As we travel, we use a few different resources to find places to visit and stay. When we were planning our way through Romania, we noticed a recurring theme, folks were commenting “that’s really expensive for Romania”. Fuel, parking, campsites, restaurants, groceries, you name it, people were complaining about the prices. Romania was apparently inexpensive at one time, but not any more!
We crossed the border into Hungary on fumes because we wanted to fill up at the drastically lower fuel price we heard we would find once in Hungary. The rumors were true! The cost of a gallon of diesel was about $4.78, whereas in Romania it was around $7.65. That is a massive difference and there is a reason for that, but we didn’t find that out until later in our stay.
Fuel prices in Hungary are exactly the same no matter where you fill up. There is no competition between stations. However, these cheaper prices were meant to be only for Hungarian citizens and not for travelers or those living near borders who just pop over and fill their tanks. At the time we entered Hungary, no one seemed to be enforcing the citizen-only rule, so we got quite the deal! Unfortunately, the very afternoon after we filled up, enforcement went into effect. By the time we left Hungary, we were back to full price again. Bummer!
It wasn’t really too bad, because we had only one destination in Hungary and that was Budapest, so we didn’t do any driving while we were there other than to get settled into our campsite. This city had been on my bucket list for a very long time and I have to tell you, it exceeded my expectations.
I’ve said this before, but the question we always ask ourselves as we travel is “could we live here?” and for me, regarding Budapest, the answer was a resounding yes. Yes, I could happily live in Budapest.
What is it about the city? It is centrally located in Europe and you feel that pull of both the east and the west in the food, culture and politics. Budapest is a beautiful city with Old World charm, a vibrant cafe culture, thriving arts scene, gorgeous architecture, clean and efficient transportation, friendly people and a welcoming expat community. It is an extremely affordable place to live and don’t even get me started on the food. Seriously, we would be here all day!
Although Budapest is an easy city to explore, it is always nice when we meet up with locals who are willing to show us around. In this case, our friends Brad and Oksana introduced us to Chris and Erin, an American couple from Colorado who are now living in Budapest. We met Chris and Erin for lunch and then enjoyed a walking tour by the Danube river and into their neighborhood. It certainly helps to get to know a place when you can get the perspective of locals, and especially, in our case, expats. Not only are Chris and Erin great tour guides, but they are also great fun to pal around with. We thoroughly enjoyed their company!
In total we spent 10 days in Budapest and had made plans to see Chris and Erin again, but a few days into our stay Steven got very sick with a high fever and diarrhea. Of course the first thing we thought was that he had gotten Covid. Although we both tested negative, over the next few days he didn’t improve much, but I never did become sick at all. Given that, and a couple more negative tests, we decided it must have been food poisoning. We pretty much eat the same things, so I think it must have been some leftover chicken that we purposefully undercooked so it could withstand reheating. I think my portion got fully cooked through in the reheating and his did not. At least, that’s my theory and we haven’t really come up with anything else, so food poisoning it is!
I did not let Steven’s illness deter me from exploring Budapest. I had a fabulous day out on my own visiting some of the best sights on both the Buda and the Pest sides of the river. I came home raving about everything and exclaiming how sorry I was that he had missed it all. I guess that means we will have to return for another visit! The saddest part of not having Steven with me is that I had to take my own photos.
Our campground was great, although we parked under some kind of tree that the berry-eating birds just loved. Each evening they would fly into the tree and the next morning we always had a big poopy surprise on our front window. And getting it off was like removing tar, nearly impossible. After a few days of that chore we finally moved to another spot!
We were really bummed when we had to cancel lunch with Chris and Erin due to Steven’s illness, but they surprised us and came riding up to our site on their motorcycle! I wish I had a photo of Mr. Cool riding in his basket wearing his doggie goggles. He was super cute.
So there you have it. I hope my photos have given you a sense of Budapest. It has hands-down been one of my favorite cities in all the lands. If it isn’t yet on your bucket list, it should be!
NEXT UP: Making our way to the UK!
I never realized that it is actually two cities, Buda and Pest! Learn something new every day! Your photos are beautiful, too.
Isn’t that interesting? I didn’t know that either until I started researching for our visit. I don’t recall any In Program travels to Budapest from school, but there may have been some. Would have been fun to visit back then!
Very happy to see more of Budapest! Thank you!
Beautiful cities! I’ve said it many times, but thank you both for your engaging travelogues!
Thank you , Cat! And happy birthday today!
Cindy, it is such a lovely city. Have you been? If not, put it on your list!
Wow! What a beautiful city indeed and the food look so delicious. Patiently waiting for your next post.
We were there to visit and catch up with a high school buddy a few years back. I think Budapest is one of most beautiful cities in Europe possibly because it wasn’t destroyed in WWII. Still has a lot on 19th century charm. Sorry to hear got Steven got sick…steak rare…chicken not so much😵💫
All the photos are fab, even those of the photographer’s apprentice 😎
Dave, I recall Jeanne mentioning you had visited a friend there and that you had chicken paprikash. I left there with a lifetime supply of paprika so I could make it! Off to find a recipe! 🙂
Yeah, Rita, that food! And it isn’t difficult to make, which means someday I can recreate it. I did leave with a lifetime supply of paprika!
Great tour! Your photos are wonderful. First I couldn’t get over all the pictures of the food you have been eating, then I couldn’t get over all the walking you did while Steven was sick back at home. Such energy! It looks like you really made the most of your time in Budapest. Glad Steven recovered.
I walked so much on that day by myself I actually got a blister! I slapped a piece of tape on it and kept going. The things you learn while hiking. 🙂 Steven is well recovered now, but it took a while. More on that in the next post.
Thank you for taking me along.
Our pleasure, Kathryn, thanks for tagging along (and sticking with us when we take a break!).
Budapest is one of my favorite cities too! I’m so glad you got to see it and take us along. I have so many memories there, all amazing. There’s too much to see in just a short visit! I hope you do go back again.
Kristin
Yes, you are right about the visit being short. We have talked about returning for a much longer visit and I hope we are able to make that work. We’ll see, but wouldn’t it be so fun??
I can certainly appreciate what you love about this amazing city!! Between the food, the architecture and living and dining in ruins I think I’d want to live there too. How fun to meet up with such seasoned travelers! You have always been an awesome photographer and your photos here are wonderful. That bunny with the telescope and the mural door are greaaaat :-)) Once you get your own place there we’ll come visit 🙂
Would you, though, Jodee? Would you come visit? Because I can get an apartment in no time. 🙂 Seriously, you would fall in love with Budapest because there is so much to see and do, and it is kind of chill at the same time. Oh, and they have spas and when all the girls go to the spa it is called a “Sparty”. LOL, let’s meet in Budapest and have a sparty!
Great blog and photos. What a beautiful and clean looking city. Always great to see you two and I always enjoy Steven’s art on FB. PS this is for steven only (maybe you should look into a food taster)
haha, he will think twice about leaving that chicken undercooked from the grill! It seemed like a good idea at the time. Good to hear from you, Vern! Hope all is well.
Wow! What an absolutely gorgeous city, and that parliament building is STUNNING!!
Your travelogue is so fun and your photos are terrific.
And my favorite part is you will drop your husband like a bad habit for some good sightseeing.
Nicely done!! LOL!!
Haha, right? I’m like, here’s some juice, you good? Honestly, I think he was glad to see me go. He needed a bit of alone time to recover and I was chomping at the bit to get out and see the city. It is absolutely stunning. We had plans to go out at night (a rarity for us) and see the Parliament building, but we didn’t make it. Next time. Hope you are settling into your new locale, must be very exciting for you!
Unfortunately, we’re not in Portugal yet. We’ve got about 3 more weeks in the U.S. We’re currently frantically trying to figure out how to get everything else done that needs to get done… which is why I’m screwing off reading blogs rather than doing any of those things.
🙂
The statues and architecture are beautiful! I can see why you would be drawn to those cities.
Well, I know you aren’t really drawn to big cities, but maybe your recent trip inspired you to consider the possibility. If so, I highly recommend Budapest! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed Budapest! There are many more layers of the onion to peel. Budapest awaits your next visit!
In the meantime, where shall we meet up next?
Such a beautiful city and architecture. Great job taking those photos when Steven was sick. I got severely sick in Tanzania for days from either food or the water so I feel your pain Steven. Safe travels!
Thanks, I had a good teacher. 🙂 When you get sick while traveling it is even worse than if you are home. At least Bijou is home, but the walls close in when the space is so tiny!
Pat and I are still marveling at the fact that we had never heard of Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube. Just think how popular we’ll be at parties now! Ha! Anyway, it was an amazing fact and looks like an amazing city. Glad you had such a great visit.
I know! The things we learn while traveling, right?
Incredible photos and writing, as always! I’m definitely putting Budapest on my bucket list!!
Thanks, Carmela. Get yourself to Budapest ASAP, I promise you won’t regret it. Just don’t go in the winter (brrrr) or summer (sizzle). Otherwise, it’s perfect! 🙂
Oh boo, I’m not receiving notifications of your posts, but I just checked in on you. And YAY Budapest!! I loved the city, too. It still had a distinct just-escaped-from-communist-rule vibe when I was there in 1990, but I remember it as gorgeous and your photos show that my memory is telling the truth. One of my favorite things was to go to the Turkish baths!
I’m so sorry that Steven was sick. Yuk, food poisoning is the worst! I’ve had it twice, both times from chicken. Now I’m really cautious around chicken, haha! Glad to hear from you guys and to know that all is well.
I don’t know why you haven’t been getting notifications (other than I haven’t been posting much…) I did see that you signed up again, so next time I post let us know if you get the notification!
The communist history in Budapest is fascinating. You wonder why anyone would ever want to go back to that. And yet, in many of the Eastern European countries the pull is strong and it is a constant battle. I can’t help but see young people in the cities and wonder if they are actively working to secure their futures or if they are complacent. As we are learning, democracy is teetering on the edge.
Budapest looks like a wonderful city to explore–and how great to have personal tour guides. Sorry Steven was under the weather, but glad he recovered fully.
Just like traveling in the states, people we meet are an important part of the journey. Meeting folks like Chris and Erin are really highlights of our travels in Europe!
Hi!! Love reading about your walk on the VF!! We are headed to Italy later this month to walk for two weeks on the Cammino Naturale Parchi , East of Rome and then two weeks on a different route in Puglia. Interesting reading about your accommodations and finding food. Happy Travels. Happy to have found your blog.
Hi, Kathy, thanks for taking time to comment! I’m glad you found us and excited to hear about your upcoming walks in Italy. We enjoyed ours very much, although it was certainly challenging! But isn’t that what it is meant to be? Best of luck and I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!