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Budapest

Our final stop on a whirlwind tour through eastern Europe! Budapest, Hungary.

I learned very recently from my friend Susan that Budapest is two cities separated by the Danube. Buda is one side, Pest is on the other. I had no clue! So glad she dropped that tidbit of knowledge a few weeks before we left. We learned so much more about their history in a 4 hour walking tour that left Matt begging for aspirin and a bench ;-)  Even my feet hurt! But it was well worth it.

Food highlights:
While we did not eat at McDonalds, I was always fascinated by how there was one in each of the bigger cities we visited and how their fare represented the region. For instance, this one had nutella desserts, all of them had croissants, and a few you could get a cup of mulled wine with that burger.

The historic coffee shop here was richly done. A palace from years ago (like so many), the charm was preserved in the renovation and I am certain most of the fabrics and lighting was original. Maybe the wallpaper too in some parts. I had a strawberry dream cake that made me want to weep!

Tour highlights:
The Holocaust memorials were moving in a gut wrenching, soul hurting, kind of way.
The architecture, much like Vienna, was almost overwhelming. Such detail and time. Watching it on the history channel is not the same my friends!

We were a little behind schedule and unable to sail into the city at a time of night when we were awake. The crew made it a point to repeat the entrance the next night so everyone could watch as we sailed in to port. Matt and I could not understand why this was important. Until we went above deck to watch as we sailed in at night. We were speechless. So if you go, I highly encourage you to be on a boat on the Danube at some point at night.




















































































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