Budapest | Baths, Bridges & Borhonyka

After a very stressful Monday morning cramming in as much work as possible in a last minute panic it was finally time to go to on holiday with Nathan.

Just to give you some background, the plan was to take a week's holiday in Greece, somewhere hot all the time where our only worry would be when next to dip in the sea. However in true Nath and Kate style we left in too last minute and everything was way too expensive. So we gave up and planned to make our mind up a few days before and see what last minute deals we could find. But... I managed to pick up flights and accommodation for Budapest in 15 minutes for just a little over £100 for 4 nights and if you live you in the UK you know this is a deal and a half. 

We arrived in Budapest at 9.30pm with me having messed up the timings and as a result miscommunicated with our Air BnB host so instead of getting a lift as originally decided (which is super generous anyway) we ended up ordering a taxi! We were greeted at our Air BnB by the host's husband who gave us an efficient and super speedy tour of the studio apartment. We had a great location, located north of the Danube if you are looking at the river horizontilly a quick 7/10 minutes walk from Heroes Square.

Take a look at Krisztina's AirBnb here.

Despite it being around 11ish we decided to go for an explore (I was basically in search of food having not had dinner) and we managed to get these great pictures walking around Heroes Square and the lake in City Park, but found no food!

We woke up early to get the most out of our first full day exploring and on checking the weather it looked like we were expecting a scorcher with 36 degrees. Also it wasn't just any day it was Nath's 25th birthday so there were balloons and banners a plenty. After heading to the supermarket to get a continental breakfast (when in Rome) it was time to get out and see Budapest.

We walked towards the river and spotted the Chain Bridge which leads to Buda (we are staying in Pest along with the majority of the city) before staying on the Pest side and walking towards Parliment. 

Where we saw the 'Shoes of the Danube' which is a memorial to those killed in the war. 

Parliment is massive with amazing views of the river. 

Next stop was more inland to where I had booked a surprise lunch at Borkonyha for Nath's birthday. Borkonyha is one of Budapest's four Michelin starred restaurant. I did a bit of a miscalculation when I converted so definitely thought it was a cheaper than it actually was. We had a 6 course taster menu consisting of venison, duck liver, seabass, chocolate cake you name it. 

Yeah it was totally amazing and incredible and everything we could dream off despite the bill at the end and it was great to get out of the midday heat, especially for the sweatiest man alive Nathan. 

After lunch we headed back to the apartment to get our swimming attire so we could experience the Szchen Thermal Baths. 

It was pretty spectacular we beautiful yellow buildings, blue skies and water temperature to match the outdoor temperature. Yikes! It was more expensive than we thought (around £17) but when in Budapest and it's the main attraction you can hardly refuse. 

We stayed for a good few hours enjoying watching the sun going down and a group of Hungarian men settling down to a game of chess in the baths.

After a day of eating, exploring and swimming we were well and truly wiped out so we headed to the supermarket to pick up ingredients for an easy tuna pasta at the apartment for dinner. 

The following day we were lucky to have a bit of cloud cover, we decided to head towards Heroes Square to get on a Big Bus. This is a bus tour company that is in various cities all over the world and gives you a guided tour of the city. 

It was great to get some background and history, whilst giving our feet a rest and seeing all the great views. 

We decided to get off at the Citadel on the Buda side of the city (across the bridge from where we were staying) we then continued to walk further up to the top and we rewarded with this incredible view! 

We then hopped back on the bus and a bit further along the river towards the Grand Palace and Fisherman's Bastien! This was my favourite part, the buildings were beautiful and there were loads of great photo opportunities and it seemed like most photos of the city in postcards were from here!

Before we left I gave Nath the responsibility to book a restaurant for dinner one evening and tonight was the night. We had to get a train out of the city and then we proceeded to get off at a pretty deserted station. It's then when I considered the idea that this was all a con and it was a scan for tourists, however that wasn't the case at all. We walked through a quiet family neighbourhood and arrived at our destination; just a normal family home. 

We were greeted by Suzy who welcomed us into her home with a glass of fresh elderflower juice where we meet some other tourists just like us. Around 12 people arrived and Suzy told us all about her restaurant 'Eat&Meet' where the aim is to bring people together from all around the world to experience true Hungarian home-style cooking! Great concept and she does it out of her home with her parents as the cooks! We started the meal with an aperitif of pear palinka before being seated in the garden! We ate incredible home cooked food with each course paired with a different Hungarian wine! Then the storm came as well as the mozzies and Suzy and her parents quickly hurried us inside where they re-set up the table and we continued the meal! We met a really interesting group of people; including a couple from Melbourne, a mother and daughter from Reading (small world), 3 different America couples from New York Buffalo, LA and Washington and a few others. 

It a fantastic experience and potentially the highlight of our trip so if you are ever in Budapest be sure to give this a try.

Our final day was here and it was the coldest yet which we were totally unprepared for. We decided to head to Margaret Island which is set on the Danube River between Buda and Pest. 

It took us a few hours to walk there (we stopped in a few shops) and then we only walked around a bit of the island which was basically a large park before we decided to was time for breakfast. Also just a fact, but Margaret Island holds the Sziget Festival every August! 

Breakfast was a Lonely Planet recommendations; The Donut Library. Nath went for Nutella and a latte and I went for an Oreo and orange juice. Just what we needed after our mission walk. 

We then walked back to the city towards Central Market and the Jewish Quarter and stopped in at For Sale Pub (opposite the Market). Bare in mind it was a lot later than my writing suggests around 4pm at this point. I had seen this ruin bar on Instagram before we arrived and had to see it and it was worth it!

Basically everyone who visits writes a written note, draws a picture or sticks something else to the wall or ceiling and it ends up looking like this! Amazing and very cheap wine! 

The sun had come out to play once we left the bar and we were greeted with blue skies and buildings that look like this!

After only eating a donut all day we decided to go on a hunt for food using our trusty Lonely Planet Guide for reference. Not before having an explore of the Central Market.

It look us an arm and a few legs before we eventually found somewhere we both wanted to eat and it was probably our worst meal, however it filled a hole and it meant we got to explore the Jewish Quarter. After a day of walking we were finally ready to call it a day and head back to catch some Zzz's before our early doors flight home. However we did make a stop at the famous or infamous Szimpla Kert recommended by not only our Lonely Planet but also a few friends! 

It was worth it! This huge ruin bar hosted a ruin full of hidden staircases and themed rooms crammed full of junk! There were a wider range of people enjoying the bizarreness of it all from business purple, to stag/hen dos, to Gap Year interrailers, to locals and to people like us! Unfortunately my pictures are too dark so I won't include but maybe when you visit you can see for yourself what it's all about!

We headed back, packed up our stuff and hit the sack!

Until next time Hungary. Next destination; Ibiza!

Xoxo

Copenhagen, Denmark: Blonds, Beers & Bell Towers

Please note: this trip was taken in September 2015.

You know you're growing up and in the real world when you try and maximise holidays by heading off on city breaks so you have things to look forward to during the year. Also so you can become a bit more cultured and be the envy of all your friends!

Anyway my best girlfriends and I had planned to head to Ibiza for a week in September and due to hectic lifestyles and complete lack of organisation we didn't book anything in time and by the time we wanted to everything was extortionate. It rather late notice, which is us down to a T. Anyway it ended up being just me and Melissa so we thought we'd head off for a 'cultural' weekend to a location with the cheapest flights.

Melissa and I had to wake up at the crack of dawn and got an Uber to Clapham Junction and we were at Gatwick before 6am. 

It's so worth taking a look a http://www.skyscanner.net a good period of time before going away, and searching for 'Everywhere' as it gives you the cheapest options and it's great if you're not sure where to go to give you a few ideas. A friend of mine did it and managed to get return flights to Copenhagen for £10, admittedly we weren't as lucky but still our flights we only £70.

So off to Copenhagen we went, we were lucky and managed to get an early morning flight on the Friday and a late Monday evening flight so we were able to maximise our time off. 

Arriving so early in Copenhagen meant that our AirBnB apartment (link at the bottom) was not ready yet but we didn't see this as a problem as we all know what Denmark is famous for, Danish pastries and who doesn't like a Danish pastry. We got the metro straight from the airport to where we were staying in an area a 15minute walk to Christiania and a 30minute walk to the centre of town. 

Have you used AirBnB before? If not, download the App now and take a look, wherever you are thinking of heading it's always worth checking out what it has to offer, and it can cater to low budgets and those with bottomless pockets.

Anyway after fueling up on pastries we were finally allowed access to our apartment which we were sharing with the owner during our break. It was a typical Danish apartment, open plan with a mix of modern and old interior design. Our room was small but just what we needed. After dropping off our bags and picking up a map, we made our way to town to explore and we weren't disappointed with the scenery. Walking on the outskirts of Christiania and getting views of the Bell Tower. 

Over the next few days we walked across the entire town, stopping regularly to browse shops (my boyfriend's idea of hell). Once you experience the classically chic and black attire of the gorgeous Danes you just want to join them too. Safe to say our bank accounts suffered the consequences of our actions. 

We visited Nyhavn harbour, which is just as pretty as the guide books and postcards make out, especially when the skies are blue. If you head here, which you must you need to try the Herring as it's traditional to the area. But if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, Melissa and I headed to the local supermarket and got a mix of foods, olives, meats, cheeses, bread, pates, salsa, crisps and obviously a bit of wine and we sat in the sunshine, watching boats come in. Also if you are walking towards the end of the harbour, cross over the bridge on your right and walk along the river and you'll come across some trampolines in the ground, great if you're heading to Copengagen in the winter to warm up.

At the end of the harbour on the other side of the water there is a warehouse, with pretty string lights outside. This is a great lunch spot with a food market inside. I can't remember the name but it's also apparently great to head to in the evening with live music and a bit of a party. We ate pulled duck sandwiches, plaintain chips, Melissa sampled her first oyster which was the size of her fist and we sipped on local cider. Great atmosphere and you can sit inside with a roaring fire or outside with a great view of the architecturally brilliant art gallery, I think that's what it was, made up of just glass. 

Back to the harbour, pick up a tour boat for the price of 4 euros each and get a guided tour of the canals, taking in the little mermaid, famous Michelin starred restaurants, some Christiania houses, a canal that was based on Amsterdam and so many other things. Great to find out more about Copenhagen but make sure you layer up and take a hot drink with you. We went in September and although it was sunny it did get quite cold and rained a bit towards the end.

Not far from the harbour is the Bell Tower, if you go on a guided tour, I'm pretty sure they'll point this out if not it'll be on a map. Go here 100%, unless of course heights are not your thing. Pick a clear day because the views from the town are not to be missed. It's super cheap to visit, I think around 3 euros and the first part of the way up is up rickety wooden stairs inside and then we walk up stairs on the outside of the tower and once you eventually reach the top you might even feel it sway a little which wasn't my cup of tea but as you can see from my photos the view was worth it. 

On one of the evenings, we met with a Danish girl whom Melissa had met a few years before in Sri Lanka whilst volunteering at an orphanage. We met her in the meat packing district Vesterbro, which was the opposite side of the city to where we were staying. She recommended going for an Italian and once we arrived there, the streets were crowded with people and it turned out that the restaurant we were going to were giving away free pizza, wine and beer all evening to help promote another restaurant opening it the city centre. Win win for us, as Copenhagen wasn't the cheapest place in the world so a free evening meal and alcohol was exactly what we needed. So we grabbed some pizza and red wine and sat on the pavement. Thank goodness for a warm evening. We were then taken to a few more bars in the area, before heading to the centre for cocktails in an old church, after this Mel's friend left and we started chatting to some Danish people who took us to a pub at Nyhavn harbour, we only left at 7am and you can see in my pictures below that we managed to catch a lovely sunrise when we eventually got back to the apartment.

The infamous Christiania was also on our agenda. This is the town's hippy commune, where they've built their own houses out of recycled materials and where the smell of weed is a given. There is a specific area within Christiania called the green light district where no photos are able to be taken and where selling drugs is allowed. Friends of ours from home advised us to visit as apparently it's an interesting part of Copenhagen and the polar opposite to the rest of the city and we weren't disappointed. Interesting it was. The area itself is beautiful, surrounded by a lake.

During the rest of the visit, we went to various food markets, trying traditional smorebords and enjoyed exploring the city. We'd well recommend a visit to this beautiful city.

Next destination: currently unknown 

Xo

Ps. AirBnB apartment - https://airbnb.com/rooms/3428621?s=8&user_id=12841972&ref_device_id=823ebbdc2d1ccdb8fccc977fdff9f63c6ed8f551