Budapest

Budapest – as much as I’ve heard people compare it to Prague, to me, this city seemed very different. Yes, it had the bridge and the castle up on the hill, just like Prague, but whether it was the different seasons or the different people with whom I traveled, something made the cities very different to me. The obvious difference is that when I visited Prague 6 years ago, it was summer time and exploring the city center and the bridge meant enjoying the wonderful sunny weather, where-as Budapest greeted me with a snow storm that filled the streets (beautifully) with snow and forced me to buy true winter boots!
I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed Budapest, and part of the appeal was actually seeing the city covered in snow. While there were nights where I did not want to leave the hotel due to the blinding whiteness of the streets or days where I was hesitant to leave the safety (warmth) of museums, I can honestly say that it almost looked like Budapest was meant to be seen this way. Something about standing on a snow covered bridge, the sound of snow crunching underneath my boots and enjoying the warmth of the Hungarian mineral baths while the snow pounded away outside, made the city seem dreamlike!
Lest I forget to mention the food, which, I think, suited the weather perfectly. I can’t imagine enjoying goulash, hearty chicken laden with paprika or lamb soup in warm weather! Truly, this city, from its sites to its food was meant for winter weather.
I don’t know if I will come back to Budapest or Hungary, but I can honestly say that this city was made for winter weather. There is simply something magical about taking in the beautiful sites and the rich history of the country while bundled up in winter clothes. There’s something enchanting about being able to walk along Vaci street, running into the Christmas fair and enjoying a glass of warm wine and a kurtoskala (yummy roasted bread with cinnamon sugar).
For anyone who compares Budapest to Prague, maybe the weather influenced me, but it feels superficial, because beyond the bridge and castle, my experiences in the cities have been vastly different and I would implore most anyone (who is not afraid of the wind and snow) to give this city a chance in the winter. I will also suggest that anyone who comes to this city explore the Jewish quarter for its yummy food and less touristy atmosphere as well as the Terror Museum to understand Hungary’s recent history a little bit better.

Next stop... Sofia, Bulgaria.