Buda- pesht!

David and I had a lot of fun in Budapest! 

We got to experience local culture:

We rubbed a hussar's belly to ensure a good meal:

 Even our food was happy:

We found Gandalf:

Seriously, though, I was impressed with the beauty of Budapest.  The capital of Hungary is divided into 2 major sections by the Danube- Buda, on the west side, and Pest (pronounced 'pesht') on the east.  Many beautiful bridges span the Danube, the most prominent being the Chain Bridge:

On the Buda side, the main attraction is Castle Hill where we saw the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and a great view of Pest.  You can either walk up a long set of steps or take a cable car to get up the hill.  We did both- once at night and once during the day.  It was worth it- the sights were beautiful both times. 

Since Budapest was the end of our journey through Central Europe, we treated ourselves to dessert at Cafe Gerbeaud, one of the most famous traditional coffeehouses in Europe:

We spent the entire next day at the Szechenyi Baths, soaking in the sun's rays and the warm thermal waters.

 I'll always fondly remember Budapest- we had a great time!

Prague

Prague- the "City of a Thousand Spires".  From its many churches lining cobblestone streets to the swans peacefully swimming along the Vltava River, it's no wonder that Prague is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe. 

Prague's skyline is dominated by its Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world, according to Guinness.  It's also where David and I started our tour of the city.

Within the grounds of the castle we toured the stunning St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane, a tiny alley of brightly colored houses where goldsmiths used to live.

St Vitus Cathedral

Royal Gardens

Royal Palace

  It also offered some incredible views of the city:

On our hike back down the hill we stopped for a trdelnik, which I can only describe as soft pretzel dough wrapped around a stick to be grilled and then topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon, nuts, jam, or nutella. 

While I'm on the subject of food, let's talk about meat.  Whatever meat I lack in Italy, I fully made up for it in Central Europe.  We had meal after meal of amazing pork, beef, and more beef.  My favorite restaurant in Prague is Staroceska krcma, which has no electricity.  Tables are lit by candle, and your meat is cooked in a large fire in the center of the restaurant.  I highly recommend it.  Here's David tackling a pork knuckle:

Day 2- We decided to tour St. Nicholas Church and then cross the Charles Bridge into Old Town Square.  With its pink and white marble and colorful frescoes, I thought St. Nicholas was even more beautiful than St. Vitus.

Charles Bridge is a pedestrian bridge lined with 30 statues, mostly of saints and religious figures.  Either end of the bridge is an ideal spot for picnicking along the banks of the Vltava or watching the swans. 

The Astronomical Clock is the highlight of Old Town Square, which we saw at noon when its little figurines are set in motion to announce the hour.  According to Wikipedia, it's the oldest working astronomical clock, built in 1410.

We ended our stay in Prague where it began- admiring the view of the river and the castle. 

Prague had been on my "bucket list" of places to visit for a long time, and it certainly lived up to its hype. 

Stay tuned for Budapest!

We'll always have Paris

The Louvre

After experiencing the art noveau in Belgium and the food culture in Amsterdam, we were ready for the romance of Paris.  Paris did not disappoint us.  The city is beautiful- the art, architecture, gardens, and cafes all have an ethereal quality that make you think you've somehow stepped into another dimension.  Somehow Paris heightens all of your senses, whether you're sitting in a park eating the most flaky, buttery croissant you've ever tasted, or viewing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night while enjoying the bubbly sensation of champagne on your tongue.

 Since it was our first time in Paris we made sure to see the typical tourist sites- the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and Sacre Coeur.  We ventured off the beaten path to enjoy lunch with the work-a-day crowd.  To satisfy my husband's love of the macabre, we visited the catacombs beneath the city, as well as Napoleon's tomb.  We just happened to run into our friend Logan outside Notre Dame one morning, and met him and his brother for dinner later on.  One evening the rain let up, and we spent a long time walking along the Seine, reflecting on the circumstances that led to our year living abroad.  And of course, we enjoyed a lot of crepes, cheese, and wine along the way! 

Here are the highlights:

Arc de Triomphe

View from the Arc

Champs Elysees:

The Eiffel Tower:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View from the Eiffel Tower at night

Notre Dame

Ducklings!

This was the most sun we saw all week!

The Seine:

Les Invalides (military museum):

Outside Napoleon's tomb

The Catacombs:

The Louvre:

Sacre Coeur:

Definitely worth the hike to Montmartre!

  Paris is a city of beauty, mystery, and romance.  I was only there 3 days, and feel like there is so much more there that I didn't experience.  I only scratched the surface of what the city has to offer.  Some day, I hope to return.