Budapest, Hungary

Day 1: Arrive Budapest, Hungary Arrived in Budapest, a city occupying both sides of the Danube and founded when right-bank Buda and Obuda joined left-bank Pest in 1873. Budapest’s broad avenues and turn-of-the-century architecture have earned it the name “Paris of Eastern Europe,” and like Paris, it is a cultural mecca for writers, artists and musicians. 8:15am Passed thru passport control in Amsterdam enroute to our KLM flight to Budapest. We now have Amsterdam stamps in our passports which was very exciting for Christian. Had to be bussed out to the KLM plane for boarding. Very windy and cold. Weirdest, scrimpiest first class section I’ve ever seen! Regular seats with the middle seat blocked off with a tray…narrow seats, ok leg room. 10:15am Flight to Budapest, arrived at 12:15pm. Decent beef tips lunch on board. Greeted by very sweet gal from A & K who escorted us to our van for transfer to the hotel. About a 30-45 minute drive to the hotel. Lovely drive along the banks of the Danube River. Lots of River cruise boats visible all along the banks. Skies are very overcast. 12:55pm. Gabe, our Tour Director, greeted us at the hotel lobby and escorted us to check in. The lobby is absolutely breathtaking. Christian is in Room 233; we’re in Room 235 (Non connecting rooms). 1:30pm Nap time The rain began shortly after our arrival and has persisted all evening hindering our plans to walk about and do some night photography. 6:45pm. Pre-dinner cocktails and welcome briefing and trip overview. 7:30pm. Pre-dinner toast with Hungarian sparkling wine, Sauska. Dinner with Tour director, Gabe, and other trip guests at the KOLLÁZS BRASSERIE & BAR. Excellent meal with beautiful presentation. Enjoyed goat cheese appetizer, beef cheeks with root vegetables and Mille Fuillette. Tour group guests joining us: Bud & Charlotte, Hartsford, CT (Bud-coffee machine industry, Charlotte-private travel agent) (3 grandchildren). Very sweet Joe & Lisa, Palm ?, FL Lisa-German heritage, pierced nose; Joe is a wild man! Nancy, mom, & Amy, daughter, LA, Taiwanese? Not sure Mama speaks much English 9:30pm Off to bed. Hungarian Currency is the Forint (Ft, HUF) exchange rate: $1 USA=274 HUF Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest | Meals: D THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL GRESHAM PALACE: Widely considered the best hotel in Eastern Europe, it is repeatedly topping the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. This magnificent 179-room hotel was created out of the long derelict Art Nouveau Gresham Palace, dating back to 1907. The rooms, the smallest of which is about 335 square feet, have Biedermeier-style furnishings and a careful use of the same shades of plum and sage that you’ll find in the public spaces. Located in the city centre of Budapest with a breathtakingly beautiful views over the Danube, the hills of the Buda side of Budapest, plus the Buda Castle Budapest with the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. Walking out the front entry you feel as if you stepped directly on the bridge which is beautifully lit with lanterns at night. The siege of Budapest in 1944 caused serious damage to the Gresham Palace. As the retreating German army blew up the Chain bridge, the Peacock gates at the Lobby entrance were wrenched off their hinges, the central staircase damaged and the facade was scarred by the explosion. THE DANUBE RIVER: The second longest river in Europe after the Volga. It rises in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flows for some 1,770 miles (2,850 km) to its mouth on the Black Sea. Along its course it passes through 10 countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. In Budapest the Danube played a vital role in the settlement and political evolution of central and southeastern Europe. Its banks, lined with castles and fortresses, formed the boundary between great empires, and its waters served as a vital commercial highway between nations. The river’s majesty has long been celebrated in music. The famous waltz An der schönen, blauen Donau (1867; The Blue Danube), by Johann Strauss the Younger, became the symbol of imperial Vienna. In the 21st century the river has continued its role as an important trade artery. It has been harnessed for hydroelectric power, particularly along the upper courses, and the cities along its banks—including the national capitals of Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), and Belgrade (Serbia)—have depended upon it for their economic growth.