Coordinating holidays in Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia
Day 21 - Last day! 😢 We rode out to Devín Castle, which is a short distance west from central Bratislava. The grounds and the ruins were much more extensive than I expected, and it was a fun and interesting place to explore. After some delicious enchiladas (!) for supper, we went up to the UFO observation deck to watch the sun set and the city light up. A great event to finish the trip!
Day 20 - Out & about in Bratislava! We walked around the Old Town before crossing over to the castle. It took a bit of figuring to find where they had hidden all their galleries and exhibitions, but we found them. Even the one in the basement! Supper was spiced shrimp pil pil at Urban Bistro.
Day 18 - We made it through the day with no major mishaps! 😅 First we had a tour through the Važecká Cave, one of 7500 known caves in Slovakia. We spent the main part of our day at Štrbské pleso, enjoying a pleasant walk around the shore, and the feeling of cooler weather again - only 19°C today! The Wooden Articular Church of Svätý Kríž was about to close when we got there, so our last stop of the day was a short one. Supper was eggs, avocado, and smoked salmon on hearty bread at Arch Caffe, where we've also been having our breakfasts!
Day 17 - Today went... less smoothly than some of our other days! We made it to Orava Castle and had a wonderful visit there. On a "scenic" drive to the Lúčanský waterfall, GPS sent us down some questionable routes, which resulted in a flat tire! 😖 We spent the rest of the afternoon sorting that out, and I don't really know what we would have done without some help from a stranger, and a local friend who was willing to make phone calls for us. We've enjoyed a well-deserved supper of perogies and beer, and we are done for the day. We learned some things about driving in Slovakia for next year's trip!
Day 16 - We left Košice this morning and drove west and north toward the Tatra Mountains. We stopped in Žehra to see the tiny, 800-year-old Church of the Holy Spirit. Lunch was halušky at Spišský Salaš, and then we made a quick, superficial visit to Spiš Castle, which is currently under reconstruction and mostly closed. The rest of our drive was a scenic tour in the mountains until we got to Liptovský Mikuláš and went for a supper of grilled trout at Pension Drak. We got cool enough to want blankets! To celebrate we had hot chocolate (literally a cup of melted chocolate) for dessert. 😊
Day 15 - All around town! We started with a walk through Mestský Park, then breakfast. Later, we visited the Prémontré church, the East Slovak Gallery, and the Vojtech Löffler museum. Supper was the best falafel ever at Burekas!
Day 14 - Today's main event was a visit to Košice's botanical gardens. We had a beautiful walk through their various biomes and their butterfly habitat.
17 Facts You May Not Know About Slovakia:
1. Slovakia boasts a Guinness World Record for the largest ice cave in the world, the Dobšinská Ice Cave, with spectacular ice formations that are a sight to behold.
2. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is one of the only capitals in the world that borders two other countries: Austria and Hungary.
3. The Slovak flag, with its iconic tricolor design of white, blue, and red, is one of the oldest national flags in the world, dating back to the 9th century.
4. Slovakia is home to numerous unique folk festivals, including "Čertová Koľba" (The Devil's Backbone), where participants dress in traditional costumes and reenact historical events.
5. The country is famous for its rich spa culture, with over 1,200 mineral springs and thermal spas where visitors can relax and rejuvenate.
6. Slovakia is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering over 6,000 caves to explore, making it the highest cave density in the world.
7. In the town of Kremnica, visitors can see the world's oldest continuously operating mint, which has been producing coins since 1328.
8. Slovakia is known for its delicious desserts, with "trdelník" being one of the most popular. This sweet pastry, made from rolled dough, is grilled and coated in sugar, cinnamon, and nuts.
9. The country is home to the oldest national park in Central Europe, the Tatra National Park, which boasts stunning alpine scenery and diverse wildlife, including the elusive Tatra chamois.
10. Slovak folklore is rich in mythical creatures, including the "čert" (devil) and "kriváň" (a mythical mountain). Legends and stories about these creatures are still passed down through generations.
11. Slovakia is a land of ancient castles, with over 100 of them scattered throughout the country. The most famous is Spiš Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in Europe.
12. The Slovak language is unique in that it's one of the few languages that uses a digraph alphabet, meaning it has double letters like "ch," "dz," and "dž."
13. Slovakia is a haven for wine lovers, with over 100 wineries producing high-quality wines, especially in the Small Carpathian Wine Region.
14. The Slovak town of Levoča is home to the tallest wooden altar in the world, located in the Basilica of St. James. It stands at an impressive height of 18.62 meters (61.1 feet).
15. Slovakia's mountainous terrain makes it a fantastic destination for winter sports enthusiasts, with excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities in resorts like Jasna and Tatranská Lomnica.
16. The country is proud of its rich history of puppetry, with puppet theaters found in many towns and cities. The Puppetry Festival in Banská Bystrica attracts puppeteers from all over the world.
17. Slovakia has a strong tradition of producing quality beer, with local breweries offering a wide range of delicious brews, including the famous Šariš and Zlatý Bažant.
Day 13 - Staré Mesto/Old Town, Košice. After a leisurely morning (and a flower delivery!), we bought some peaches at the farmer's market. We visited the St Elisabeth Cathedral and climbed the tower by the 160 worn stone steps. Then we saw Dolná Brána, the underground archaeology museum describing the varying stages of Košice's city walls. And we finished with sous vide fish and grilled veg at Slávia, just a few doors down from our apartment!
Day 11 - Our last night in Budapest somehow! 😞 We took an evening cruise on the Danube under threat of a "torrential rain" that never appeared. We passed many of the sites we had seen during the week from the river - an excellent way to tie everything together!
Day 10 - Just one outing today, and on account of the relentless heat wave, it was at 7 am. We took a walk through the island park that is Margaret Island!
Day 9 - It's been another whole day! We started with a tour of Hungary's Parliament building, built around the end of the 19th century. (Just me taking pictures of ceilings and arches constantly, never mind!) After a break from the heat, we had veal paprikash for supper. In the evening, we attended a concert in St Stephen's Basilica, and then enjoyed the view from the Budapest ferris wheel!
Day 8 - We took an amazing tour today of the Buda Castle District. Three and a half hours in 37°C! But our guide kept our pace slow and led us in the shade as much as possible. We visited Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, and the streets of the area, and learned a lot about the history of Hungary in the last 1200 years or so. After the tour, we took the Buda Castle funicular for the fastest way down the hill!
Day 7 - We had an early morning visit to Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the spas in Budapest built on natural warm spring waters. After breakfast, a walk down Váci Street to the Central Market Hall, where you can't miss at least a handful of pogácsa. A bowl of goulash for supper at Parasztkonyha Restaurant, and a cinnamon chimney cake enjoyed under the Basilica!
Day 6 - We rented a car today and went for a drive into the countryside west of Budapest. We stopped first in Tihany, where we found a pretty hilltop church and park, and acres of lavender fields. Our furthest stop was Badacsony Strand. We spent some much-needed time in the shade and went for a swim in the cool Lake Balaton! After supper, we took a stroll past St Stephen's Basilica, and went for ice cream at Gelato Rosa.
Day 5 - It is blazing hot in Budapest this week but we're going to do as much as we can! Here's the House of Music and the Museum of Ethnography (closed this summer) in Városliget and their amazing architecture. Heroes' Square greets you at the entrance to the park.
Best arrival 🥰
Day 3 - We spent our day today at the incredible , including a tour of the state rooms and imperial apartments, the gardens, and the view from La Gloriette at the top of the hill!
Day 2 - Art Day! We wondered if two galleries was too much for one day, but by prioritizing works we really wanted to see and managing our energy, it turned out to be a great combination. If those two Gustav Klimt paintings had been in the same gallery, we wouldn't have seen everything we did!
📍1 Schmetterlinghaus
📍2-5 Leopold Museum
📍6 Belvedere Museum
📍7 the unmissable 1516 Brewing Company lager
Day 1 - I've now been awake for most of the last 33 hours. Feeling a bit rough at the moment, but we didn't slack off for our first day in Vienna!
📍1 .wien
📍2 Ankeruhr
📍3-4 St Stephen's Cathedral
📍5 just off Habsburgergasse
📍6 Schnitzel Wirt
OKAY!! Who's ready?! 🙋🏻♀️🎉✈️🤩
On the list! ✅
Letné prázdniny sú už za rohom. ☀️
📌 Pripravte sa na množstvo skvelých podujatí pre všetky vekové kategórie.
📌 Letnú sezónu odštartujeme nočnou prehliadkou Dracula a priatelia - krvavá spravodlivosť.
📌 Vstupenky sú stále v predaji na www.oravskyhrad.sk
📸
✨ Where We'll Go ✨
Day 16 - Spiš Castle, built in the 12th century on the site of an even older castle! It lies mostly in ruins after being abandoned by its last owners in 1780, but is slowly undergoing some reconstruction. The views of the countryside from the higher levels and the tower are breathtaking!
💡The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular or Budavári Sikló
The funicular railway is located in Budapest Hungary and it links the Adam Clark Square and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge , that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest. The building of the line started in July 1868, the first test run was on 23 October 1869. The Sikló has operated for the public since 2 March 1870. This funicular rail was the second in Europe, only Lyon had a similar transportation system at that time.
Photo by
Find your tickets to top attractions of Budapest!😍⛴🏛 —-> https://www.todobudapest.com
- the compass of Budapest's brunch world 🍽🍳🥓🥗🥘
Let’s start the day with the best bagels of Budapest 🥯😋
LuLu Budapest - the island of healthy meals🌿❤️🥗🍳🥑
Exceptional coffee experience at St. Stephen's Basilica ☕️❤️🍦👌🏻
Relative Pozsonyi 🥪🥗🥯☕️ - Eggdrops, Bagels and Speciality Coffee at Pozsonyi út 16. 💛🌿🧡 .pozsonyi
One of the most beautiful bar and sunset spot near the Danube river. 😍🐋 This is the kind of view to begin an unforgettable Budapest moments! With a unique panoramic view and the Danube air, it is a special experience for Budapest natives and tourists alike, a perfect place to unwind at the end of the day with a refreshing drink. 🍹🥗🍔🍸🍾
bistro pub has opened in Budapest.⚡️🦩🗿 Enjoy the High Five Feeling in the heart of the city. 🍔🍹🙏🏻
See you soon!❣️
📍 Fisherman's Bastion (Halaszbastya) is the panoramic viewing terrace with fairy tale towers in Budapest 🇭🇺🤩
The citadella It was built in the 19th century by the Habsburgs to control the city after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. It’s located atop Gellért Hill and offers panoramic views of Budapest. Over the years, it served various purposes, including a military fortress and a prison. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Hungary’s complex history.
Photo by .travel
Find your tickets to top attractions of Budapest!😍⛴🏛 —-> https://www.todobudapest.com
- the compass of Budapest's brunch world 🍽🍳🥓🥗🥘
Let’s start the day with the best bagels of Budapest 🥯😋
LuLu Budapest - the island of healthy meals🌿❤️🥗🍳🥑
Exceptional coffee experience at St. Stephen's Basilica ☕️❤️🍦👌🏻
Relative Pozsonyi 🥪🥗🥯☕️ - Eggdrops, Bagels and Speciality Coffee at Pozsonyi út 16. 💛🌿🧡 .pozsonyi
One of the most beautiful bar and sunset spot near the Danube river. 😍🐋 This is the kind of view to begin an unforgettable Budapest moments! With a unique panoramic view and the Danube air, it is a special experience for Budapest natives and tourists alike, a perfect place to unwind at the end of the day with a refreshing drink. 🍹🥗🍔🍸🍾
bistro pub has opened in Budapest.⚡️🦩🗿 Enjoy the High Five Feeling in the heart of the city. 🍔🍹🙏🏻
✨ Where We'll Go ✨
Day 14 - Hrnčiarska Street. This pretty little street in Košice used to be lined with craft workshops. There still a couple remaining, and some have been replaced by cafes and the popular Pub u Kohúta.
Can't wait! 😍
📍Szentendre, Hungary 🇭🇺
✨ Where We'll Go ✨
Day 13 - Hlavná, Košice. The main street of this small city in Eastern Slovakia is as charming as it gets. Among other attractions, we'll see the Košice State Theatre and the Immaculata monument, and visit St Elisabeth's Cathedral & tower.
17 Fascinating Facts About Hungary:
1. The Hungarian Parliament Building isn't just a governmental seat; it's an architectural masterpiece along the Danube River, adorned with Gothic Revival and Renaissance elements, standing as a symbol of Hungary's rich history and national identity.
2. Lake Balaton isn't just a body of water; it's the largest lake in Central Europe, nicknamed the "Hungarian Sea," where locals and tourists alike flock to enjoy swimming, sailing, and sunbathing along its picturesque shores.
3. Budapest isn't just a capital city; it's a city of thermal baths, boasting over 100 natural hot springs, where historic bathhouses like the Széchenyi and Gellért offer visitors a chance to relax and rejuvenate in healing mineral waters.
4. The Hungarian State Opera House isn't just a venue for performances; it's a cultural institution renowned for its stunning Neo-Renaissance architecture and world-class productions, showcasing the talents of Hungarian and international artists.
5. The Hungarian Paprika isn't just a spice; it's a culinary hallmark of Hungarian cuisine, adding vibrant color and smoky flavor to dishes like goulash and paprikash, and celebrated annually at the Szeged Paprika Festival.
6. The Tokaj wine region isn't just a vineyard; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world-famous Tokaji wine, known as the "wine of kings and king of wines," produced from grapes affected by noble rot for a unique sweetness.
7. The Fisherman's Bastion isn't just a lookout point; it's a fairytale-like terrace atop Castle Hill in Budapest, offering panoramic views of the city and the Danube River, with whimsical turrets and arches reminiscent of a medieval castle.
8. The Hungarian Folk Dance isn't just a performance; it's a vibrant expression of tradition and culture, with colorful costumes, intricate footwork, and lively music that celebrate Hungary's diverse regional heritage.
9. The Matthias Church isn't just a place of worship; it's a Gothic masterpiece adorned with stunning frescoes and stained glass windows, where Hungarian kings were crowned and historic events unfolded over centuries.
10. The Hortobágy National Park isn't just a protected area; it's the largest natural grassland in Europe, known as the "Puszta," where traditional Hungarian horsemen known as csikós perform daring equestrian feats and herd iconic Hungarian Grey cattle.
11. The Hungarian Rubik's Cube isn't just a puzzle toy; it's a global phenomenon invented by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, challenging minds and fingers with its colorful squares and countless permutations since its creation in 1974.
12. The Great Market Hall in Budapest isn't just a market; it's a culinary paradise where locals and visitors converge to sample Hungarian delicacies like lángos (fried dough), kolbász (sausage), and kürtőskalács (chimney cake) amid bustling stalls and vibrant displays.
13. The Chain Bridge isn't just a river crossing; it's a historic landmark connecting Buda and Pest, with iconic lion statues guarding its entrances and providing stunning views of the Hungarian Parliament and the Castle District.
14. The Hungarian National Museum isn't just a repository of artifacts; it's a treasure trove of Hungarian history and culture, housing exhibitions that trace the nation's journey from ancient times to modernity through artifacts, artworks, and archival materials.
15. The Castle District in Budapest isn't just a historic neighborhood; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where medieval streets wind past centuries-old buildings, museums, and monuments, offering visitors a glimpse into Hungary's royal past.
16. The Danube Bend isn't just a river bend; it's a scenic stretch of the Danube River flanked by rolling hills and historic towns like Visegrád and Esztergom, where visitors can explore medieval castles, churches, and panoramic viewpoints.
17. The Hungarian Language isn't just a means of communication; it's a unique linguistic treasure, with its roots in the Finno-Ugric language family, boasting a rich vocabulary and distinct grammar that reflects Hungary's cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.
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