Cruisin' the Danube River and Walkin' Buda at Night

The legendary Danube River is Europe's second longest river, and runs across Central and Eastern Europe. Flowing through Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia and Ukraine, the Danube has been a major historical setting throughout European history, as well as a main source of trade and travel between the ancient Kingdoms.

* The dramatic-looking Hungarian Parliament Building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, but could easily blend in any Lord of the Rings movie.

* Margaret Bridge is one of the bridges connecting the ancient medieval cities of Buda and Pest.

* Lovebirds enjoying the cool, windy weather after a long day of walkin' and explorin'.

* One of the stops of our hop-on-hop-off Danube River Cruise.

* Budapest is filled with exotic buildings, with sharp spires, mixing Western and Eastern influences.

* The huge castle and palace complex of Buda Castle, home of the Hungarian Kings.

* This very epic Statue of St. Gellert could very well be found in Lord of the Rings or Warcraft folklore.

* The Liberty Statue commemorates the brave Hungarians who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of Hungary from Nazi Germany.

* I imagined the Grand Budapest Hotel upon seeing this impressive structure.

* This snail / shell looking building is actually the Balna Budapest, a shopping and cultural center used for expos and conferences.

* After the cruise, we decided to take the advice of Tripadvisor and visit the Hospital In the Rock, honored as one of Tripadvisor's most unusual attractions in all of Budapest.

* Originally a series of caverns under Buda Castle, the entire area was converted into an underground hospital during World War II, and later a nuclear bunker during the Cold War. 

* While we weren't allowed to take pictures of the incredible museum with its eerie wax recreations, I did go crazy with all the Soviet era memorabilia being sold in the Visitor Centre, including Soviet-passports, gas masks, jackets, flasks, and medals.

* A lot of young people joined in on our tour, probably those who also searched Tripadvisor for unusual attractions in Budapest!

* The Curiosity Cola got my curiosity!

* Budapest by night, is just magical. It feels like the entire area is set in some classic "Golden Age of Cinema" movie.

* This Hungarian Knight bearing the coat of arms of Hungary welcomed us to dinner.

* No visit to Hungary would be complete without enjoying their Hungarian Sausage! Legit!

* Hungarian cuisine is generally heavy in meat, vegetables, and cheese. A very protein rich people!

* I wonder what this restaurant used to be before its current state. I'm hoping, a dungeon!

* The Parliament looking very dramatic at night! Looks like the home of some elven nobles.

* Matthias Church, in turn, looking like an enchanted Citadel.

* And the Fisherman's Bastion looks like a mystical courtyard full of dwarves, elves, and talking trees.

* Very nice! One of those genuine moments when I can say that my breath was taken away.

* I just HAD to get a selfie. 

* Loving this bottle of Dreher Beer after a long day in Budapest. 

Köszönöm Magyarországon (Thank You Hungary!)