We weren't sure where we wanted to go after Turkey, there were cheap flights going to Budapest, so Budapest it was!
Budapest, Hungary:
Day 146: After not a lot of research on Budapest we decided to just head out and see what we could find for ourselves. We were lucky enough to pick a metro stop that exited right outside Parliament House which is one of the most beautiful buildings we have seen throughout our trip. We wandered along the river, across the Chain Bridge, around Castle Buda, through the streets, around Matthias Church, then back down across the bridge and through the city centre. Here we got our first taste of Christmas Markets that we now know are in most major cities in Europe- big fan, great place for local food and drink and cute presents.
Day 148: Today we visited the Thermal Baths. We had been warned that they weren't particularly nice but we actually really enjoyed ourselves. I think because we went in winter it was less crowded, plus it was a beautiful sunny day! After about 3hours we were wrinkly old prunes and left. We had some very average lunch near-by (pictured below) then walked through the park next to the baths.
Not part of the aforementioned 'average lunch', this is delicious!
Day 149: I think it's safe to say that today was likely the beginning of our travel rut. We had no enthusiasm to do anything. Travelling is super exhausting and we finally realised that having 'rest days' here and there can be invaluable.
Day 150: Today we travelled to Vienna by bus.
AUSTRIA:
While we're heading to Austria in the new year for Trent's birthday. We had changed our flights from London to South East Asia to a month earlier and would not have had time to visit Vienna in between so decided to visit since we were already nearby. While it is a beautiful city, it is incredibly expensive and is not a 'must-do' in our eyes, at least not when you're on a back-packers budget.
Vienna, Austria:
Day 151: Today was the coldest I've ever been in my entire life. Not only did the day not see the temperature rise over 3degrees there was a fiercely cold wind that would not rest. In spite of this we did the best we could to see the city. We wandered through the city centre, saw the palace, the library (both beautiful buildings), and stopped for some delicious goulash at the christmas markets, in hope that it would help warm us up... the effects were fleeting. We then huddled up in Starbucks for the afternoon. Too. Cold.
Trent's Austrian name.
Beanie pulled down to my eyelashes in hope of extra warmth.
Day 152: Safe to say it was more than just a little hard to find motivation to go outside today, the cold experienced the day prior, and the effects of our travel rut did not resulted in a motivated Becca and Trent. However, somehow around midday we ended up, voluntarily, back outside. We walked form our place to the Summer Royal Palace (super pretty), and through some more christmas markets but soon however, found ourselves nestled back in Starbucks with what seemed like the rest of Vienna's tourist population.
Exhausted from hating the cold.
Day 153: Today we travelled to Prague.
TIPS:
BUDAPEST: Everything is crazy cheap in Budapest, travel, food, the lot. If you're on a budget, which we certainly are, it's a great, affordable place to visit.
TRAINS: Metro tickets are stupid expensive in Vienna. Everything is! For our first few trips we purchased tickets but no one was checking them so opted to run the risk. Every penny counts.
TRAMS: Don't know how the trams work, they might be a free service, they might be paid. It's still a mystery for us. There weren't any ticket machines anywhere so we assumed for our stay that it was free. Try your luck.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: There were christmas markets in Budapest but we didn't make the most of them. Here was our first christmas market experience and we haven't been able to stay away! Make sure you get some goulash, extra deliciousness if you can get it in a bread bowl.
VIENNA IS SO EXPENSIVE: This city is the most expensive place we've visited, and we've spent a lot of time in London. Definitely not a backpacker-on-a-budget friendly destination... and not worth going if you're in that position.
LUSH: Lush stores are all over the world and I've always loved them for the delicious smell but never took much notice of what I was smelling and the thought that said smelly object had beneficial properties never crossed my mind. Anyway... they offer shampoo and conditioner bars that last 3 times longer than their bottles of shampoo and conditioner and take up 1/10th of the space. Great space and weight saving option!
