Budapest

I would like to say that everyone should go to Budapest once in their lifetime, it is an absolutely amazing city!! The whole city centre on the Pest side is filled with 18th and 19th century buildings and some of the main streets, Andrassy Avenue in particular, are protected by Unesco. The city has such a good energy to it and there are so many things to do. Whether you climb up Castle Hill in Buda to see the Royal Palace and the Museums on the Hill, or if you walk along the Danube Promenade between the Empress Elisabeth Bridge and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge the whole place is just stunning. The best view of the city is from the top of Gellert Hill in Buda where you can see virtually the entire metropolis, just stunning. Things I also enjoyed include visiting the Parliament, a beautiful building filled with neo-classical architecture built during the Habsburg era (when Hungary was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for the uninitiated). Another Habsburg Era building that is a must see is the National Opera House on ANdrassy Avenue. The Theatre was built in the 1880's and was inaugurated by Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) in 1885. Anotehr must see building, is St. Stephens Basilica, a huge church dedicated to St. Stephen, the forst King of Hungary. I also visited some less cheery buildings, notably the Terror House, which is a museum dedicated to the memory of those killed and interned by the Nazis and Soviets. The Museum is located in the same Building that housed the headquarters of the Nazi SS and the Soviet Secret Police from 1944 to 1956 and where thousands were tortured, tried, and many sentenced to death. It is a real eye opener because they do not spare any details, not a place for the faint of heart. I also walked up Andrassy to Heroes Square, a huge square at the entrance to the city park that commemorates heroes of Hungarian History. I did not get a chance to go to some of the famous baths however due to a lack of time. Anyways, Bye Bye from Europe, next entry will be about Austria and Vienna.