Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is a stunning city with a rich history and a unique blend of architectural styles. It is often called the "Paris of the East" due to its beautiful architecture, romantic ambiance, and cultural offerings. Budapest is a city that is geographically divided by the Danube River. On one side is Buda which is the castle quarter and the other half is Pest which comprises the modern day city. The time we had was split between the two areas and they were both equally charming and fascinating.

Buda or castle quarter is like walking through a portal back in time. Cue the cheesy 80’s jingle for robots and technology. The bright colorful facades of the town buildings and squares and cobblestoned streets transport you back to a time when life seemed so simple and easy. The first thing we did was visit the Castle Hill. The castle grounds were vast, manicured, and perfect. It plays a wonderful backdrop to all your vacation fun photos & selfies. In fact, at the edge of the castle estate, you get this extraordinary unobstructed view of Pest across the river. I went paparazzi crazy as I snapped away to stitch together a panorama of the view when I get home. At that time I wasn’t tech geek enough to get the latest smart phone with panorama mode for the camera. Nevertheless, the innards of the castle walls now house a couple different museums and a library.

We cheaped out and didn’t want to pay the entrance fees to go in. Instead, we walked across to the other side of the hill to the seven-hundred year-old Matthias Church built in a neo-Gothic style, with colored shingles and elegant pinnacles. We loitered around Fisherman’s Bastion which flanks the church and provides another vantage point of the elegant Parliament Building and Pest cityscape. I was giddy with delight as I took in all the beauty.

Day two was about exploring modern day Budapest. First up was the Parliament Building. One of the most iconic sights in Budapest is the Hungarian Parliament Building, a stunning Gothic Revival-style building on the banks of the Danube River. It is the largest building in Hungary and one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. We got a glimpse of the regal interiors of Parliament where politicians assemble to pass laws. The stately rooms are filled with the history of the local Hungarians.

Afterwards we strolled along the Danube River embankment and came across the WWII Memorial for the Jews who lost their lives. It consisted of numerous pairs of bronze shoes left on the edge of the embankment. I paid my respect to those souls. The day was spent wandering around the indoor specialties markets, window shopping on Vaci Utca and Andrássy út, sightseeing at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, and City Park, and enjoying a cup of coffee at Central Café in the afternoon.

Hungarian cuisine is hearty and flavorful, with a mix of influences from neighboring countries. Goulash is the national dish, a rich and spicy stew made with beef, vegetables, and paprika. Other popular dishes include stuffed cabbage rolls and chimney cake, a sweet pastry rolled in cinnamon sugar. Here are a few places that we checked out:

• Cafe Kor
• Centrál Grand Cafe & Bar
• Gerlóczy Kávéház

Budapest is also home to a thriving arts and cultural scene. The Hungarian National Museum is a must-visit for history buffs, while the Hungarian State Opera House is a stunning venue for classical music performances. At night, the city comes alive with its lively nightlife. The Jewish Quarter is a popular spot for bars and clubs, while the Ruin Bars offer a unique atmosphere with their eclectic decor and outdoor spaces.

Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths, with over 100 hot springs in the city. The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of the most popular, with its stunning Neo-Baroque architecture and outdoor pools.

The highlight of our day was visiting the thermal springs at Szechenyi Baths after a long day of sightseeing. We arrived at the bath house a little after 5pm. The buildings itself are beautiful and glowed orange with the setting sun. I was prepared to fumble through some broken Hungarian phrases to pay for our entrance fees because the guidebook commented on how the staff spoke very few English. I was happily surprised that there was not a language barrier and we easily went on our way. We scoped out the area and found the outdoor thermal pools. There wasn’t a large crowd as the bath house was to remain open for only 2 more hours. We also discovered a small gym on the 2nd floor to the delight of my husband. I went to my personal changing room to change into my swimsuit while my husband jetted off to the gym to lift some weights. The door on the single changing room is controlled by an electronic wrist bracelet that each visitor wears. I went inside and manually locked the door. That would be a BIG mistake on my part. After I finished changing, I unlocked the door and tried to open it. It wouldn’t budge. I tried again, but this time I pulled with more force. No luck. Panic started to slowly creep in. I looked around and found that the entire changing area was closed off. There was no gap where I can slide under or squeeze through to get out. I banged on the door with my fists and yelled for help. I didn’t expect people to hear me because there were so little visitors around at that hour and most were in the pool area. I was thinking the only person who can save me is my husband once he realized I have been gone for a while. I didn’t know how long that would take. So I banged and yelled for a while until luckily a staff member was passing by and heard me. I told her that I was stuck in the stall and couldn’t get out. She didn’t understand a word I was saying, but she probably grasped my predicament. Fortunately, some girls who spoke English and Hungarian passed by and helped translate between myself and the staffer. I was able to slip my electronic bracelet under the door and she tried to use it to unlock the door from the front. Of course it didn’t work. She finally had to fetch the locksmith to use a good old fashion key to open the door. While this was going on, my husband finally came back from the gym. I waited for about 15 minutes before the locksmith finally came to release me from my cell. I was saved!

After being stuck in a closet size room for some time, I was ready to enjoy the relaxation of the thermal baths. The pools were awesome. They were a cozy warm bath, not as hot as a typical hottub. There are massage jets all over the side of the pools and on the floor to massage your body. At night, the lights on the bottom of the pool changed colors to give them a beautiful glow. My husband and I just frolicked around until almost closing. I felt like my troubles just melted away. It was definitely a nice way to end the day and worth all the trouble I went through to experience it.

In Conclusion, Budapest is a fascinating and beautiful city with something to offer for everyone. Its stunning architecture, rich history, and cultural offerings make it a must-visit destination. From its thermal baths to its lively nightlife and delicious cuisine, Budapest is a city that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.