Budapest

Today was my first day in Budapest!

The journey went smoothly: I got my plane with plenty of time, anyway it was late, so we landed half an hour past the expected time of arrival, but I had plenty of time to buy my subway tickets and our tourist 3-day cards before J. arrived. Yep, not traveling alone this time.

The weather was beautiful, we found the address of our rented flat quickly, we got the keys without trouble, we dropped our bags and started exploring.

Renting a flat is a cheaper option than an hotel, especially if you are staying more than three days and if there are several people in your party. In addition to that, since you can cook your own food, you save compared to eating out.

The flat we chose had two separate rooms, was on a first floor (the British first floor, the one above the ground level, not the American first floor); to access the different flats, one goes up the stairs, enter the inside balcony that runs around the interior courtyard, and reaches one's door. I really love that.

The central courtyard - Photo courtesy J.

Our building, although it looked old and a bit run-down, was very well situated, between two major subway lines and not that far from a third.

Our first visit was to St. Stephen's Basilica. It is at the end of our street, and walking an equal distance in the other direction would have led us to the opera, which we didn't get to visit.

The basilica is quite nice, with an interior typically baroque and rococo -although contrary to other places, I found it quite harmonious.

I particularly liked the chandeliers - Photo courtesy J.

The cupola - Photo courtesy J.

Actually, we went first up the cupola, on the observation platform to see the city.

Photo courtesy J.

The main relic of the basilica is the mummified hand of St. Stephen, which we couldn't see that day (but we went back a few days later). The fist is covered by a rich sleeve and is set in a huge reliquary.

After the visit we walked to the Danube, passing by a bridal couple.

A bridal couple walking toward St. Stephen's Basilica - Photo courtesy J.

We crossed the Danube, walked a bit, saw the night was falling, crossed back, and went looking for a place to eat.

Photo courtesy J.

J. remembered a good place to eat a goulash, and we went to the Bazilika restaurant, nearby St. Stephen, obviously, where we got a delicious goulash soup and a very good dessert (home-made strudel...!)

A very good first day.