www.womanthismonth.com May 2018 LIFESTYLE |travel 63 The Hungarian capital is split by the River Danube over which the famed, 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. Perhaps not for the faint-hearted, a funicular train runs up the steep Castle Hill to Buda Castle and the Old Town. Here the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times. Buda Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is also home to the Fishermen’s Bastion – a picturesque updated lookout platform – and Matthias Church, which dates back to the 13th century. See the city via a hop-on-hop-off bus, which gives the option to explore those areas that catch your interest. 'Don’t miss' spots include the Szechenyi Spa, Europe’s largest bath and pool complex in a city that is known for them, and Andrássy Avenue. This World Heritage Site thoroughfare was built to connect the city centre to City Park with eclectic Neo-Renaissance palaces and a shopping area that’s attracted many world-famous designers. The Shoes on the Danube Bank installation is a poignant memorial to those lined up on the riverbank and shot by fascist militia during the Second World War, their shoes were left behind as their bodies were carried away by the flowing water. And the House of Terror houses exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building The city has four Michelin-starred restaurants – Costes, Costes Downtown, Onyx, and Borkonyha – also check out Karavan street food court, Paneer for various fried cheeses at Kiraly Street in the VI District, and Tomi Langos – langos being the ultimate Hungarian street food of deep friend flat bread, add cheese or sour cream, or both! A visit to the Szechenyi Thermal Spa is an absolute must. Take a trip to Buda Castle and explore the Hungarian National Gallery which is housed there. Budapest The Hungarian State Opera House is worth a visit even if you don't catch a performance. Look out for the city’s trendy “ruin bars” which are set up in or next to crumbling buildings for added atmosphere. The funicular takes the hard work out of reaching Buda Castle. Budapest has several Michelin-starred restaurants but don't forget to try the traditional streetfood of langos, deep-fried flat bread smothered in sour cream and cheese. Shoes on the Danube Bank is a haunting memorial to darker days.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==