I was lucky today to perform a real, in-person tour, I can't even describe how delightful it was. After months of delivering virtual tours and not being able to connect with my travellers in person I was starving for the real personal touch. Walking around the city is always magical, but it's even more magical now as there are only very few people around that visitors might feel they are the only tourists in Beautiful Budapest. We were the only ones in Matthias Church and St. Stephen's Basilica and really felt like being part of a very exclusive club :) Unfortunately our borders are still closed for tourists (except if they come from a few selected countries) so I can't encourage you to come and visit now but if you happen to be in Budapest for any reason, contact me for a tour, you won't regret it!
I was lucky today to perform a real, in-person tour, I can’t even describe how delightful it was. After months of delivering virtual tours and not being able to connect with my travellers in person I was starving for the real personal touch.
Walking around the city is always magical, but it’s even more magical now as there are only very few people around that visitors might feel they are the only tourists in Beautiful Budapest. We were the only ones in Matthias Church and St. Stephen’s Basilica and really felt like being part of a very exclusive club 🙂
Unfortunately our borders are still closed for tourists (except if they come from a few selected countries) so I can’t encourage you to come and visit now but if you happen to be in Budapest for any reason, contact me for a tour, you won’t regret it!
It all started almost exactly a year ago and we had no idea back then how COVID-19 was going to change our lives. We really hoped for better but the pandemic is still in its full force and unfortunately numbers are indicating that the situation in Hungary is very, very bad. This is the third wave with far more people in hospital and far more deceased people than before. This is just very sad. Another lockdown starts today, all shops have to close - except grocery stores and pharmacies. People are recommended to stay at home and work from home office. All schools went digital. We're told this is for 2 weeks but nobody knows for sure. I continue offering virtual city tours and cooking classes and work on different other projects for after the pandemic is over. Let me know if you want to know more! Stay safe, stay happy and book a tour!
It all started almost exactly a year ago and we had no idea back then how COVID-19 was going to change our lives. We really hoped for better but the pandemic is still in its full force and unfortunately numbers are indicating that the situation in Hungary is very, very bad. This is the third wave with far more people in hospital and far more deceased people than before. This is just very sad.
Another lockdown starts today, all shops have to close – except grocery stores and pharmacies. People are recommended to stay at home and work from home office. All schools went digital. We’re told this is for 2 weeks but nobody knows for sure.
The monument was inaugurated in 2020, on the 100th anniversary of the Versailles Peace Treaty. I've been considering posting about this monument for quite a long time and the time has come to publish my opinion, as I'm getting a lot of question about it on my Virtual Tours. As most of you know Hungary was one of the countries which were badly punished after WW1, we can discuss the fairness of the decision but it's too late now, as it all happened 101 years ago. As a consequence Hungary lost 2/3 of its original territories and 1/3 of its ethnic Hungarian population. From the early 1920's political leaders continuously searched for the revision of the treaty, that was actually one of the reasons why Hungary entered WW2. The Versailles Peace Treaty is named Trianon Treaty in the Hungarian folklore, as the treaty regulating the new borders of Hungary was signed in the Trianon Palace of Versailles. The memorial is dark and somber. I know that it's not supposed to be joyful as it commemorates hundred years of grieving but I would be happier to see something a bit less depressing. It's a 100-meter-long tunnel that goes under the ground. What I like about the monument is that you can see the name of each and every Hungarian village or town that has ever been part of our country. What I don't like about it is that it's a dead end, when you walk to the end of it, there is no option to go forward, you have to turn back. I'd like to think that my nation's history is a canvas changing its colours and shapes continuously and we, the Hungarians are contributing to its actual form. Our history was not over in 1920. I miss seeing the continuity
The monument was inaugurated in 2020, on the 100th anniversary of the Versailles Peace Treaty. I’ve been considering posting about this monument for quite a long time and the time has come to publish my opinion, as I’m getting a lot of question about it on my Virtual Tours.
As most of you know Hungary was one of the countries which were badly punished after WW1, we can discuss the fairness of the decision but it’s too late now, as it all happened 101 years ago. As a consequence Hungary lost 2/3 of its original territories and 1/3 of its ethnic Hungarian population. From the early 1920’s political leaders continuously searched for the revision of the treaty, that was actually one of the reasons why Hungary entered WW2.
The Versailles Peace Treaty is named Trianon Treaty in the Hungarian folklore, as the treaty regulating the new borders of Hungary was signed in the Trianon Palace of Versailles.
The memorial is dark and somber. I know that it’s not supposed to be joyful as it commemorates hundred years of grieving but I would be happier to see something a bit less depressing. It’s a 100-meter-long tunnel that goes under the ground. What I like about the monument is that you can see the name of each and every Hungarian village or town that has ever been part of our country. What I don’t like about it is that it’s a dead end, when you walk to the end of it, there is no option to go forward, you have to turn back. I’d like to think that my nation’s history is a canvas changing its colours and shapes continuously and we, the Hungarians are contributing to its actual form. Our history was not over in 1920. I miss seeing the continuity and the hope to move forward.
The memorial is at Kossuth Lajos square right across from the magnificent Parliament building.
I've decided to share this blogpost originally from 2016 because my experience is that the Buda Castle District of Budapest is the most popular choice for the virtual tours. Most of the attractions below are to be seen during the tour and I'm happy to discuss the special architecture, culture and traditions of this beautiful neighbourhood. Feel free to contact me for further details on live or virtual tours! The Buda Castle district is the oldest part of Buda, many of the buildings are originally from the Middle Ages. Buda became the capital of Hungary by the middle of the 13th century, the castle and the medieval town were constructed in the top of the Castle hill. I don't want to disappoint you but The Castle district is not a real castle. The Hungarian Medieval castle, residence of many of our great kings, constructed in Gothic and Renaissance architectures was destroyed in the 17th century. Only some parts of it are accessible in the Budapest History Museum, unfortunately the rest of the castle rest in the ground now. You can walk up the hill along the ramparts of the Medieval Castle to get to the 18th century Baroque Palace which houses the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery. The cobblestoned streets of the historical old town of Buda lead you to the Matthias Church, one of the oldest churches of the city originating from the 13th century. If you have some time, you really need to climb the 197 stairs to the church tower from where you can have the best view over our beautiful city. From the top of the Fisherman's Bastion you can enjoy the panorama over the Parliament building and the Pest side. Continue your walk in the civilian town, admire the unique architecture of the
I’ve decided to share this blogpost originally from 2016 because my experience is that the Buda Castle District of Budapest is the most popular choice for the virtual tours. Most of the attractions below are to be seen during the tour and I’m happy to discuss the special architecture, culture and traditions of this beautiful neighbourhood. Feel free to contact me for further details on live or virtual tours!
The Buda Castle district is the oldest part of Buda, many of the buildings are originally from the Middle Ages. Buda became the capital of Hungary by the middle of the 13th century, the castle and the medieval town were constructed in the top of the Castle hill.
I don’t want to disappoint you but The Castle district is not a real castle. The Hungarian Medieval castle, residence of many of our great kings, constructed in Gothic and Renaissance architectures was destroyed in the 17th century. Only some parts of it are accessible in the Budapest History Museum, unfortunately the rest of the castle rest in the ground now.
You can walk up the hill along the ramparts of the Medieval Castle to get to the 18th century Baroque Palace which houses the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery. The cobblestoned streets of the historical old town of Buda lead you to the Matthias Church, one of the oldest churches of the city originating from the 13th century. If you have some time, you really need to climb the 197 stairs to the church tower from where you can have the best view over our beautiful city.
From the top of the Fisherman’s Bastion you can enjoy the panorama over the Parliament building and the Pest side.
Continue your walk in the civilian town, admire the unique architecture of the National Archives and wonder around the old Jewish quarter. Probably the most interesting fact about the distric is that there is a 12 km long underground cave and cellar complex underneath the Castle District. There are 2 museums where you can discover this unique labyrinth. The Hospital in the Rock was a military hospital during WW2 and a nuclear bunker during the Communist era. The Labyrinth museum is all about scary fun and you might also meet Dracula, the infamous vampire count.
I’d be glad to show you the famous attractions and the hidden treasures of the neighborhood, too, book the Buda Castle walk!
This is a really great experience, cooking with all of you online, teaching you how to prepare the best Hungarian dishes. I can't remember the last time I used as much paprika as I did these last couple of weeks. Thank you everyone for booking this tour with me and thank you for your enthusiasm! Also, I'm grateful for the inspirations, that's why I was able to add more recipes. Now we can make together Flódni, which is probably the most famous Hungarian-Jewish cake with four delicious layers: poppy seed, walnut, plum jam and apple. I'm also looking forward to cook more vegetable and cold fruit soups the next couple of weeks. Book a tour now, so that you can enjoy the great Hungarian dishes!
This is a really great experience, cooking with all of you online, teaching you how to prepare the best Hungarian dishes. I can’t remember the last time I used as much paprika as I did these last couple of weeks.
Thank you everyone for booking this tour with me and thank you for your enthusiasm! Also, I’m grateful for the inspirations, that’s why I was able to add more recipes. Now we can make together Flódni, which is probably the most famous Hungarian-Jewish cake with four delicious layers: poppy seed, walnut, plum jam and apple.
I’m also looking forward to cook more vegetable and cold fruit soups the next couple of weeks. Book a tour now, so that you can enjoy the great Hungarian dishes!
Actually, this tour was suggested by one of my travellers, he and his family were mostly interested in our communist history. I customized a 1-hour online tour for them with the virtual visit of the House of Terror Museum and they liked it very much, so this tour is now available on my website. This tour gives you a comprehensive overview of the Hungarian history in the second half of the 20th century. With a lot of footage and photos from the archives you get a better understanding of our life under Communism. Also, visiting virtually several exhibition halls of the House of Terror Museum makes it a full online experience. Just like all of my other tours, this one is live and private too, and is fully customizable. Feel free to ask me for more details, or book online!
Actually, this tour was suggested by one of my travellers, he and his family were mostly interested in our communist history. I customized a 1-hour online tour for them with the virtual visit of the House of Terror Museum and they liked it very much, so this tour is now available on my website.
This tour gives you a comprehensive overview of the Hungarian history in the second half of the 20th century. With a lot of footage and photos from the archives you get a better understanding of our life under Communism. Also, visiting virtually several exhibition halls of the House of Terror Museum makes it a full online experience.
This has always been one of my most popular tours. I understand that it's still very important for a lot of people to find out more about their family and ancestry. As many people have to cancel their trips to Hungary, I have cancellations for ancestry tours, too. But I've collected a lot of information the last few years so I thought I'd still offer the online version of the tour. Feel free to contact me for further details or send me all available information so that I can put together your family tree and all additional information that might give you an idea about how and where your relatives lived hundreds of years ago.
This has always been one of my most popular tours. I understand that it’s still very important for a lot of people to find out more about their family and ancestry.
As many people have to cancel their trips to Hungary, I have cancellations for ancestry tours, too. But I’ve collected a lot of information the last few years so I thought I’d still offer the online version of the tour.
Feel free to contact me for further details or send me all available information so that I can put together your family tree and all additional information that might give you an idea about how and where your relatives lived hundreds of years ago.
