June 20, 2006

Cable Water sky Budapest - Cable Wake Board Budapest

Last weekend I went out the Omszk Lake (Omszki to) and I took this video about cable waterskiing and wakeboarding. This is a good lake with the cable water skiing possibilities. The Omszki lake is not too far from Budapest to the North. The direction is Szentendre is a little nice city and the lake is right next to the Szentendre Road about 14 Km from Budapest downtown. The lake is free for all visitors you need to pay for the skiing or wakeboarding only: 3.500 HUF/hours but you can pay for rounds too or buy a day ticket for 8.000/day

June 10, 2006

Crazy Cafe Budapest

Crazy Cafe Karaoke-show from Sundays until Tuesdays, disco, soul and funky music, concerts all week. More than 100 type of beer, 24 type of whisky and lots of exotic cocktails. It's not so crazy to drop in Crazy Cafe! Close to the Nyugati ter Nyugati palyaudvar (West railway station) 1065 Budapest, Jokai street 30. www.crazycafe.hu

June 08, 2006

Danubius Thermal Hotel Margitsziget - Margaret Island Budapest

Thermal Hotel Margitsziget in Budapest (Margaret Island) is a four star SPA hotel. The SPA in the Thermal Hotel The lobby of the Thermal Hotel 1138 Budapest, Margitsziget Phone: +36 1 889-4700, Fax: +36 1 889-4988 Room reservation: Phone: +36 1 889-4752 Fax: +36 1 889-4988 E-mail: resind@margitsziget.danubiusgroup.com Internet: www.danubiushotels.com/thermalhotel Hungary

June 07, 2006

Statue Park Budapest

Statue Park Budapest Communist giants in Budapest. There is a unique place in Budapest where you too can feel the atmosphere of the communist dictatorship. That place is the Statue Park where you can see the bewildering statues of the old days. There is a famous quote from Karl Marx: “A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of communism.” Well this spectre was successfully dispelled, but now and again it can still be evoked. That’s the mission of the Statue Park Budapest, where all those Soviet style statues are collected. They used to stand along the streets of Budapest, but where removed following the political changes of 1989-90. Here is the grandiose Lenin statue in front of which on red-letter days people where forced to march in praise of the socialist system and the Soviet Union – USSR. You can see the cubist granite statue of Marx and Engels who stared with frowning eyes of the country’s leaders in front of the headquarters of the communist party. The Red Army’s military and heroic monuments stand here, once compulsory respected. Formidable statues of revolutionists; martyrs of the Hungarian and international labor movement; and the communist leaders – some who executed others – ended up in the Statue Park Budapest that is all together in the madhouse. Statue Park Budapest main entrance It is not only the gigantic stars of the red-letter days who you can come across in the statue park; you can get to know the memories of the drab and tough everyday world of the socialism as well. There is for example a non-operating phone in the telephone booth, or you can even sit in the socialist block’s popular “paper car” the Eastern German Trabant. The vintage radio at the entrance plays revolutionary and labor movement songs which can be purchased on CD or tape in the Statue Park’s gift shop. Everything in the shop follows the name of the Statue Park and the communist era: Trabant models, Lenin candles, original Soviet postcards, cigarette lighters with the sickle and hammer, red star watches, pocket-bottles with the KGB’s emblem, Soviet badges of honor, Lenin statue replicas, etc. The red Army’s flags, festive badges and books video tapes, CD-ROMs about the Statue Park Budapest and the communist era – all only there. T-shirts ironic scripts, posters and other funny gifts are available as well; after all Marx also said: “Laughing, mankind bids farewell to its past.” The Statue Park Budapest is an unusual place, there is nothing like it in Central Europe. This is one of the most interesting sights in Budapest, and at the same time a memorial to communism’s fall. Gigantic monuments from the communist dictatorship. Budapest district XXII. (south Buda) cornet of Balatoni ut and Szabadkai ut. Statue Park a last glimpse behind the iron curtain. Removed statues of Lenin, Karl Marx, and Engels and other communist heroes, soldiers, of the Soviet red army, revolutionists. The most exciting open air Museum in Eastern Europe after the fall of the communist Dictatorship. Special souvenirs of the proletarian dictatorship, revolutionary marches on CD, pictures, statue replicas, Russian gifts, Trabant models, etc. in the museum's shop. Getting to the Statue Park Budapest by public transport:
  • Route a. Ferenciek tere (Metro or subway 3 blue line) > Bus (red) number 7 or 173 > Etele ter (bus terminal)
  • Route b. Batthyany ter (Metro or subway 2 red line) > tram 19 > Etele ter (bus terminal)
On the Etele ter bus terminal (Volanbus station) take the bus from stand 7-8 yellow bus to Erd-Diosd to the Statue Park stop about 15 minutes ride. Tickets to the yellow bus available only in the bus terminal building with "Volanbus" sign. Direct bus from Budapest Downtown at 11 am every day (in July and August even at 3 pm). The bus leaves from the stop marked with the Statue Park schedule on Deak ter. Deak ter easily reached by Metro (subway) line 1, 2 or 3. Prices in 2006: Entrance ticket: 600 HUF Entrance ticket + direct bus: 2450 HUF For students and Budapest Card holders only 1950 HUF Entrance ticket + direct bus + guiding in English: 4450 HUF The Statue park Budapest open every day from 10 am till sunset. For more info visit the www.szoborpark.hu website.

May 29, 2006

Balaton Card - Balaton Kartya

Balaton is the biggest lake in Hungary about 110 Km far from Budapest. Balaton is about 77 Km long. You can reach it from Budapest on the M7 high way or by train or by bus. If you plan to go there Balaton Card could be beneficial for you. The Standard Card advantages:
  • 10-15% off accommodation
  • 10-15% off in many restaurants
  • 20% off scheduled and pleasure boats (not on ferries!)
  • 10-20% off sport equipment rental fees like: surf boards, bikes
The four day Balaton Card advantages:
  • Free local public transport at the four cities Balatonfured, Fonyod, Keszthely and Siofok.
  • Free Balaton Mix ticket, available at railway stations and ship booking offices and valid 72 hours for an unlimited number of trips by ship or railway.
  • 50% off a coach ticket on long-distance coaches to any destination situated in the Balaton region.
  • 33% off a 2nd class return railway ticket to any destination around Lake Balaton.
  • 50% off 4-day motorway toll.
  • 2 x 50% off a bus ticket on any Volan bus service to any location within the Balaton region.
  • Free or half the price admission to events, plays and concerts
  • Free or half the price admission to museums
  • 3 x free day ticket for lidos
  • Free day tickets for spas and baths listed
  • 1 free bottle of quality wine courtesy of Soma Cellars
  • Free 3-day fishing licence.
For more information about Balaton Card please visit the official site at: www.balatoncard.hu

May 23, 2006

Hungary Card

Hungary Card With this card you can get discounts in restaurants, hotels, car rental, museums and a lot of places. For more info visit: http://www.hungarycard.hu The price of the Hungary Card is HUF 5.520,- (about EUR 22,-)

May 21, 2006

Budapest Basics

I'd like to provide some basic information about Budapest. Climate: Temperature zone, continental climate, four seasons. Hottest months: July, August (temperatures can reach 28-35°C) Coldest months: December, January (temperatures can fall as low as -15°C) Budapest has relatively high number of hours of sunshine per annum. It exceeds 8 hours per day between April and September. Time zone: Budapest is on Central European time (CET) GMT + 1 hour Summer time (March to the middle of October): GMT + 2 hours Holidaysys: Non-working days: national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) and 1 May plus Christmas holidays: 1 January, All Saint's Day (1 November), Easter Monday. Budapest Facts and figures: 525 square kilometers (in a north-south direction approx. 25 km, east-west approx. 29 km) Population: 1.815.000 Administrative structure: 23 districts. Buda: comprising one-third of the area of the city on the hilly, right bank of the Danube river. Pest: comprising twe-third on the flat, left bank of the Danube river. Islands (from North to South): Obuda Island, Margaret Island, Csepel Island. Bridges: nine bridges, of which two are rail bridges.

May 17, 2006

Gundel Budapest Restaurant

Hungary's most famous and beautiful restaurant, founded in 1894, Gundel is a byword for Hungarian haute cusine and the haunt of royalty and elites. Palatial and bathed in oil paintings, it features international as well as Hungarian gourmet delights, such as fogas (pike perch). Be sure to save room for the famous Gundel palacsinta (dessert pancake). Reservations and jackets required. Gundel Budapest restaurant Allatkerti ut 2. Open daily for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch.

May 03, 2006

Visit Budapest - Arrival by train

If you come to Budapest by train you'll find three main International Railway Stations. Budapest has direct rail links to 25 capitals. There are more than 50 international connections each day. Trains depart every three hours between Budapest-Vienna (Wien or Becs in Hungarian), with a travel time less than two and a half hours. INTERCITY links running between the capital and the major towns around Hungary are extremely popular and comfortable. The three major international railway stations in Budapest:
  • Eastern Railway Station (Keleti Palyaudvar) Baross ter district VIII. Tel: +36 1 413-4610
  • Western Railway Station (Nyugati Palyaudvar) Nyugati ter district VI. Tel: +36 1 349-8503
  • Southern Railway Station (Deli Palyaudvar) Krisztina korut 37/A District I. Tel: +36 1 375-6593
Information on International rail links from Budapest Hungary Tel: +36 1 461-5500 or visit the www.elvira.hu website.

April 26, 2006

Budapest Red Bull Air Race video

Here is a video from the 2004 Red Bull Air Race Budapest and the video has been taken from one of the pilot's flight. 2004 was the first time of the Red Bull Air Race in Budapest and there was again in 2005 and they return to Budapest in August 20 2006 . You'll see the Hungarian Parliament on the video and the Margaret Island and the Danube River. The pilots flies through under the famous Chain Bridge about 400 km/h speed. And the main point is one of the pilot is Hungarian Peter Besenyei. Red Bull Air Race Budapest Hungary

April 24, 2006

Budapest Card - Budapest kartya 2006

Budapest Card 2006 The Budapest Card first launched in 1997. This card is the tourist's "best friend" for 2 or 3 days. You can have the following discounts if you have the Budapest Card:
  • -50% from sightseeing Budapest
  • -20% in some restaurants
  • most of the museums, 60 are free or discounted
  • free entry to Zoo Budapest, Matthias Church
  • public transportation is free
  • children under 14 traveling with the card holder are also entitled to the benefits the card offers
You can download a 100+ page guide (in four languages) with the card's services click here The Budapest Card is on sale at main underground (subway) ticket offices, tourist information offices, travel agencies, Ferihegy Airport and hotels. For 48 hours 5.200 HUF, for 72 hours 6.500 HUF.

Mammut Budapest mall - Budapest shopping video

Here is another shopping video from Budapest. It's another mall here named of Mammut Budapest. This mall is a two buildings mall. Mammut I and the newer and bigger building Mammut II. I took this home video about the Mammut II. Mammut Budapest

April 23, 2006

Visit Budapest - the arrival by air: Ferihegy airport

The Airport minibus service From Ferihegy 2 A and B terminals is popular and relatively cheap for 2300 HUF it will drop passengers anywhere within the city limits. A return ticket costs only 3900 HUF and it is valid for six month. Tel: +36 1 296-8555 Ferihegy 1 terminal is for discount airlines. Ferihegy 2A terminal for Malev Hungarian Airlines flights. Ferihegy 2B terminal for foreign airlines. Ferihegy Airport information central number: +36 1 296-9696 Flight information: +36 1 296-7000

April 19, 2006

WestEnd City Center Budapest Shopping video 2

Budapest Shopping - this is the second Budapest shopping video taken by me in the WestEnd City Center Budapest Mall. This home video is about the restaurants and shops in the West End mall. By the way there is a Hilton Hotel in the WestEnd City Center Budapest. Shopping in Budapest

April 14, 2006

WestEnd City Center Budapest Shopping

Westend City Center Budapest Shopping I took a video about Westend Budapest I want to show you the building inside and the shops. There are about 400 different shops on the three level of the mall you can see some of them on the following video tour. Budapest Shopping

April 10, 2006

Sofitel Hotel Budapest

The Sofitel Hotel Budapest is a five star hotel in downtown Budapest right next to the famous Chain Bridge on the Pest side of the Danube.

USA - US Embassy Budapest Hungary

The USA Embassy is at the corner and in front there is a Second World War monument on the Szabadsag ter (Freedom Square Budapest). Szabadsag ter is a nice square in Budapest downtown with lately renewed park and famous buildings. US Embassy Budapest Hungary The US Embassy building at Szabadsag ter 12 in Budapest's Fifth District (downtown) has been home to the United States Legation and Embassy since 1935. Currently all Hungarian citizens need at least a non immigrant B1 visa to travel the United States. I just thinking about the name of the square Szabadsag (Freedom) and the date 1935. since the US embassy has been there. From 1945 to 1989 there was not much freedom over here because of the communistic government. But the name of the square and the US Embassy maybe it is a coincidence. Got the picture. US represents the freedom for the World and the USA Embassy located on the Freedom square in Budapest, Hungary since 1935. Funny isn't it.

April 07, 2006

Heroes' Square - Budapest Sights Google Earth image

Hősök tere Budapest - Városliget It's a Google Earth satellite image about the famous Heroes' Square (Hosok tere). The Heroes' Square is located next to the City Park Budapest (Varosliget). You can see the City Park Lake on the image. At winter one part of the lake is a big skating place, the biggest in Hungary. At summer the lake is for boating. On the left side of the square is the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest. At the right side of the square is the Mucsarnok - Kunsthalle. Heroes' Square by night Mucsarnok Műcsarnok Budapest Mucsarnok by night at the Heroes' Square Museum of Fine Arts

April 06, 2006

Webcamera Budapest - webcam

This is a webcamera site about Budapest. The webcam is located on top of the Gellert Hill at the Citadel Budapest. You will see the Buda Castle from left and in the middle of the screen the Chain Bridge over the Danube. Click here Webcamera Budapest

WestEnd City Center Budapest Mall

I took this photo about West End City Centre Budapest mall after Christmas. You can see the Christmas tree in front of the mall. The West End City Centre is located in the downtown of Budapest right next to the West railway Station (Nyugati Palyaudvar). This Shopping Center (Mall) is the biggest one in Hungary and maybe in Middle Eastern Europe. There are about 400 different shops inside the mall and there is the second Hilton Hotel inside the building - West End Hilton. The first Hilton Hotel is in the Buda Castle. There is a Palace Cinema with 14 different screens and a huge garden on the top of the building and a lot more.

April 05, 2006

Varkert Casino Budapest

Varkert Casino Budapest. This small casino is located on the Buda side of the Danube near to the Chain Bridge under the Castle Hill.

Gellert Hotel Budapest

I took this photo about the Hotel Gellert from the Pest side of the River Danube.

March 31, 2006

Palace of Arts Budapest

The National Theatre and the Palace of Arts Budapest The building of Palace of Arts changing its color at night. If you wait some minutes you can see the same building with different colors.

March 30, 2006

Hungarian National Theatre Budapest photo 2006

I went out some days ago and took this digital photo about our National Theatre from the Buda side of the River Danube. The Theatre is located on the Pest side. Actually this is a new building and it looks great by night.

March 26, 2006

Three Budapest Hotel from the Castle Hill

The Chain Bridge and on the other side of the River Danube from right the brown building is the Hotel Intercontinental next to it the Sofitel and in front of the Bridge The Four Season Hotel Budapest.

March 22, 2006

Hilton Hotel Budapest

There are two Hilton Hotels in Budapest this is the first and the second is in the West End City Center shopping Mall in downtown. It's a five star exclusive hotel. It's a panorama photo about the back of the Hilton Hotel from the Fishermen's Bastion in the Buda Castle. The front of the hotel next to the old Matthias Church on the left. This hotel is in a special place the Castle. Address: Hess A. ter 1-3, Budapest, Hungary H-1014 Tel: +36-1-8896600 Fax: +36-1-8896644

March 20, 2006

Budapest Funicular at the Castle

The funicular a small railway up the side of the Castle Hill pulled by a moving cable and having counterbalancing ascending and descending cars. This is the upper station of the Buda Castle funicular. It can lift you up from the Chain Bridge on the Buda side of the River Danube to the Castle near to the Palace. The other station of the funicular down. The funicular by night from the Buda side of the Chain Bridge. Next to the funicular there is the Tunnel.

March 16, 2006

Budapest Hotel Intercontinental

A winter photo about the Budapest Hotel Intercontinental and you can see a bit of the Sofitel Hotel on the left side. Three hotels and the River Danube on this photo, left the Four Season Budapest Hotel.

March 12, 2006

Budapest Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge is the oldest bridge in Budapest. The 375 meters long and 16 meters wide bridge was opened on November 20, 1849. The Chain Bridge on a Google Earth satellite image on left the Buda Castle buildings. It's a winter picture from the Castle Hill on the other side of the River Danube the Four Season Hotel Budapest. At night from the Castle Hill. The Bridge, the Four Season hotel and the Basilica. A photo in twilight from the Fishermen's Bastion the Castle. You can see the bridge and 3 hotels on the other side from left the first is Sofitel the next brown is the Intercontinental hotel and the third on right the Marriott hotel Budapest. A night picture about the Chain Bridge from Citadel Budapest.

March 10, 2006

Hotel Marriott Budapest

A winter picture. This hotel has 278 guest rooms all overlooking the Danube, it's a specialty.

The Fishermen's Bastion in the Buda Castle

The Fishermen's Bastion at winter The back of the Matthias Church on the right side. A twilight view from the Bastion. The Chain Bridge is in the middle and the high building left is the Basilica.

Special photos about the Parliament

I've taken two photos about the Parliament from the Budapest Castle - Fishermen's Bastion. The second one - at night

March 09, 2006

Hungarian National Theatre and the Palace of Arts Budapest

When I went up to the Citadel I took this photo from there. The Theatre was very far I had to use 12X optical zoom on the digital camera. Actually you see the National Theatre on the left hand side of the picture. The bigger blue building is the Palace of Arts Budapest a big new concert hall. I'll make more close pictures about these two buildings in the future and I'm going to post it.

Buda Castle the Palace

A satellite picture about the Buda Castle. The Palace in the Buda Castle A panorama photo at night. The Castle from the Citadel at night.