I sat out on the back patio late the other night with my laptop. I categorized most of my travel posts and put them in specific categories: PARIS, AMALFI COAST, ISTANBUL, LISBON, MERIDA, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE. All the international places I’ve been since I started blogging! They should be quick & easy to find now in my sidebar and you won’t have to sift through the entire travel category.
I’m also bound and determined to take pics of my Paris travel journal and put them all on Flickr today. I can’t start my Budapest travel journal until the Paris trip has been filed properly in my crowded mental cabinet!
How about a quick tour of the Budapest apartment? Come on, let me show you around…
Part of my reason for choosing this apartment is the charming and informative owner. All of the great reviews didn’t hurt either.
“Prepare to be amazed.” Those are the exact words a Romanian saleslady in a Kansas department store told my sister & I just a few days ago about Budapest. Preparations are under way!
Look! A nice big table to accomodate my travel journal supplies!
The writing below is from the apartment ad.
The apartment sits across from one of the city’s most lovely churches, on a wooded square and churchyard in the Cafe district of central Budapest. It has a large balcony that runs its length and overlooks the park. In spring, summer, and fall the Raday utca side of the square is the scene of a variety of street fairs and arts festivals, close enough to be just outside your door, but far enough away not to be bothersome.
The neighborhood is remarkable, it is at the edge of the center of town. But the surrounding street life is the most intriguing aspect of the neighborhood: an artists’, designers’, and bohemians’ haven. The Frank Zappa Café is a block away, as is one of the city’s best Blues cafés. There’s a design showcase a couple of blocks north with a great atrium café, and the Hungarian architects’ society is just around the corner, with an inexpensive and lovely outdoor restaurant. A modern full-service neighborhood market (open 365 days a year) sits at the end of the block.
You enter the apartment walking through a foyer past the bedroom with en suite bath, past the wc, with washer/dryer/utility room, into the spacious and stately living room — 26′ x 18′ with its long far wall and high ceilings opening onto a 25′ balcony that overlooks the verdant historic churchyard. All you hear are the birds, all you see is the slightly tattered park behind the church.
You ARE going to take us with you, right???
All I can say is WOW! You are going to have a magnificent vacation!
Oh this is going to be so exciting! I can’t wait to see and hear of your trip!! Glad you found a nice place to stay — sounds like a good home base to adventure from. Have a great time!!
Yowza you always find the best places to stay. How do you do it? Can’t wait until you go so I can see another place that I never thought of going to that I will drool over.
I think I’d be much more inclined toward international travel if I could book accomodations like the ones you always find! They are amazing. I’m not sure I’m that daring. You have had so much practice at it, it must seem like a “walk in the park”. Which you’ve managed to do everywhere you go, huh? I enjoy your trips so much Mary Ann. Can’t wait to see the food, and the other adventures of course, but your photos of food are so inviting. Mouth watering already!
What a great apartment, and that balcony! It is just begging for a balcony scene to be performed. Perchance, a fair handsome Budapestian will swing to the balcony to save our lovely sisters from a fate worth than death….or an ancient crone will insist on sitting on the balcony and give you tarot readings at midnight…or, you might be caught throwing water ballons down at the wedding party congregating at the church….Nooooo, I can’t imagine you would do that, but then again…Have a wonderful trip, can’t wait to see your pics.
I hope you have a lovely trip to Budapest…sounds exotic and mysterious…I’m picturing Inspector Poirot to join you for coffee and pastries in the mornings.
What is the language of Budapest anyway? I am another one who wonders what the tall tan gizmo is in the corner of the dining room? A cupboard? Heater?
If I could avoid air travel I’d be tempted to go to Europe, but I can’t cross the pond by any other means, so it looks like I’ll never get there. I don’t like to fly, loathe the airports/security/invasion of privacy.
LUCKY DUCK! I’m sure if you didn’t pack all your journal supplies there would be room for me … boo hoo. Your place looks incredible. Location, Location, Location! Get excited! Do the Happy Dance. Drink and Dream. Getting there is half the fun. Donna
I forgot to ask a question earlier that I have wondered about since your first adventure…Do you try to learn some of the language before you go to each country, or do you just wing it with English? You go to exotic places (besides Paris :)) that I would think it might be hard to get around being?
Once again..happy travels. 🙂
Hmmmm, seems like we are going on another lovely vacation adventure together! Can hardly wait for the experience to begin!
You had me at “25′ balcony”! Can not wait to see the pix from this trip. Safe travels!! 😀
The apartment and neighborhood look and sound amazing!! I just know you girls are going to have a fabulous time!! Please share as much of it as you can with us–it’s likely the only “vacation” I’ll be getting this year!! Happy and safe trails to you!!!
Wow what amazing digs you will have for this journey. Seriously, I can tell this is going to be a fantastic trip. Excited for you, I can feel your anticipation in my bones.
P.S. Do you plan everything on your own, or use a travel agent? Bet you do it all on your own…..
It sounds fantastic. I so admire your spirit of adventure, and wonder when I am going to get off my rear and start moving around.
Hey Mary Ann…Have you given us a sneak peak of your Budapest journal? I looked back through your blog and haven’t seen any mention of it. I am sure it is spectacular. Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!!!
Thanks Mary Ann! And thanks for mentioning your departure date. Just a few things to finish up here and I’ll be ready and waiting. B-U-D-A-P-E-S-T!!!
sharon –
i have a pretty new green carry-on bag that you can all fit into. it has tons of pockets! hop in before next sunday!
xo
Looks like a great place to stay. Love the balcony. What is the tall tan thing in the corner of the dining room shot?
Wow! Just wow! I know it’s summer, so I’m guessing no heavy coats with big pockets – like Paris. You do realize there are many people – me, too – who are hoping you will keep the tradition alive and let us all fly ‘pocket class’ on your Budapest adventure. The apartment ad alone sounds absolutely fantastic. I think you’ve found the right home away from home. Bohemian Artist/Cafe Society in BUDAPEST! Let the journey begin!!! Yeah!
It sounds like a wonderful place; can’t wait to see and read about your trip!
I think if I lose about 100 lbs really quick, I can fit in your carry-on bag. Whaddaya say, would you consider it? Also, I am going to presume you’ve already scoped out the local flea markety-thrift shoppy-antique emporiumy type places? Can’t wait to read about the trip!
Really amazing! Sounds like the perfect place.
I enjoyed the tour!
I love going over and over your journals.
OMG YES YES YE-S-S-S!!! Me too . Please puhleeze, pick me.
(or else I’ll await your sure to be remarkable (yes I might remark) posts before, during and after.
In the words of the unamed poet “you GO girl” !!!!
oh my gosh it just sounds perfect! wish i was going along, well i will be in my mind anyway! can’t wait for the journey to begin, i’d better get started packing! :>)