BudapestPersonal travel impressions in stories and pictures from Budapest, Hungary. Click on the pictures to enlarge, send as a free e-card, or download for personal use. You can locate Budapest and navigate the world using Google Earth Show on map
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My first arrival in Budapest was after having stayed a week in inner Rumania - and to me it seemed like arriving in paradise! After the few things which I had found in the neighbouring country, Budapest seemed like a fairy tale, with so many things to eat, and so many attractive pastry shops! Certainly, it was still a communist country, but within the communist block there were a lot of differences. So, after having enjoyed some good local delicacies, I attacked the city with renewed energy. And I was to find one of the most attractive capitals of Europe.
It is laid out on the banks of the river Danube, and the name of the city is actually a contraction of Buda on the East side of the city, and Pest, on the West side. Already because of its location, the city is beautiful. Impressive buildings line the shores of the river which reflects them in its quiet waters. Wherever you walk up a hill on the West side, you have perfect views of the city and its river at your feet. The huge red stars on top of major buildings have gone a long time ago, but the buildings certainly have retained their grace. 
Soon after starting to walk around in the city, it was clear that after having visited other communist countries, this one was at least materially closer to the west. In fact, the distance from Budapest to neighbouring Austria is very small indeed! Obvious places to visit during my tour of the city included the castle, its musea, walking the shores of the Danube, strolling around some of the islands and enjoying the bridges to reach them, relaxing in one of the thermal baths of the city. And last but not least, the Hungarian cuisine is very delicious!
