On the way to Istanbul: A bit of Prague and Budapest

Since I haven't travelled around much in 2015, I wanted to seize the opportunity of a few off-days between christmas and New Years at least. Egypt or Canaryan Islands were too expensive and inconvenient to get too, so I decided against flying into warmer weather. By chance I found a cheap train ticket to Budapest, figured out that lay-overs are possible and booked a night in Prague on the way. A bit of city sightseeing, history and Eastern Europe which I haven't been to yet :)

Christmas spent with the family was obligatory but I left on 26th of December by night train already. I imagined the train somewhat empty on this date but turned out I just got a seat on the IC train to Prague. Thus sleeping became uncomfortable, additionally it was quite cold in the train. Anyways, after the sunrise the last part of the ride became truly scenic alongside the Elbe river. I sat next to the window and just relaxed myself listening to music and reviewing a long and eventful year. 

I arrived in Prague at noon, locked my bags at the train station and took an extensive city walk through narrow streets, heaps of churches and museums together with masses of tourists (mainly Russian, German and Asian). With all its several 100 year old gothic buildings, churches, bridges and stone statues the 1300 year old city feels like a historic museum itself.

Just on the other side of Moldau river there is the impressive location of Prague Castle, covering a vast area with its basilica and gardens. The view towards the city, especially by sunshine or night, is truely outstanding. Also the park and green areas around the castle are an inviting place to sit, enjoy the warm sunshine and the vista.

Some facts about Prague, I came across:

- their copy of Eifeltower is actually 2m higher than the original - because they count the hill they placed it on ;)

- the area of the castle is the biggest in whole Europe

- they have the oldest synagogue that is still in use (from 1270)

- the river completely froze over in 1955, people were crafting ice by then to keep the beer cool

Inside the city there was still christmas everywhere. The old town was packed with christmas lights and small stands for handicraft, hot wine and food. I always thought Germans are well-known for sausages and fatty food, but from what I've seen, Prague easily tops that. For me it was christmas overload though...

At night Prague was amazing to walk around though. Charles bridge plus an almost full moon created such a warm and cosy atmosphere. I just wandered around, drank some beer next to the river and finished the day with a few beers and some local Becherovka Schnaps (consisting of like 50 herbs) in a local bar with an American dude I just met.

The next afternoon I went on the train again, a quite comfortable and new EC to Budapest where I arrived late. I met my couchsurfing host, who lives in the very lively narrow streets of the Jewish quarter. I already learned a bit about the city and he showed me one of the famous ruin bars in a basement of a building.

- Budapest is one of the very few European cities that has decreasing population compared to 1990 (15%, 1.7 Mio today)

- the "city of thermal baths" is divided by Donau river into Buda and Pest

- Hungarian government decided to cross the part "Republic of" from the papers

- the president build oversized football stadiums from EU funds

A new city I always like to explore from up top first. So the first day I climbed the Citadel hill and walked around the Castle on the opposite - Buda - riverside. It was picture postcard vistas in perfect sunlight!

This way I looked at the monumental landmark of the Parliament, 268 m wide and highly influenced by the palace of Westminster. The city has quite a few remarkable buildings, most of them build in a neo-classical style. I found it amazing to look at especially at the riverside by night it was stunning.

 

The second day I seized the opportunity to take a run on Margaret Island, right next to the yellow bridge built by G. Eifel. I have to say most of the city's atmosphere mostly comes from the river anyways.

There still was the obligatory christmas markets of course, the food in general very meat-based as well. I enjoyed some goulasz and langose here.

I couldn't leave without going to one of the many thermal baths in Budapest. I chose the biggest one, neo-baroque Szechenyi built in 1913, but on this very cold and sunny day, it was just to crowded. I could only guess how it were on a less crowded day... 

I have to say Prague and Budapest gave me a first taste of Easter Europe, I think there is a lot to explore especially within the former Jugoslawia. Maybe next year ;)