I closed out the 2015 travels at a good location. Hungary's rail network makes it easy to get around the country, there's a distinct attractions - the resort style baths, a lively night scene, and a surprising food scene lead by the Hungarian Bistros and Butchers.
Hotel Accommodations
Budapest is easy - stay near District 7, the cities primary dining and drinking district. Three of the four metro lines pass through Deak Ferenc Square making this an easy spot from which to reach other parts of the city. Pecs had limited accommodations and infrequent bus departures to reach other parts of town. Lake Balaton is a resort area with many lakeside hotels centered around Siofok.
Food
This is where Hungary unexpectedly shines - I imagined heavy foods, and certainly plenty of them are available, however, bistros offered a modern take on the traditional foods. Sometimes it was slightly altered ingredients, other times a fancier presentation, however, I did not have a bad meal in the country. Budapest also features butcher style restaurants. Sausage and a few half portions of potatoes and salad made for a local, cheap, and delicious lunch.
Budapest has a well-deserved reputation as a party city driven by cheap prices (a pint of beer is about $2.50 USD) and a unique environment. District 7 is dotted with Ruin Pubs, eclectic bars in historical buildings - it seems like every building is a bar. Szempla, is the first and most famous, however, several imitators have popped up all over the district.
An alternative to the Ruin Pubs would be attending a pool party at Széchenyi Bath in the summer or Lukas Bath in the winter. There are plenty of beer related offerings to the younger crowd including river cruises and pub crawls.
In Country Travel
Trains seemed to be the method of travel over buses - a train ride costs approximately $4 USD per hour ride, thus a three-hour ride would be about $12.
Budapest is easy - stay near District 7, the cities primary dining and drinking district. Three of the four metro lines pass through Deak Ferenc Square making this an easy spot from which to reach other parts of the city. Pecs had limited accommodations and infrequent bus departures to reach other parts of town. Lake Balaton is a resort area with many lakeside hotels centered around Siofok.
Food
This is where Hungary unexpectedly shines - I imagined heavy foods, and certainly plenty of them are available, however, bistros offered a modern take on the traditional foods. Sometimes it was slightly altered ingredients, other times a fancier presentation, however, I did not have a bad meal in the country. Budapest also features butcher style restaurants. Sausage and a few half portions of potatoes and salad made for a local, cheap, and delicious lunch.
Budapest has a well-deserved reputation as a party city driven by cheap prices (a pint of beer is about $2.50 USD) and a unique environment. District 7 is dotted with Ruin Pubs, eclectic bars in historical buildings - it seems like every building is a bar. Szempla, is the first and most famous, however, several imitators have popped up all over the district.
An alternative to the Ruin Pubs would be attending a pool party at Széchenyi Bath in the summer or Lukas Bath in the winter. There are plenty of beer related offerings to the younger crowd including river cruises and pub crawls.
In Country Travel
Trains seemed to be the method of travel over buses - a train ride costs approximately $4 USD per hour ride, thus a three-hour ride would be about $12.