Budapest

If I HAD to choose a favorite city from our Easter trip, I think Budapest would be the one.  Nothing beats the breathtaking views of the city at night while cruising up and down the Danube.  As Rick puts it, it's "a grand city that's bathed in floodlights."

Castle Hill - Royal Palace & Matthias Church:

Royal Palace:

We happened to arrive just in time to see the President of Bulgaria arrive at the Royal Palace.  It was quite the ordeal...the red carpet was rolled out and everything!

Dad walking alongside a soldier after the ceremony to welcome the President

Turul Bird - this mythical bird of Magyar folktales supposedly led the Hungarian migrations from the steppes of Central Asia in the ninth Century; a symbol of Magyar pride

Matthias Church - Matthias was the last Hungarian King:

Fishermen's Bastion surrounding Matthias Church - in the Middle Ages, the fish market was just below here, so it was guarded by fishermen

Gellert Hill

Chain Bridge - main bridge connecting Buda & Pest over the Danube:

Hungarian Parliament (inspired by London's!):

St. Istvan's Basilica - the actual "holy right hand" of St. Istvan remains in the church on display - no joke:

Ronald Reagan statue!

Hungarian Gypsy music night!

After our cruise down the Danube, we enjoyed a traditional Hungarian meal right on the river - with these guys entertaining us throughout the entire evening.  They were so good, that we left there with not one, but TWO of their CDs...suckers?  

Szechenyi Baths:

Grant and I are such pasty Londoners now!  I think a beach trip is in order ASAP...

The last supper...enjoying some of Budapest's finest seafood, which included carp (aka bottom feeders)!  Carp is surprisingly very popular in Budapest, and in Europe in general...I don't think we're convinced after this meal, but hey, at least we tried it!  

Grant and I (tearfully) said goodbye to my parents, then we were off to enjoy one last day in Budapest:

Wine and pizza for lunch - our favorite!

Heroes' Square - built in 1896 to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the Magyars' arrival in Hungary

1956 Monument - celebrates the historic uprising against the communists (a giant statue of Stalin used to stand on this site)

New York Cafe - originally built in 1894 as part of the "New York Palace" - the fanciest "cafe" I have ever seen!

Our 9 days in Eastern Europe were truly amazing, but definitely eye-opening as well.  There is just SO much to do and SO much history to soak in - it's absolutely fascinating.  Until we meet again!