June 2024 'Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria 12 Days' Group Tour Travelogue (3) Hungary

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Continued from "June 2024 'Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria 12 Days' Group Tour Travelogue (2) Czech Republic, Slovakia"

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - Overlooking the Danube River Banks

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Germany - Würzburg - Church

Czech Republic - Prague - Vltava River - Riverside Scenery

Czech Republic - Prague - Charles Bridge

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town) - Observation Deck - Overlooking CK Town

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town)

Slovakia - Bratislava - Street View

In June 2024, I joined a tour group traveling to five countries in Central and Eastern Europe: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. The specific dates were from June 23 to July 4. The brief itinerary was flying from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport to Frankfurt Airport in Germany, then after landing, traveling by coach through various cities and towns in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, covering nearly 2,600 kilometers by bus. According to the tour group's schedule, we visited the relevant cities, towns, and attractions one by one, then returned to Frankfurt Airport to fly back to Shenzhen, successfully concluding the 12-day trip.

Although this trip was not long, we visited many cities across five countries, including numerous famous attractions and World Heritage sites. Particularly notable cities like Prague (capital of Czech Republic), Budapest (capital of Hungary), and Vienna (capital of Austria) are world-renowned historical cities and tourist destinations. They boast countless famous landmarks and breathtaking scenery. When strolling through them, you often feel a spiritual shock and unique experiences; many places offer a constantly changing and dazzling view; some will instantly transport you to the Middle Ages to appreciate Europe's long history and court anecdotes. Fortunate to have visited, everyone will leave with unforgettable and beautiful memories!

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside Town

Hungary - Lake Balaton

Austria - Vienna - Heroes' Square

Austria - Vienna - St. Stephen's Cathedral

Austria - Vienna - Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Austria - Hallstatt Town

Germany - Munich - Marienplatz

Third Stop: Hungary (D5, D6)

Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe, bordered by Romania and Ukraine to the east, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to the south, Austria to the west, and Slovakia to the north. The famous Danube River flows into Hungary from southern Slovakia, splitting the country into eastern and western parts. The west is the Alps, and the northeast is the Carpathian Mountains. It has a continental climate, cool and humid. Hungary covers an area of 93,000 square kilometers, has a population of 9.7 million, and its capital is Budapest.

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube River Banks Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube River Banks Scenery - Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube River Banks Scenery - Chain Bridge

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube River Banks Scenery

Budapest, also known as the Heart of Europe and the Pearl of the Danube, is a famous medieval city in Europe. With a long history, beautiful scenery, and a strong ancient atmosphere, it lies on both sides of the picturesque Danube River. The city stretches 30 kilometers from north to south and 29 kilometers from east to west. The Danube flows through the city, with Buda on the west side and Pest on the east. The Buda Castle District became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube River Banks Scenery - Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube River Banks Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Along the Way Scenery

D5 The Hungarian capital Budapest is also one of the main destinations of this "Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe Tour." Today's itinerary is rich and varied, including a Danube River cruise (optional), Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Heroes' Square, etc. It is truly a full-day tour of Budapest.

Buda Castle is the historic palace of Hungary, located at the southern end of Buda Castle in Budapest. It is a group of Neo-Baroque ancient buildings. Dominating Castle Hill, Buda Castle is one of Budapest's landmarks and once served as the residence of Hungarian royalty. Today, the central part of the castle has been converted into the Budapest History Museum, National Library, and National Gallery. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. During World War II, it was damaged by war and later rebuilt. The current palace occupies one-third of the castle district, with magnificent architecture showcasing Hungary's long history and architectural features. Buda Castle and the Castle District are the best places to enjoy a panoramic view of Budapest. Be sure to visit the observation terrace in front of the main entrance of Buda Castle, which offers a great view of the Hungarian Parliament Building, Chain Bridge, and the beautiful Danube.

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Building Complex

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube River, Chain Bridge

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Building Complex

Hungary - Budapest - Matthias Church

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube River Banks

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Hungary - Budapest - Heroes' Square

Fisherman's Bastion stands on the banks of the Danube, next to Matthias Church. Construction began in 1895 and took six years to complete. Originally, this was a fish market, and later fishermen built this bastion for defense to protect their interests. This two-story grayish-white structure features a Neo-Romanesque white central tower, surrounded by several round towers representing Hungary's ancestral tribes, connected by cloisters like a maze. From a distance, it looks quite like the castle in the Disney logo. Several bronze statues on Fisherman's Bastion are also eye-catching, among which the more famous is an equestrian statue of a Hungarian king, erected in 1906 between Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. The reliefs on the base depict the king's life story. The surroundings of Fisherman's Bastion are beautiful and picturesque. From here, you can get a bird's-eye view of the entire beautiful Budapest. Today, Fisherman's Bastion has become a tourist attraction and is also an important place for Budapest residents to take a leisurely walk after dinner.

Hungary - Budapest - Street View

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Building Complex - Presidential Palace

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube River Banks

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Building Complex

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - Distant View of Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Matthias Church

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube River Banks

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

D6 Today's itinerary is relatively simple, mainly visiting the picturesque Lake Balaton, known as the "Hungarian Sea," and the lakeside town. Additionally, when passing through Hévíz, known as the spa town, we just had a brief look at the world's second largest thermal lake, Lake Hévíz.

Lake Balaton is the largest lake in central Europe. Hungarians proudly call it the "Hungarian Sea." It covers an area of 952 square kilometers, with an average depth of only 3.3 meters and a maximum depth of 11 meters. With its charming landscapes, Lake Balaton has become a world-famous Hungarian tourist destination.

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lake Balaton Scenery

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Pier

Hungary - Lake Balaton

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside Town

1. For a trip like this to Europe, the round-trip flight takes about 12 hours each way; the bus ride covers nearly 2,600 kilometers, with three days each exceeding 400 kilometers. Travel fatigue and jet lag are inevitable, so be mentally prepared.

2. Although the bus rides can be long at times, the vehicles are in good condition and the roads are smooth, so there is hardly any bumpiness. Moreover, the scenery along the way is stunning and pleasing to the eye, which effectively alleviates fatigue. Overall, it doesn't feel too boring or exhausting.

3. During this season, it gets light around 4 or 5 a.m., and it doesn't get dark until around 8 or 9 p.m., so the daytime for sightseeing is much longer.

4. Since Europeans are not accustomed to drinking hot water, most hotels do not have electric kettles. Among the nine hotels we stayed in, only two had electric kettles. If you like to drink tea or hot water, be sure to bring your own electric kettle.

5. European power sockets are the European standard small two-pin type, different from those in China. Remember to bring a European standard power adapter.

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside Town

Hungary - Hévíz - Hévíz Thermal Lake

Hungary - Hévíz - Supermarket

Hungary - Hévíz - Along the Way Scenery

Continued in "June 2024 'Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria 12 Days' Group Tour Travelogue (4) Austria"