Day 5
On the Road to Budapest
Day 5 was off to an early start as we had to hit the road for the second portion of the tour - Budapest! I was expecting to schlep my bags across Prague, but to my pleasant surprise, Andrea arranged for a van to pick up the group's luggage and transport them to the bus, which was parked about a mile away. And that was probably for the best; I don't think the locals would have cared for a Rick Steves' tour wake-up call at 7:30 a.m. (the sound of 20-plus luggage rolling through the cobblestones)!
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The driving distance from Prague to Budapest is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes (per Google Maps), but the trip felt considerably shorter. The motor coach was very nice and comfortable, and there was plenty of space for everyone to grab two seats. Views were very scenic, especially through Slovakia. And the group was given two breaks: a short coffee break and a longer one for lunch.
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I forgot to take a picture of the bus so you'll have to settle for a picture of me on the bus!
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Coffee Break
For the coffee break, we stopped at a McDonalds. This was a short break that was mainly for people to use the bathroom, as we were discouraged from using the bus bathroom unless it was an emergency. I was one of the few who ordered food (a small pastry), but then again, I eat whenever I am given the opportunity!
You cannot take drinks on the bus except for bottled water.
Lunch Break
The lunch break was at Fresh Corners, which is located at a gas station. Fresh Corners serves food in a cafeteria-style (think of the old Picadilly restaurants in the U.S.), where you can grab food from different stations and pay for it by the pound. There was also a convenience store.
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The food was good, but not many vegetarian options, and I did not see any seafood. I got roasted potatoes, carrots, a tomato and onion salad, and a dinner roll. The orange juice was great and reminded me of home (Florida).
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My non-veggie tourmates had plenty to eat, and all seemed content after their meals.
Welcome to Budapest
Our road trip ended at the K + K Opera Hotel. Here, the group had about an hour to settle in before the orientation walk. As the group gathered in the lobby, we had the opportunity to meet George, our Budapest local guide. George was an exceptional guide with a great sense of humor. He led the group on the orientation walk and then on Day 7.
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Off we went on our first adventure in Budapest! We first headed towards St. Stephen's Basilica, then meandered through the streets until we arrived at Liberty Square, with a final stop at Kossuth Lajos Square. Highlights in Liberty Square were the Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation and a statue of President Ronald Reagan. Kossuth Lajos Square is where we finally caught a glimpse of the Parliament Building (you can't miss it)!​​​
It was Prague that led me to this tour, but it was Budapest that stole my heart. Although I had been in the city for just a few hours, I was already enchanted by its beauty. In the coming days, I continued to be surprised by all this magnificent city has to offer.
​​Statue of Ronald Reagan​
Parliament Building
Top: Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation
Bottom: Soviet War Memorial
Welcome Dinner
It was finally time for dinner, and I was quite hungry, given my small lunch meal. The group went to Gerlóczy Kávéház, where we sat in a cozy upstairs area and were serenaded by a pianist throughout the meal.
Of course, I opted for lemonade, and here, they were offering elderflower lemonade. On the trip, I learned that Europeans prefer to flavor their lemonade with fruits and herbs rather than sugar. For dessert, we were treated to a Hungarian treat: a chocolate Lúdláb with sour cherries. Overall, this meal was absolutely delicious and very satisfying!
Judging by the clean plates and yummy sounds, my tourmates also enjoyed their meals!