From the era of empires and kingdoms (Mongols, Ottomans, Turks, Habsburg) and their invasions, the bygone era of communism, the tragedies of war, Budapest has witnessed several twists and turns of history and yet retained its unique allure. The historic invasions have also left their own distinct cultural stamps on the city and a visit to Budapest offers an opportunity to witness several different cultural influences.
The city of Budapest was officially formed in 1873 and gets its name from its two districts or mini-cities in their own rights: Buda in the West and Pest in the East. Separating the two is the Danube River across which are several bridges built to connect Buda and Pest, the most noteworthy being the chain bridge - pretty as a picture!
General:
Public Transport: Budapest is a really big city and can be fairly hot in spring and summer; hence it is a great relief that the city is very well-connected by Metro, Buses, and Trams. There are three Metro lines (Yellow, red, and blue) that connect most places across the city.
Fun Fact: The Yellow Line Metro, also called the Millennium Subway, is the oldest underground train system in Europe. It was opened in 1896 when Hungary celebrated its 1000th anniversary and it connects the city center with City Park through its eleven stops.
There are also thirteen Trams/Trolley-buses that connect Northeast and Central Pest and offer majestic views of the city.
Fun Fact: The trolley line 70 was opened on Dec. 21, 1949, the 70th birthday of the soviet dictator Stalin - hence the number 70!
There is also an extensive bus network connecting main areas of the city as well as the suburbs.
Caution: When traveling through any means of public transport, be sure to buy a ticket. Sometimes you may find the ticket machines on the metro stations may not work, in which case, try to find a Metro/Rail employee to help you. There are many, many ticket inspectors and they really swarm the exits of main tourist destinations, and if found without a ticket (for any reason) the fines are hefty (anywhere from 10,000HUF onwards). Most inspectors do not speak English and will not accept any excuse (even broken ticket machines) so ensure to keep your ticket with you until you exit the mode of transport you have chosen.
How to get there
By Air
You can reach Budapest through several international carriers, as well as low cost European airlines (if flying from Europe itself). The Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport is situated about 15 km from the city center.
The airport is well-connected to the city by train, tax, and minibus (shared cabs). The train station near the airport is called Ferihegy and there are regular bus connections from this station to the terminals. The train to the city center will cost about 375 Hungarian forint (HUF). The taxis cost anywhere between 8500to 10,000 HUF. The minibus fare ranges from 4000 HUF to 6000 HUF.
By Rail
Budapest is very well-connected with most countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Majority of the international trains arrive at the Budapest Keleti station.
By Bus
If you are traveling within Hungary, there are several buses from different cities and often offer discounted prices. If traveling from other European countries, Eurolines offers some connections.
By Boat
To arrive in Budapest by boat over the Danube River can be a beautiful experience. However, it depends on weather and boat services are offered only from Vienna and Bratislava. Usually the services run between April and early November (depending on seasonal weather).
Climate
Budapest has a continental climate with humid and hot summers. Snowfall is common between December and January. The summers are hot and last until September. There are frequent showers in the month of June. The best months in terms of weather are in spring (March-April).
Where to stay
The city of Budapest offers a wide range of accommodation for all kinds of budgets. Although Budapest is comparatively cheaper than many other European capitals, the hotels in the city center, particularly close to Castle Hill cost a great deal more than several others in the city.
The ideal thing to do would be to search for best deals online before making your reservations.
Food
Vegetarians rejoice! Budapest offers several vegan and vegetarian restaurants. For those with a sweet-tooth (like the writer), Budapest is a delight. There are several bakeries offering wonderful pastries and baked goodies and the Marzipan chocolatesare a must-try.
There are also several cafes across the city, where you must just sit down and enjoy a relaxed cup of coffee or chai and watch the world go by. A truly Hungarian experience. Fun Fact: Tea is called chai in Hungarian!
For a truly memorable meal, head to the riverside in Pest where there are several Boat-Restaurants by the riverbank. They not only offer great traditional Hungarian cuisine but also a breath-taking panoramic view of the Danube River and the Castle. A meal with an unforgettable view!
Shopping
There are many local products and goods to choose from, such as the Hungarian paprika, hand-made Hungarian dolls, and the famous Herend porcelain. For quick souvenir purchases, head to Vaci Utca, the pedestrian-only promenade in Budapest. If there is only thing you would purchase, you should take home some of the marzipan sweets.
Expenses
Although Hungary joined the European Union (EU) back in 2004, but the Hungarian Forint (HUF) is still the currency in use. There are ATMs across Budapest that you can use to withdraw HUF. You can also exchange Euros or Dollars for HUFs. Many shops and restaurants accept credit cards, but to get better deals it is advisable to carry cash.
Places of Interest
If you have read so far, you would already know that Budapest has the oldest underground train system in Europe (the Yellow line!).
But that's not the only list where Budapest would figure in the top 10. The city boasts of one of the oldest zoos in the world, the second largest synagogue in the world, the European Union's longest river - Danube, and the third largest Parliament building in the world! And if that's not enough, the city plays host to some amazing music festivals around the year and offers many cultural extravaganzas such as Operas, festivals, and other events.
Some of the must see attractions of Budapest are:
The Budapest Zoo: The Budapest Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It opened in 1865 and it features not only animals but also a number of Art Nouveau buildings, such as the Elephant House, the Palm House, and the main entrance. It has over 800 animals and you can easily spend an entire day here. Most of the information signs are posted in Hungarian but that won't take away from your day at the zoo. Avoid it on weekends as the ticket lines can be long and slow.
The Chain Bridge: The first bridge to connect Buda and Pest, across the Danube is a sight to behold, both in daytime and at sunset when it comes alive with the evening lightings. A walk across the Chain Bridge is a must for anyone visiting Budapest. This walk will have you agreeing with the epithet bestowed on Budapest - 'Pearl of the Danube'.
Parliament: It is the third largest Parliament building in the world and is counted among Europe's most beautiful buildings. It is situated by the Danube River and is one of the most photographed monuments of Hungary.
Try to visit it when you are traveling light as the security here is even more stringent than those of some airports. You can take an organized tour if the building is open to visitors (when the Parliament is not in session, of course!). During the tour you can also visit the crown room where you can see the crowns of all the kings of Hungary.
Castle Hill: Castle Hill overlooks the river Danube. It is a nice walk up the hill from the Chain Bridge. If you do not feel like walking, or if it is a hot day, you can take the funicular to the top. There is a beautiful church ( Matthias Church) at the top and some coffee shops and of course spell-binding views of the city. There are also several attractions such as the Royal Palace, Vienna Gate, National Gallery, and Fisherman's Bastion etc. in the Castle district.
Gellert Hill: This hill offers some of the best views of Budapest and the Danube River. At the top of the hill stands the impressive Gellert Statue. A great sunset view point, as the sun sets and the bridges of Budapest start to light; it is a moment you will not forget easily.
Hungarian State Opera House: The Opera House houses both the State Opera and the State Ballet and is designed like the Vienna Opera House.
If you do not intend to catch a show at the Opera House then you can still visit the place with a guided tour and com away impressed by the grandeur of this magnificent building.
Heroes' Square: It is a large square that was built as a tribute to the Heroes of Hungary and to commemorate the Magyar Conquest of Hungary. There is Millennial Monument in the center of the square. The Fine Arts Museum and the Mucsarnok Art Gallery are at a stone's throw away from the square.
Fun Fact: A fun fact that is my personal favorite is as per local belief if you touch the Anonymous statue in the park near the Heroes' Square you will become a better writer.
Thermal Baths: A reminiscent of the Turkish era in Hungary, Budapest has more than 100 thermal springs - more than any other capital city in the world. The city has dozens of medicinal baths, Bath therapies and steam baths.
Safety: Budapest is a safe city in general. Pick pocketing is among the most common crime that tourists face. So be careful when traveling on the metros or trams/buses. Do not leave your bags unattended while on public transport, or carry your backpacks in the front where you can always observe them.
Also, be careful where you change your currency as some of the local street money changers lure tourists with attractive rates but actually end up cheating them.
Budapest has great weather; it is packed with museums and cultural attractions, it offers an insight into a complex and fascinating history - so one can say it is nearly impossible to be bored in Budapest.
Closure Line
If you want to experience the nostalgia of Budapest's intriguing history or simply soak in the Danube's scenic beauty and enjoy the local cuisine (do not forget the marzipan), then Budapest should be on your next itinerary.
Source: "Aditi Sharma, www.terrainspotter.com"
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Budapest: Pearl Of The Danube
Dengan url
http://masalahurat.blogspot.com/2013/10/budapest-pearl-of-danube.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Budapest: Pearl Of The Danube
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar