Budapest is a wonderful European city, and one of the oldest. There are many things to see and do here, too many to include in just one place. Here are five top places to see while visiting here.
One of them, if you are any kind of cook, has to be the Chefparade Cooking School. This is a school that is both cosmopolitan, and contemporary, where you can learn to cook some of Hungary’s best dishes. These are plenty of completely interactive fun activities. You get a guided tour of the Great Market Hall with your chef, purchasing local ingredients which you will then take back and cook under the supervision of some of the local master chefs. Courses start in the morning and are finished by lunchtime, and even older children will enjoy the hands-on experiences.
Another stop on your tour of Budapest should be a visit to the famous thermal baths, located around the city. While some of these can be somewhat crowded, one is less visited but just as soothing as the Rudas Baths. These baths were built in 1566 by the Turks and still retain a great Islamic style. There are a number of others, including Szechenyi, and Gellert. If you think you are good at chess, a visit to Szechenyi is a must, you will be able to challenge a number of local players.
Taking the Funicular Railway up the hill the next stop would have to be the Royal Palace District. Here you can walk through Buda Castle, enjoy a spectacular view of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, and visit the Matthias Church. When you get hungry, stop by the Cafe Ruszwurm for coffee and cake. Later a stop at the House of Hungarian wines will allow you to indulge in over fifty different wines from the region.
One of the best places to visit is the underground, and even when it is freezing cold at street level, it can be warm and pleasant here. There are over 200 caves, formed by the warm thermal waters pushing up from deep underground. There are plenty of man-made structures, from Dungeons and wine cellars that were used during medieval times. Castle Hill has many caves, connected together during the Turkish occupation for military use, and these are seen through guided tours.…
If you ever decide to visit Budapest, be prepared for the taste of history. The city has blended in its pores and is proudly showing it. Even though the whole city has a flair of elegance that seems to be derived from times long past, it is without a doubt, mostly shown in the beautiful Castle Hill, which rises from the city, clearly dominating it. It is the home of the Buda Palace, first built in the 13th century, which today houses the Historical Museum and the National Gallery.
While you are there, take some deep breaths looking over the Matthias Church, a favorite place of the Hungarians for different celebrations and the home of the Ecclesiastical Art Museum. Finish up in the cold labyrinth of the Faust Wine Cellar. Take a sip of the famous Hungarian wine, and taste the tradition that fills every drop of it. The art of winemaking has been known to the Hungarians for centuries, dating back to Roman times.
Don’t forget to absorb a little bit of Disney, too. The breathtaking Fisherman’s Bastion, with its towers and turrets, is so romantic, that the first thought you will have will be an image of Cinderella rushing to get to a ball and to her prince. There’s one more thing about the Fisherman’s Bastion I must not neglect mentioning. The view over the city it offers is indescribable, and many of the most famous structures such as the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Academy of Sciences can be seen as if they were placed in the palm of your hand. Of course, make sure you pick a sunny and clear day for your visit. You will have to pay an entrance fee during the day, but the spectacle of Budapest at night, dressed up in a curtain of shimmering light, is absolutely free.
Make sure to stroll around the beautiful little squares surrounded with picturesque classical buildings and try to get lost in the little cobblestone streets and narrow alleys of the District as you walk down to the Chain Bridge. The Bridge is yet another monument of the grandeur of Budapest, and also a symbol of liberty. It was this bridge that actually played a crucial part in the birth of Budapest the way we know it today because it was the first permanent link across the Danube between the different cities of Buda and Pest.
The other side of the river is also an enjoyment to explore. Simply breathe in the busy and bustling streets, have a coffee in one of the celebrated Budapest cafes, or find an “Etterem”, which is the Hungarian word for restaurant, and have a goulash.
Whatever attractions you choose to visit during your visit to Budapest, and there are more than a hundred of them, be sure that they will not just attract your eyes, your whole heart will be drawn in too. This is the reason why Budapest is so easy to fall in love with.…
New Zealand is known by many to be the adventure center of the world. If you are planning to have the time of your life engaging in outdoor fun activities, it does not get any more fun than Queenstown. While there are other bungee locations, this offers one of the most spectacular views.
Huge Mountains and Beautiful Glaciers
The Western part of New Zealand is dotted with huge mountains and glacial tops. These have a really powerful impact on tourists. Fox and Franz Josef, two of the most popular and visited glacial locations lie majestically along the west coast. Then for mountains, you have not seen a beautiful mountain view until you have visited Arthur’s pass.
Picturesque Lakes
New Zealand is home to a wide array of beautiful lakes. These lakes can be found all over the country with some gaining some degree of popularity. In fact, Lakeside highway is popular for its picturesque views. A few must-see lakes are:
Lake Tekapo
Lake Hawea
Lake Pukaki
These are just some of the most common attractions in the region. The list however still stretches on. thankfully you are already planning a trip to experience it firsthand. You are in for a treat of a time!!!…
The answer to that question is a definite yes. The country`s exposure to volcanic activities over the ages has given its northern region a really interesting and complex landscape. In the North Islands, one can still see hot springs in one or two places, not to mention the relatively common geysers that dot the region.
The western region is made up of huge mountains and giant glaciers. New Zealand is awash with spectacular mountain views. One of the most common locations to get the full mountain experience of New Zealand is Arthurs Pass. a few other locations to visit to see these glacial mountains are:
Treble Cone
Cardrona and
Whakapapa
Interestingly, all these glacial locations make for perfect ski destinations. Thankfully there are a lot of accommodating resorts in the region.
Have you ever seen a bungee jump video with an epic accompanying music that makes you want to give it a go? In New Zealand, you can. Queenstown has earned itself a bit of a reputation as the adventure center of the world. A bit of a stretch? Maybe. But you`ll never know unless you take the leap down one of the awesome jump spots in New Zealand.
One thing you can be sure of though, is that a trip to New Zealand will totally be worth it, it will most likely leave you planning your next visit on your trip back home.…
Do you like hiking extensive terrains and complex landscapes? Are you hoping for a more “outdoorsy” vacation? Then New Zealand is simply perfect for you. New Zealand has lots of hiking spots across numerous terrains.
The country is also home to a large number of lakes. New Zealand has thousands of lakes scattered throughout the country. Some of which offer a serene air to their surrounding. All of these lakes have their unique qualities. You have the huge lake Taupo and the mesmerizingly fluorescent glacial lakes of the South Islands. This is why New Zealand is known as one of the most beautiful and accessible tourism locations.
Another major attraction of the region is the people. New Zealandians are really friendly and accommodating folk. This makes going there, really fun for the whole family. You could associate with the locals, and hear their stories and folklore. You might even be able the world-famous haka routine personally.
The geothermal activity of the region also gives rise to some really cool attractions. For instance, you could be able to see smoke rising from the hills while journeying across the popular “thermal explorer route”. From Rotorua to Waiotapu, there are thermal wonders awaiting your visit.
New Zealand should definitely make your travel itinerary.…
The safety of tourists in Norway is almost a hundred percent assured. The region has a low crime rate generally and also among tourists. Reports of tourist-related crimes are few and far between. This safety is also what makes the next benefit possible.
The country has really lax regulations when it comes to how much freedom tourists have to live around. Tourists in Norway could basically have walks around the country and its various landscapes without worrying much about restrictions.
Extensive and beautiful landscapes. The landscape in Norway is made up of magnificent mountains and spectacular fjords. These mountains and fjords have become something of a trademark for the region. They have become a major attraction for tourists and movie producers all over the world. No one makes a good Viking movie without getting a shot of this excellent natural wonder.
Norway is also home to some of the most spectacular astral wonders observed from earth. We have the “nightless days”. On these days, the country experiences 24 hours of sunlight. Then we have the popular aurora borealis. These northern lights could be observed from various resorts situated all over the country.
A trip to Norway is one of the most magical experiences a tourist could be exposed to.…
There is a reason Dubai is referred to as the jewel of the desert. As a renowned center of luxury, Dubai has a wide array of products in its markets and super malls. From exquisite designer products to regional specialties and everything in between, Dubai is worth visiting!
Dubai has one of the most luxurious markets in the world. The Dubai mall is the world’s largest shopping mall and it has everything you might need under one roof. Even if you do not want to really purchase anything, window shopping there can be quite an adventure.
A visit to Atlantis and its surroundings is also a highlight of the Dubai experience for a lot of tourists. From the really fun underwater aquarium to a lot of swimming pool activities and beach experiences. For a city in the middle of the desert, Dubai seems to offer the best of both worlds.
The region is also popular for its exquisite spices and rare materials. The city of Dubai has millions of tourists annually. So a lot of special materials from the surrounding regions end up gathering in Dubai.
Whether for a first-time traveler or a seasoned tourist, Dubai is safe enough to navigate on your own and still have a great time!…
Few places are as high on the bucket lists of travelers as Italy. Whatever your travel preferences are, you’ll find them satisfied in this exotic and familiar country. History, art, food, music, architecture, culture, sacred sites, charming villages, and breathtaking scenery abound in an atmosphere that only the most jaded cynic could resist.
From the soaring Dolomite mountains in the north to the beaches of Puglia and the ancient temples of Sicily, Italy has it all. These range from magnificent natural and scenic wonders to some of the world’s greatest works of art and architecture. You can not go wrong no matter where you go.
1. Tuscan Hill Towns
Tuscany’s undulating landscape is crowned by stone towns whose foundations date back to the Etruscans. Each is perched on a hill, and many still retain the castles and towers that once guarded their commanding positions.
It is difficult to pick only one because each has its architecture, art, personality, and story. With its towers and mostly intact walls, San Gimignano appears much as it did in the Middle Ages when it was an essential stop on the pilgrims’ route to Rome.
Volterra was an important Etruscan center before the Romans arrived, and remnants of both civilizations can still be found today. Arezzo’s tourist attractions are the legacy of many artists, architects, and poets of the city.
2. Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre’s UNESCO-listed cliffs and rugged gorges cascade their way down to the rollers of the Ligurian Sea. This section of the Italian Riviera is home to the beautiful towns of Manarola, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza and is visited by thousands of people each year. Each of these is famous for its pastel-painted, ice-cream-colored rows of historic homes that protrude gloriously from the coast’s rocks. Meanwhile, in Monterosso, visitors flit between the new town and the city beach, sipping Piedmont wines and devouring the region’s famous pesto pasta and focaccia.
3. Bergamo
This veritable jewel of the Lombardy region, crowned by one glorious old town area (the Citta Alta), is frequently overlooked by travelers on route to the lakes of Como and Garda or the heavily-adorned streets of Milan. Criminal! Those who want to stay can explore the Upper Town’s walled area, where cobblestone streets and earthy pizzerias abound, as well as the Piazza Vecchia, which houses the bubbling Contarini fount and the soaring Campanone tower, and the Cittadella’s arched walkways. Even further up the hill in the heart of the city – and connected by funicular rail – is the charming village of San Vigilio, which boasts sweeping views of the Italian Alps’ foothills and some beautiful fine-dining establishments.
4. Florence
The Venetian capital is a unique cultural chocolate box. During the Italian power surge of the 15th century, the city became a breeding ground for the European Renaissance. That means galleries like the famed Uffizi are brimming with masterpieces by Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Albrecht Durer, while the Museo Galileo celebrates the achievements of the era’s forward-thinking scientists. The Galleria dell’Accademia also houses the revered contours of Michelangelo’s David, and the Old Town’s Duomo is one of the most glorious in Italy. The jewelers on the beautiful Ponte Vecchio are also famous, as is Florence’s lively summertime nightlife.
5. Milan
Although Milan is a central entry point for tourists due to its airport, it is frequently overlooked as a destination in its own right. That’s unfortunate because Milan has one of the highest concentrations of artistic and architectural attractions in all of Italy, and it’s a must-see.
Milan’s massive cathedral, Il Duomo, is one of the world’s most magnificent churches and the best example of the Flamboyant Gothic style. La Scala is the world’s most prestigious opera house, Da Vinci’s The Last Supper hangs on the wall of a monastery, and museums and palaces abound throughout the city, housing some of the world’s most delicate art. No fashionista can pass up a stroll through the famous Quadrilatero.
6. Amalfi Coast and Capri
Just south of Naples, the high, steep Amalfi Peninsula juts sharply into the Mediterranean, forming the southern rim of Naples Bay. It isn’t easy to imagine a more picturesque—or unlikely—setting for the towns that strew down its steep slopes.
Most of these picturesque towns’ streets are stairways, and the houses appear glued to the cliffs behind them. Flowers bloom everywhere, and beaches are nestled in emerald coves beneath the towns.
This Drive is one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Capri is located at the tip of the peninsula and is easily accessible by regular ferries, with its Blue Grotto sea cave, lavish villas, and lush gardens. Sorrento, on the Amalfi Peninsula’s northern coast, is a good base and an easy day trip from all of the region’s attractions.
8. Bergamo
This veritable jewel of the Lombardy region, crowned by one glorious old town area (the Citta Alta), is frequently overlooked by visitors en route to the lakes of Como and Garda or the heavily-adorned streets of Milan. Criminal! Those who want to stay can explore the Upper Town’s walled area, where cobblestone streets and earthy pizzerias abound, as well as the Piazza Vecchia, which houses the bubbling Contarini fount and the soaring Campanone tower, and the Cittadella’s arched walkways. Even further up the hill in the heart of the city – and connected by funicular rail – is the charming village of San Vigilio, which boasts sweeping views of the Italian Alps’ foothills and some beautiful fine-dining establishments.
9. Lecce
Lecce is a patchwork of Baroque nestled in the undulating, vineyard-clad valleys of Apulia, right in the middle of the Italian heel. By morning, visitors can explore the crumbling remains of a second-century theater. By afternoon, they can delve behind the glorious facades of churches such as San Giovanni Battista, the Church of the Holy Cross, and the bell-tower-topped Lecce Cathedral. Of course, the city has plenty of sun-drenched piazzas where gelato holes-in-the-wall give way to enticing wine bars touting Apulian cellars’ famous labels.
