Category Archives: Tripbods

Newest Tripbods and stories from their local areas

New Tripbod Hristo introduces the best of Bulgaria through local eyes

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Hi Hristo – welcome to the Tripbod team!

Please describe Bulgaria in three words:

Pristine; must-see; different

What’s unique about Bulgaria?

Everything that is underdeveloped is unique in its own way. This is the case with the Sliven region as well. Here you can experience almost all the shapes and forms of alternative travel and go off the beaten track. In my view, unique elements to this area are plenty:

  • the cuisine
  • the local people and their villages (rural life)
  • the climate (there are four wonderful seasons)
  • the wine (including underground wineries!)
  • the cultural-historical heritage (burial mounds dating back to different centuries before and after Christ, house-museums of famous revolutionists under Turkish occupation)
  • the nature park Sinite Kamani (The Blue Stones, absolutely wonderful nature and wildlife)
  • the attractions such as eco-trails, mountain bike routes, buggy routes and horse-riding tracks.

But that’s just a summary…

Wow! There’s quite a lot to choose from! For you, what is your favourite Bulgarian weekend activity?

There are many I can choose from but in my local area it’s just to go out into the mountains and visit the nature parks either by foot, by bike or by buggy, have a picnic around the lake there and spend a relaxing time in the tranquillity of the nature.

It sounds magical. What is your favourite local tradition?

The Bulgarian tradition of giving and receiving Martenici is a wonderful way to welcome the Spring

For this question I take Bulgaria as a whole. We have one very specific and interesting tradition for the first day of March when everybody gives and gets “martenitsi” - a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn. The name of the holiday is Baba Marta. “Baba” is the Bulgarian word for “grandmother” and Mart is the Bulgarian word for the month of March. Baba Marta is a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the upcoming spring.

The month of March, according to Bulgarian folklore, marks the beginning of springtime. Therefore, the first day of March is a traditional holiday associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring. It’s continues up to the end of March and it’s wonderful and entertaining.

What a lovely way to appreciate the end of Winter! We’d love to hear more about local life…

What is a typical breakfast for locals in Bulgaria?

A delicious traditional Bulgarian breakfast of Mekici

If you go to a guesthouse in the Sliven region you’d most probably be served with “mekici”. These are made from dough and fried. They are very delicious accompanied by “ayran” which is stirred yoghurt with water. Mmm… you’ll love it !

And when it’s your birthday, where do you go to celebrate and what do you do there?

Every year it’s different but now what I’m thinking of is first going to a popular fish restaurant eating some specialties in an unforgettable high class atmosphere, where we finish with a special desert that is produced only here. As the clock ticks and it’s midnight we go to a thematic club, dressed in special costumes and enjoy until we drop… normally 7am. But why not consider a bonfire up in the mountain and music in a large open space ? Hm, that’s good as well!

And your dream day: you have 24 hours in Bulgaria & unlimited money to spend, what would you do?

Money can’t be unlimited, unless you’ve won the lottery, but in this case these 24 hours are going to stay in your memory forever… I’d start from Nova Zagora where I’d do some kayaking in the Tundja river. After that I’d go to Karanovo to see the two burial mounds and the golden chariot dating back to 4 century after Christ. There is a wonderful guesthouse where I’d eat some of the Bulgarian specialties like “guveche” or even “banica”!

Then I’m going to Elenovo where I do wine tasting at one of the best Bulgarian wineries with numerous international awards and export covering almost the whole world! I’d do some buggy riding in the area with a professional guide and in the meantime some bird-watching. After that I’d visit Sliven and its cultural-historical sites to feel the spirit of the revolution and the Turks. Then I cannot wait to go up in the nature park with the chair-lift, one of the few operating in Bulgaria, and take some precious panoramic photos on the way and from the top.

From here I’d take an eco-trail leading through the park to Itchera village, which is famous with the freshest air to breathe inBulgaria. There I’d visit a guesthouse with a swimming pool to unwind for a bit and to taste another of the big choice of specialties on offer.

What’s next? I’d take a bike to Jeravna village which is a stunning architectural reserve – authentic is the only word that describes it! I’d then leave the bike and have a walk on the cobbled streets surrounded by the strong smell of old wood that’s coming from the houses on both sides of the small and narrow streets. Maybe I can take a horse cart to go around the village and relax a bit, then I’d definitely take a horse and ride it up to Kotel passing Medven and Katunishte villages which are small but a real must-see by horseback.

Kotel is a city you’d love because of its tranquility – it is nestled in a large forest and it appears as if the time has stopped. Of course from there I’d head to a guesthouse to sleep a bit and to recharge my batteries for the next 24 hours…maybe I’d do the same thing but including some paragliding, which is absolutely breathtaking.

This is my Bulgaria!

Bulgaria Tripbod Hristo offers tailored 1-to-1 trip planning on Tripbod.com. Contact Hristo directly to plan your personal local experience.

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Paris with personality: An individual take on the big city

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Paris Tripbod Charles brings a very individual breathe of fresh air to this well-travelled destination.

Reacquaint yourself with Paris, the city you thought you knew, through the eyes of a local personality.

Paris in 3 words:

“Vous etes Belle!” (You are beautiful)

The unique thing about Paris:

The amount attention always given to “Food and wine” by everyone. Every comestible and grape is worthy of a nod, comment or rating, no matter what its source or situation.  Come armed with plenty of food and wine opinions and you’ll fit in nicely.

Favourite Paris weekend activity:

Besides the Café Culture, walking. Walking in search of an urban adventure and sometimes urban adventures finds you. Ditch the map, wander and don’t forget to look up.

Favourite Parisian tradition:

Shopping. For some hetrosexual men shopping is a debacle, especially if it isn’t part of your fabric or routine. A premeditated shopping day is known as a “Happening”. Whether its for Xmas, a birthday, Valentine’s or a day of spending during France’s bi-annual sales. A well planned shopping day is essential.

A typical local Parisian breakfast:

Un express s’il vous plait! (An expresso if you please!) But if you have time to eat; add a croissant, a tartine ( baugette with jam and butter) freshly squeezed OJ, and perhaps a yogurt. To fit in with the native, “Bon jour Paris team”  a “Kir” (white wine and some syrupy sweet liqueur) always works well.

A birthday in Paris:

I refer to a birthday as a super-conscious day. You awake and the day is automatically focused on how would you like to be acknowledged.  I would start and end at La Creamerie located on rue des Quatre Vents in the 6th district. La Creamerie is an old fashioned wine tasting boutique converted from a real Dairy Moo shop. I would select a very super-conscious wine deserving of a Birthday from the 2500 bottles from the cave at the midday hour. Lunch,  I would leave up to Serge and all the charcuterie, but most of the time I prefer wine from France, cheese from Italy and some Iberian pig to nosh on for an afternoon of “Wine Tasting.” The journey of the day would taste better with stimulating conversation with Serge, my companion, or the many patrons that decide to swing-by.

Dream 24 hours in Paris

Can I take dream literally?

I’d proceed to the George V Hotel to secure a suite. I would have lunch and libations there, take an afternoon nap, swim, work-out in their in house pool & spa.

The limo would then take me to the legendary Tour d’Argent Restaurant for a dinner fit for Napoleon and a million man army. After the Champagne course and dessert first, I would request the chef de cusine, Laurent Delarbre, to prepare a grand sampling of the entire menu and be the first in Paris to be serve a 22 course extraganza.

After supper, its time for a digestive and dancing the night away at the historical Maxim’s De Paris on rue Royale.  I would probably knob-hob with all the eccentrics and artists and flex our sense of humour.

Paris Tripbod Charles offers 1-to-1 tailored trip planning on Tripbod.com. Contact Charles directly to plan your unique Parisian experience.

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The Real Greece: Remote beaches, Saint days & Local Tavernas

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Greece Tripbod Nick Edwards, spent 8 years living in Athens and travels back each year to write about his second home. Author of the Rough Guides to Greece, Corfu & the Greek Islands, as well as a regular contributor for Greek locations to easyjet’s  Traveller Magazine – there’s no better travel expert to tailor-make your trip to Greece.

Below he tells us about his favourite local traditions and why he’s adopted the country as his own.

What’s unique about Greece?

Greece is at once deepley rooted in its ancient past, yet a proud member of modern Europe. Its people are overwhelmingly friendly and bluntly short-tempered by turn. Food is delicious but don’t expect it hot or to arrive too quickly. There’s a great zest for life that overcomes its problems.

What’s your favourite weekend activity in Greece?

Getting out to a remote beach – of which there are many if you know where to look – and swimming, soaking up some sun and enjoying a local taverna and/or bar.

What’s your favourite Greek local tradition?

A penegyri – the celebration that takes place at a local church on the respective saint’s name day. It’s a fantastic time to be in the country.

What’s a typical breakfast for locals in Greece?

Breakfast’s not big in Greece – just some bread with feta, olives or maybe honey and yoghurt.

While you’re in Greece it’s your birthday – where do you go to celebrate?

If I’m in Athens, as my birthday’s in winter, I’d go to my favourite taverna, O Pinaleon, which has a warm atmosphere, great food and often live traditional music. Otherwise, any great local taverna – there really is nowhere better.

You have 24 hours in Greece & unlimited money to spend, what would you do?

I’ll imagine I’m in my favourite island of Lefkada at the end of summer. I’d hire a car for the day and take off for the mountain village of Englouvi to have a late breakfast in one of the traditional cafés, then head over to the west coast for a great afternoon lazing on near-deserted Egremni beach and walk round the headland. After a snack and aperitif at Panorama in nearby Athani, I’d end the day with an evening meal at Regantos in Lefkada Town and perhaps a nightcap in a seafront bar. Perfect!

Greece Tripbod Nick offers 1-to-1 tailored trip planning on Tripbod.com. Contact Nick directly for personal travel advice and co-create a bespoke trip itinerary for your authentic local Greek experience.

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Kendal local highlights: Carnival & cumberland sausage

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From Cumberland sausage to Torchlight Carnival, our accessible travel expert – Cumbria & Lake District Tripbod Carrie-Ann – shares the local highlights of her hometown, Kendal.

Unique things about Kendal:

Our amazing local produce – like Cumberland Sausage and all things Damson-related! Our rich history as a market town and an important centre for trade.

Typical Kendal weekend activity:

Sunday lunch in a local pub, followed by a country walk, rain or shine! Lake District locals don’t mind the weather.

Best Kendal local tradition:

The annual Kendal Torchlight Carnival in September, which is one of the largest one-day events in the Lake District and Cumbria, usually attracting over 30,000 people from all over the country. Since its inception, the carnival which is funded by grants and sponsorship, has raised more than £100,000 for Lake District charities.

Favourite place to celebrate in Kendal:

The New Moon Restaurant in Kendal, for 3 courses of gorgeous food made from locally produced ingredients, and some bubbly.  The restaurant has a harmonious balance between the modern and contemporary with tradition and warmth.

After dinner head to Dickie Doodles Music Bar, for some fantastic live music from local performers.

Perfect 24 hours in Kendal:

Take the train to Windermere and walk the few miles to Bowness while eating a Kendal mint cake. Then go for a spot of tea and scones with Peter Rabbit at the World of Beatrix Potter and take in the sites of the town, before taking a boat around the largest lake in England Lake Windermere, making the most of the breathtaking scenery that inspired many an author and poet.

Kendal might seem and unlikely place for good accessibility, with it’s cobbles and historical buildings – but with good planning and a little imagination, it is possible!

Carrie-Ann runs Tourism for All UK – an independent charity supporting leisure and tourism opportunities for all – and authors an independent travel blog documenting her own experiences of travel, tourism and leisure as a wheelchair user.

Carrie-Ann offers 1-to-1 tailor-made trip planning on Tripbod.com for the Lake District & Cumbria area. Contact Carrie-Ann for bespoke travel advice on everything the region has to offer – from accessible travel information to the best restaurants and sights not to miss.

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Perth through local eyes: Winery concerts, Derby Days & deserted beaches

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Perth Tripbod Steve tells us what makes his local area of Western Australia unique. From fantastic wineries and beaches to year round sunshine, countless indigenous flora, and unmissable sports derby days. It’s not hard to see why he’s passionate about where he lives – see Perth through Steve’s eyes.

Perth in 3 words

Modern, relaxed, sunny

4 unique things about Perth

Location – Perth is the only major city on the eastern side of the Indian Ocean, and the only major city on the western side of the continent of Australia.

Flora and fauna – we have over 20,000 types of wildflower which are found nowhere else; many of our native animals and birds are found nowhere else.

Climate – Perth has an average of 8 hours of sunshine 365 days of the year (yes, it does rain, but not much).

Lifestyle – Perth has fantastic beaches, a beautiful river, great wine growing areas, hundreds of parks, and heaps of sporting facilities so that people can take advantage of our great climate; we also have hundred of pubs, restaurants, clubs, bars and cafes for eating and entertainment – all of the above are easily accessible from the city.

Best weekend activities in Perth

I work weekends, so I go out on weekdays, when the beaches, cinemas and shops are quieter.  A good day out is to Fremantle for the restaurants and pubs, Kings Park for the views of the city and river or the Swan Valley – Western Australia’s oldest wine region - for the wineries, boutique breweries, restaurants and picnics by the river.

Favourite local Perth tradition

Our traditions are usually to do with sport – the most popular sport here is Aussie Rules, and we have two local football teams in the national competition, The West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers, and there are massive divisions between the fans of both teams.  There are two big events, called Derby Days, when the teams play each other at Subiaco Oval when the footy is definitely the big talking point in Perth. Not to be missed – check fixtures here.

Best place to celebrate a special occasion in Perth

I normally go to a local winery which has a restaurant (there are dozens from which to choose), have a good meal in great company with a glass or two of a cheeky red.  A number of our wineries are big enough to host concerts by international acts, so if there’s a good concert on at a winery I’d go to that instead.

Perth Tripbod Steve is the author of Grumpy’s Getaway Guide and offers 1-to-1 tailor-made trip planning on Tripbod.com. Contact Steve for up-to-date local information and personal recommendations for how to make your holiday to Perth unique.

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Secret London views for 1 day only: Climb the Gherkin for Christchurch

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London Tripbod Robyn, a native Kiwi, tells us how London visitors and locals alike have the chance to experience exclusive views of the capital for one day only in May. All for a great cause, climb the Gherkin in London city for the Christchurch Earthquake appeal. Here’s how.

Ask any Londoner about “the Gherkin” and they’ll know exactly what you are talking about – the huge glass building that dominates the London skyline. But ask if they have been to the top to get impressive 360 degree views over London and you’ll come to realise this is a much more exclusive club. It isn’t a venue many people have the chance to enter.

But on Sunday the 22nd of May you can be a part of that exclusive club, and fundraise for a great cause at the same time. For £25 you can run, walk or crawl your way up the 40 flights of stairs to the top of the Gherkin, or for those a little less energetic, the lift is another option! All registration fees and sponsorship raised will go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Register now with Step up 4 Christchurch and see a view of London that not many people have the chance to see.

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The real Vietnam experience: Homemade Bánh tráng & Da Nang fishermen on My Khe beach

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Hanoi Tripbod Ruby shares ideas for a day full of her favourite local Vietnam experiences in Da Nang city. Relax on My Khe beach, watch local fishermen haul in their catch, climb Ba Na mountain by cable car, then tuck into homemade pork bánh tráng. Postcard perfect. Why not walk in Ruby’s real local shoes…

Swimming at My Khe Beach

So, if you go to Da Nang city, you should definitely begin at My Khe beach. Voted one of the prettiest and charming beaches in the world by Forbes, the beach lies about 6km east of Danang and  24km north of Hoi An. It’s a seven-kilometre stretch of smooth sand with a gentle gradient, sheltered in the lee of the Son Tra peninsula, so protected from the monsoon.

Swimming down the coast is greatly restricted but the gentle waves, clean air and comfortable weather make My Khe beach a favourite place for bathing. The beaches in Vietnam are seldom private, and My Khe is no exception, but this is part of the local experience. Most of we Vietnamese aren’t very good at swimming, but we love splashing in the water and making a lot of noise!

Sampan Fishing

On My Khe we usually encounter a traditional Vietnamese fishing party or two. Their technique is to use a couple of sampans to take a very long fine mesh net about half a kilometre offshore. Once the net is in the place, two groups (mostly women) take ropes tied to the corners of the net and begin to pull them up to the beach. As each person reaches the shore they drop the rope on the ground and walk back to the water’s edge to repeat the procedure.

The whole operation takes about half a day and results in only a few buckets of tiny fish sold for just a few dollars. While fascinating, watching the process and seeing the scant reward to be shared among ten or fifteen people is a powerful reminder about the reality of poverty here in Vietnam.

Ba Na Mountain Cable Car

About 10 minutes from the beach is Ba Na mountain, where Ba Na cable car waits to take you up to Linh Ung temple for $10. The cable car is a Guinness world record holder for the longest and highest non-stop cable car system and the feeling when you see the mountain and clouds from Linh Ung temple is hard to put into words. If you’re lucky to experience this view at night, you’ll see traffic stopped from crossing the Song Han Bridge and watch it swing on its axis to allow shipping traffic to pass along the river. Just amazing.

Homemade “Banh trang”

Food in Da Nang is delicious. My favourite dish is bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo (Pork wrapped in “banh trang” rice noodles). You should try making the rolls yourself at least once though don’t expect it to be easy. The most important ingredient is a very specific kind of boiled pork. Pork for this dish should be rump meat from a 70-kilogram pig – usually only 5 kg can be selected and of this around 40%  is suitable for the dish.

The boiled meat must be well done and the pure colour of its fat retained by boiling slowly over a medium heat. Utensils must be rinsed before touching the meat to maintain its flavour and hygiene. Just roll all the ingredients – pork, vegetables, fresh onion and green pip bananas in soft “banh trang” rice noodles and dip them in spicy fish sauce. Voila! It makes me hungry just thinking about it.

Admittedly I usually take the lazy option and buy it ready-made at Tran restaurant – 300 Hai Phong street. I recommend you do the same on your visit to Da Nang – delicious.

Hanoi Tripbod Ruby offers 1-to-1 tailor-made trip planning on Tripbod.com. Contact Ruby to plan your unique local experience of Vietnam.

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Five reasons to visit North Walsham

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We’re heading up to Norfolk next week and planning to stay overnight in North Walsham, a small market town about ten miles from Horning, where we live – on the edge of the Broads and close to the east coast. I’ve been to North Walsham quite a few times, and, ok, it may not be the most exciting place in the world – what small British market town is? – but there are still a number of reasons to go there. However, as always they’re not all that obvious to someone who’s not a local.

Given the fact that for some reason my visit has been trailed in the Norwich Evening News and that they seem worried I’m going to write bad things about North Walsham, I thought I’d write down five good reasons to visit North Walsham and its surroundings – partly to show that I have been to North Walsham before, and partly to show that, hey, I like it!

1. Church of St Nicholas North Walsham was quite a metropolis in medieval times, when it got rich on the proceed of the wool trade, and its church of St Nicholas is the largest parish church in Norfolk, with a vast roodscreen that would have filled the width of the building, though now only the bottom painted panels of this survive. The interior is impressive for its sheer size, although sadly the once-grand tower is a ruin.
2. The Olive Tree Located in a rather humdrum caravan and chalet park on the edge of town, the stylish Olive Tree isn’t the sort of place you pass by accident. But the food is great and its airy modern restaurant opens out onto a patio and pool in summer, so you can take a dip before enjoying one of their all-day summer barbecues. At any time, though, the food is great, with a deliberately simple lunch menu – burgers, shepherds pie, pasta dishes, etc – and a heavier dinner menu that features pan-fried sea bass, rib-eye steak and lots of pasta and risotto dishes for veggies.
3. Beechwood Hotel This boutique hotel restaurant, right in the centre of town, serves a ‘ten-mile’ dinner menu, using ingredients sourced no more than ten miles from the hotel – think Walsingham cheese tart with mustard and bacon, followed by loin of Norfolk lamb on dauphinois potatoes.
4. Bacton Woods Just on the edge of town, Bacton Woods offer loads of beautiful and well-marked walking trails and cyclepaths.
5. All Saints Church, Edingthorpe Ok, it’s not in North Walsham itself, but no more than a couple of miles outside the village of Edingthorpe is home to a lovely thatched village church, a beautifully bare, whitewashed building that’s full of traces of its ancient provenance– a damaged but still richly decorated rood screen with paintings of saints and wonderfully delicate tracery, and fragments of fourteenth century wall paintings showing St Christopher and the Seven Acts of Mercy. But it’s the position that is perhaps the church’s memorable feature, occupying a lonely spot – almost on a hill in fact (rare in this part of the world) – that’s utterly magical in the early evening light.

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Captivating Sardinia: D.H.Lawrence, eternal youth & burlesque carnival

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Sure there’s plenty of sun, sea and sand in Sardinia, but as local Cagliari Tripbod Elena reveals in her favourite things about Sardinia, there’s so much more to the Island that captured the imagination of D.H.Lawrence and keeps its citizens youthful, well into their twilight years…

“This land does not resemble any other place. Sardinia is another thing: enchanting space around and distance to travel, nothing finished, nothing definitive. It’s like freedom itself” D. H. Lawrence, Sea and Sardinia (1921)

My favourite things about Sardinia..

1. Unique Villages

Every village is different from the others. It might be the kind of bread or sweets, the artisanal craft (wood, iron, ceramic, leather, carpets, nests, knives or jewels), the typical product (that usually ends up in a local feast), or the surrounding landscape. In Sardinia you find towns in the mountains, on the lake, by the river, by the sea, in the countryside, towns made in granite, in trachyte, or old mines.

2. Nuraghi

In every part of Sardinia you can find nuraghi in the middle of the countryside – megalithic edifices that date back to the bronze age – tombs of giants and Romanic churches, castles and of course, flocks of sheep.

3. Being active outdoors

In Sardinia you can go diving, sailing, trekking, climbing, biking, kayaking, or just relax and enjoy sea and sun all year around. Plus if you eat sheep cheese and wine everyday you can live up to 100 years (as many Sardinians do).

4. Poetto beach at the weekend

The city of Cagliari has a beautiful city beach, called Poetto. During the weekend people spend Saturday or Sunday afternoon playing beach volley, rollerblading, running or just drinking coffee and enjoying the scenery. This happens almost all year round.

5. Local feasts

You can choose from many gastronomic feasts, depending on the season and on the village’s typical product: strawberries, oranges, almonds, watermelon, wallops, wine, carnivals, bread, fish, pork, and more.

6. Carnival in Barbagia

Depending on the village you can experience a variety of  rituals. In the area called “Barbagia”, anthropomorphous and zoomorphic masks evoke mysterious and propitiatory rituals and remind you of the strong relationship between man and animal.  In other areas there are burlesque carnivals or horse riding exhibitions. All these shows are organized by local associations that are very passionate about their traditional Carnival rituals.

7. Pane Carasau for breakfast

Milk and pane carasau (traditional flatbread, thin and crisp, usually in the form of a dish half a meter wide) is the traditional Sardinian Flatbread and eaten almost everyday for breakfast.

8. Local beer with history

Local beer at brewpub Birrificio di Cagliari includes a history lesson on Cagliari’s city centre. Beers on offer take the name of historical neighbourhoods, Casteddu (the Castel), Biddanoa (new town), Marina (Marina) and Stampaxi.

9. Lighthouse Faro Cape Spartivento

Faro Cape Spartivento has an amazing 360 degree panorama overlooking the blue sea. Its secluded location allows you to really enjoy the silence of nature and take time for yourself. I like to meditate in this area but also to explore the territory in search of hidden coves and wild corners.   Built in 1856 by the Italian Navy, the Lighthouse accommodated the family of the lighthouse keeper up to the 80s. Today the Lighthouse has been turned into a luxury guesthouse while keeping its charm, and has been renovated with a panels system using the solar energy to heat water, and a phyto-purification waste water system, which is reused for the garden.

10. Campidanese cuisine at Su Furriadroxu

Lunch at Su Furriadroxu is one of my favourite local experiences. Su Furriadroxu is the name of the typical house built around a courtyard that distinguishes the architecture of the villages and boroughs of the Campidano valley. In the heart of Pula old town, Su Furriadroxu is a typical restaurant serving the best specialties of campidanese cooking. I can never decide whether to sit in the courtyard, adorned by perfumed orange and lemon trees, or inside the saloon covered by a splendid truss ceiling, or else under the nice loggia surrounded by an atmosphere of times gone by…

Sardinia Tripbod Elena offers 1-to-1 tailored trip planning at Tripbod.com. Connect with Elena directly to make the most out of your time on the captivating Island.

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Budapest: Two cities for the price of one

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Local Budapest Tripbod Eniko shares her top local recommendations for how to experience the best and most authentic of her multi-sided city.

Budapest is a two in one. When you visit Budapest you visit two different cities. Buda is the residential part with the historical Castle District and calm streets, while Pest is busy, filled with all the sites, restaurants and bars, among them the really unique ones: the ruin pubs. You can take a cruise on the Danube or dine on a boat and enjoy the magnificent view of the illuminated city or escape the noise of the city altogether – in 30 minutes you are up in the Buda hills where you can ride the Childrens Railway.

My favourite Budapest weekend activities

  • WAMP – the design fair (once or twice in a month)
  • Exploring local museums, exhibitions or festivals (always changing)
  • MUPA for a concert or a show at the Opera House
  • Meat and vegetable shopping at one of the local Budapest markets on Saturday mornings
  • Visit a wine region in the countryside

My favourite Budapest local tradition

On 31st December, before the party starts, Budapest people love to go to the horse races (ÃœgetÅ‘szilveszter) at Kincsem Park. It is really crowded, everybody make a bet but usually only for a small amount and only for fun. Famous  Hungarians (journalists, actors, etc.) trot in the afternoon, up until 7 pm. You’re sure to meet some friends or acquaintances you have not seen for ages. There are food and drinks, if you are cold just grab a glass of mulled wine or a shot of Unicum to warm yourself from the inside. (It is also true that some years it is just too cold to go out so you must be enthusiastic about it!)

My dream 24 hours in Budapest

- Antique market shopping

After a late breakfast at home I go to Falk Miksa street for art-shopping. I visit the galleries and search for an art deco cabinet and some other items of the same period.

Falk Miksa street is a centrally located antique market. It is a street at the Pest side of Margaret bridge and full of smaller and larger antique shops where you can find extraordinary pieces, some of the city’s best antique furniture come from these shops.

- Lunch in Klassz Restaurant

I take lunch in Klassz Restaurant on Andrássy Avenue. This is a busy place with excellent food and a very good selection of wines. You always line up, they do not accept  reservations. I would only take a 2 course lunch, for dessert and coffee I would walk a bit over to Sugar Shop. It is a unique-in-the-word design confectionary shop where colour, shape and flavour are in complete harmony. Not only the cakes but the whole place, even the bathroom has a special sugar design!

- Segway tour

With a couple of friends I go for a Segway tour. Segways are two wheel, electronic ”cars”, you stand on the little platform and roll aroung the city. For traffic rules you are considered a pedestrian. It is great fun!

- Sunset Danube river cruise

Before the sun sets I rent a private boat and make a short cruise on river Danube and have a cocktail party for my friends on board.

For the evening I rent the roof terrace of Parisian Court or Bruder House (in the very heart of the city, close to the river bank on the Pest side), invite a chef from NOBU Restaurant to cook Asian-Fusion and serve the best wines available.

At the end of the day I make beautiful fireworks (and would spread the word before so people who are not invited to the party could enjoy it as well).  In Budapest we normally have a huge fireworks display on 20th August, our national holiday, the day of St Stephan, the first king of Hungary. My fireworks display would be worthy of a King!

Budapest Tripbod Eniko offers 1-to-1 tailored trip planning online at tripbod.com. Contact Eniko to plan your personal and memorable Budapest and Hungary travel experiences.

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