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Eat, Sleep, Play - Hungary

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I spent most of my time in Budapest, with just a short excursion to the southern town of Szeged. Once again, this is not a guide or anything, just a collection of the places and activities I found memorable.

EAT

Budapest

Regos Vendegio es Falatozo - Authentic Hungarian that won’t cost an arm, recently opened in a brick basement. Bela played the tunes on the accordian, the paprika chicken was rich and tasty. 6th District, Szofia 33. T: 321.1921
My Kitchen - That’s why I ate the best food in the city…ever! Actually, it was just cheap and easy….
Kinai Lanzhou Etterm - It’s been forever since I had good Chinese, so this was a treat. Frequented primarily by local Chinese, the extensive menu is cheap and delicious (the sezchuan eggplant was exceptional). If you’re not in the mood for goulash. 8th District, Luther St. T: 201.9247

Szeged

Roosevelt Tere halaszcarda - Upmarket but not too pricey for the famous fish stew, served in a big pot with a thin, rich gravy. The cucumber salad had me salivating and by the time I was onto the goulash, I was buried into my chair. Roosevelt Tere.

SLEEP

Budapest

Backpackers Guesthouse - The first hostel to open in Budapest is like a time capsule for backpacking life. Lots of pictures on the walls, postcards, scribbles and quirky notes. The house is located in a quiet neighoubhood away from the action, and I spent a few hours late one morning trying to find. But it’s warm and cozy, super friendly with a wicked garden (hammocks, gaezebo), DVD library (hundreds!). T: 209.8406.

PLAY

Budapest

Caving - Super, duper fun adventure, right in Budapest. Journey to the Center of the Earth in your jumpsuit and headlamp, squeezing into the cracks, contorting your body in ways you knew how. Marketed to backpackers, so you’re bound to meet some good folk along the way. Enjoy the silence, watch your camera. Three times a week in summer, book through your hostel. Don’t miss!
The Baths - If you visit Budapest and don’t do the baths, you’re missing out baby!! If you only have time for one, start with Szechenayi Baths (Yellow Metro Line) in Pest. It’s enormous, go exploring outside, sweat off in the saunas, and definitely get tossed around the whirpool in the outside pool at the back. Costs about $10 for a few hours, massages cost another $10. The Gellet is overpriced, too busy and half the fun of Szechenayi.
City Spy - Like their Prague, Krakow and Vienna verions, the City Spy map is a fantastic way to discover the city. Get it from your hostel and leave the Planet behind.
Szimpla - A huge, old bar with several rooms buzzing with foozball, art movies, conversation. Usually full, cheap, often with special events. My friendly, neighbourhood hangout in the 7th District. Kazincy s14.
Summer bars - Basically set up in the yards of derelict buildings for the summer, with cheap booze, a local and international crowd and live music. Where they are every year, I cannot say.
Sziget - the largest music and cultural festival in Central and Eastern Europe runs for a week every summer, on an island on the Danube just a half hour from Budapest. Don’t even think about missing it. Go for a day or longer (if you have a tent) and marvel at the sheer amount of stages, clubs, people and activities. Wrist bands cost about 20-30 Euros for a day, 120 Euros for the week.



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