Budapest - airbnb front door and coca-cola pictures

Come for the architecture, stay for the food

We were not sure what to expect with Budapest when it came to eating out but we were blow away at the choices and dishes served.  Here is where we ended up... 

Otkert

Mix of a beer garden outside, bar/cafe inside, and in the way back an informal club that looked to have live bands and DJs at night under an open-air terrace. 

We were seated in the back room where there was a solo guitarist playing.  This was our first meal in Budapest and we were so glad to see a different cuisine on the menu!

Our Menu:

Goulash soup, Fried chicken leg with mash potatoes & Sausage sandwich with potato cut fries sprinkled with paprika 

New York Cafe

Known as "the most beautiful cafe in the world". I wouldn't contest... it felt like I was inside a precious jewelry box.  Taking a step inside is like taking a step back in time. It has retained the decorations which made it famous all over the world.  The cafe opened in 1894 and was a very popular place amoung writers and poets. The main building, were the cafe resides on the first floor, was built by the New York Life Insurance Company as a local head office. 

Our menu:

Our coffee break was more like a sweet snack - the ice coffee we order consisted of coffee, ice cream and whip cream to top it off (after other coffee breaks during our trip to Budapest this seems to be the only way to drink ice coffee) 

Mazel Tov

Greeted with a shot of hot mint tea to sip on while we waited for a table was only the beginning.... The ambiance of this restaurant was so aesthetically pleasing. Ivy hanging from the second story balcony, string lights spanning the length of the space, white rock floor, large lanterns strung along the bars, whitewash brick walls, a mix of picnic and barn wood tables with white wire seats - the list could keep going. 

Our menu:

Unfortunately we only had time for a quick drink - Staropramen for Drew and a Aperol Sprtiz for me

Kispiac Bisztro 

(Its name means little market)

A tiny gem that served huge portions of fresh roasted meat. With no more than 18 seats we had to make a reservation to eat here.

Our menu:

We split wild boar goulash along side some pickles. Originally I wanted a side salad (trying to be somewhat healthy in the land of meat and potatoes) but our waiter, David, suggested the pickles as they are a go to side when eating goulash. For our mains, Drew had to the half duck and I ordered the young pork ribs (the skin was incredible!). Over dinner we spilt a bottle of Hungarian wine and sipped on a dessert wine while sharing chocolate cake with blueberries. 

Hungarikum Bisztro

Opened by a family who wanted to share homemade recipes prepared in a traditional, authentic way.  The concept is not be trendy - dishes are not over decorated - just simply prepared and served like their grandmother did growing up. 

Our menu:

1) Bread made with bacon topped with sour cream and paprika

2) Hortobagyi Crepes (Chicken filled crepes in paprika sauce)

3) Beef stew with dumpings

OK Budapest. Cool it with the Cuteness

Ashley and I are waiting out a little rain at Fishermans Bastian, so taking a second to talk about Budapest.

This is a quick update on Budapest, a city we have very quickly realized we do not have enough time for. The architecture is incredible and the food/restaurant scene is equally as appealing. Ashley will post about the food when we leave.

Coming off of two weeks in Italy (cry me a river, right?) we were ready for a change of culture. We really had no idea what to expect from this city, but were excited to see it. We had caught the Parts Unknown on Budapest back in June and it became a place I couldn't wait to get to.

We landed on Tuesday evening and took a shuttle into the city. We checked in relatively fast, minus the incorrect address on my map, and the place was perfect.

For the first time in our travels we decided to plan dinners out, so we took a walk, made reservations at a few restaurants (An old friend Lawrie helped to provide some suggestions... trying the Bistro tonight) and then tried to find a place to eat that night. While we were walking we got the Danube and witnessed this spectacular sunset. 

We settled at a beer hall for an easy meal close to St Stephens Basicila and it was perfect.

As we walked home we kept seeing great places that we wanted to try but knew we wouldn't have enough time too.

We woke up on the early side Wednesday morning because we were going to a bathhouse. First we grabbed a coffee to sip outside at one of the many cafes and then took the subway to one of the old bathhouses, Szechenyi, that Ashley couldn't have been more excited about (I actually think this is why she wanted to come to Budapest). It was awesome. Mineral baths, steam rooms, cold pools, outdoor pools all in a building built in the early 1900s. To say Ashley was happy is a gigantic understatement.

After three hours of soaking we grabbed a quick Kebab in the park and walked around the Vajdahunyad Castle and Heroes' Square. Heroes' Square is simple but amazing. Incredible statues of serious bad ass looking leaders throughout Hungary's Past.

Then it was another quick subway to check out the New York Cafe before walking home to get ready for dinner. Again we passed by so many great looking restaurants. Nothing that looked fancy, but simply welcoming with great menus. After getting ready we headed back to one spot we poked our head into earlier, Mazel Tov, for a quick drink before dinner. The place again was awesome. 

We were excited for the place we were heading for dinner, so we sped over for our 8p reservation and were not disappointed. Out waiter helped us to order to great Hungarian dishes and wine as we sat in the open window looking out to the street. 

Every corner we turn we are find another "cute" or "perfect" spot we would love to try. Enough already Budapest. Stop showing off It's getting a little annoying. 

First full day in Budapest- snaps from September 9th, 2015 from Ashley Habeck on Vimeo.

Personal Travel Planner and Documentarian

This may be a little too much for some of you, but I had to write one of these posts about the documentarian/ travel planner that has been my roommate on this journey. As I'm writing this she is next door getting a much deserved manicure/ pedicure, so sorry Asha... no proofreading this one. 

A backpacking trip seems so simple when you are first ideating (media 101 word) about the whole thing. Where to go and for how long... and 10 years ago it would have been simple. Staying in hostels the whole way. Leaving for cities when you want and hoping you showed up to museums that don't have lines.  With that thinking you can imagine how crazy I thought it was when Ashley started planning everything out for trip. 

She spent the entire two weeks in South Carolina planning our adventure while I sat next to her and watched (I'm a typical dude when it comes to planning things like this... show up and figure it out).

It was on our last night that she was able to take a deep breadth and enjoy the sunset

I couldn't have been more wrong in terms of my thinking about not needing to plan this trip out. With limited time in each town, it is Ashley's planning that has allowed us to get the most of each visit. Things as simple as buying tickets to museums, or the more complicated act of finding tours that are worth the money and transfers to/ from airports not close to the city we were in.  These pre researched and pre purchased details have made a world of difference. 

Airport transfer in Barcelona

Amalfi Tour

Unreal Tour in Tuscany

On top of all the planning, she is a documentarian until she drops. If you have caught the snapchat videos she includes in all of the posts it is easy to see how much she captures (for those that don't know... she puts together some truly amazing videos from weddings, vacations, birthdays, etc. she is available for hire after 10/15). I can only imagine what all of this footage will help her create. Also pretty much every picture on this blog, except for this post, is from Ashley.

Capturing the Vatican

Roman Forum ✔️

Pic #1,002 of the Cinque Terre hike

Even Mazel Tov gets some love

On top of all this I think I have only managed to get on her nerves a few times so far (this post will probably soon be added to that list). Not bad when you don't have anyone else to talk to for four weeks :). 

Reading this post over makes me seem like dead weight on this trip. I need to step it up. 

Her appointment is almost over. Time to post. Love ya Asha!

What an Incredible City

For years and years I have seen pictures of Venice, heard stories about the canals and worried that I wouldn't make it there before the city sank. As we put together our trip, Venice was a place that we were both intimidated by as far as what to plan, where to stay, etc.  My brother and his wife were kind enough to give us some guidance and it worked out beautifully. Can't thank them enough for setting the stage for this stop on our journey. 

(Slight disclaimer on everything below is that Venice is very tourist heavy. Once you get past that or find a nice place to get away from everyone, the beauty takes shape)

The moment we began our Water Bus ride from the train station, around the Grand Canal, to the area of our hotel we began to fall in love. The idea that we were in a city that operates either buy boat or foot was hard to fathom until we saw it in motion. Our hotel provided a perfect perch on the Grand Canal to watch the orchestra that was the canal traffic operate. 

Water Taxis, Water Boats, Gondolas and personal boats danced around each other in what looks like chaos until you really start to pay attention. Much like the cars in southern Italy, the drivers have complete trust in one another as they narrowly pass by.

Off the water, the narrow Calles open up to beautiful Campos or Piazzas where restaurants and shop owners beckon to tourists or in the lesser traveled areas flowers hang from windows in quiet sun lit squares.

The Rialto Bridge and San Marco's Square are flooded with people, but still feel manageable and less hurried than the other cities we have seen.

We both agreed that three days is no where near enough time for this unique place, but we still fit in plenty. We made it to a tour compete with boat ride, Harry's Bar for a Bellini, several Campos, some nice dining spots, the Doge's Palace, witnessed the Regata (more on that here http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/travel-tips-and-articles/77350 ), and saw a great rain storm as well, but our favorite part was sitting on the Hotel's balcony watching the action of the Grand Canal. 

Venice is definitely my number one to come back to so far. If you have the opportunity get here. 

Regata Storica Venezia - Snaps from September 6th, 2015 from Ashley Habeck on Vimeo.

That English Ain't English

We have been traveling for four weeks and visited eight cities/ towns/ areas give or take.  To date I have been fascinated by the amount of people that don't speak English as a native tongue, yet rock shirts with all English writing or the American flag. We have seen this everywhere we go and I wish I had been taking notes/ pictures since we started our trip. The majority of the phrases don't really make sense either. 

There have been way to many to name and seeing them written on a blog won't do them justice. Apologies if it doesn't translate to being funny at all, but here goes...

US SPORTS

National Academy

All You Need is Barbie (complete w/ a picture of Barbie)

Peach Mojitos Make Me Happy (worn by an 11 year old girl)

GOD ISN'T

IT ICONIC

NYC

USA Take Your Time

United Sates (pic below and yes this was on a mannequin, but couldn't be less accurate about NYC)

SEASHORE

Sun Valley

East Coast

Complete w/ a patch the restated Sun Valley 83 East Coast

Insert any Major U.S. City written across the top and then Jersey #89 in big Block print

There are also a few brands that make American College themed clothes (think preppy college) but don't actually operate in the U.S.  My favorite is Franklin & Marshall, they went ahead and used a college name as their brand. 

The incredible amount of tees, tank tops and hats that feature the American flag. 

Finally my absolute favorite... A guy with an NY Islanders hat. No clue what happened there. 

I'm sure we have some things like this in the U.S. where we showcase bad grammar in another language or something that just wouldn't be worn in the country, but it has provided us with some solid entertainment. Is that sad?

Venice - Hotel front door and Coca-cola picture