Hungary First Stop Debrecen
- Train into Debrecen: Quite
a nice city to stay in for a couple of nights. Not a lot too see
hence no photographs, but taking a bus out to the Hortobagy National
Park is worth a look. It has been classed as a world heritage
site since 1999 and is Hungary's largest protected area, and the
largest semi-natural grassland in Europe. A bus tour goes out
from the main car park just ask at the visitors centre.
- Next a bus to Eger: What a beautiful historic city.
The castle has had some serious restoration and dominates the
city with some great views looking down. It was rebuilt in this
spot in the 13th century after the original one was ruined by a Mongol
invasion. Studying information you will find that the castle has
a mixed history of conflict and several parts have been destroyed and
rebuilt over the years. The sculptures of Istvan Dobo celebrate
the soldier who defended Eger against the Ottomans in their
unsuccessful invasion of 1552. He has an interesting history.
It's well worth spending a few days here and just wandering
around the historic streets of the city to see the beautiful colours of
the different buildings. Some good restaurants and cafes
everywhere and a major supermarket in the main square.
- Onto Budapest by bus again: A
very majestic city but we were a little disappointed. We found
ourselves comparing it to Istanbul but it doesn't have the magic.
Suggest you go to Budapest before you go to Istanbul. The
transport system was fantastic whether by bus or light rail / trams.
We stayed in an apartment just below the castle in Buda which was
a perfect position below Buda castle, although the apartment was very
small and cramped. Great little supermarket opposite and a big
Spar supermarket down on the water at Batthyany on the waterfront.
We found that using the tram to go to a particular spot and then
walking from place to place was the best. Transport daily or
weekly tickets are available from machines at most stations and can be
used for all public transport. Very easy to get around and very
hard to get lost.
- We
visited the Parliament Building this is
probably a must as it contains a great deal of the history of Hungary
with a variety of exhibitions. Full of Baroque Ceilings and
fantastic artworks including figurines, portraits, frescoes, leadlight
windows and lots more. Tours are carried out daily but
get there early as there are always long queus. While in the Parliament
area there is a basement that is a memorial to the Hungarian
People who suffered the Soviet invasion of 1956, small but very
confronting, and following on that side on the riverbank is the
memorial "Shoes on the Danube" to the Jews who were shot and murdered
during World War 2. I believe a must see for both of
them.
- Buda
Castle
and most areas at the top of Buda including Sandor (Presidential)
Palace there are lots of tours and access here to various locations and
churches but they are all fairly expensive. The view from the
castle is something else, particularly at night time. Also the
Great Market
Hall on Pest (fairly expensive but a fantastic variety of goods
including an incredible fresh food market).
- A ferry trip to Visegrad is well worth it
. Fairly regular timetable check as it changes wih the seasons.
Visegrad has two castles the upper and the lower. The upper
is quite a climb but well worth it when you get there. The castle
dominates the skyline and has a fascinating history dating back to its
original construction in the mid 14th century. It was also at one
stage the royal seat of Hungary. The lower castle built around
the same time was part of the whole fortification as can be seen from
the models in the upper castle. Both castles have exhibitions
of the King Matthias Museum plus a copy of the Royal Crown.
- We
also visited Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube River
next to the Margaret Bridge. Lots of interesting places to see
including the Musical Fountain. Lights, fountain and co-ordinated
music too, just sit and watch and take in the ambiance.
Some historical buldings, a lovely park like atmosphere, bikes
and peddle buses, swimming pools just a lovely peaceful place.
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