Budapest: For Lovers Young and Not-So Young

A Glittering City

People often tell me they live vicariously through me.  Generally they’re referring to my travel adventures and stories rather than the more tedious aspects of my single woman’s life, I imagine.  (Although my romantic encounters can, I suppose, be sometimes viewed as out of the ordinary!)  I rarely envy other peoples’ travels, mostly because I often see them as uniquely their own.  But recently I arranged for my friend, Denise, and her husband, Alan, to go on a trip where I imagined myself every step of the way.  It turned out to be a most romantic journey and I’m sure part of me not only coveted her travels but I also imagined myself experiencing this magical city—that always intrigued me—with my own special someone.  Oh well, thankfully my life isn’t over yet!

Folk Dancers at the Wine Festival

The Hungarian capital of Budapest was her chosen destination, a selection made partly because of her husband’s Hungarian ancestry.  Denise and Alan divided one week between Budapest and Prague; the another was passed in the Hungarian countryside where they found it to be quite easy to explore by car.  As in France and other European countries, good signage in Hungary is more the norm than the exception.

Largely considered one of the most beautiful cities of Europe, Budapest is most typified by the Danube, the river made known probably first as a frontier of the Roman Empire and more recently (in 1867!) by a Viennese waltz that will forever evoke merriment and optimism.  Classified as World Heritage sites, the two banks of the Danube, Buda and Pest, are punctuated by many great buildings and monuments, some of which house hotels that overlook the legendary blue swath of the Danube.

Four Seasons Gresham Palace

The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is one such establishment and I can only fantasize how it would be to sit riverside with my lover and be torn between staring into his eyes or the depths of the Danube.  Aside from its supreme location and usual Four Seasons distinctions, this fine property is also known for its exciting collection of contemporary artwork.  Denise and Alan stayed here.  I did not.  I can only dream, but they told me it was extraordinary.

Eastern European Elegance at the Four Seasons Budapest

And today it’s comparatively affordable.  “The whole country is a bargain,” Denise says of this Eastern European land.  And she informed me of that before the world economic downturn.  I’m sure you can find even more deals there today.  And now is a wonderful time to begin planning a trip to Budapest for the spring, a lovely season for visiting most of Europe.  Know that a meal in Budapest for two in a nice restaurant including wine runs about $50. to $60.

While in Budapest, Denise and Alan experienced a wine festival where they found Hungarian wine to be a delicious, well-kept secret, attended classical music concerts, many of which were held for free in churches and other landmark sites, traveled on trolleys, visited countless places of worship, including the second largest synagogue in the world, gazed admiringly at flourishing examples of Art Nouveau architecture, feasted on distinctive cuisine such as mouthwatering strudel, foie gras and paprika-charged regional dishes, danced to Hungarian folk music, pondered visiting the renowned thermal bathes but instead opted for private spa treatments at the lovely Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Budapest, cruised the Danube, basking in the glow of the many illuminated monuments and, of course, walked hand in hand throughout this ancient city.

Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Budapest Spa

They have provided me with much to envision and for that and much more I am most grateful.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, 36 (1) 268-6000, www.fourseasons.com/budapest

Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Budapest, 36 (1) 479-4000, www.corinthia.com

Budapest Tourist Office, 36 (1) 266-0479, 36 (1) 322-4098 or 36 (1) 488-0475, www.budapestinfo.hu

Other Notable Budapest Hotels

Hotel Intercontinental Budapest, 36 (1) 327-6333, www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/overview/budhb

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, 36 (1) 429-3777, kempinski.com/budapest

The Public Bathes

Travel Tip Worth Noting

Denise spent a half day looking to find cash in Budapest.  She found ATMs throughout, but virtually all seemed to require a debit card with a pin number.  Plus or Cirrus were nowhere to be found.  She’s a highly experienced traveler and never encountered this before.  It always makes sense to check with your credit card company or bank regarding where or how you might easily find ATMs in the destinations you’re traveling to abroad.

Denise and Alan in Love in Budapest