join the johnson journey: April 2016

Europeans get a long Easter weekend (Good Friday and the Monday after Easter off). Nick and I took advantage of having the extra days and headed to Budapest. We arrived around 1pm on Friday March 25th and I instantly fell in love. Budapest is hands down one of the most gorgeous and vibrant cities in Europe. I feel like it is on a lot of people's "list" of places to go but is not nearly as traveled as other cities in Europe, especially by Americans. After getting into the city, we decided to take the free walking tour. We had an amazing tour guide who was a native of Budapest! She took us all over the Pest side then we headed over to Buda. We got to see St. Stephen's Basilica on the Pest side. We walked across the famous Chain Bridge which is gorgeous by day (and night!) We also saw a gorgeous church on the top of the hill in Buda. After the tour we stopped at a confectionery that has been around for over 100 years. It was cold but I had to get this insane icecream dish and I instantly turned into a frozen block of ice. It was amazingly tasty. We then stayed up in Buda at the castle to see the sunset. Wow, the view on the river is breathtaking. The lights in this city are exquisite. Each bridge has different lighting and the building around the river have lights as well. It gives Paris a run for its money. Nick and I then headed out to a great steak dinner. We both got some french onion soup that was delicious.

the bigger belly you are the richer and more important you are :)

the famous chain bridge

yummy ice cream dish!

wowzer!!

castle by night with all the lights!

st stephen's basilica by night

french onion soup!

On Saturday, Nick and I woke up and headed out to a nice brunch. We then went to the National Hungarian Museum. It was pretty interesting - per usual Nick seemed a lot more into it than me :) After walking around some and through this cool inside market, we grabbed some pizza on the water and had a few beers. We then crossed back over to the Buda side via the Liberty Bridge. This is ANOTHER gorgeous bridge in Budapest and the only one made from ALL Hungarian materials. It has a very cool green hue. We then hiked up to the top of one of the hills and grabbed some great views. Budapest is a picture taking mecca, everywhere you turn there is another amazing picture to be taken. There were tons of people walking around and the weather was nice. We then walked back over to the castle to see the sun set again. Nick and I could not get enough of these views. I would spend every night up there if possible. For dinner we went to this new restaurant called Getto Goulash. It was phenomenal! Goulash is a Hungarian dish so we had to eat it as much as possible and try the authentic stuff ! After dinner we headed across the street for some craft brews before heading back to the hotel.

blueberry beer!

the liberty bridge

selfie at the top of buda

that statue!

goulash!!

On Sunday morning we headed to the thermal baths! We went to the main one called Szechenyi. I am sooo jealous of the people that get to live in this gorgeous city. It was quite the experience and I really could have spent all day there. There were about 20 pools in total, which outside pools that were heated naturally via the spring to inside pools that were "cold" all the way to scalding hot! Afterwards, we walked around a local market for awhile and checked out this monument that had been built. We then explored the inside of St. Stephen's Basilica on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday night we did a wine tasting cruise. We ended up at a table with other Americans and it was nice to chat about our experience living in Europe. We enjoyed cruising around and checking out the lights in Budapest on the river. I got some great shots of the Hungarian Parliament building.

parliament building by night!

Monday morning we headed to see the Hungarian Parliament building. Wow, what a building. It looked gorgeous at night and so beautiful in the day as well. We took a guided tour of the inside and the architecture was very interesting. It was informative to hear about the history of the parliament and to see where all the important decisions are made :) afterwards, we just walked around for awhile and then headed back to the airport. Budapest was so perfect. I cannot wait to go back one day. I would highly highly suggest to visit Budapest. You are truly missing out if you do not!