I case of a date on Margaret Island!

You haven’t had enough of Margaret Island? Good, because now we want to give you a list of some activities you can do on the Island with a date!

Of course the Island is great for a picnic – pack some snacks, a bottle of wine, and sit down between some trees in one of the many meadows. A picnic is also a great way to relax after walking around the island.  You can also use one of the bikes or tiny cars for rent to get around the Island if you are tire of walking. The four-wheel bikes are always good for couples, but think twice before driving any mode of transportation if you’ve finished that bottle of wine on your picnic!

One of your first stops should be the Japanese garden located in the northwest part of the island; it is a small beautiful garden with magical waterfalls and a small stream. The little bridge over the stream is a romantic spot for a quick kiss with someone special. Then, take a little walk through the garden and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. In the northern most end of the garden don’t miss the musical
fountain! This fountain was built in 1936 and is a copy of the original fountain that was crafted by the Transylvanian handyman, Péter Bodor, in the 1820s. The mechanism of the fountain was destroyed during the World War II and repaired after more than 70 years in 2014. Now you can see again the statue of Neptune circle on top of the roof. At every full hour the statue faces the front of the fountain and traditional music from the last century starts to play.

After that you can enjoy another romantic walk through the rose garden, which is located in the middle of the Island. Then go towards the southern part of the island for the main attractions!

First visit the petting zoo where you can find a lot of cute animals. Ponies, deer, rabbits, and a wide range of birds are some of the many animals housed at the zoo. You can spend almost an hour there watching all of them or feeding them. If you are there in the spring you can usually find some baby animals too!

In the evening head to Margaret Bridge to enjoy one of the most amazing views as the sun goes down between the Royal Palace and the Statue of Liberty directly over the Danube. Wait until the spotlights pointing on the Monuments of Budapest switch on. You shouldn’t miss this beautiful picture of the city!

After the sunset, turn around and visit your last destination of the day - the water fountain. Sit down and watch the Light Show accompanied by music that occurs every hour. It is almost as magical as the light show in Disneyland! If this doesn’t spark some magic between you and your date, then nothing will.

We hope you have enjoyed this weeks series on Margaret Island and with any luck we have convinced you to visit the island!

Activities on Margaret Island

In our last post we introduced you to some of the history of Margaret Island, named after the nun Saint Margaret. Who was canonized by the Pope in 1943. Now it’s time for some tips on how you can spend a relaxing day on the Island.
If you are up for some physical activity you will find plenty of possibilities on the island.
First, there is a 5.35km (3.33 miles) soft rubber running track that loops around the Island where runners can enjoy a beautiful view of the river Danube. For those of us not into running, you can also ride a bike around the Island. On the west side of the Island there are several sport facilities that contain tennis courts, a football field and the National Sports Swimming Pool. The pool is named after Alfred Hajós, who was not only the architect of the swimming pool, but also the first Hungarian to win an Olympic gold medal at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. He was also a player and coach of Hungary’s national football team. Furthermore he was a Hungarian champion in the 100-meter dash, 400-meter hurdles, discus throw, and architecture (he was awarded an Olympic Silver medal in arts for the design of the swimming stadium in the 1924 Olympic summer games in Paris). Quite Impressive!

If you are not into sports but still want to have some fun or relax, visit the Palatinus waterpark. There you can enjoy the thermal and adventure pools. There is even a beach in the summer! If this is not relaxing enough for you, there are luxuries spas at the two resort hotels located on the island.

Beside all of these activities, you can also just walk around the island and enjoy a day with nature. Sit on the grass or on one of the plenty benches. Most of the area on the Island was turned into an English-style Park in the beginning of the 19th century Visit the water tower in the middle of the island, which was built in 1911 and is 57 meters high. It will give you an amazing panoramic view of the Island and Budapest. Next to the tower you will also find an open-air stage where you can enjoy operas, ballets, and various musical performances as well as light shows. If you happen to be here in the summer, Budapest hosts its summer festival right here on the island.


If you get hungry or you just want to have a drink, there are several outdoor pubs and restaurants on the island. There you can relax, enjoy the weather and pretend you are on holiday. You can also find a lot of small bistros where you can buy yourself a drink and a snack to enjoy next to the water fountain.

Also for the party people the Island offers a wide range of summer bars, especially the Zipp-Club, a huge beach bar with a riverside venue and two dance floors.


Isn’t this Island amazing so far? And we still haven’t told you about some of the most beautiful sights, so stay tuned!

Introduction to Margaret Island

In the Upcoming three posts you will be introduced to the green oasis of Budapest, Margaret Island. First we will give you a brief account of the history of the Island but stay tuned for the next two posts where we will give you an inside look on what the island has to offer.

Margaret Island (Margit-sziget) is located in the middle of the river Danube between Margaret Bridge and Arpad Bridge. You can reach it by taking either the 4 or 6 numbered trams, which will stop on Margaret Bridge right at the connected path to the Island. If you choose to go to the island this way you should also take a closer look at the bridge itself. The Margaret Bridge is the 2nd oldest bridge in Budapest and has been opened since 1876. From the bridge you will have a very beautiful view of Parliament, the Royal Palace, the Statue of Liberty and the Danube (perfect spot for those profile pics!). Go in the evening in order to enjoy the sunset over the Danube and a view of the Statue of Liberty - take a bottle of wine with you and some friends! 

Ruins of the chapel of the
Dominican convert

Another way to reach the island is by bus. Lines 26 and 234 starting at Nyugati tér metro station will take you straight to the island and are actually the only cars that are allowed to drive on the island. 

Until the 14th century the island was known as Rabbit Island (Nyulak szigete). However, it got its present name from Saint Margaret, the daughter of King Béla IV, who lived on the island from 1242 to 1270 in a Dominican convent. Legend says that King Béla IV promised God the devotion of his daughter Margaret, in exchange for a Hungarian victory over the Tartarian Invaders. The Hungarians won and Margaret was raised in the convent as promised. Unfortunately, the convent was destroyed during a Turkish invasion in the 16th Century but you can still visit the ruins.

Ruins of the Dominican convert

Close to the ruins you will find an old chapel built in the Romanesque style. It was also destroyed by the Turks but rebuilt in the 1930s. It still has its old bell, which was rescued before the Turkish invasion. 

Margaret Island used to be a group of three small islands connected by waterways. To give residence more control over flooding, it was made into the one large island it is today, When the Island was connected to the Margaret Bridge in the beginning of the 20th century. At this time it was also declared a public garden and in the 1980s nearly all motorised transportation was banned from the Island (except those two buses you will be taking to get there ;P ).

Romanesque chapel,
 rebuild in the 1930s

Today the Island is used as a peaceful hideaway for the citizens of Budapest. On weekends and holidays you can see all kinds of people enjoying this green oasis. Over the years it has become very popular due to its wide range of attractions, sights, and places for activities or relaxing. Next time we will give the low down on the most important sights and activities offered on the Island. This island is also a great place for a first date so we will give some pointers on that as well in our third post. 

Café Tips

One of the many things that Budapest is known for is its many, many cafés. The cafés has played a big part in the everyday life here in Budapest, providing scenes for socializing. Of course, the fact that Hungary is known for their cakes and pastries does not really make the cafés less relevant nor less desirable. The city is filled with everything from old-fashioned, classic cafés to more modern ones. Since all good things comes in threes, here are 3 tips of cafés in Budapest that are all worth a visit! 

Enjoy some peace and quiet - Művész Kávéház

This café belongs to the category of older, more traditional Hungarian cafés. It was built in 1898 and the classic style is really interpreted in the interior design, which is characterized with a feeling of luxury thanks to the high ceiling, as the huge mirrors and chandeliers. The variety of freshly produced pastries and cakes is to the cafés advantage, as well as the quiet and calm atmosphere. It is also possible to order a lighter lunch as they offer sandwiches, salads etcetera. It’s the perfect place to bring a book, enjoy some peace and quiet and just relax. Művész Kávéház is located at Andrassy utca, close to the Opera and in connection to the more upper-scale brands and shops in Budapest. Even so, the prices are not that high and in return you get a soothing atmosphere and excellent pastries! 

Where? Andrássy út 29, 1061

Catch up with a friend - Amber´s French Bakery and Café

The second tip of the day is Amber’s French Bakery and Café, a modern and fresh café located in connection to Váci Utca at Fővám tér. In excess of the obvious statement in the name, the café is decorated in blue and white and subtle, French music is playing in the background. If you haven’t figured it out already, the theme here is France. This is the perfect café to visit with a friend, have some coffee and just enjoy. There is also the opportunity to sit outside, something that I really recommend if the weather allows it! The pastries are really good and they also serve smaller lunch alternatives – their brie baguette is heaven!

Where? Fővám tér 5, 1056

Get a smile on your face - Cat Café

It is as amazing as it may sound. It’s a café – but with cats. The café itself is not really something out of the ordinary, the interior and overall look of the place is not amazing but you do not really notice thanks to the furry friends lurking around. There are of course some rules regarding the dos and don’ts of how to be around the cats but overall the atmosphere is playful but in a peaceful way. The café is centrally located close to the Bazilika, is quite big and offers a good but pretty narrow spectrum of pastries. You can however buy cat snacks and play with cats so maybe you don’t really visit this place because of the pastries anyways. The Cat Café is worth a visit if you are looking for something a little bit more special, or if you, like me, miss your pet back at home. No matter the reason, I’m sure you will leave with a smile on your face. Oh and the place offers wifi, so you can post as many cat-pictures you want on social media during your visit!

 Where? Révay u. 3, 1065

 Three totally different cafés, all worth a visit but for completely different reasons!

Image sources: 

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/d8/f3/62/muvesz-kavehaz.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/ae/28/bb/amber-s-bakery-cafe.jpg

http://www.likealocalguide.com/media/cache/ae/64/ae6479812ffa1b39aa241c3c51342924.jpg

Explore the Buda Hills on the Zugliget Chairlift

Last weekend my roommate, Justin, and I decided to leave the busyness of downtown Budapest and explore the Buda Hills. Justin and I live in downtown Budapest, right near the Basilica. We’ve been to Buda a fair amount of times, but had yet to explore the hills. So, looking for somewhere with a view, we made our way over to János Hill. Here’s how to get there from Deák Ferenc tér

•     Take the M2 to Széll Kálmán Tér
•        Leave the station and make your way to the bus stop on Csaba utca
•        Take the 102 bus for 10 stops, and you’ll find yourself at the base of János Hill.

The trip shouldn’t take longer than a half hour or so, and it’s well worth it.

Located in District XII, János Hill is home to the Zugliget Chairlift. This 1 kilometer long chairlift takes you to the top of the hill in a matter of minutes, providing a scenic route up to the top. Taking the chairlift won’t break the bank, either. A single adult ticket is 1000 forint, and for children 3-18 it’s 600 forint. Round-trip tickets are 1400 forint and 800 forint, respectively.

At the top of the chairlift is a small restaurant, so don’t be afraid to go all out on your hikes – rest assured, hot dogs are just a trail away. (A sidenote: I saw what I am confident was the world’s smallest dog a this restaurant. Now, I’m sure this dog isn’t a staple of János Hill, but then again I’ve only been there once. You’ll have to see for yourself and get back to me).

Wanting to experience the outdoors but not at the expense of breaking a sweat, Justin and I opted for the round-trip tickets. We rode to the top and went straight to Erzsebet Tower. Built in 1911, Erzsebet Tower provides a panoramic view of Budapest. We chose a clear day, so we were able to see downtown Pest in full view. After taking in the view, we hiked around the trails. János Hill has a winding network of trails on the hill. We picked a beautiful day for hiking, so there were families, runners,

 

While we were all for hiking a bit, we got more than we bargained for. We soon lost track of time wandering around. By the time we went back to the chairlift to begin our descent, we had missed the closing time by ten minutes. So, a warning: if you, like Justin and I, want to experience the outdoors while still remaining sweat-free, plan accordingly. The lift closes at different times depending on the month, so you could wind up having to walk down.

Rather than select one of the winding trails that gently traversed the hill, Justin and I went straight down the lift line. This, in theory, sounds perfectly fine. However, I wouldn’t recommend it. The trail was steep, thin, and muddy. Not exactly the best combination for two quasi-hikers who planned on taking the chairlift down. After twenty minutes or so, we made our way to the bottom and headed home, surviving the hike, even if it meant breaking a bit of a sweat.

Image sources:

http://budapesttimes.hu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Cogwheel04.jpg

http://www.roamhungary.com/photos/lookout_towers/budapest--the_elizabeth_lookout_tower_on_janos_hill/

Insight for Riding Fans!

In my last blog post I told you about the little valley called Szalajka-Valley which is an area of the Bükk Mountains in Hungary. The reason why I have been there four times already since my stay here in Budapest is because the national horse stud of Hungary is located there. It is the National-Lipicai-Stud which is the highlight of the little village. They have around 250 horses, five different stables, a huge riding hall and show arena.

The stud is open from Monday to Sunday between 9:00 am to 12:00 am and 13:30 pm to 16:00 pm. You can trace the story of the classical breed in Hungary in the museum adjoining the Baroque stable block. Enjoy the old carriages and travel through the history of the stud. The entrance for the museum costs 400 huf for children and 500 huf for adults. If you are lucky and the horses are in, you can see the cute little foals like on the pictures:

The highlight for riding fans is going for a ride through the national park. Lippizaner are quite different to ride and that are not typical school horses, which are brave. If you want to go for a ride in the national park you should be a skilled rider and have some riding experience. We always go for a two hour ride where you get astonished because of the beautiful landscape and if you are lucky you see also some wildlife. One hour riding costs 3500 huf. Before you go for two hours you should go for one at first, so you get used to the horses and afterwards you can really enjoy your two hour ride through the national park. As a beginner it is also possible to take normal riding lessons. You should contact them at least a week before you plan your trip to make sure they have time:

Webpage: http://www.menesgazdasag.hu/en/elerhetseg
Phone number: +36 36 564 400
E-Mail: info@menesgazdasag.hu

On the Webpage you will also find some information about the big riding events and auctions which are definitely worth to see.

To get the nature adventure perfect I would recommend you the following accommodation. The Villa Negra is located in the middle of the way to the little waterfall and so in the middle of the nature. They barely speak English but they are really nice and try their best. The food is really good and affordable. You can eat game for a fair price. One bottle of wine costs 2000 huf. One double room for a night costs 15000 huf. If you are there at the right time and you are interested in hunting it will be really enjoyable for you, because they host many international hunts.

Webpage: http://www.villanegraszilvasvarad.hu/fooldal#
Phone number: +36 355 240
E-Mail: villanegra@t-email.hu

I can hardly recommend you to go there for a weekend and just relax and spend time with the horses. It is unforgettable for a riding fan because of the awesome landscape!

Attention Nature Fans!

The city life in Budapest is really enjoyable and a lot of fun! But sometimes it is also very nice to spend a few days outside of Budapest and get to know Hungary. Hungary has an awesome nature because of its different National Parks. Today I want to introduce you to the Szalajka-valley. I have already been there four times now and it is great! The popular hiking destination is situated 25 km from Eger and 160 km from Budapest, at the bottom of the Bükk Mountains, in the vicinity of Szilvásvárad in Heves County. 

It is a small and very cute village where mostly Hungarian people go on vacation or on a day trip. That´s why it is so special. Just a few people are speaking English and it is very personal. There are several things you can do. Even if you are going with a group of people and you have different interests, there will be something for everyone. You can bike in groups, with a guide or alone. Bükk Mountain and Szalajka Valley have some 200 km of romantic cycling routes. If you are more the comfortable person you can do Segway-Tours, carriage ride or a tour with the local railway through the Szalajka Valley and enjoy the nature. Beginner and experienced hikers will find numerous nature and hiking trails
 in the Valley at the bottom of Bükk Mountains! 

How to get there:

It would be mostly recommendable to go there by car. It doesn´t take too much time and you can make stops on your way there. Even the ride is an adventure because you drive through the Eger, which is definitely worth a stop and the different Hungarian villages. It takes you about 2 ½ hours to get there. There are three different routes you can take, but the one highlighted is the one we prefer:

Accommodation:

There are several places to sleep and I would say they are all pretty good. I already slept at three different ones, which are all quite different but each of them if very unique.

Gasthaus Panzio:

This one is the simpler and not so expensive version. It costs about 12.000 Forint for a double room per night, breakfast is included. The special thing about this place is, that it is great located and the owner, an old Italian man, very small with grey hair is super nice and makes you feel like home. If you have any question or just want to have a nice talk, they will help you out wherever they can. Even if you are not going to sleep there it is definitive worth to eat!

Adress: Szilvásvárad, Egri út 27, 3384

Telefonnumber: (36) 355 185  

La Contessa:

La Contessa is a former castle which has very nice furnished rooms and a lovely wellness area with several different saunas and a swimming pool. It probably looks more expensive than it is. It costs about 40€ a night for a double room including semi-pension and the usage of the wellness area. I would heartily recommend this place for a couple or girls trip!

Phone.: +36 36 564 064
Cell: +36 30 335 6194
Fax: +36 36 564 065

E-mail: frontoffice@lacontessa.hu

Hopefully I could catch your attention with these rather basic information about the village! You probably wonder why I just posted two out of the three accommodations. On Thursday this Blogpost will continue with my personal experience and two great insights of this great place! Enjoy your week!

Sources:

http://www.szilvasvarad.hu/

http://www.gasthaus-szilvasvarad.hu/

http://www.lacontessa.hu/de

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szilv%C3%A1sv%C3%A1rad