I’ve gone by regional train to Debrecen, one of Hungary’s largest cities, and to Lake Balaton, the biggest lake in Central Europe. From Debrecen, we also made a short trip to Tokaj, a region famous for its vineyards and sweet wines. We were able to visit a szüreti fesztivál, or harvest festival, with a parade through the town. People wore traditional clothes, played folk music, and danced in the streets. It was such a fun atmosphere and a great way to see a more traditional side of Hungarian culture. Those trips together added another 450 miles or so.
In Budapest, I’ve been using the public transit system which is honestly one of the best I’ve ever used. There are many ways to get around including the metro, trams, buses and trolley cars that connect all over the city. It’s easy to use, and everything usually runs on time. I have a monthly unlimited pass, which makes it simple to take whatever I need without worrying about tickets.
It’s also a nice way to see the city. Some of the tram lines run right along the Danube, and you get great views of the bridges and the Parliament building while you ride.
This week I went to the Széchenyi Bath, which is one of the big thermal baths here in Budapest. It’s outdoors, and even though it’s getting colder, the water is naturally hot from the springs underneath the city.
Even though I really liked Széchenyi, my favorite bath so far has been Gellért, which I visited about a month ago, before it closed for renovations.
