All posts filed under: Hungary

Forgotten Photos ~ Budapest *snow edition*

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*WARNING: Sad story ahead.* I take so many photos that editing and storing and posting them all can turn into one big gloopy messy pile of … crap. Doing it regularly gets tiring and then I end up forgetting about so many great shots and moments, which definitely is a big boo boo. Anyhow, here are a random collection of images from Budapest, Hungary, some of which are more recent and some of which perhaps were taken last year – honestly, everything is such a mess in my photo-organising I can’t even remember. It’s been snowing quite a lot lately, nevermind that Spring has sprung. Snow showers intercept deceptively Summery weeks and make for a luggage-catastrophe. When Spring arrives, one tends to ditch the multiple Winter jumpers, you know? Many of these images were taken with frozen fingers or gloves where I could barely even move my fingers, so either way, there is some special skill in what you’re about to see. *Sad story over.* Happy reading! Amazing coffee and cake at Goamama cafe. The interior …

A City Full Circle | Forgotten Photos ~ Budapest

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A nostalgic stew of random words + photos that never got posted… Nearly a full year since my first time in the capital, I was back in Budapest. I fly over so often it’s almost like my second home third home (I’m living outside of London for a while). But when a place becomes too familiar it can become… too familiar… not as inspiring as the first time around. As the freshness of a new place depletes, as can the creative inspiration. The first time I arrived in Budapest, circa February 2017, the city was suddenly blanketed in a soft thick layer of snow. The Danube river was nearly frozen over, rooftops were adorned with white-capped features, and the general buzz of the big and magnificent capital was overwhelmingly awe-inspiring. I had also recently purchased a new camera and lens (with a hefty price tag of which today I still shudder at) and my creative drive reached 0 to 60 in no time at all; I produced some of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken. In Summer, …

A Trip To Snowy Normafa ~ Budapest

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A blizzard of white flakes saturated the sky for days. Temperatures dropped to -10 and wearing 7 jumpers to go outside was no longer optional; The Beast From the East was operating with full throttle. In Budapest, the snow is a normal part of city life every year, but it doesn’t make it any less of a hassle. Walking anywhere becomes ten times more painful, choosing outfits boils downs to how thick and warm layers are, and warm stews and drinks are compulsory – luckily for those in Budapest, Hungarians do rich, warm, stews and soups (and generally Winter-food) the best. The snowy blankets dissipate from the city centre’s surfaces fairly fast due to the heavy footfall and busy transport system. But for a magical snow experience, head to the hills – the Buda hills. With ‘peaks’ rising up to 500m, the Buda Hills stand majestically over the city centre, looking over the Pest side. In Summer, the Hills are a serene escape and full of Summer lovin’, but in Winter, grab your skis, snowboards and …

How to Experience Budapest Like a Local ~ A Travel Top 6 Guide!

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Ever found yourself wandering the unknown streets of a city or town, wondering why you feel so out of place? Well you need some Travel Top 6 knowledge, my friend, and if you’re in the business of visiting Budapest, the glorious capital of Hungary, then don’t worry: I’ve got your back. In my latest Travel Top 6 article, in collaboration with Choice Hotels Europe, you’ll find out about some quick tips on eating, drinking, shopping and generally living like a local (from the perspective of a non-local trying very hard to fit in) in Hungary’s Buda-BEST city – scratch that – Europe’s Buda-BEST city. * Head here for the path to travel knowledge, and hit me up if you’re ever in the city! * “Any extra tips?” Make sure you say ‘szia’ (see-yah) to say hello and goodbye (yes… it’s the same). Make sure you say thank you: ‘köszönöm’ (kuh-suh-nuhm) or ‘köszi’ (kuh-si) for short. Eat everything with paprika and bread. Don’t spend longer than 5 seconds packing up your groceries at the tills after …

A Home Away From Home

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Although not as eventful as my first trip to Budapest, this holiday definitely was more relaxing without the burden of having to see everything in only a short period of time. It makes a change to spend more time in a place and get to know the city and culture in a unique way, one that resonates more than if you were to rush around in only 48 hours. On my last day we took one last wander through the city, stopping at Baotiful a very non-Hungarian restaurant serving the most amazing street-food style bao and pho. The sun began to set across the river, on the side of Buda and over the peaks of Fisherman’s Bastion and we walked up to see the Shoes on the Danube Bank by Hungarian Parliament, honouring the memorial and watching the sun turn from a warm amber and pink to a cold blue.

Everything Else in Beauty-Pest

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Once familiarised with a city, the pressure is off to cram in all the tourist hotspots. Two and a half weeks (after already being previously here for another two in Winter) seems like the sweet spot to feel like a local. Spending my days freelancing obviously leaves less time for one to experience the city but alas, work-life calls. If I had finished my work or fancied a walk around midday, I strolled with my camera to the centre, closer to the Danube, stopping at my now favourite coffee place Espresso Embassy, and seeing the usual sights; St Peter’s Basilica, Hungarian Parliament, etc. I found Lumas Art Gallery on one street corner, a tiny shop with contemporary art and photography which is worth a look if you’re in the area. Rather randomly, I also somehow managed to become the temporary owner of a dog – another way to feel like a local: own a (temporary) pet. Amy, a golden retriever mix, became homeless after her owner died and lives in a dog shelter awaiting adoption …

360 Budapest

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For the best views of the city, you have a plethora of options to choose from when visiting Budapest. If you fancy a night out on the town, including cocktails, DJs, good vibes and a sunset, head to 360 Bar in Pest. Upon finding the venue, you may seem confused as to how the building you’re entering would bear such spectacular a view. The small reception leads to an even tinier lift, but once you’ve arrived you can see what the hype is about. If you can find a table (reservations are recommended), watch the sun set whilst slurping your drink and watch the fairy lights flicker on over the terrace as night falls over the city. And don’t forget to take that compulsory sun-set selfie. * The rooftop bar buzzed with chatter and sparkled with the clinking of drinks; large pint glasses decorated tables alongside large jam jars filled with crushed ice and freshly made lemonade – something that’s served seemingly everywhere in Budapest this time of year. The main terrace hosted a large …

Lazy Summers

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The start of my second week in Budapest remained calm. I frequented coffee shops and took long jogs along the Danube to burn off all the tantalising cheesecake and coffee, walked up and down and around the narrow roads of the city, hoping to capture any magical moments, enjoying the sun (but remaining in the shade lest my poor skin suffer more). And for lunch, I would grab some fresh bread from a local bakery, and saunter home. Hitting up Madal coffee more than three times is a must. Above: cheesecake, banana cake, orange & turmeric juice, iced coffee. One coffee shop that has quickly become a favourite was Espresso Embassy; it’s embedded in the brightest yellow-faced building you’ve ever seen, it’s suave “E” logo jutting out above some wooden tables and chairs outside, adorned with tiny plants in white pots. Inside, they sell their excellent coffee blends alongside a variety of standard cafe drinks and a large selection of cakes and pastries, including cardamom buns, cheesecake and chocolate babka (which is a must-try). Large …

Castle on a Hill

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The slow mornings continued to prevail, this time eventually making our way to Székesfehérvár – a city in Hungary that used to be its capital in the middle ages. After taking a Hogwarts-style train to the city, we walked through empty, serene roads lined with fruit trees to try and find sustenance – we sneakily picked off some ripe, tantalisingly orange apricots and ate the fresh flesh to temporarily fix our hunger. At long last, we finally settled on bEAT restaurant – fine dining in the city without a hefty cost. To start, an amazing Hungarian meat and cheese platter served with slices of soft sourdough baguette. For mains, Hungarian ratatouille; slices of tomato, pepper, onion and more, in a rich tomato-y sauce, mixed with eggs and with two slim sausages atop. To finish we had the ultimate cheesecake, with a nutty, slightly green tinted biscuit bottom, flower petals and a lip-staining blueberry sauce. Bellies heaving, we bumbled back onto a bus and made our way to Bory castle – a small castle built by …

Burn-Baby-Burn

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We awoke to the sound of planes overhead, neeaww-ing back and forth across the city. This weekend, Budapest hosted the Red Bull World Air Race on the Danube, a summertime spectacle based on speed and precision for a select number of pilots and their planes, speeding down the river, winding through tall air-filled pillar-buoys and loop-de-looping high into the sky. The event attracted over 650,000 spectators in 2009, and this year the same could be said – perhaps more. The river-side was filled to the brim with scuttling spectators, lining the roads and elevated banks to watch the speedy planes zoom by into the sky. Both young and old were in awe, comical head turns of the entire crowd in full swing, much like what you could imagine at a Wimbledon match. Street food vendors dished out Gyros (kebabs), Lángos (basically giant flat doughnuts) and gelato to spectators, famished and parched from the blistering heat. We made our way to the race after making our way to the Hungarian Parliament, viewing the majestic neo-gothic style …