Eileen Murphy

<p>Danube Cruise 2018 – 14 Days in Central Europe</p>
<p>“The answer to every question is Maria Theresa…” If you go, you will know why.</p>
<p> 28 June 2018 RDU</p>
<p>Getting There…Our car stayed at www.thefastpark.com.  They are very quick and pick you up at your car.  There is a reward program online that is essentially a volume discount program.  For those of you who prefer to be picked up at your home, I can refer you to a good service in your area.Flight started with American Airlines through Philadelphia. Sat in the back near the bathroom on the flight direct in to Budapest – You will want an overnight flight if you can sleep on a plane, but if you fly during the day, book an extra night because you will arrive late in the day, leaving little time for recovery that day; especially from traveling from the west coast. Because you are flying international, your first encounter with people from somewhere else will probably be on the plane – and in this case, was a woman and her daughter now living in PA but traveling back to visit her parents in Slovakia. </p>
<p>29 June 2018Budapest, Hungary</p>
<p>Arrival and Getting Settled</p>
<p>Met Gate 1 at the airport, just outside baggage claim. I usually takes around 30 minutes or more to get from the main airport for Hungary (BUD) to the hotel. Americans and Australians were everywhere. When you hear someone struggling with the local language (or gesturing a lot), they probably speak your language. You are, after all, going to places where tourists go.  British English is also common. What you will notice on the drive to the hotel and throughout Europe is a lot of graffiti which is a habit developed most likely as resistance to the communist regime that plagued this country and others for many years. Before it fell, the Berlin Wall was covered in graffiti in protest as well. </p>
<p>We arrived a little early and took a taxi down to inspect a ship from Avalon Waterways – the Panorama, which was at the south end of the docking area on the east bank of the Danube River. While waiting for the time we were to tour the ship, we ate pizza outdoors a few feet from the Danube at a nice restaurant with a great view to the hills overlooking the west side of the River. While we would not board the Gate1 ship for several days, we found the Panorama to be well appointed and the rooms well laid out with excellent dining arrangements with tables for 4, but close enough that larger groups traveling together could still talk while sharing a meal. The rooms were well appointed and after the tour, as we could not find a cab, we walked back to the hotel (which was around an hour walk). It turns out that the taxis will not stop if you try to flag them down, but that you must find them parked (usually at hotels or major visitor sites). But we did manage to flag one down willing to break the rules for the last 650 meters to the hotel (as measured by the cab’s fare meter) – wear shoes you can walk in for long distances. </p>
<p>We stayed at the Hilton in Budapest, a 4-star hotel, on the Pest side of the Danube River. Pest (pronounced ‘Pesht’) is flat, and Buda is hilly, and as the city guide and everyone else notes, has no relationship to “Buddha”.  In fact, Hungary is around 50% Catholic and around 30% Protestant. It is a very religious country, and because of this, all of the guides emphasize their rich religious cultural heritage, which reflects in the incredible craftsmanship and maintenance of their places of worship.  The room in the Hilton was on the 4th floor and had views over the rooftops to church spires and the hills on the south end of the city across the Danube. Plus, the room was much more spacious than typical hotel rooms in Europe, with a large bathroom as well. On the same floor was the fitness center, with an even more amazing view of the city skyline. The fitness room was very large with a lot of cardio and weight machines along with hand weights.  The pulley machine had a video showing you different workouts that you could follow along or just try different positions on your own.  In between the restrooms there was a spa that was beautifully decorated and a relaxing atmosphere with a sauna.   Breakfast in the hotel is by buffet, and includes most of the traditional American breakfast foods, but with one surprise – sautéed mushrooms, which became an essential part of the meal (for one of us). As it turns out, mushroom picking in the region is very much like berry picking is in the US. </p>
<p>What was so nice was that the Hilton was right next to the shopping mall and had an entrance from the hotel to the mall.   This is Eastern Europe, summers can be dry and hot, but it can rain or get hotter.  All said, bring a lightweight waterproof rain coat – and later, aboard ship, the Monarch Baroness supplied umbrellas. Definitely wear comfortable shoes since cobblestones streets and steps are uneven.  I would recommend supportive athletic shoes.  </p>
<p>See more about our Danube River Cruise at landandseatravel.com</p>