*Taylor and I standing in our 8th country together: Hungary!*

I pray that I never forget this trip. And if I do, can someone please refer me to my own website so that I can remember?! Long story short, Taylor and I met as travel buddies back when we lived in New Zealand in 2011, even though, ironically, both of us had homes in opposite corners of Colorado. Our friendship was built on our passion for travel and adventure, a glass half full attitude, and laughing/crying about all the beautiful/sad/hard moments in between. Besides New Zealand, we had traveled together in Greece, Turkey, Guatemala, Mexico, the U.S., Germany, and now Hungary. Budapest to be exact! So during my visit to see her and her family in Berlin (where they lived for one year), we snuck away on cheap flights for 48 incredible hours in Budapest for our very own Girls’ Weekend! And like I said, I hope I never forget the sheer beauty of this trip.

Gee, Wizz! Is this Place For Real?!

To decide where to go on a girls trip in Europe is like trying to pick what ice cream flavor you want at the grocery store. So. Many. Options. All cheap. All unique. And I want to try them all at once. But Wizz Air really came through for us by offering insanely cheap flights (40 Euro roundtrip!) from Berlin to Budapest. Neither of us had been, so we thought why the hell not. We departed Berlin bright and early, “wizzed” through Europe’s air space, and descended into Budapest, Hungary’s capital city, an hour and a half later.

The ease of travel in Budapest began the moment we hopped off the plane and onto the shuttle bus that took us direct from the airport to downtown Budapest (SO convenient for tourists!). The beauty of the city hit us smack in the face. The architecture, the city views from every angle, and the genuinely tangible culture are unlike any other city I’ve been to. We were so blown away that we skipped checking-in to our Airbnb, and immediately began exploring by foot. We were first drawn towards the Liberty Bridge over the Danube River.

Straddling Budapest, the Danube separates the city into two distinct parts, Buda and Pest. We didn’t have to flip a coin - we crossed the vibrant green colored Liberty bridge to the hilly, lush green side of Buda first. We walked, talked, stopped to admire/take photos, and then started the whole process again. Until finally, hours later, we reached our accommodations to set our luggage down and rest for the night. And by rest, I mean stay up late attempting to stream The Bachelor while drinking wine, eating an assortment of local snacks, and talking about life happenings. Ah, girls trips are the absolute best!

Cheap WizzAir flights from Berlin to Budapest: 40 Euro to be exact! Thank you, WizzAir

Yellow Zebra Bike Tour

The following morning, we embarked, along with a few other foreign travelers, on a bike tour with Yellow Zebra to explore Buda and Pest. With it being late in the season (November) we were fortunate to score one of their last tours of the year. After our local guide assured us that Budapest was extremely bike friendly and we wouldn’t need helmets (I was nervous about that), we took to the streets. Using (thankfully) really wide bike lanes, we first crossed the Elizabeth Bridge to the western side of the Danube River, or Buda side, where we headed towards Castle Hill first.

Here, we learned Buda is known for its history, charm, and imperial grandeur and is often described as "Old Town." It has a distinct personality from the lively neighborhoods of Pest, which are on the eastern side of the river. Just minutes after crossing over to the Buda side, we began taking note of these differences. Buda was more whimsical and, as we saw the day before, green with steep hillsides pouring down towards the Danube. We meandered and twisted through cobblestone streets past squares with statue centerpieces, landscaped gardens, and the Buda funicular which juts passengers up a steep hill. Eventually, after a steady uphill climb on our bikes (that don’t have any gears, keep in mind), we made it to Buda Castle. We parked for a pit stop, first grabbing pastries from the oldest existing pastry shop in Budapest, Ruszwurm Confectionary (opened in 1827!). Next, and on a sugar high, we began our wanderings.

Gothic churches with delicate turrets, colored tile roofs, and spectacular views that take your breath away. The Castle Quarter has it all and even falls within the part of Budapest that UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site. Perched atop Castle Hill like a glistening pearl sits the Buda Castle, which dates back to the medieval period. We learned the castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times, having its definitive version after the Second World War.

Beginning the Yellow Zebra bike tour by making the crossing over the Danube via the Elizabeth Bridge

Touring the Pest Side

Next, our guide led us back down the hill, through bumpy cobblestone streets (where, yes, Taylor took out her phone to document the journey and survived a crash while going over an unexpected speed bump), and over to yet another prominent bridge to cross. This time, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge which features detailed stone lion statues at the bridgeheads.

Pest, the bustling eastern side of Budapest, offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, and modernity. After a brief stop at St. Stephen’s Basilica, we rounded our next corner coming face to face with the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building. Up close it is truly an architectural masterpiece stretching along the Danube River. With its stunning neo-Gothic design, we learned that the Parliament is not only an iconic symbol of Hungary but also one of the largest legislative buildings in Europe. It is a welcoming area where one can stroll along the riverbanks, enjoying picturesque views, lively cafes, shops, and the bustling atmosphere of the city. We quickly realized, Pest’s charm lies in its ability to blend historical significance with contemporary urban life. The best of both worlds!

*The Hungarian Parliament Building dominates the Pest side of the Danube river with its neo-gothic spires, gargoyles and an impressive dome*

*St. Stephen's Basilica, in Budapest, is a remarkable neoclassical church completed in 1905. Named after Hungary's first king, it features a 96-meter dome with panoramic city views*

The Shoes On the Danube Bank

Our final stop on our Yellow Zebra tour was a sobering one, but one we were prepared for having read about it prior to visiting. Along the Danube Bank is a poignant memorial that pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust who lost their lives during World War II. This striking installation features 60 pairs of iron shoes cast along the riverbank, symbolizing the footwear left behind by those who were tragically executed by the river's edge. As they were shot into the Danube, their shoes serve as a harrowing reminder of the brutal history and the lives lost. Tears filled our eyes as we reflected on the cruelty of the past as well as realizing the importance of remembering and educating to prevent such horrors from occurring again. It was truly a moment that has stayed with me, and will stay with me for years to come.

Hungry in Hungary

We had worked up a major appetite biking around Buda and Pest all morning so we were ready for more Hungarian cuisine. Lángos was the one must-try Hungarian dish that we were really looking forward to tasting. Lángos, or famous Hungarian street food, is a flatbread dough deep-fried and served with a variety of topping options (usually onions, ham, cheeses, sausage, sour cream). We found a busy and highly rated Langos joint and ordered. Wow. The flavor was absolutely out of this world delicious. I will be dreaming about that meal for a long time to come. It is Hungarian comfort food to a T.

When in Hungary, you gotta Soak In one of the Baths

Taylor and I took a short but very lively bus ride northeast of the city to the Széchenyi Baths. These specific baths had been on my bucket list since 2011 after being captivated by the look of the colorful buildings and inviting mineral pools. Nestled in City Park, these grand thermal baths boast beautiful Neo-Baroque architecture (in a bright daffodil-yellow color) and happen to be one of the largest spa complexes in all of Europe. We arrived at dusk, and immediately plunged into one of the outdoor pools while holding our water bottles filled with white wine. A perfect trifecta of wine, water, and history equaled total relaxation in this stunning setting. After our outdoor soaking and chit-chatting was complete, we explored the wraparound yellow building where we excitedly discovered so much more - steam rooms, saunas, and a handful of more mineral pools. Impressive!

*The Széchenyi Baths, featuring ornate yellow façades, large thermal pools, and decorative statues that evoke a sense of history and relaxation all in one place*

Final Morning…what is left to do, see, EAT?!

Rounding off our visit in Budapest, we made one last final stop on our must-see list: The Central Market Hall. This red-brick building, with its striking yellow and green tiled roof, is a big draw to visitors and locals alike. The ground and second floor burst with a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, sausages, cheeses, pickles, art, embroidery pieces, and most importantly, Hungarian chimney cones (which is exactly what we were craving for breakfast!). Luring us in with its intoxicating aroma, we located a stand offering chimney cones with a myriad of fillings and toppings. I went with ice cream with nutella filling, and topped with whipped cream. As you’d expect, it was the best breakfast Taylor and I have ever eaten.

*Final tick off the list: Hungarian Chimney Cones. Best breakfast ever eaten.*

Budapest comes in 2nd Place

While all these sites (and sights) were unique, charming, and some of the most beautiful I’ve seen, by far the best thing about this trip was the company. It is rare to have dedicated time with a friend. And even more rare to have dedicated time with a friend who lives across the state, country, (or ocean, for that matter)! So here, I reminded myself often to soak in every moment we had together. We had times of laughter, gratitude, sadness, seriousness, silliness, and fun. I don’t think we stopped talking the entire 48 hours. Taylor and I can go deep, and with each time we see each other we find ourselves going deeper into our friendship which has been such a beautiful gift.

I often think travel brings people together in a whole new and different way, and I think Budapest did just that for us.