Budapest Christmas Fair 2012, (from the 16^th of November to the 30^th of December 2012) is one of the most popular Christmas fairs in Europe. If you want to buy something unique and original for your loved ones, Vörösmarty Square is the perfect market for you. Ideally located in the Vörösmarty Square, this market is a fundamental part of Vaci utca, downtown Budapest.

To entertain the market visitors, there will be live folk, jazz, world music concerts and dance performances every day from 17.00 to 20.00. Also, there will be puppet shows that will take place on weekends during the morning.

122 stalls offer high quality products (selected and approved by a special jury of folk art experts).

Gastronomy: Besides the usual Budapest culinary delights (kürtös kalács, pizza and bread baked in clay oven) you can taste traditional Hungarian Christmas dishes: fish, roast goose leg, foie gras, and stuffed cabbage as well as sausages and grilled meat.

You’ll have the chance to see spectacular Christmas light shows on Café Gerbeaud façade from the 30^th of November to the 23^rd of December at 17.00, 18.00, 19.00 and 20.00.

The Budapest Christmas Fair is the best place to buy unique Christmas gifts: All products are handmade and selected by a group of a professional jury that ensures their quality.

So if you visit the Budapest Christmas Fair 2012 you’ll have the chance to see many cultural programs, including folk music performances that will be perform, while you are shopping.

As in previous years, there will be a live nativity scene in the square with a cot and animals. You can also take part in a Christmas tree decorating contest.

Moreover, from the 15m high of the Christmas tree, the flame of peace, brought by scouts from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, greets visitors to this festive market. During the Advent season, a new candle is lit every weekend until Christmas to celebrate the arrival of this special holiday.

Santa Claus will greet children during the following three days:

4^th of December from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00.

5^th of December from 16.00 to 19.00.

On the 6^th of December, the Finnish Santa will greet children from 14:00 to 16:00.

The Budapest Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty Square is one of the favorite events among tourists during winter. Even if you have no intention of buying anything, it is a wonderful experience to stroll among the stalls, enjoy a glass of mulled wine and see some of the cultural programs at the outdoor stage.

There is always a nice party atmosphere, where you’ll find unique design products, as well as a great cultural program. It is the ideal place to go with family and children.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 12.00 – 20.00, weekends: 10.00 – 20.00.

If you want more information about the event, click on the following link: http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-christmas-fair.html

Cinta Blanch

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If the Swedes have a reputation for being the creators of the IKEA world, the Hungarians are not far behind in that aspect. They are the kings of what could be labelled the eighth art. WAMP is the design fair par excellence and if you go to Budapest, you can come back with many ideas and anecdotes of this field. This is a fair for professionals and design fans attracted by the beauty of its shapes. Welcome to the International Design Fair.

WAMP is a fair that makes the Hungarians proud, and rightly so. It´s definitely worth a visit. Its first edition was in 2006 and it was so successful that it has been prolonged until today, with a record attendance in each edition. It takes place once a month and, on many occasions and weather permitting, the stands are set up on Erzsébet Square, while in the winter, the fair takes place indoors at the Club Gödör.

This design fair is very successful not just in Budapest but also in other places around the world. The mouth-to-mouth and the social networks are in charge of spreading its message and attracting thousands of followers. Actually, on its Facebook page, it has millions of fans, since WAMP isn´t just a place for shopping but also a meeting point for young Hungarians.

There are items for all tastes and some of them very original. And that´s what it´s about, from clothes, leather goods, furniture, photography, paintings, recycled items, jewellery, ceramics, gastronomy items, toys and decoration items. This is a place where electronic music mixes with art, a curious mix but a unique experience nonetheless. In this independent design fair, that seems to be very popular and in fashion, more than a hundred artists take part in it. Entry is free and it´s also within everyone´s reach. Art isn´t a luxury and we have to get that idea out of our head when we go to this type of events. We could say that “design isn´t a luxury product” is its motto, since there you can find affordable items for all wallets. The most exquisite characters can also buy luxury items, but the norm is that most things on sale are excellent value for money.

The profile of the WAMP visitors is varied. Young people from 15 to 35 years old attend, as well as some 40 and 50 somethings that are in search for something different to what they already have. The truth is that it´s a meeting place for artists and buyers, one of those places that you always end up buying something.

Such has been its reception in the city of Budapest that the organizers of the International Fair of Design, WAMP, have been studying the possibility of extending and setting up in other Hungarian cities, and even as far as moving to the Netherlands.

And if you visit this fair and you still want more art, the best thing to do is walk around the beautiful Chain Bridge (crossing the Danube is pure art) or visit the Parliament Building, where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the ancestors of this city. In Budapest, everything is affordable art; in the streets, in the squares… there´s nothing like travelling to this city, known as the Pearl of the Danube, to enjoy its street art.

DianaRPretel

If you want to visit the International Fair of Design, WAMP, start by booking your accommodation in Budapest here. Come on, what are you waiting for? This is a luxury within everyone´s reach, since design can fit in any pocket.

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A little outside of the city of Budapest, on the Buda side of the river Danube there is a 11 kilometer long railway that runs through the woods of the hills. What makes the railway special is the fact that it is operated by children, which also gave it the nickname of the “greatest child toy in the world.” In all fairness and to be completely correct and legal one has to add that the children (all between the age of 10 and 14) are supervised by adult professionals. However, the engines are solely operated by adults.

The children who work there are of course there on a completely voluntary basis and aren’t being paid. Since the train operates from Tuesday to Sunday and the children will miss classes because of it, they are working 1 about ever two weeks. Their absence from school is excused as long as the kids maintain good grades in school and the participating in this project does not affect their school performance. All participants are required to complete a training, which ends with an exam.

The idea of having a railway operated by children emerged after World War 2 after a couple of examples were in place in Yugoslavia at the time, but later on at the opening of the railway it ended up being the Pioneers’ railway. After a few decades of operation and a couple of extensions the final change to a children’s railway came in 1990. Visitors can explore the history of the railway it its very own museum.

Nowadays the children’s railway organizes many activities. Children can celebrate their birthdays here and a special saloon carriage can be booked. In addition, there are different heritage trains for which rides can be booked, as well. The most popular one is the steam engine train, which will let you travel back in time.

On route it passes some interesting sites for visitors, such as Janos-hegy. At a height of 527 meters this is the highest point of Budapest. Erzsebet lookout is rather beautiful. Among other points of interest are Normafa, Budapest’s ski resort, a medieval monastery, and rather recent Challengeland, a park where you can participate in various challenging outdoor sports activities. Another interesting place is the game preserve, which will be entertaining for children in particular, as they can see game in its natural surroundings. Guided tours are also available.

For further information visit the official website. 

Miss Moci

The children´s railway is a great adventure for the whole family. find great places to stay in Budapest and hop on the wagon!

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If you love jazz and are planning to visit an Eastern European capital … you´re in luck. If you travel to Budapest, you’ll kill two birds with one stone. The capital of Hungary has a long tradition in the world of Jazz. There is a widespread culture of this musical genre in the city. In the wide range Jazz clubs that you’ll find in Budapest, you’ll get to listen live performances of great quality. Not surprisingly, Budapest host several Jazz festivals annually, which bring together musicians from all around the world.

Let´s visit some of the best jazz clubs in the city, so during your visit to Budapest you don’t miss the action.

Let’s start our tour at the most important Jazz Bar in Hungary, the Budapest Jazz Club. Anyone looking for quality Jazz in town regularly visits this popular club. Here you can listen to artists coming from all over the world. The Budapest Jazz Club hosts the best jazz musicians from all over Europe without forgetting emerging young talent. Hungarian Jazz fans visit regularly this bar.  The place is a small palace with a very special atmosphere that makes everyone feel that something magical is just about to happen. In the cafeteria we will enjoy the melody of a Blüthner piano, while we enjoy some of its magnificent coffees. The sound system is innovative and its performances are recorded in high definition by modern equipment. Budapest Jazz Club is situated at Ernő Hollán utca 7, near the banks of the Danube River.

Columbus Jazz Club is a bar-restaurant located on the Danube River. The club is actually located on a boat docked in Pest. Here you can see live performances by famous musicians, while enjoying dinner and the stunning views of the city. This is a truly unforgettable place to visit.

Cotton Club is an American style jazz club. This restaurant, game room and bar, hosts great Jazz performances in a very cozy atmosphere. It is situated at Jokai utca 26. Don’t forget to order cocktails at the bar, they are really good.

Jazz Garden Music Club is a small venue that hosts outdoor performances. Enjoy the beautiful Budapest nights, while listening to the best jazz. This club offers daily performances, but mainly during the summer.

We look forward to telling you about more jazz clubs in Budapest and about this magnificent musical style.

Salermico

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If you decide to visit Budapest, you will probably have already informed yourselves a little bit about the city: what to do, what to see, where to eat, etc. If you haven’t done so yet, I advise you take the time to look at our blog about Budapest thoroughly where you will find the most interesting things about the city, its must-sees and must-dos. But you definitely shouldn’t miss reading where the 5 best views of Budapest can be had, from magical places that forever remind you how beautiful this city is:

1) The Citadella:

At 140 meters above the Danube River, at the top of Gallert Hill, you’ll find the Cittadella, a large fortress built in 1854 by the Habsburgs. The Hungarian Statue of Liberty is also here. If you want to visit the Citadella, its opening hours are from 8:00 to 11:00 every day. You shouldn’t leave the city without having visited it.

2) János Hill:

From here you will have the best view of Budapest and breathe the cleanest air. In fact, at 528 meters, this is the highest point in the city. At the top of János Hill you’ll find the Elisabeth Lookout Tower (Erzsébet Lookout, in Hungarian), which you can enter without admission fees any time of year. The tower was built between 1908 and 1910, and was then the tallest building in Europe in that style.

3) Halászbástya or Fishermen´s Bastion:

Cars are not allowed in this area, so you won’t hear a single noise here, except the sound of your own footsteps and the voices of other people who are also strolling through the neighborhood of Castle. Halászbástya is a square/terrace with a view of Budapest. Romantics won’t want to leave this place.

4) Széchenyi:

This has long been one of the most frequented spots for those who love heights. Getting here is very simple; just take tram number 60 from the stop at Hospital St. John until the end of the line. You won’t waste much energy, since you just have to get on and off the tram. The panorama that awaits will leave you speechless. You have to be there to believe it.

5) Kis-Hárshegyi:

Do not panic at the sight of this tower of iron and wood. Although it might seem unsafe, there’s no need to be afraid when climbing the ladder. You can rest assured knowing that the tower was restored a few years ago, even if its appearance is a bit deceiving. From the top of the tower you’ll have a 360 degree view of the city, so overcome any fears and go up without hesitation. The panorama awaiting you is so wonderful you’ll forget that sooner or later you going to have to go back down those same steps.

Enjoy Budapest and its wonderful panoramas!

Lidia M.

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As if a punishment, the Budapest skyline changed dramatically after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The reason is that all the statues that were once scattered throughout the city to commemorate the era of triumphant communism suddenly disappeared and were taken to the outskirts of Budapest, to Memento Park to be precise. Since there wasn’t a plan for getting rid of them or wiping out the history of the Hungarians in this manner, these giant statues were relegated to occupy the place that the citizens of Budapest determined. Memento Park is located in an area where there is nothing beyond it.

In 1993, Lenin, Stalin, Marx, Engels and company were given a new home. That was the year the park opened. The statues, which reflect several episodes of the history of yesteryear’s communism, are of breathtakingly impressive size. Here, size does matter. It´s like riding in a time machine and going back several decades, like walking among dead giants. In some cases, the views give enough respect and make you want to put your head down instead of lifting it up to see all those statues up close. It is very striking, once there, to see where each statue was once located in the city of Budapest before being punished to spend eternity in Memento Park. It is now a museum.

There is a statue in particular whose story is priceless: It is a work in which Stalin’s gigantic boots appear first and above them only a life-size sculpture. This attention-grabbing statue is this way due to the revolt against communism in 1956, when the Hungarians were angry with the regime and decided to cut off Stalin’s feet and then did so at the knees. All that was left were the pedestal and boots. Later another sculpture, one that was different, smaller and therefore less monumental, was created on top of the original feet of the statue of Stalin. In 2006 it rose again but was a less offensive figure to the Hungarians.

The faces of the works you will find in Memento Park are fine, with very pronounced features and particularly tense muscles. The appearance reminds one of the Soviet propaganda posters that were deployed during the Cold War with the ideals of the good communist. And it´s funny because if you take a good look you will also find several sculptures that recall the Spanish Communists in the Civil War of 1936. The park was designed by a famous modern architect named Akos Eleöd.

Useful Information: The park opens at 10 am and closes when the sun goes down. Admission for adults is 1,500 forint (about 5 euros), but with the “Budapest Card” you can get a discount of 40%. And how do you get there? You can take the tram to Kelenföldi Pályaudvar (lines 19 and 49). From there, a good means of transportation is the bus. In the bus shelters 7 and 8 you’ll find the lines 710, 720, 721 and 722 with a final destination of Memento Park, and the ride is less than 10 minutes. Another way to get there is to take a direct bus, which costs 4,500 forint (about 15 euros) to the park from the stop of the metro lines 1, 2 and 3 at Deák tér. Going by car is ideal if you have one, since the area is pretty far removed from civilization. Visiting the park will probably take up an entire day or afternoon. But it’s worth it.

DianaRPretel

What are you waiting for? apartments in Budapest and come get to know the Communist history that´s preserved at Memento Park.

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Muse is touring. During November and December they will be in Europe in January they go to Japan. Between gigs cities like Munich, Bologna, Vienna, Prague, Oslo, Helsinki and Amsterdam will receive them. But today we will speak of their concert in Budapest.

Muse is a band originally from Devon, UK. They released their first EP in 1998, but success was slow to arrive. It was not until 2003 with the arrival of their album Absolution and with songs like Hysteria, Time is running out or Endlessly which won the audience and their next album, Black Holes and revelation already had rock and symphonic fans addicted to them . Since then they have released two more albums: The Resistance, which was criticized and praised in equal measure by the unconditional and skeptical of their music. For some they were enshrined for others, they began to decline.

Now they have new album. It´s called The Second Law and it sounds darker than ever, in it you can find  from electro to metal and even dub step droplets appear  but yet they remain themselves. Some say they have shifted to pop. I do not see that.  What I do think is worthy of this album is the group´s courage to risk losing radical fans. Clearly it is a heterogeneous disk because every song sounds like that something is different. This is not a bad thing. In diversity you find wealth. So every song on this album seems a tribute to mega groups of the twentieth century, such as U2, INXS and George Michael. Without sounding like covers and, despite everything, still being Muse. Listen carefully and you´ll see what I mean. It is certainly a more risky and brave album for Muse.

They say you know whether a group is good by their live show. If they are better than the recording it is a good sign. If the sound worse, it´s not a good thing, but luckily for them, and their fans, Muse is of the first option. They deliver electricity on stage and next to them an enveloping atmosphere of symphonies that grabs you and lifts takes place

As I said, they will be in the Hungarian capital next Tuesday, November 20, 2012, after playing in Vienna and Prague. The concert is at the Budapest Arena. The appointment is at 20.00, but the doors open at 19.00. Here is the website to buy tickets: http://www.livenation.hu/event/321547/muse-tickets

If you are far from Budapest but do not want to miss going to one of their concerts, you can wait a couple of months, since after their concerts in Japan, that are frog leaping the Atlantic pond and landing in California and there continue their U.S. tour through Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, New York (I´m leaving cities, eh) and end, in April in Quebec

Maria Climent

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A trip to Budapest can be cheaper than you expect. We have taken as reference a trip for two people for four days. You will see that it is possible to travel to the capital of Hungary (without suffering) for less than €.200

First thing to consider is the flight. A round-trip flight to Budapest can cost between 20 and 200 Euros, depending on the dates you fly and city of origin.

For example: If traveling from the 28^th of November to the 2^nd of December 2012 a return flight Barcelona – Budapest can cost between 20 and 30 Euros, Paris – Budapest between 30 and 40 Euros, London- Budapest between 40 and 50 Euros, Madrid-Budapest 50 or 60 Euros, and from Lisbon, to name just a few examples, about 200 Euros, for the same dates.

But let´s get to the important thing: once there, how much you can spend on a 4-day trip?

It depends on (I assume you are going to stay in an holiday apartment) if you will be eating out or cooking in the apartment… but let´s assume that you’ll always cook at least a meal in the apartment.  After grocery shopping, you’ll be ready to cook “light” meals and, for example, a sandwich or a snack on the go. Let’s Suppose that you cook one of the two major meals of the day in a restaurant,  we add a drink or a snack mid-afternoon, plus two drinks every night. Breakfast at home, ok? Let´s see what we have:

Grocery shopping (including breakfast and lunch / dinner for up to 2 people for 4 days = € 50 approximately).

Apartment in Budapest (a person, € 11.80 / day x 2 people x 4 days = € 94.36).

Restaurant Menu (in Budapest a meal in a restaurant can cost between 6 and 12 Euros per person, which is not expensive.) We average € 9, multiply by 2 people and 4 days = €.72

Snacks and beverages a day (a burger can cost €1 and a beer, €0.80 . So, let´s say that on average, per day, for two people, you can spend €15, and counting some glasses of wine during the evening (a glass of wine it’s really cheap, less than a euro) = (15×4) € 65 + € 6,5 tip = € 71,5

Transportation: Transportation in Budapest is quite cheap in comparison to other cities: € 1 single ticket for metro, bus or tram. In our specific example of 4 days, we recommend you to buy the 72h ticket, with which you can use all public transport services. Each costs 13.7 € X 2 = 27.4 €.

Okay, we add € 10 for two tickets to a museum (the museum tickets cost between € 2 and € 5 per person) + € 30 for a tourist activity on your taste, such as a cruise on the Danube, € 15 / person.

Let’s recap: Suppose you´re traveling from Barcelona (but if not, find the right flight fare)

Flight ……………………………… € 30

Apartment ……………………….. € 94.36

Food supermarket ………………. € 50

Eating out ………………………… € 72

Booze………………………………….. € 71.5

Transportation …………………… € 27.4

Tourist activities …………………. € 40

Total______________________ € 385, 24 for two people, which is less than € 200 each.

Maria Climent

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When you’re visiting Budapest, you’ll find plenty of activities to fill up your time. Many folks don’t realize, however, that there are some outstanding spots just outside the city that are definitely worth a half-day or full day trip. From fabulous wine tasting trips to impressive art collections and stunning ancient castles, there’s so much to do and see that you just might want to extend your trip to take it all in!

Danube Bend Tour

If you don’t know where to start, a great option is this day-long guided bus tour of the prominent cultural and historical Hungarian landmarks. Heading out from Budapest, you’ll soon arrive at the Danube Bend, one of the most stunning natural reserves in Hungary. After touring the Visegrad Citadel (a formal royal fort and residence), you’ll stroll through the castle museum and take in the gorgeous Danube river S-curve. Near the Slovak border in the town of Esztergom, you’ll enjoy a 3-course meal of traditional Hungarian delicacies before going on to explore the largest church in Hungary.

Wine Tasting in Etyek

While Hungary doesn’t typically come to mind when thinking of major wine producing nations, vintage wines from the region of Etyek have won international awards. Grape production in the region dates back to the 2^nd century AD, during Roman times. Throughout the Communist years, the entire region was devoted to the production of excellent Hungarian champagne, as the grapes produced here have the perfect acid content for the purpose. These days, wine is produced by family-owned and run vineyards. Each family is devoted to the craft, and you’re sure to find this region a real treat to the palate.

Art and Culture in Szentendre

Just 20 kilometers north of Budapest lies the little village of Szentendre. The town is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination – and for good reason. It’s historic atmosphere, Mediterranean feel and colorful Baroque homes make visitors feel like they’ve stepped into another era. The town is known for its culture and art, and is home to such internationally renowned museums as the Marzipan Museum, the Ferenczy Museum and the Margit Kovács Museum.

Szentendre is also home to the “Skanzen” exhibition. This large-scale ethnographical display gives visitors a glimpse into the traditional life of Hungarian peasants in their homes, mills and churches.

Castle of Gödöllő

This castle dates back to the 1740s, when it was built for the Hungarian noble Grassalkovich family. The castle was designed and constructed by architect Andreas Mayerhoffer of Salzburg, and is the second largest Baroque style castle in the world. When the last member of the Grassalkovich family died in 1841 without leaving an heir, the castle passed to the reigning king of Hungary and became the holiday castle of the royal family.

The Soviet army occupied the palace in 1945, causing it to go into steep decline. Today, however, the castle and gardens have been beautifully renovated, and have become a prime destination for hundreds of tourists from all over the world.

Hans

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There is little doubt about the privileged position Budapest lies in in the catalogue of great cities of the fascinating Danubian civilization. Geography, art, architecture, urbanism and history come together to give it a unique flavour that comes from the mixture of cultures and times. Gastronomically, one cannot overlook the goulash, the popular stew with meat, vegetables, potatoes and noodles seasoned with paprika and other evocative spices.

However, just like Budapest itself, the rich culinary offer of the city is also endless, and there is a long list of quality vegetarian and vegan restaurants with a great atmosphere spread around the whole fabulous Hungarian capital. 

Éden

This is the case of the centric restaurant Éden (I Iskola utca 31, right next to the castle), a new restaurant located right next to the river in a picturesque building from the early 19th century. Here you can eat in a beautiful porched atrium when the weather is good and it has a self-service buffet that´s filled with food that doesn´t contain fat, preservatives or sodium glutamate.

Képíró

At the other side of the river, without leaving the old time, we find Képíró (V Képíró utca 3 Inner Town), that takes its name from the word that was formerly used in Hungary to refer to painters. Perhaps it´s easy to relate that with its vaguely bohemian vocation, expressed with plenty of style both in the provocative mural paintings that decorate its rooms and in the jazz music that is played throughout the restaurant. It´s an unpretentious restaurant that´s worthy of a mention on the Michelin Guide, whose main offer isn´t vegetarian despite including a wide selection of high-quality dishes without meat on its menu.

Ganga Vega Café 

Returning to exclusively vegetarian restaurants, perhaps one of the most popular ones in the last few years has been Ganga Vega Café (1065 Budapest, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út. 25), which is also located in a central location without needing to cross the river. Once again, the name takes us to its Oriental vocation that leans towards Indian cuisine, albeit not exclusively. The wide selection of dishes, also able to cater for the needs of those who prefer western food, is one of its main characteristics. Another highlighted point is that, in order to achieve maximum quality, they greatly care for their chosen ingredients, that are acquired in farms from outside Budapest that are run by families that have been working the land for generations. Following those same principles, the owners have just opened an even bigger restaurant, Ganges Vega Restaurant. 

Paul Oilzum

Lastly, on Garibaldi utca 5 and, Mannatural opened not long ago and it offers a buffet of strictly vegan food at reasonable prices, that perhaps you won´t want to miss out on when you rent apartments in Budapest.

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