When in Rome

Ostia di Lido 

Due to us having good weather, we thought we would go to the beach. Now because we did not have access to a car/ I don't know if I could have coped with the crazy Italian driving or driving on the other side of the road, our only option was to get public transport. This reduces the amount of beaches we could get to from where we were easily, with many recommendations for Sperlongs. If you, like us only have public transport to get around you can either go to Santa Marinella or Ostia di Lido. We decided to go to Ostia di Lido for a few reasons: 

1. It was recommended to us by staff at our hostel 

2. If we were to have gone to Santa Marinella, we would have used our interrailing pass but that would have meant taking our passports with us

3. There were a lot of recommendations on line for Ostia di Lido

We managed to get there without an issue and because we are slightly out of season and because it was Friday, the beach was pretty empty. Unfortunately because we were informed that not only was Roma Termini station is notorious for pick pocketers and also because we didn't want to leave our valuables unattended when we went in to the sea, I have no pictures to show but believe me it was amazing! The only issue with going slightly out of season is that the eateries on the beach were mostly closed but we had brought some food along with us so this did not affect us. 

If you have a spare day, I would definitely recommend coming here! 

San Giovanni Markets

We decided to check out these markets because they are recommended by all. They are very easy to find with the markets being round the corner from the San Giovanni metro station. The markets are open everyday apart from Sunday between 8 and 2 but I would recommend getting there before theend as many venders will pack up before then. 

Be ready to have to ignore sellers as they can be quite grabby and loud but you really can get some great bargains here! Don't forget to bargain at all times, most sellers are just happy to get it off heir hands. I managed to bag a little watch for only €3, perfect for when I am away! This is perfect for presents for people although it is a little harder to get presents for guys...buying for my dad was a nightmare! 

The picture below shows some of the trinkets I manage to snag! 

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps is a must whilst in Rome, although many tourists stumble across the steps. They really are something, perfect for a sit with a gelato in the sun! They were not as big as I thought, so don't be worried about the climb. Unfortunately, the church at the top of the stairs were under renovation and had an advertising billboard in front if them which ruined it slightly but oh well. It is important to note that all churches in Rome have a strict clothing policy that all garments must be below the knee with shoulders and midriffs covered for you to be able to enter the church. 

Fontana de Trevi

The famous fountain is about a 10 minute walk for the Spanish Steps. Unfortunately, it was under major refurbishment and there wasn't even water in it. I was very disappointed because it had been one of the monuments I had been looking forward to going to!

Pantheon 

This is again round the corner from the fountain so is well worth doing on the same day especially if you have limited time in Rome. The building itself is spectacular but inside is even better in my opinion. It is free to enter aswell. Annoyingly, many tourists take photos with flash despite not being allowed to! Also as a monument, there is not a strict dress code to enter so if it is a hotter day you have no need to worry!

Piazza Navona 

This square is a great ending destination if you have done the Spanish Steps, Fountain and Pantheon this is a great place to end the day. With restaurants all around and many street performers it's a great way to spend your late afternoon. We managed to see a magician who to be fair to him did entertain the crowd but he took a long time to set his tricks up so to speak. 

Coliseum and Arch of Constantine

We went to go and see this on a Sunday, quite late on. Unfortunately we arrived hungry and to be honest, to get food for a decent price you have to walk quite a way so by the time we returned it was later still and they were stopping tourists going inside. Despite this we managed to get a good look from the outside and sat beside the arc and took in the last of the sun. Again, the coliseum was under renovation, so I would have preferred to have entered when it was back in its original glory so to speak.

Vatican 

If you want to go to the museums you MUST go early because queues are very very long. Also on the way you will have people trying to sell you things...ignore them, even though there is a small chance they are genuine many tourists get ripped off. We went to the basilica which is free to get in to but he queue is very long. Security here is stricter than the airport if I am honest so it is not surprising that there is a bit of queue, although it is quick and efficient. The dress code is strict here aswell, both men and women must be covered below the knee with midriffs and shoulders covered. Women can get away with a scarf/shawl across shoulders as long as they are covered. I would advise to not bring backpacks because you have to check them in, you cannot bring prams in either so take this in to consideration if you are bringing a young child.

Inside the basilica is nothing short of amazing. The pictures do not do it justice! It is simply just wow.

A tip for you, if you are going to send postcards back home, use the Vatican post. It is the same price as stamps outside be Vatican but instead you have a Vatican stamp and rumours have it they arrive quicker than the normal Italian post. How true this is, I am unsure I guess I will find out when they arrive!

I enjoyed my time in Rome just remember that if there is any way that something can be charged for regardless of what it is, you can bet it will be. Furthermore, Rome is pretty much closed on a Sunday specifically restaurants although closer to the attractions there is more open!  

Imogen xoxo 

Rome Hostel Review

ROME CITY HOSTEL

Again, we had issues trying to find a hostel for Rome because although here are nice hostels in Rome they cost a lot and for the amount that you pay, you may aswell get a hotel. Plus the cheaper ones come with the fear of bed bugs, hidden charges and non-existent WiFi. We found Rome City Hostel originally in Hostelworld but booked on booking.com. 

Facilities 

Rome City Hostel has a nice kitchenette which you can use freely however ey do request you to avoid using between 10 at night and 11 in have morning. There is also a lounge area in which you can chill 

In where often in the day the music channels are played and at night there are films if Italy aren't playing. The

On arrival the wifi wasn't working and I will be honest I was not sure if they were just trying to mess us around. However, the staff were rallying together calling the internet company etc to sort it out. By the next morning, it had been restored. A word of warning, the wifi can be temperamental but it does always work even if you try logging in a couple of times.

Breakfast 

Breakfast was included and was one of the better breakfasts we have been provided with. There is a selection if cereals, hot beverages including an assortment of teas, croissants, cake, pastries and juice. There are also crackers and tirimisu bars that make great afternoon snacks...just saying! 

Showers/Toilets 

There were two bathrooms equipped with shower and toilet in both and these were not separated by gender. As a recommendation, try and use the shower furthest away just because the room is bigger. Although, I personally did not have to wait for the shower or toilet whilst I was there, others did. Be careful to not wait too long to have a shower as by 11 they are being cleaned and you have to wait. The showers themselves had good pressure, just allow yourself some time to sort great temperature before getting in the shower because the water can be very hot! 

Staff 

Staff were really nice and helpful on arrival, informing us of places to eat and the easiest way to get to the sites. As previously explained, when there were wifi issues they were on it which everyone really appreciated. Furthermore, when one of the staff members found out that we were planning on visiting the beach, they gave us help with directions and which buses were best to catch etc.

Value for Money 

This was on the more expensive side costing around €18 each per night aswell as the city tax which had unfortunately increased to €3.50 in September no less. In all honesty, you are not going to get a real bargain hostel wise in Rome because it is an expensive city and to get something half decent you have to be willing to put the money in. 

Dorms 

We were in a room of 7, filled with 3 bunk beds and one single. Unfortunately, we were given the bunk which didn't have a ladder up to it. Don't get me wrong they weren't high but I didn't really enjoy clambering up to bed each night. Lockers were provided and were quite big so could easily fit valuables etc, again you need to have your own lock.

Location 

The hostel was a bus ride from the main train station (Termini). The transport links next to the hostel made getting around very easy and there was an appropriate bank and supermarkets nearby although they do shut quite early here. 

Extras 

The directions provided were confusing, with the assumption that you would know where you were going and the area. For example, there are several exits out of Termini and although they gave us the exit they did not make clear where the exit would be. Furthermore, although we informed we would need to take the 310 bus, we were not told whether we needed to get tickets beforehand or whether we could buy them on board and how much they would be. If you do stay here, you need to buy a ticket from one of the stalls opposite the bus stop which costs €1.50 and means you can travel for just under 2 hours I think. Once on the bus, we were told it would be 6 stops from the station, the only issue is that relied on us stopping at every stop which we didn't. Luckily, the street the hostel was on has 3 bus stops so it wasn't a disaster! 

OVERALL

I would recommend staying here at Rome City Hostel but honestly if you know when you will be staying in Rome organise a hotel for yourself because in advance I could imagine it being a similar price.

Imogen xoxo

A Piece of Pisa

Piazza del Duomo

It wouldn't be a trip to Pisa without visiting this famous square. Home to the infamous Leaning Tower, as well as to the Cathedral of Saint Ranieri, The Bapistry and an additional museum as well. We soon realised that in Pisa, if they can charge you for something you can bet they will. For instance to go to the top of the Leaning Tower costs €18 and the queue for this is substantial. Although, I am sure you would have a good view and have the novelty of saying you have climbed it, I personally am not sure if it is worth it.

Despite not climbing the Tower we of course got the standard photo of us pushing the tower. Tip- you are best to get a photo from the back of the tower with the grass you can walk/sit on to ensure you can get yourself and the whole of the tower in. 

The only attraction that is free to enter is the Cathedral, just be sure to pick up your voucher from the ticket office. Inside the Cathedral is as phenomenal as the outside with beautiful stained glass windows and paintings. Be sure to bring a jacket or wear a top that covers your shoulders though as your shoulders must be covered inside the church. 

If you aren't pushed for time I would definitely recommend getting an ice cream and looking through the markets outside of the square for little trinkets and if it is a nice day to just chill on the grass in the square. 

Vittorio Emanuele Ristorante Pizzeria

We were planning to eat somewhere else but stumbled across this place and thought we would give it a go. Set in the Largo Padri della Constituzione, the exterior really draws you in, take a look at the picture it speaks for itself. 

On arrival the staff were inviting and seated us to a table. The restaurant itself does not have an extensive menu so to speak, with only 3-4 pasta dishes on the menu, however there are an abundance of pizzas. I chose to have what I thought was a mussel and clam soup however upon ordering was informed that this was actually moules marinière which for me was even better. Just be careful when ordering food that you do actually know what it is and sometimes translation is not the best or clearest on the menus. We were also informed that the wine that we wanted was no longer in stock aswell, however there was a similar one so this was not an issue. 

After ordering we were presented with bread, however no oil. Before we could request some the mussels had arrived so there wasn't such a need. When we did ask though we were given some, so  just be aware that you may have to request this. The mussels and clams themselves were really nice, the sauce had a salty richness that was not too overpowered with garlic. I would definitely recommend this dish.

After being asked if we were finished, we were left to finish our wine etc and not hurried along which was good. However, when we did go to ask for the bill there was a miscellaneous charge on it and the wine had been overpriced. When we inquired about this we were informed that the charge was a table charge which was €2 each person to cover for table cloth and napkin cleaning. The use of this charge is common across many cities in Italy so check the small print of menus etc. The wine however was a mistake on their part, again check your bills, you don't want to be paying more for something you don't need to! 

Overall this was restaurant was very nice and a good opportunity to have some good seafood!

Salza

Salza is recommended on Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet, often being described as the best cake shop in Pisa. If you have read my post from Zagreb, you will know that I have a sweet tooth and so this place sounded right up my street. Situated just over her river on Bogna Stratta, it is very easy to find. I would recommend going ordering to take away because a table service of €3.50 per person is added and when most cakes are priced at less than that it seems to be a bit of a rip off. Furthermore, drinks are very expensive for what they are, for instance a Fanta was priced at €4. Regardless of this, the cakes are amazing! We ordered a Cannoli and another pastry filled with lemon custard. They were amazing, not too sweet or too big and perfect for an afternoon snack. 

Bazeel

On our way back from Salza we stumbled across Bazeel, a bar/restaurant in the Piazza Garibaldi next to the river. It had a nice setting and plenty of outside seating, so we thought we would give it a go. Cocktails start at €5.50 and there is an extensive selection! We ordered the Fashion and Passion Iced Teas first and my were they strong! It is worth knowing that you pay as you go here so it is worth having cash.

We were informed that they also had a free buffet in the inner bar area that we were more than welcome to help ourselves to. I do not know if it was because it was a special occasion or whether this was a nightly/weekly occasion but we thought we may aswell check it out. The buffet consisted of several types of pizzas, breads, rice salads, Italian ham, spinach, bean salads and much more. It was of very good quality and was replenished quite a few times. I ordered a further cocktail, this time a Miami Iced Tea which was again very enjoyable. 

I would really recommend checking this place out if it is for a drink, especially in the early evening because you are next to the River Arno and you can get some really gorgeous pictures at night here. Plus, from just after 5, this place becomes very busy, very quickly. With people often waiting for seats. 

Overall I loved my short but sweet stay in Pisa. Honestly, if you are in a nearby city you could probably get away with doing Pisa in a day because everything is so close together! Just be careful of the taxes, tricks and read the small print!! 

Imogen xoxo

Pisa Hostel Review

HOTEL LA TORRE

The selection of hostels on Hostelworld wasn't great so we ended up using Hostelbookers and found ourselves this place.

Facilities 

Hotel La Torre has a nice lounge area to chill and a really nice breakfast area too. Due to this not being a hostel there is not such a concentration in group interaction but after being on a sleeper train, the last thing I wanted was interaction! Wifi was okay here but it was a hotspot so it would often be temperamental. 

Breakfast 

Breakfast was included and was the best yet. There was a large selection of croissants, cakes and bread, with yogurts, fruit and a variety of spreads, as well as juice and the option of coffee. Real coffee! I have never welcomed a cappuccino so happily in my life. I was in my element, it's the first decent breakfast I have had in about 3 weeks!

Showers/Toilets 

Although there was the option of ensuite, we picked a room where bathing facilities were out of the room because it was significantly cheaper and had not done us any harm thus far. The bathroom itself was fine although it could get stuffy and some times you would have to wait for it. Also, beware as many guests think that by opening the window people will be unaware that they have smoked in there, so sometimes there is a smokey aroma but nothing major. The shower itself was very small, I don't know how they expected broader people to be able to close the doors but the temperature and pressure was good.  

Staff 

Staff were really nice and helpful on arrival especially because we arrived really early and they let us check in at around 8 in the morning when it should have been significantly later. The reception is only manned between 7 till 11 but we did not need them beyond these times, so for us this was not an issue. Staff at breakfast were also attentive but not too intrusive which is perfect for me as I am not always what you would class as a morning person..so to speak. 

Value for Money 

This was on the more expensive side costing around £15 each per night but I would prefer to have paid slightly more and not have had the prospect of bed bugs and rude staff! 

Dorms 

The room was nice, there was a large double bed which could be split in to two, a large wardrobe, a sink, plenty of plugs and a balcony. Lockers were not provided so to be safe we travelled around with our valuables but we did feel safe here. Plus after a few weeks of hostels it was nice to have our own space.

Location 

The hostel was perfect location for an interrailer because it was about 5 minutes away from Pisa Centrale and after a sleeper train you do not want to be walking around for ages trying to find a hostel! The main attractions like the Leaning Tower and Cathedral etc are about a 15/20 minute walk and these are very well signposted. 

Extras 

The directions provided on were good however the streets in Pisa aren't exactly well labelled so that is a bit confusing. 

Staff allowed us to print our boarding passes off free off charge aswell which was such a huge help!

OVERALL

I would really recommend splurging that but extra and getting a decent place to stay whilst in Pisa and would definitely recommend Hotel La Torre!

Imogen xoxo

Zealous About Zagreb

I know what you are thinking, Zealous about Zagreb!? In my defence when I started the alliteration we were going to Dubrovnik not Zagreb in Croatia which would have been a whole lot easier! However, Dubrovnik is not very well hooked up to trains/buses and it would have taken us over 24 hours to get there and we are on a tight schedule! Furthermore, the weather for caster wasn't great and with Dubrovnik being a sea side town it seemed pointless unfortunately. Anyway...

Free Walking Tour 

Another city and you guessed it another walking tour. We were recommended this from the hostel and so gave it a go. We met at the Tomislava square, next to the horse. The tour was good especially because Zagreb is made up of a lot of side streets! We unfortunately had some rude people in our group which let the tour down because they would constantly talk whilst the tour guide was talking. 

Overall we managed to see: 

-Tomislava Square

- Several of the city's parks 

- The Main City Centre 

-The Cathedral 

- Dolac Market 

- The Old Gates 

- St Mark's Square 

- Tower of Lotrscak

- Church of St Catherine 

 -And Much More 

The Museum of Broken Relationships  

We were recommended to go and check this out by one of the staff at the hostel and it was next to the last spot of the tour. It only cost 25kn which is about £2.50, give or take...so hardly breaking the bank! We didn't really know what to expect but inside was items and stories regarding people's previous relationships. It sounds odd and I will admit it was slightly, but it was interesting! Some stories were more blunt and amusing like the picture presents but some were quite harrowing. Definitely worth a go if you have a free hour or so. 

The Cookie Factory 

On the way back from the museum we were on Tkalciceva Street and spotted the Cookie Factory. I have a very sweet tooth so it was right up my street! They sell all sorts of cakes, brownies, cookies and pies. I had the rockie road brownie with chocolate chip ice cream. It can only be described as delightful, the brownie was warm with nuts and marshmallows and they gave generous portions of the ice cream. If you sit outside they provide blankets do you aren't cold aswell which is nice. Service overall was attentive but not too overbearing. All in all, it was amazing and you should definitely go! 

Nokturna

This restaurant was recommended highly on Trip Advisor so we thought we would go. Situated on one of the side streets of Tkalciceva Street, it is prime location. We decided to sit inside because it was quite a cold night. 

One definite improvement needed is service here. We were left for 20 minutes before being approached by a waiter! They also did not state that all pasta dishes contained cheese despite there being no mention of this on the menu, which was disappointing for me because all the best dishes appeared to be pasta. In the end I went for chicken in a mushroom sauce accompanied by rice with a side order of grilled vegetables because I am missing my greens I won't lie! We waited another half an hour or so for food which to me was a bit long... However this appeared to be the norm in the restaurant. 

When the food arrived it was nice, the chicken and sauce were cooked really nicely. For me, the rice was a bit buttery and the vegetables were abit cold but not a bad meal in itself. Upon finishing, we were then left to our own devices and ended up asking for the bill. 

I don't know if it was down to the night, the waiter we had or what but I wouldn't say our night was reflective of the high reviews on Trip Advisor. Overall, food was okay but the service just wasn't up to scratch!

Tkalciceva Street

After dinner we went for drinks at one of the many bars on this street. Due to the outdoor heaters we decided to sit outside. It's 45kn per cocktail which is roughly £4.50 and they are strong! First I had a Mai Tai and then a Bramble. Both were very good and definitely uplifted the mood after a so so meal. Whilst you are out in Zagreb, it's definitely worth having drinks on this street because you get to see the real hustle and rustle of Zagreb at night.

Managed to snap this picture if the Cathedral on the walk home and thought it was definitely worth a mention. Ever since being told to go to Charles Bridge at night back in Prague, I really like seeing the monuments at night because they are not only pretty but also significantly less packed.

The Disaster that was Plitvice 

Well well well, what to say about Plitvice. For starters, it is a national park two hours away from Zagreb. We thought we would go and see it due to recommendations from people staying at our hostel and photos we had seen of it. We happened to be in the train station on the day we were planning on going so picked up the bus timetable aswell. You travel to Plitvice by bus so we wandered to the bus station before 12 in hope to catch the 12:30 bus. This bus however was full so we had to wait till 2:30. It was annoying but it was our last real opportunity to do it, so we waited. In hindsight we should of known then it was going to be a bad day! 

The bus journey itself was fine. However when we arrived just after half 4 we were informed that we could not buy tickets after 4 so we went and saw what we could but this was limited. After seeing what we could we headed back with half an hour to spare before the bus arrived to take us back to Zagreb. So we waited and waited and waited. It was then we began to realise that the bus wasn't coming and it was starting to get dark. Locals were trying to get us to go and stay at their cabanas and trying to get us and other travellers to go with them in their cars! Not ideal to say the least. We were also informed at this point that if the bus had become full on previous stops they may well of just gone without stopping...BRILLIANT. 

We made our way back to the park and it's neighbouring hotel and asked if there were any rooms. There were not but she was able to offer us advice and found us a hostel. The hotel worker was an absolute star and I could not thank her more for her help! We ended up staying in Grabovac, a nearby town in a lovely private house. Our hosts were so accommodating and it was really what we needed after our disastrous day! 

We decided to get the first bus back and because we had return tickets we weren't worried. How wrong we were. I would not be able to tell you what happened but we ended up having to buy another ticket. Rounding off what can only be described as the horror that was Plitvice. 

Our hostel in Zagreb were really good about things though because we emailed them to notify them what was going on and they were prompt and really nice in their reply, telling us not to worry about check out time etc. 

My advice if you are going to Plitvice: 

1. Only go on a sunny day because if it is foggy, wet or similar you will see NOTHING

2. Buy single tickets and just keep enough for a return because they are private coaches so. You can only get on particular coaches

3. Do not trust the last bus time, make sure you go early and don't end up in our predicament 

4. If you are going to do Plitvice, make an expedition of it and stay in Grabovac 

5. If you don't want to make a trip of it, do the trips sorted out by your hostel which will end up costing more but if anything goes wrong you know what to do and where to contact

Overall I did enjoy the day we had in Zagreb, as far as Plitvice is concerned if I ever return there it will be much too soon! 

Imogen xoxo

 

Zagreb Hostel Review

PALMER'S LODGE HOSTEL 

Yet another Hostelword find, seriously get yourselves on Hostelworld if you are interrailing!

Facilities 

Palmer's Lodge has a large common room area and kitchenette which can freely be used. This hostel had one of the nicest common room areas which made it easier to talk and chill with other guests. Although we didn't use them they do provide laundry facilities and hairdryers to use. Wifi is pretty good here and they also provide for upstairs and downstairs areas, which has previously been lacking in hostels.

Breakfast 

Breakfast was not included at this hostel but yo be honest the hostels with good reviews on Hostelworld tended to not have breakfast so we made do.

Showers/Toilets 

There was showers and toilets just outside the rooms and another set downstairs. The only issue with having individual combined shower/toilet rooms is that they would be in more demand. Leading me on to my next point, that this was the first hostel in which I ever had to wait for bathroom facilities. However, there were probably the nicest bathrooms that we have had during our stay in Europe. 

Staff 

Staff were really nice and helpful on arrival and throughout our stay. They have a 24 hour reception and even if they are not around there is a bell you can ring and then someone comes to help you. Particularly when we had issues in Plitvice, they were very understanding and prompt with replies. Furthermore, when seeing their interaction with other customers, they will make sure if you are stuck that you have somewhere to stay. 

Value for Money 

This was a cheap hostel starting from around €14 per night which is pretty decent and for the facilities provided a bargain! 

Dorms 

The rooms were nice, with larger spaces to put bags and tax in comparison to Unity Traveller. There were plugs by every bed which was very useful. The lockers provided were large and if necessary you could padlocks for these from reception. 

Location 

The hostel was perfect location for interrailer especially because it is a two minute walk from the train station! It is slightly further from the main attractions but Zagreb is quite a small city therefore it's not hard to get around via tram, bus etc. 

Extras 

The directions provided on Hostelworld were great, although it would have been pretty difficult to have got lost because of its proximity to the train station. 

OVERALL

This was one of the nicest hostels we have stayed in due to the quality of the bathrooms, dorm rooms and niceness of the staff. 

Imogen xoxo

Bathing in Budapest

We were lucky enough to be blessed with some good weather whilst we were in Budapest so before we partook in any serious activities we chilled at Elisabeth Square which looked amazing!

Free Walking Tour Part 1 

If you hadn't of guessed by now... I absolutely love a free walking tour! I just think it's best way to see the city, especially if the tour guide is passionate and local because you get to see city in a different light than if you explored on your own. 

We decided to go on the Tourist Angel tour because simply the leaflet was in our hostel. We did plan on going on the 10:30 Pest+Buda Tour however after the long day of travelling we may have slept through this so went to the Pest tour at 2:30 instead. Once we got here, we found out we were the only people on the tour which we were a bit apprehensive about because well it could have been very awkward. However, it turned out to be really good because the tour was then personalised to us. 

Overall we managed to see: 

- Danube Fountain, Elisabeth Square

-Lucky Policeman

-St Stephen Basilica

-Parliament 

-And Much More 

Margaret Island 

From the advice of our tour guide we took the walk to Margaret Island to see the famous water fountain there. The fountain itself is very impressive and then every hour should put on a show with lights and a mixture of modern and classical music. However, the show does not start on the hour so don't be put off if it is a little bit late. Unfortunately, there was no music at our show but it was still impressive and the scenery was really impressive. 

On our way to and from the island we managed to get some beautiful pictures of Budapest including the first picture on this post and the following...

I think the photos really show the beauty of Budapest!

Free Walking Tour Part 2 

This was the original tour we meant to go on and included some of hoe more impressive sights like the Prague castle and Mattias Church so we decided to go along. Overall it was a good tour, our tour guide was not as good as the previous but it was still interesting. If you don't like a steep walk, maybe give this tour a miss because to get to the royal palace you have to walk. I am unsure if there are metro/ tram services that take you there otherwise, but there is definitely a bus. A not to miss event is the change of the guards at the palace which happens every hour on the hour. 

Overall we managed to see: 

+ Danube Fountain

+ Science Academy 

+ View from the break point 

+ Chain Bridge

+ Royal Palace

+ Change of the Guards

+ Mattias Church

+ View from the end of the tour 

Budapest Baths

A well known tradition in a Budapest, are their baths. With the most popular being Gellert and Széchenyl. We decided to go to the latter after recommendations of people who had already been. It was about a 20 minute walk from our hostel. On the way, we also saw Heroes Square. I unfortunately did not have my camera but it is SO impressive and I definitely recommend taking the walk up there. Like most of the sites, there is a metro that can take you there but this square really makes the walk worth it!

Back to the baths, just a little word of warning eat before you get there as we were disappointed by the food provided. Besides this I don't have a bad word to say about the baths. There are about 15 baths in total, all of different temperatures, sizes and I honk oil infusions. It is perfect for a hungover day or the day before you have to travel because it is so chilled out. If you do nothing but the baths in Budapest you will still have the best time in my opinion. 

Cafe Vian 

This was the best restaurant we went to whilst in Budapest. It was on a little square near our Hostel. They had a really inviting interior and a good menu that included Hungarian dishes but provided other food aswell. I had an amazing meal of prawns, mussels and squid in a garlic sauce with basil infused spaghetti. We were sat outside for our meal and the staff really went that extra mile to ensure they everyone was dry and happy which was a real welcomed change especially since our treatment at Grossoto. 

Dishes Not To Miss 

I tell you one thing, Hungarians love paprika! I tried traditional Hungarian Lesco which is a creamy paprika sauce with sausage, pepper and rice. It was quite rustic but really nice and definitely worth a try. We also tried the savoury pancakes, again with paprika and meat which was also very very good. We tried both of these dishes at Kisharang, due to a recommendation from our tour guide. She also recommended a restaurant across the road where you can get Hungarian strudel to go for less than €1. We tried sour cherry, plum and apple, they were all nice but sour cherry was definitely my favourite! 

I had such a good time in Budapest and would definitely recommend it for sight seeing, going out and relaxing! 

Imogen xoxo