Typically when we visit a new city we head straight for the centre and soak up the atmosphere. In Budapest we took a different approach and took the Zugliget Chairlift to Normafa Park for a fun steep ride up the hillside and a lovely view over the city.
Once back at the van, I got the exciting news that my Open Door Traveller Scheme was designed and ready to launch! This lovely concept is a free sign you can pop in your campervan so it acts like a little beacon to say you are open to conversation. If you see the green side, you can be sure of a warm hello, perhaps a cuppa and a lovely mini connection. This side steps the worry of whether people are on holiday for alone time. Click here for your free Download and there is a Facebook page where you can check in and share your experiences 😊
With great facilities and an easy tram ride into the city we are staying at Arena Camping. There isn’t an obvious place to walk the dogs so we thought we’d do a street walk around the neighbourhood. An absolute nightmare – the Hungarians definitely love dogs, and walking down one street we had 50+ dogs charge barking at their fences. Ernest and Mabel tried to join in barking and grumbling back, while Jasper just plodded on regardless. We kicked up a right cacophony of noise and I’ve got blisters on my fingers from holding on to Ernests lead. If nothing else it was great resistance training, and I did spot lots of my favourite breeds. Think we will try a different route though.
Visiting a city at night can make the buildings look even more spectacular. After a nice Mexican meal in The Vegan Street Food Garden we strolled down the back streets, looked in awe at the Dohány Street Synagogue and came out in a square ready for a beautiful and delicious ice cream from Gelerta Rose. Typically there are only a couple of vegan options but here there were so many! For my rose I plumped for a lemon and basil centre with strawberry and elderflower outer. I think we need to go back and try the rest 😋
Obviously I had a random end destination in mind, but we took in the ‘must see’ sights as well. The most magical of which was watching the birds fly over the parliament building – lit up from a distance they looked like fireflies. And oh what a breathtaking building that is!
Walking along the Pest side of the river Danube we saw lit up the striking architecture of Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, I’m sure these will look completely different up close and in day light, but there is a feast of impressive sites to see.
I always include a sculpture trail in our wanderings and to end our evening we arrived at the highlight – Columbo and his basset 🤣
SofaWolves 