We reeeeeeeeeeally want to go and do and see as much of Europe as possible while we're here. So when I looked through the weekly Graf newsletter and saw they have fun trips planned every Saturday the rest of the month I called them right up and we had a little chit chat. Turns out the trips we want to go on are already booked so we got on the waiting list. Then he told me they have a trip planned to Budapest at the end of August - SIGN US UP, STAT! I can't wait to have these pictures that I found on google come out of my own camera instead of a search engine:
We have an entire "free" day in Budapest - what should we do? Eat? See? I really want to know!
They (and when I say "they" I mean the Leisure Travel Services) also has upcoming trips to Paris and Edinburgh Scotland. I hope we can go there too!
How fun!! Can't wait to see the pics from your trip there!!!
ReplyDeleteTake me with you! Sounds amazing...ENJOY!!
ReplyDeletelooks like heaven, so happy you are enjoying your new home!
ReplyDeleteSo, what do these mean? Do they pay for the travel and everything? Are you with a big group the whole time? More details!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that they do that! Budapest looks like it will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI went to Edinburgh when I was 16--it is REALLY cool. If you do make it there, try and go on a ghost tour through the catacombs underneath the city. Best ghost tour I've ever been on!!
in high school i went to a christian camp in hungary for a summer missions trip--- we would always go to budapest on the weekends. i love it there!!!! i forget the restaurants but we toured the castle on the pest side i think - that was super fun. they always had marketplaces out with awesome shopping.... can't wait to see your pics. hungary has a special place in my heart!
ReplyDeleteWow...I am really enjoying your blog, and will have to explore these far away places vicarously! That pool (fountain?) is gorgeous! Sounds like adventure awaits you!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSo often people don't realize there are two parts to Budapest, Buda on one side of the Danube and Pest on the other. Most people think of Pest when they conjure up images of the city. I'd really recommend a bike tour. I can't remember how much we paid for it but I'm sure it was cheap because we were poor grad students. If the kiddos are with you it might not be that easy though. Go see the palace, cross over the chain bridge and head up the hill in Buda for those gorgeous views of the palace. St. Michael's is a beautiful old church if that kind of thing interests you. But gorgeous old churches in Europe are a dime o dozen (which is crazy to think about). I also went to the baths you showed in the 6th photo down. It was so relaxing. If I remember, there's a zoo right there as well. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Edinburgh. You will loVe Scotland so be sure to sign up for that one. It is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWe were actually there just last year and had a great time! If you are able to, you should check out Memento Park - it's a bit outside the city, but totally worth the trip - a collection of Cold War/Soviet monuments that they didn't know what to do with after the Soviet Union fell. Definitely walk across the bridge between Buda and Pest. I also loved the walk down Andrassy Avenue - it goes right to Hero's Square, and it's lined with gorgeous buildings, many of which are embassies. The interesting thing is that there are also lots of buildings in serious disrepair, and if you head in a couple blocks from the square it changes immensely. You can still see bullet holes, damage from fighting, people just haven't been able to repair. Such an interesting juxtaposition. You must also try some Langos (pronounced langosh, which is kind o like a savory funnel cake). And you have to at least get dessert/coffee at the New York Cafe, restored to it's pre-war splendor, gorgeous inside, but they won't let you take photos without getting something to eat and it's pricey for an actual meal. It's an amazing city, we loved it!
ReplyDeletewow--I don't know but what a beautiful city!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure you are on!
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing! What a cool thing to be able to do. :)
ReplyDeleteEdinburgh is great. My in-laws live 1/2 hour away, so let me know if you need any tips before that trip. Have a great time in Budapest!
ReplyDeleteCheck with Chris Hillier!
ReplyDeleteOh, and wait for me! I want to come, too!
chris and i just went there a few years ago! (obviously he had been before because he served his mission in hungary but he hadn't done a lot of the touristy stuff) tell chris to call chris or when i get time i'll look up in my journal of what we did (remembering names of things is next to impossible!). definitely go to hero square, that palace/castle on a hill, something called gellert hedge (definitely not the correct spelling), and this holocaust kinda museum that is really cool. and make sure to eat langos (i saw someone else mention that too) and something i can't remember how to spell that sounds like "foreign eddie" that is a like a breakfast pastry and you can find them at food carts on the sidewalks. oh, and walk across that bridge with the lions on either side! we did europe for three weeks and spent a week and a half in hungary (although we went to a ton of the smaller cities too) and budapest was so amazing. i don't know why it doesn't get the hype that prague and vienna always get because, in my opinion, it's right up there with them! i'm so excited for you! i'm dying to go back!
ReplyDeleteBy far one of the best parts about living in Germany! As a child my mom, sister, and I did all those trips while my dad was deployed. I can remember so much even though I was only in 3rd-6th grade. Do as many as you can do! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI have the top ten things to do in Budapest on my blog http://melgetsscrappy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/top-ten-things-about-budapest.html
ReplyDeleteIts an amazing place - enjoy!