Budapest

The place I have visited most recently is Budapest, Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and the seventh largest in the European Union.

Budapest is a fabulous city that had a surprisingly long lasting effect on me. My expectations were that of an old fashioned city living somewhat in the past with very Eastern European tendencies. I was dumbfounded when I arrived. Budapest is an amazing city, it's old fashioned, yet cosmopolitan, traditional, yet modern, refined, yet absolutely crazy!

My friend and I went over to visit one of my other friends who is living and studying there, with half of the Irish student population! Despite the questionable graffiti and designs on the wall all the way from the airport we were over whelmed when we reached her apartment. Everywhere in Budapest seems to have it's own little square that makes it feel like you're the only person in the city despite the fact that this could not be further from the truth. 

            

We initially strolled through the tree lined streets and visited the "Heroes Square", a must for anyone visiting. While it is quite a big city the streets are laid down in a way that would make it impossible to get lost. Most people in Budapest are very well put together and most of the time look like they're on a mission, this was extremely endearing for us, two green girls from Ireland!

If you're ever in Budapest, you simply cannot go and not go to the "baths" at least once, they are thermal healing baths, there's baths inside and outside, some are heated and some aren't and while there was a questionable smell coming from one of the baths (think your Sunday morning fry) it is a must see and my friends and I really enjoyed it. Another essential is, as cliché and touristy as it is, the bus tour, I know all the die hard travellers are hanging their heads in shame for me now but it was just the best thing we could have done, it brought us to both Buda and Pest and explained the history, you could hop on and off whenever you like and there's no way we would have seen as much without it.

The food, oh, the glorious food, if you're a foodie, a picky eater or you just love eating, you've come to the right place, from an Italian restaurant that cooks your meal right in front of you to the many Hummous Bars, you will find something you adore and want to return to again and again. For me, I discovered Sushi, after a long day being a tourist we ordered in Sushi, I was apprehensive, being a Sushi virgin but my God, it was heaven in my mouth, and that's pretty much the reaction we had to all the food we ate there. The café culture is huge over there, massive! Over the summer months there is always tables out front of the cafés and swarms of people surrounding them, it's soothing, in a way, and it's a beautiful way to break up the day!

From the amazing food to the crazy nightlife, chilling beside the amazing Danube and exploring the castle and Hungarian parliament, there's something in Budapest for everyone and I'd advise you go book your tickets RIGHT NOW!! 

Ps. With the currency exchange shopping is blissfully guilt free!

^ This was written on the back of a door in a club.. Imagine.