| Over the 2,000 years of its history, Budapest | | | | ransacked. Each time, new rulers rebuilt. |
| has been ruled at various times by the | | | | Visiting Buda Castle is like stepping back |
| Romans, Turks, Goths, Germans and until | | | | into the heights of the renaissance. The |
| recently the Soviets. They have all left | | | | Castle is adorned with red marble stairways, |
| their influences and the combination has | | | | gothic facades, bastions and epic statutes |
| given Budapest an ambience all its own. It's | | | | overlooking the Danube. The fountains around |
| a large city that was once considered three | | | | the Castle are simply fantastic for variety |
| cities. Pest, Obuda and Buda were divided by | | | | and beauty.Holy Trinity Square - Just to the |
| the Danube, which forks in the middle of the | | | | south of Buda Castle lies Holy Trinity |
| city. The three cities were combined in 1873 | | | | Square. The Church of the Holy Lady, which |
| and Budapest was adopted as the new | | | | is also known as Matthias Church, dominates |
| name.During a stay in Budapest there are a | | | | the square. The church has served as the |
| few must see attractions.Spas - Budapest sits | | | | location where Hungarian Kings undertook |
| on a tectonic plate fault line in Eastern | | | | their rule and many famous figures are |
| Europe. While earthquakes might seem | | | | interred on the grounds.Fishermen's Bastion - |
| inevitable, one advantage to the location is | | | | This Roman bastion has the appearance of a |
| the proliferation of mineral water spas in | | | | mini-castle at Disneyland. The views from |
| the city. Perhaps the best known is The | | | | the parapets are amazing as you take in the |
| Gellert Spa Hotel located in the center of | | | | Danube River as it cuts its way through |
| Budapest on the eastern shore of the Danube | | | | Budapest.Just outside of Bastion, however, |
| River. From the front, the hotel looks like | | | | you have to keep your eye out for something |
| a classic renaissance building you would find | | | | amazing. Hungarians historically have been |
| in Paris or Vienna. The entrance to the | | | | some of the best horsemen in the world. As |
| hotel opens onto an indoor pool that looks | | | | part of the tradition, the horseman carry |
| like something out of ancient Rome. The | | | | bullwhips instead of ropes. Big bullwhips. |
| square pool is surrounded by baroque columns | | | | And they like to crack them just outside of |
| and covered by a glass roof two stories above | | | | the bastion. If you aren't paying attention |
| the water. Palms, plants and relaxing | | | | when this occurs, the world's loudest snap |
| Hungarians are everywhere. It is | | | | will send you diving for cover. The only |
| staggeringly impressive.For roughly ten | | | | thing I can equate it to is the sound of |
| dollars, you can have the full Gellert | | | | rolling thunder, but without the rolling. |
| experience. There is one mixed sex indoor | | | | When it happens tourists' drinks, food and |
| pool and two sections reserved for just men | | | | cameras go flying!Margaret Island - In the |
| and women. In these reserved sections, you | | | | middle of the city chaos lays an oasis of |
| can get massage services, but keep in mind | | | | tranquility, Margaret Island, which is one of |
| these are vigorous Turkish style massages. | | | | the unique elements of Budapest. The island |
| Put another way, you will be getting slapped | | | | is located in the middle of the Danube River |
| around a bit instead of nearly falling | | | | in central Budapest and is a little more than |
| asleep.At the rear of the Gellert, there is | | | | 1 mile long and 500 yards wide. With the |
| an outdoor area that rivals any Las Vegas | | | | exception of a hotel at the south end, the |
| hotel. Unlike Vegas hotels with themes, this | | | | island is free of cars and buildings. In |
| pool area is truly historic. The area comes | | | | the past, Margaret Island served as a private |
| with marble steps, ceramic tile mosaics and | | | | park for Hungarian royalty and you can see |
| lush landscape. One tends to feel a bit like | | | | why. The island consists mostly of paths |
| you are taking a bath in the Vatican.There | | | | flanked by old growth trees, rose gardens and |
| are spas all over the place in Budapest but | | | | tailored lawn areas. Peacocks walk freely |
| another that you might try is the Kiraly | | | | around the island and wild ducks nest |
| Baths. Kiraly was apparently built during | | | | throughout the island. At the south end of |
| Turkish rule and the spa experience is | | | | the island, you can visit hot thermal |
| entirely Turkish, including the | | | | springs, walk on paths through peaceful ponds |
| massages.Castle District - Situated in the | | | | or relax in front of tiered water cascades. |
| Buda section of Budapest, the Castle District | | | | During part of the year, plays are undertaken |
| sits on the eastern side of the Danube. | | | | at an outdoor theatre. Only in Budapest can |
| Positioned a couple hundred feet above the | | | | you be in the middle of an active city, walk |
| Danube, the entire city of Budapest can be | | | | 200 feet across a bridge and be in a |
| seen from the numerous vantage points. The | | | | peaceful, forested area.When visiting |
| view is so amazing, the Italians coined a | | | | Hungary, it is easy to fall in love with |
| saying, "Europe has three gems - Venice on | | | | Budapest. Don't let the language frighten |
| the water, Florence in the plains and Buda in | | | | you away, there are getting to be more people |
| the hills". The Italians definitely got it | | | | - particularly students - who can speak a |
| right. Some travelers will tell you it's a | | | | little English and they're all eager to |
| reason in itself to visit Budapest.Buda | | | | practice on you. Hungarians are a proud |
| Castle - Sitting on top of a hill and | | | | people. While most are polite and some |
| towering over the Danube, the Buda Castle is | | | | helpful beyond belief, they are reserved, |
| stunning. Started under the guidance of King | | | | perhaps the most reserved people in Europe |
| Bela IV in the 14th century it was expanded | | | | you'll meet south of Scandinavia. Make a |
| upon by later rulers. Medieval times, | | | | friend though and you'll have a friend for |
| however, saw the castle burned, looted, | | | | life. Welcome to Budapest! |
| demolished, bombed with cannon balls and | | | | |