A short holiday in a small city in the Carpathian Mountains. More correctly stated I think is the Sub-Carpathians or Trans-Carpathians.
The city is about a 5-hour drive east of Budapest. The goal is some sightseeing … and to dump some cash in the local economy. I am posting now so I can build on the post during the trip. I do better with daily reports than writing when I get home; but I am no good at pecking on cell phones, so this alleviates some of the pecking.
PREP:
Bought the mandated medical travel insurance and I am brushing up on what little Hungarian language (Magyarország) I can fumble through as I presume English will not be as common as it is in Budapest. Double checked the Air Alert app on both phones and made sure the region was set correctly. Luggage is a backpack.
If all goes well, maybe in the Fall, I will push a bit deeper in and find a spot for fishing.
DAY ONE - THE PLAN
Morning shared transfer. Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a3X9wm1nfQHA5UBZ7 | Afternoon a guided short walking tour of the old part of the city: https://youtu.be/vmmHm5dpuBE?si=xUpDUxRQZoRFkWBN | The hotel is The Old Continent Hotel in the old part of the city. https://youtu.be/M_XRHobOX9g?si=PaVRlkDD3VILEFRD
HOW IT WENT
A good 98F day for a drive. The transfer service arrived on time. A massive MB Sprint. Sears at least a dozen. I was first onboard so I got the front seat. Nice view. The driver played the pre-flight recording in English. Seatbelts, stops, emergencies, etc. Nicely done. The van has WiFi. Thats nice.
Our next stop was the airport for 5 more passengers, then the highway. Nothing worse than a US highway and some as good as an Interstate.
After about 3 hourss, one break stop of about 20 minutes and back on the way. Landscape is just Hungarian farmland.
Hungarian border control did the whole EES photo and fingerprint thing on the non-EU people in the van. I was exempt because I am resident. Completing the Hungary border control we drove forward to the next one. They were pretty efficient. They didnt check the insurance, buying had it just to be sure. No issues. Total time was 40 minutes. But the driver knew the system and routine and I think we went around the confused people.
My Telekom and TMobile both have service here. But I'm using the WiFi.
Now to Uzhhorod. Ooops, just realized the others are going to the train station in Mukachevo. Detour. But the road from the border runs straight and long towards the Mukachevo Castle far off in the distance sitting on a hill below the mountains. An amazing view and you realize why it was built there. Worth the detour for the sight.
The road from Mukachevo to Uzhhorod is lined with small communities. Sweet, classic, old but clean with artistic detail in every architectural opportunity. This could be middle class Hungary or Italy or France Interpreted in a different language.
Checked into the hotel, went to the bar and ordered a beer. The bartender said I should try tge local palinka. I agreed, he said come back in the evening for something special. An hour later the guide was with me and we walked the old town and the castle. I researched this, but what i found exceeded my expectations. It's a lovely city. Very excellent guide too. I'll post contact details later.
After the tour I was too tired to deal with language issues so I ate in the hotel restaurant. Shocked again, its exceptionally good. I mean really good. Then the bartender brought me a glass of the cherry palinka that his grandmother makes. Wow! The kindness from nowhere... And it was amazing. The eAlert did its thing during dinner. No one paid attention. Lasted about 20 minutes.
The hotel? That video above is very accurate. I chose well. I have a balcony to the courtyard on the 4th, top, floor. Excellent start to the trip.