72 hours in Budapest

If Paris met Berlin and had a secret love child its name would be Budapest!

 Gorgeous architecture, cool bars, foodie delights and more health spas than you can shake a stick at. I was seriously impressed.

A view of  Budapest Parliament from the Fisherman's Bastion, Buda

Pretty faded buildings close to Heroes Square, Pest

Perfect for : romantic weekend breaks, spa and shopping weekend with the girls.

Day 1

• Buda. A walk along the Danube river and over to Castle Hill and the Fisherman's Bastion. (note.. the river Danube was not blue but quite a murky brown colour.. must be the floods ^^)
• Walk over the Chain bridge from Pest to the Buda.
• A sensory feast at the Grand Market.
• Goulash for dinner
• A stroll down Andrassy Avenue (think Champs Elysees without the hordes)
• Coffee at the most beautiful bookstore cafe in the world - Alexandra Bookstore.

Day 2

• A day at Gellert Spa enjoying the thermal springs, sauna, steam rooms followed by a relaxing massage before sunbathing in 29 degrees of sunshine out on the outdoor pools and terraces.
• Try Palinka - a traditional Hungarian fruit brandy. We travel with hip flask and enjoy a sip on top of Castle Hill.
• Gelarto Rosa - uber pretty and tasty ice-creams close to the Basilica.
• An evening walk around the Jewish District, Elizabeth Town. Have a drink in one of the outdoor garden bars 'Kerts'.
• Eat Langos - a Hungarian speciality and definitely not for weight watchers. Deep fried flat bread spread with sour cream and topped generously with grated cheese.

Day 3

• A visit to the impressive Heroes Square
• A walk around the City Park
• Looking for bargains at the City Park flea market
• Drink ice cold, homemade lemonade 
• Look for wild snakes swimming in the water (WE SAW ONE!)
• Take lots of photos of Vajdahunyad Castle

Fly from £29 with "that" Irish airline. It only takes 2 and a half hours from the UK so totally manageable.

At the Great Market Hall

Gellert spa from the outside

We had to try  Hungarian Palinka - this one is a pear brandy

Budapest Metro. Line 1. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pretty ice creams from Gelarto Rosa

Budapest street food - Langos. Yum! Fried bread, sour cream and cheese.

Bikes everywhere

Garden bar in Elizabeth Town