Before Romania, I was in Budapest for a few days. This has been a fast-moving trip with a new country every few days. Not surprisingly, I’m wishing I had more time in each place, but this trip is based on a Eurail pass, so on I go!
My Home Exchange in Budapest was upgraded from a single room to a three-bedroom apartment due to some delays in window repairs. My host was very apologetic, but I could not complain! I was around the corner from a Metro station and found the public transportation in Budapest to be among the easiest and most convenient I’ve ever encountered. Hop on a bus, tram, or metro, tap your credit card, and get anywhere in the city within minutes.
One of the stops on a walking tour was at the memorial to Jews who were executed along the banks of the Danube River after being asked to remove their shoes, which were too valuable to toss into the water. The fascist, antisemitic, Hitler-pleasing Hungarian Arrow Cross Party carried out the executions as fellow Hungarians watched from their apartment windows. Though the party was brought to power with the help of the Nazis, their reign of terror shocked even some German officials.
This simple memorial is a prescient reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and movements built on hate and othering.
Bull’s Blood
I took my walking tour guide’s recommendation to visit the town of Eger, a two-hour train ride from the capital, on my final day. Eger is known for its wines and I did sample several at the wineries built into caves, including the “Bull’s Blood” variety the region is best known for. I also walked around town, visited a castle, a cathedral, a very old library, and climbed a minaret, all before the wineries of course.
How Do I Look?
Rather than tour the famous Budapest Opera House, I went to see an actual opera, my first. It was a Hungarian historical love story and included subtitles in English. From my perch high up on the top balcony, I could see the orchestra clearly and all of the very fancily dressed patrons. On my left were two young men in suits, ties, and very well-polished shoes. To my right was an older couple in their best outfits with a young boy who also sported a jacket and tie.
I was a little self conscious about wearing my lightweight travel clothes with no jacket, tie, or polished shoes, but during intermission I spotted many other tourists, some that made me look like one of the fancily dressed people.
I almost didn’t post anything about Budapest since I was just a tourist and I wasn’t sure what I’d say, but this blog is ultimately for me to remember where I’ve been – so I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
Click on the first image to open the gallery.
March 20, 2026 @ 06:11
Again I thirst to be there! Thanks Tim
March 23, 2026 @ 09:38
I think this place is right up your alley!
March 20, 2026 @ 11:04
Awesome, as usual, Tim! The Chorus sang in Budapest on our 2017 tour at a church called “Mathias Church”. One of your photos looked a little familiar, so that may have been it.
Budapest was the last stop on that tour, the first being Prague, which was actually my favorite ~ I hope you have the chance to go there some day.
Meanwhile, have fun, and keep those pics coming!
Pam
March 23, 2026 @ 09:39
Yes, that was the Mathias Church. It’s beautiful. I did get to Prague in 2018 and was frequently reminded of it while in Budapest.
March 20, 2026 @ 14:21
Oooooh….wine! Beautiful pics, Tim.
March 23, 2026 @ 09:40
Keep those compliments coming!
March 23, 2026 @ 21:47
Tim, you really are the Traveling Wonder! Pam mentioned our trip there with the chorus — our tour guide told us to expect “service with a snarl” from Budapest! We actually did just fine. I remember the shoes . . . so chilling.
March 26, 2026 @ 00:34
Same here – everyone was quite nice.