital in the Rock we headed down the castle district and headed back to the hotel. We dropped off Nicole's goodies and got ready for the Széchenyi Baths. Many of our tour members were having anxieties about being able to navigate the baths, but we were up to the challenge. Don't be scared, it is so simple. It is run just like a public pool. You go up to pay they ask you if you want a locker or changing room, they give you a bracelet and you are on your way.
Traveler Tip: GO TO THE BATHS REGARDLESS OF YOUR CONFIDENCE IN A SWIMSUIT. We learned that Europeans don't care nearly as much as Americans and everyone and there grandma is in a swimsuit enjoying the baths. Don't miss out of this opportunity just because you aren't 100% comfortable in a swim suit. The baths were fun and a true Budapest experience.
After the Hospital in the Rock we headed down the castle district and headed back to the hotel. We dropped off Nicole's goodies and got ready for the Széchenyi Baths. Many of our tour members were having anxieties about being able to navigate the baths, but we were up to the challenge. Don't be scared, it is so simple. It is run just like a public pool. You go up to pay they ask you if you want a locker or changing room, they give you a bracelet and you are on your way.
Traveler Tip: GO TO THE BATHS REGARDLESS OF YOUR CONFIDENCE IN A SWIMSUIT. We learned that Europeans don't care nearly as much as Americans and everyone and there grandma is in a swimsuit enjoying the baths. Don't miss out of this opportunity just because you aren't 100% comfortable in a swim suit. The baths were fun and a true Budapest experience.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped by the parliament building, Nicole took a photo with the Imre Nagy statue and we soaked in the events of 1956. We then headed to the Danube and saw the memorial to the Holocaust. We then caught the number 2 tram and enjoyed one of the most scenic public transportation routes in the world. Budapest was a fantastic city, and we hope to return. There is so much history and the city is so large there are still so many places we would like to see.