Just a little update about my most recent travels :)
Recently, schools across England enjoyed their half-term break, which meant...the teachers ALSO got to enjoy some time off. For this half-term, I travelled to Prague & Budapest to continue my quest in travelling the world. Let me tell you, Czech Republic & Hungary DID NOT disappoint. I LOVED these two countries! Prague, I loved because of it's absolutely exquisite beauty. Budapest, also captured my attention with the views, but also with the beautiful people that fill it. In Prague, unfortunately, we had several encounters with people that were a little off-putting, just in terms of rudeness. However, right from the moment we entered Budapest, the people showered us with kindness and absolutely stole my heart. We had information booth workers come find us, desperate to explain they had accidentally given us the wrong stop name and gave us the correct information, had cab drivers run after us exclaiming, "I just want to help you, no money from you!" and then proceeding to help us find our airbnb, a restauraunt that gave us complimentary drinks, offered to take pictures for us, and continually checked to make sure we were warm enough, and another restaurant that gave us a complimentary bottle of prosecco when they needed to move us to another table because a group with a reservation arrived. It's amazing how quickly kindness can capture your heart!
Here's the quick synopsis of our adventure:
24 May-27 May - Prague; 27 May-29 May Budapest
Day 1 - Prague
We began our adventure on 24 May, flying from London to Prague, Czech Republic. We made conquered the public transit and eventually found our way to the hostel. Isn't the view great? :)
Then, once we were settled, we went to find some good food, then explored the city & castle that night, and ended up in the old town square where we saw the famous astronomical clock.
Day 2 - Prague
The next day, we joined a walking tour around the city, and explored the new town, old town, and jewish quarter of Prague. Oh, and we made a friend on our walking tour who was staying at the same hostel as we were, she was an absolutely lovely girl! Then we made our way over to Letna Park where we sat by the Metronom Monument and had a picnic overlooking the city - this was potentially one of my favourite moments from Prague. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a pretty view! After this, we went to the local market, explored & bought some trinkets, and ate delicious treats. Then we made our way back to the hostel to drop off our things & get ready to head to a pub known for it's great Czech meals - ended up getting a burger, which I'm pretty sure consisted of half a cow. I've never seen such a thick burger patty before!
At the end of our walking tour
The view from the Metronom Monument in Letna Park - LOVE IT!
Tasty street treats!
Giant Burger - essentially my whole meal, drink included, came to 6 quid. I'm definitely going to miss the prices in Prague & Budapest!
Day 3 - Prague (Last day before heading to Budapest)
On our last day in Prague, we got up early to go czech out (see what I did there? :P) the Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral. Of course, we stopped to have a mini photoshoot before we got there. After exploring the cathedral, as we were leaving, we heard music & realized that we could catch the changing of the guard! That was pretty neat! After exploring the rest of the castle, we made our way down to the river for a boat cruise, which gave us a new perspective of this glorious city. After the cruise, we made our way to the Jewish Quarter, where we took in the Jewish museum and walked through the Jewish cemetery - so much history was there. Very surreal, and some of the exhibits took me right back to a lot of the feelings I had during my visit to Auschwitz. Next, we ventured to the Love Lock Bridge & John Lennon Wall; then made the trek up to the top of Lover's Hill & climbed a ton of stairs for an incredible view from the top of the Petrin Lookout Tower. Then we made our way back down to the old town square, saw some street performers playing with fire, then enjoyed another delicious meal & then headed back to the hostel to get a good night sleep before our big 7 hour coach ride the next morning, taking us from Prague, Czech Republic to Budapest, Hungary.
Pictures on Charles Bridge
Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral/Changing of the Guard
River Cruise
Lovelock Bridge
John Lennon Wall
Being Silly at the top of the Petrin Lookout Tower
Jewish Museum & Cemetery
Goulash Dinner
Street Performers in the Old Town Square
Quick Picture with the Astronomical Clock before calling it a night
Day 4 - From Prague to Budapest
At 7:30am we were boarding our coach bus & getting ready for our 7 hour journey from Prague to Budapest, Hungary. To get there, we would travel 525km and travel through 3 countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, and finally, Hungary) - what a trek!
Then, once we arrived at about 2:30pm, we again figured out the transit, and with the help of several very kinda Hungarians found our way to the airbnb we were staying in, which was very cute, and had lots of space for the 5 of us! Then it was time to get adventuring! We found St. Stephen's Basilica, explored the Buda Castle District, Fisherman's Bastion, had a very yummy dinner, and then went back down to the river to catch the parliament buildings, since they are lit up at night time - so magnificent!
The Buda Castle District & Fisherman's Bastion
A bit of Paprika Chicken to kick off the trip
The Hungarian Parliament Buildings in all their glory
Potentially my favourite picture from the whole trip :)
Day 5 - Budapest
Day 5 was actually the last full day of our trip. We started it off right by heading down to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths - SO RELAXING. Honestly, I could've stayed there all day, but alas the trip must go on! After we went home & showered we went, found some lunch - again so delicious, and we were overwhelmed again by the Hungarian kindness of the restaurant employees. I tried a goulash soup which was actually to die for, dreams will be had about that soup! After lunch we went to the Great Market Hall where I ended up (unexpectedly) purchasing a beaaauutttiiifffullll leather purse. Thankfully, since it was love at first sight, the prices in Hungary are INCREDIBLE when you do the math and convert back to pounds. After our time at the market, we went down to Margitsziget (Margaret Island) and rented some bikes and explored. We found some ruins, a mini zoo, a japanese garden, and a dancing fountain. After the island, we went back to the airbnb, got ready for dinner, then went our to enjoy our last evening in Budapest. At the restaurant, because they needed to move us to another table since a bigger group had arrived and needed the table we had been placed at, they gave us a complimentary bottle of Prosecco - so again, Hungarian kindness for the win! It was definitely a nice way to round of our time in Budapest. Then, the next morning, we woke up extra early, made the 1.5 hour trek to the airport, and flew back to London & back to reality!
Enjoying the Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Another delicious meal - goulash soup
Margitsziget (Margaret Island) Adventuring
The Dancing Fountains dancing to Budapest
Final evening in Budapest, enjoying a delicious pizza with complimentary Prosecco :)
This trip was incredible! I saw places I've only ever dreamed of seeing, grew as a traveller and as an individual, and learned even more about who AMANDA is! Love this life of being a traveller!
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