A Holiday Weekend in Budapest

Returning to America for the holidays posed a challenge, both in time and expense. Mr. HomeFree had limited time off available and plane tickets were obscene. We typically pay about $1,000 per ticket. At this time of year, each ticket was $2,000. The saying is: “Go big or go home.” So, we went big. Here is a brief summary of our weekend in Budapest, Hungary.

Geography & Safety

First, for the geographically challenged, here is a tutorial. If you start in France and go east you arrive at Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary in that order (depending on how straight a line you are following). While there is a small piece of Hungary that shares a border with Ukraine, that area is not near Budapest. In addition, I checked the U.S. State Department’s website for travel advisories. Travel Advisories (state.gov) Hungary was listed as Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

Airbnb in Budapest

I’ve written before about the narrow catwalk we had to cross to get to our apartment in Slovenia. While we didn’t have to do this in Budapest, the building did have a catwalk to reach some of the apartments once you got to the interior courtyard. This catwalk and courtyard were in much better shape than the building in Slovenia was. Our apartment had a nice view of the courtyard.

The apartment didn’t really have a living room. It was a kitchenette and dining table in one space and the bedroom/bathroom in another space. For the three nights we visited, it was just fine. One of the reasons we selected this destination is because the Hungarian Forint is super cheap compared to the American dollar. We spent $137 (USD) for all three nights!

A Walking Tour to start our weekend in Budapest

There is an organization called Trip to Budapest that offers six different free walking tours of the city. Check them out here. The only cost is what you choose to give your guide as a gratuity at the end of the tour. We registered in advance and met the guide in a park with a huge ferris wheel. The guides are trained professionals and locals. Andy was a wonderful guide and we enjoyed our tour. The history of Hungary is complicated and not always happy, but the people were friendly and the city has a unique gritty beauty.

Food!

It wouldn’t be a travel article from me without a discussion of food. Mr. HomeFree’s co-worker told me specifically, “I travel so I can eat. It’s about the food.” She nailed it. Let’s face it, that’s one of the best parts about travel.

Let’s all thank the powers that be right now for goulash, chicken paprikash, langosh, chimney cakes and stuffed cabbage.

Rustico Restaurant

We had lunch at Rustico on December 26^th and it was the best version of several dishes that we ate during our weekend. The atmosphere is amazing too; a true feast for all your senses.

You DO NOT want to miss the next Mrs. HomeFree post when we try an outdoor thermal bath and take a cruise down the Danube.