Budapest, Danaube Cruise, Prague Trip Report-Part I Budapest

We arrived in Budapest Sunday around 4 pm after a grueling but uneventful trip from the US East coast that required two connections and three flights. Arrival details took 30 to 45 minutes. Then we walked straight out of the airport and requested a taxi from the stand. After about 30 minutes we arrived at Three Corners Avenue Hotel. This hotel was nice, well located by major attractions and metro. It was clean, attractive and in a nice area but not too noisy. We had twin beds as requested. I travel with a friend, not a romantic partner, and finding rooms with two separate beds can be an issue. These weren’t very far apart but some separation. The sink and shower were in a doorless alcove which is not ideal for us either.
Since we were so exhausted we asked the front desk clerk to recommend an easy restaurant very close by. They suggested Incognito on Ferenc Liszt Square. We ate outside at Incognito and enjoyed watching everyone walking down this pedestrian only street. I liked my first try at Hungarian food.
The Three Corner’s breakfast bar had many great choices, hot and cold, better than most US hotels. I was pouring the standard orange juice from a dispenser when I noticed a glass pitcher with a sign indicating fresh pressed apple juice locally grown. Major juice upgrade!
We headed off on foot to the Dohany Street Synagogue. After presenting the tickets we had bought in advance and going through security, I only saw a sign pointing upstairs to the museum. We toured the museum and exited into the garden areas. We walked through the gardens with the somber memorials to the Holocaust and into the small dome temple. Every door into the main synagogue building appears to be locked. We finally give up, and head for the exit, disappointed. That’s when I finally saw the main entrance, we had walked right past earlier. Went into the actual worship space and caught up with an English guided group.
Since we were ahead of schedule we walked to the river and around the Parliament Building Grounds. On the way I grabbed an open-faced sandwich from one of the shops for lunch. After lunch we had tickets for the National Opera House. This tour was a highlight of our Budapest time. Beautiful building and enjoyed the mini concert they give at the end of the tour.
After the tour we walked the 5 minutes to our hotel and put on swimsuits and coverups for the Baths. Took the metro to the Szechenyi Baths. I loved these. Warm water and beautiful architecture combined. We tried the outdoor baths and most of the indoor baths. For dinner we went to Mazel Tov. Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. Very pretty with great service, but I must have ordered the wrong thing, and my food was just okay.

On Tuesday we checked out of our hotel and took an Uber to our Viking River Ship. After dropping our luggage, we walked down the Danube viewing the Shoes on the Danube. Took the tram back to the Great Market Hall and bought the requisite paprika. We went to the National History Museum and spent an enjoyable afternoon going through the exhibits. Descriptions in English as well as Hungarian.
We returned to our Viking Ship and met the other 10 women from a widow’s travel group we belong to. Nice to see old friends and let Viking spoil us with their service.
On Wednesday, we took the included Viking panoramic tour which went by bus to the Citadella, then Hero’s square and ended with a walking tour of the Inner-City Parish Church and surrounding area. From the ship we took the tram to Buda Castle Area and toured Mathias Church and the palace grounds. Beautiful!
We returned to the ship, had dinner, and drank in the sail-away from Budapest at sunset right past the Parliament Building.