Our journey continued today as we bid farewell to Bratislava and made our way to Budapest, Hungary. From navigating the train station to settling into the fascinating Mystery Hotel, exploring the Christmas market, and enjoying a stunning dinner cruise on the Danube, it was a day filled with excitement and unforgettable views.
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| A last look at the Arcadia...Stained Glass in the bathroom |
Goodbye Bratislava, Hello Budapest!
The day started with breakfast at the Arcadia Hotel before we packed up and brought our luggage down to the lobby. Our ride to the train station took us to a different station than the one we arrived at, so we took a little time to get our bearings and figure out where we needed to go.
We finally found our platform and waited for the train. Our tickets were for Car #1, but when the train arrived, an announcement told us that there was no Car #1 attached! Along with a few other Americans, we hopped on a Car #2, stowed our luggage, and grabbed the first available seats. When the ticket checker came by, she said we were fine to stay where we were. Crisis averted!
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Checking Into the Mystery Hotel
Upon arrival, a driver met us at the station and whisked us to the Mystery Hotel Budapest, which lived up to its name. This unique hotel is housed in a historic building that once served as the headquarters of Hungary’s Freemasons. The building has been beautifully transformed, blending old-world charm with quirky, modern touches.
Our room was a perfect example of this whimsical style—it featured a version of the Mona Lisa, but she had sunglasses on her head and a VIP badge on a lanyard! The attention to detail throughout the hotel made it feel like we were stepping into a fun, mysterious story.
After unpacking, we grabbed a light lunch in the hotel restaurant, which is located in what used to be the Grand Lodge Room. The high ceilings, ornate decor, and rich history made it a memorable dining spot.
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| Rob had the Pumpkin Soup |
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| Broccoli salad |
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| Fruit bowl in our room when we returned |
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| ,,,and chocolates |
Evening Adventures: Christmas Markets and a Danube Cruise
After lunch, we got ready for an evening of exploring Budapest. Since it was sprinkling outside, we decided to Uber to the Vörösmarty Christmas Market, one of the most famous in the city.
The market was filled with festive stalls selling everything from handcrafted gifts to holiday treats. The smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts filled the air, and even the light drizzle couldn’t dampen the cheerful atmosphere. This was a quick look as we would have more time during the week for the Market.
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| And look what we found, a little bit of the US |
Dinner Cruise on the Danube
The highlight of the evening was a dinner cruise on the Danube River. Budapest is known for its stunning nighttime views, and this cruise gave us the perfect vantage point to take it all in.
As the boat glided along the river, we were treated to breathtaking views of:
- Buda Castle: Illuminated and majestic, perched high on Castle Hill.
- Fisherman’s Bastion: A fairy tale-like terrace glowing with golden light.
- Matthias Church: Its colorful tiled roof stood out even at night.
- Hungarian Parliament: The grand, neo-Gothic building looked absolutely stunning reflected in the Danube.
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| Buda Castle |
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| University Building |
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| Liberty Bridge |
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| Buda Calvinist Church |
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| Parliament |
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| Széchenyi Chain Bridge |
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| Ring of light around a city park |
The food on the cruise was delicious, and the ambiance was unforgettable. Even with the drizzle, the city lights sparkled, creating a magical experience. The 2 ½ hour cruise was the perfect way to end our first evening in Budapest.
Reflections on the Day
From the charm of Bratislava to the grandeur of Budapest, today was a day of transitions and new discoveries. The Mystery Hotel offered a playful twist on history, while the Christmas market and Danube dinner cruise gave us a warm welcome to this vibrant city. Tomorrow, we’re excited to see even more of what Budapest has to offer!
This blog post was created collaboratively with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI, which helped to structure and draft the narrative based on the day’s events.
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