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

Wokingham Bikeathon

Post Madrid was time for an alcohol and indulging free weekend full of recovery and making myself feel tip top and healthy again.

What better way to do so than to participate in the Wokingham Bikeathon with my parents and family friends! Just a nifty little 35miles to conquer (nothing compared to the 100 mile Ride London in a month's time)!

We started with a speedy breakfast and a cheeky warm up cycle into town, before heading on our way around the outskirts of Wokingham.

We were lucky to have a clear day and no rain, perfect conditions.

This year it went well for me, as it was my first time using my road bike I got for Christmas and it really made so much difference to my normal everyday hybrid type bike. 

Mum was great, having technically 'broken' her arm 3 weeks previously. To say she's a machine is an understatement, the day after it happened she was on the turbo bike, did I expect anything less? Absolutely not! And Dad, well he's got all the gear that's for sure but does he have any idea? He kept up but let's just see how Ride London goes!

Please sponsor Mum and Dad for Ride London as they are raising money for the amazing Spinal Research Charity.

Click on the link here!

We got to the end and were disappointed to find out that they had ran out of medals and it's really the only reason I do these things. However we were assured that we would receive these in the post!

Plenty more miles to clock before the big day!

Xoxo

Madrid | Harriet & her Hens

Not long after returning from Valencia, it was time for me to make my way to Gatwick for my second Spanish city break, hello Madrid!

My first trip to Madrid was for a particularly special occasion, to celebrate my good friend's impending wedding which I think you all know what that means; a good old knees up for her Hen Party! 

On arrival at Gatwick, the Maid of Honour greeted us with personalised Hen Party tops and a glass of prosecco!

What better way to kick start the weekend! 

On arrival we decided to attempt public transport to get to our Air BnB, which was a nightmare and took us at least an hour and a half but eventually we got there and by that point we were starving! The Maid of Honour and one of the Bridesmaids stayed behind to decorate the flat whilst the rest of us went in search of some tapas and sangria. 

We were lucky that our apartment was tucked away down a little side street so we found a small tapas bar hidden around the corner away from the beady eyes of tourists. To be fair it wasn't great, the food but the sangria and sunshine made up for it. After successful filling our stomachs we had some errands to run for the weekends preparations. 

Most of us headed to the closest supermarket to collect food and drinks which meant plenty of €1.50 Cava, olives, cheese, aioli, chorizo and bread. After lugging it all back it was time for us to prepare for the impending evening.

The apartment looked amazing complete with a selfie station with suitable props, a married date suggestion jar, Hen Party survival kits (flip flops, paracetamol, hair bobbles, safety pins, nail files and lollies) obligatory naughty straws and plenty of couple photos.

Finally we were ready and pouring the cava awaiting a special surprise guest. 

Harriet was blindfolded and had to guess who each of us were but in the line included our special guest, a Spanish butler in the buff. Safe to say it was definitely a surprise. After awkward giggles we settled down to cava and hen party games which Harriet had prepared down to the T. 

We then finished our evening at a classy rooftop bar with amazing nighttime views across the city.

On the Saturday we all enjoyed a bit of lie in, before heading to one of the squares for some brunch which actually ended up being paella and sangria. When in Spain...

After some grub we headed to a different area of Madrid for a booked activity; B Bikes! Basically a bike type trailer with 10 pedals to give it a bit of horse power. Not sure my explanation is great, so have a look at my photos. Oh also there was music and unlimited sangria.

After enjoying lovely views of the city and properly hydrated we headed to the main market. It has a proper grocery market, a tapas type market and then a rooftop bar. We strolled to tapas market enjoying oysters and croquettes before making our way to the rooftop bar. We managed to get a great spot and we enjoyed a few cocktails (I went for a Bloody Mary my new favourite)! 

Before heading back to the apartment as the sun set.

We had a quick turnover time as we had a table booked for 9pm and after getting lost on the way home we had around 20 minutes to get ready for our 'All White' night. 

Holly nailed the restaurant choice. We started with champagne, more croquettes, jamon and cheese before picking between duck or tuna steak. I went for the tuna and it was an excellent choice as it tasted just as good as it looked. 

It was a great atmosphere and great food. After dinner we had booked to go to the biggest club in Madrid, Kapital! We decided to get a table in the RnB room which included drinks, we had an amazing night and stayed up until the early hours dancing.

Safe to say the next day was a struggle for us all. 

The majority of the girls headed to the famous park in Madrid with the boating lake to catch some sleep in the sun and picnic. But Mel, Wenna, Steph and I headed for a rooftop cafe that I was recommended.

It was amazing, if you are in Madrid I really recommend heading here.

We then headed to the park to join the others before it was time to head to the airport.

We had an AMAZING weekend in beautiful Madrid celebrating Harriet's last few months as a unmarried woman and I can't wait to be her Bridesmaid in September!

Madrid I will be back! Keep posted for my next travel post. Next stop; Budapest!

Xoxo