There were many different tour operators organizing day trips up and down the Danube River but we decided to do it ourselves. With information and input from the Budapest Tourist Bureau, we took the HEV suburban train to Szentendre, going north from Budapest on the Buda side of the River. Trains left every 10-30 minutes and it only took 45 minutes to reach Szentendre, the last stop. Off the train, follow the signs for a mile walk (maybe 20 minutes) to the main section of Szentendre.

The Serbs, Dalmatians and Greeks setled here from the 14th century on...View image... which explained the cobbled streets and little alleyways leading to courtyards...View image...up and down streets in all directions. Artists have always favored Szentendre for its Mediterranean atmosphere and charm. Many little churches (Szentendre is famed for its seven churches including a bishopric of the Greek Orthodox Church), museums, art exhibitions ( the most famous is the ceramics of Magrit Kovacs), and excellent cuisine. We arrived early and by 11:00am, Szentendre was jammed and jumping with individual tourists and groups, everyone with maps and information in hand given out of the Szentendre Tourist Bureau. So beautifully situated on the Danube with a great promenade for walking, riding bicycles, and sitting on benches just enjoying the atmosphere. Almost everyone who goes to Budapest visits Szentendre, the most picturesque little town along the Hungarian stretch of the Danube. If by some chance you speak Hungarian, visit the Szentendre website.

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A few places that we would have liked to visit but didn't have time:

- Statue Park. A place where the gigantic monuments from the Communist dictatorship went to die. When the Iron Curtain fell, all the political statues were removed from the streets and put in this outdoor museum.

- Actually have time to go into the museums (especially the Museum of Fine Arts) to see the varied collections.

- Go to an opera or concert.

- Take one of those famous sulphur (mineral) Turkish baths in the turn-of-the-century Gellert.

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The Castle District, is Budapest's number one visitor attraction and my favorite. Three palaces have been built on this site with the first appearing during the 13th century. The Royal Palace was completely burned out during World War II and has been restored. In addition to the Palace and Museums listed below, take a long walk through this ancient quarter and visit: the Matthias Church; old Baroque City Hall of Buda, former Neogothic building of the Ministry of Finance; the Hilton Hotel ...View image...because it integrated some ancient monastery walls; Ruszwurm Confectionery in operation since 1827; the House of Hungarian Wines where you can try some of the 70 to 80 wines there for a small admission fee (Hungary produces over 450 different wines), and so many more ancient monuments and old houses. When you are too pooped to move, sit in a cafe or restaurant, have coffee, get an ice cream and people-watch.

Mathias Church is the best known and most spectacular Catholic Church in Budapest. It dates from different periods, and was built between the 13th-15th centuries. Many frescoes and stained glass windows, King Bela III and his wife, Anne of Chatillon are buried within, and three other kings were crowned here.

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Whether crossing the Chain Bridge, the most recognizable symbol of the city with the lions guarding each end, from the Buda side to the Pest side, exploring the fantastic Royal Palace of Buda Castle District with all its museums, just a short walk up the hill from the Carlton Hotel (you can also take a funicular to the top), or walking around this historic city, we fell in love with Budapest.

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was created when three historic towns - Buda, Pest and Obuda - were unified in 1873. The Danube River splits Budapest in half. The city was partly destroyed by British and American air raids during World War II and major damage was also caused by the Soviets and Germans The Buda side is scenically hilly and the Pest side flat. The Pest side holds the important government buildings (Parliment), more museums, St. Stephen's Basilica, Opera House, the three main train stations (Keleti, Nyugati and Deli) and the Vaci utca shopping area.

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