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Good Eats

Although Hungary isn’t necessarily known for its exceptional food, I was able to experience the best Budapest had to offer. Thanks to help from local friends and good research my friends and I were able to try new places that had us coming back for more. 

1. Budapest Bagel

OH MY GOODNESS. This place was heavenly. Won’t even lie to you I probably went here twice a week. 

With about 10 different menu items it provides enough choices for a quick on-the-go meal. Choose from serrano ham, 6-minute egg w/ bacon, (raw) salmon, or a vegetarian option such as egg & avocado. A number of additional fixings complete your bagel and off you go! Did I mention how cheap the are?! These bagels average price was around $3-$4 USD. It’s worth every forint. (That’s the Hungarian currency).

(Credit: www.izeselet.hu)

You know the saying, “three’s a crowd?” In this tiny place, three is literally a crowd. If there’s more than three or four people inside be prepared to wait outside. But don’t worry. The line moves relatively quick, and you’ll be glad you waited.

2. Mazel Tov

My apartment was located in the Jewish District of Budapest and just a short walk away was Mazel Tov. An interior full of character and ambiance it provides the customer with an experience that will have them wanting to come back again. 

(Credit: www.themoodboarders.com)

If you care to start out with an appetizer I suggest Za’tar sticks, which are fried pita sticks with a mixture of spices sprinkled on top. We also ordered a hummus plate that comes with grilled pita. 

When it comes to the main course I offer another suggestion. Either the Shawarma sandwich, which is a pita stuffed with chicken, hummus, vegetables, etc. or the Shawarma grill plate.

Can you tell I love shawarma?

3. Sir Lancelot

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience you should definitely check this place out. It’s a medieval themed restaurant and my only suggestion is to come hungry. Now, that may seem obvious. It’s a restaurant! But I’m saying come REALLY hungry. The menu is a selection of literal feasts that can be split between up to 6 people. I split a feast meant for two with two of my friends and we could hardly finish it. Although many of the meals are full of various kinds of meat, there are vegetarian options as well!

(Credit: www.tripadvisor.com)

Throughout your feast, they have different acts come through the restaurant for entertainment. For example, they have a belly dancer, a fire twirler, and 2 men do a comedy skit in both Hungarian and English.

It is rather pricey for Budapest standards so I recommend bringing a lot of friends so you can split the bill.

(Credit: Budapest.no)

4. Chicken Paprikash

This isn’t a restaurant, but it is a Hungarian specialty. Trust me, you order this and you will not be disappointed. So, what exactly is chicken paprikash? To keep it simple; chicken, (usually) spatzle, and a delicious sauce that includes paprika (surprising right?) and sour cream.

(Credit: www.gastronomersguide.com)

I crave this more times than I can count and can (for obvious reasons) never find it anywhere. I’m thinking that learning how to make it is in my best interest.

As you’ve been following along on my blogs I hope you have learned more about Budapest, Hungary. I’m happy to share my experiences with you, and if you ever find yourself in Budapest & need suggestions, let me know!!

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The Best of Budapest

Budapest is a city full of rich history and a buzzing night life. There are endless possibilities when it comes to things to do in the city that I grew to love so much. Here I have listed for you a few of my favorite spots. (Don’t worry, I’ll try and keep it short). 

1. Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Budapest is notorious for its thermal baths located throughout the city. My suggestion? The Széchenyi thermal bath. It houses 3 outdoor pools, and 15 indoor baths and offers the perfect setting to relax and chat with the locals. 

They even host “spartys”(spa partys) on Saturday nights for around $50 USD if you’re looking for a not-so-relaxing evening.

(Credit: www.szechenyispabaths.com)

2. Heroes Square

Hop on Metro Line 1 to Hősök Tere to visit Budapest’s largest square. The statue that stands in the center of the square was erected to commemorate the 7 Chieftans of the Magyars as well as other famous leaders. If you’re looking to get a closer look you can climb on the statue to get the perfect shot. Museums and an ice skating rink surround the square and the zoo and Széchenyi Baths are located nearby! Visit Heroes Square and make a day of it!

3. Fisherman’s Bastion 

One of the most beautiful sights in Budapest, Fisherman’s Bastion provides history and makes “views” a very appropriate term. Its name comes from a group of fishermen that defended the castle walls during the Middle Ages.

Take a trip up the Buda Castle Hill and you’ll get the perfect view of the Parliament (which is also a must-see), and the Danube River. 

(Credit: www.cityguide.guru)

(Credit: www.tripadvisor.com)

Matthias Church is also located right next door if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone. 

4. Adventure Caving

Go on a 2.5-3 hour guided tour where you climb/crawl your way through Hungary’s longest cave (30km, however you only go through a fraction of that). You will have to crawl through many tight spaces, so if you’re claustrophobic I wouldn’t recommend it. But if you love adventure and trying new things, I strongly advise you to do this! It only costs 7,000 forint (around $25) and is definitely worth it! Not to mention you get some pretty awesome jumpsuits & hard hats. 

Okay maybe not the greatest look. But I felt like I was about to go digging for gold so they helped me get in the right mindset. 

5. Danube/Chain Bridge

The final thing I leave you with is simple. Sitting along the Danube River at night with the Parliament to your left and the Chain Bridge on your right. 

(via Charles Dunst Instagram)

Budapest has got to be one of the prettiest cities I have seen at night. And this was one of my favorite views. It was a place of reflection for me. Where I could feel the breeze on my face, hear the calming water, and appreciate where I was. 

As for what else there is to do in the city that captured my heart? 

I guess you’ll just have to find that out on your own. 

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JustGo Pop Up Closet Available Now!

About to go on a long getaway? There was nothing that made me want to pull my hair out more than when I realized I would have to live out of a suitcase for 4 months. There was no closet space to hang our clothes, or dressers to neatly fold our clothes in.

Luckily, our brand new product, JustGo Pop Up Closet can help!

The pop up closet comes in a case very similar to this, with a zipper that runs along three sides. After opening the case simply pull up on the rod from which your clothes will hang and snap it into place. Then, start hanging your clothes! It’s that simple!

(Photo credit: bedbathandbeyond.com)

Another great benefit? It’s small enough to fit in your carry-on! Price is $29.99 and is available on our website.

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My Travels

Throughout my 4 month stay in Hungary I managed to travel to 6 other countries throughout Europe. Amsterdam-Netherlands, Vienna-Austria, Venice-Italy, Prague-Czech Republic, Krakow-Poland, and Basel-Switzerland.  

My favorite place?

It’s incredibly hard to choose. Every country was unique, and each place was so different from the other. But, if I had to, my top two places (excluding Hungary) would be Italy and Switzerland. This post will give you a little overview of my travels to those places, along with some photos.

Venice, Italy  

Ahhh, Italia. From the moment you step off the plane you can feel that the air is warmer, fresher, and you can smell the Adriatic Sea. Venice is a charming city full of canals at every turn. Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square as it’s known in English) is a can’t miss. It features the stunning Basilica di San Marco. It is free to enter, so be prepared to stand in a line, and you aren’t allowed to take photos inside. (Although I managed to secretly take a few).  The square is lined with cafes and shops and provides the perfect setting for a photo op. 

You can basically walk everywhere, however there are water taxis that make multiple stops along the Grand Canal that will get you there faster. You may even take an infamous gondola ride to get you from Point A to Point B. Or, just wander. Venice is a beautiful city to get lost in, so don’t be afraid to walk around with no real destination.

Fun Fact: My sister studied abroad in Italy when she was in college and on a trip to Venice she stumbled upon a street called Calle Lanza. Lanza being our last name (and a fairly uncommon one at that) she of course took a picture by it. It was my mission while in Venice to find that same street and take a picture.

Well guess what!?

I found it!! Huge moment for me. It’s basically a mandatory family landmark now.

Oh, and the FOOD! You guys. It’s incredible. Whatever (positive) stereotype you have about Italian food; it’s all true. Truly amazing, and as I write this I can’t stop thinking about the tortellini with ham & creme sauce I had my first night. 

Basel/Lucerne, Switzerland

Over my spring break I flew to Basel (pictured above) to visit a friend. Basel is located in the northern part of Switzerland, bordering France and Germany. Him having grown up there, I got a better feel for the culture and what everyday life was like. It was nice to be able to experience that, as opposed to going to all the tourist attractions that cities have to offer. 

Although every city I visited was pretty in its own right, Switzerland is in a league of its own. The scenery is breathtaking. To be honest with you, I can’t find the right words to describe the beauty that lies within its borders. Even pictures don’t do it justice. Take a look at a picture I took in Lucerne below. 

Pretty right? You should've seen it in person. If you ever get the chance to go to Switzerland you have to travel to Lucerne. Without a doubt the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. Between the Swiss Alps, the clear blue lake, and the breathtaking views it is sure to go down as one of your most memorable trips.

If you’d like to see more photos from my trips to Italy and Switzerland, let me know in the comments and I can post some!

(Top photo: all credit goes to TheAndrasBarta from pixabay.com)

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Budapest - Hungary (by Jorge Franganillo) 

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Adventure Awaits

My top reasons why I highly encourage any college student to study abroad.

After recently returning from a semester abroad in Budapest, Hungary I have returned with a newfound respect for the world and its cultures. Listed below I have a few reasons (although I could list hundreds) why I encourage students to study abroad. I understand that it is not for everyone, but if it has even as much as crossed your mind, please read on.

1. Experience of a Lifetime

That’s the simplest way to put it. There aren’t enough words to describe how invaluable this experience is. Think about it. When will you ever get the opportunity to travel around Europe or South America, or Asia, or anywhere really for weeks or months at a time without having to worry about work? It’s a time when you can be carefree, and your biggest concern is deciding where to travel to next.

It’s a big world, and there is so much more it has to offer than the box that you live in when you're too afraid to break out of your comfort zone. You are only one “yes” away from an experience you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

2.  Independence

Now this may sound cliché, but it’s true. If you were to ask me where I gained my independence I would say college, but more than anything from study abroad. I learned that not everyone wants to do the same things you do all the time. If you want to go explore the city but no one wants to go? Go by yourself. If you want to grab dinner but everyone is busy? Go by yourself. Learn to do things on your own and if others decide to join in well, that’s just a bonus.

3. New Friends

I left the U.S. to head to a country I had never been to with people I had never met. Scary? Maybe. But little did I know that some of those people would turn into some of the best friends I’ve ever had. The weirdest part is that none of us really had a whole lot in common other than the desire to travel and an immense affection for adventure. 

We were all from different states and although we grew up in the same country, we all had vastly different upbringings. I learned of those that were different than my own, and learned even more once we became friends with other international students (France, Germany, and Hungary). 

The thought of not knowing anyone can be scary for some people. But there is nothing better than meeting people who are different from you. You never know where those connections will lead you some day.

4. Eliminate Stereotypes

No matter where you go, there is probably some preconceived notion you have about a particular place. The best way to eliminate these stereotypes about a country’s people and its culture is to experience it first hand. Form your own opinion afterwards, and don’t always believe everything you hear from others before you go. I promise you’ll come out with a different opinion than the one you went in with. 

There are good people everywhere. Travel enough, and you’ll see that.

Hopefully this post has given you some insight into the perks of study abroad, or travel in general. If you are ever given the opportunity I say:

JustGo. After all, adventure awaits. . .