Exploring Budapest

Budapest is a very interesting city. It has come along way since the fall of Communism but it is still very much an evolving, growing city. The economic changes of the early 1990s resulted in declining living standards for most Hungarians. In 1991 most state subsidies were removed which lead to a severe recession. The economy has slowly been improving and continued to improve once Hungary decided to join the European Union in 2004. While Hungary's economy is still struggling the good thing for you as a student traveler is that your visit to Budapest will be an extremely affordable one. If you're traveling to Hungary from Italy your most economic means of travel would be to fly to Prague and then take an overnight bus to Budapest. They are extremely affordable and actually very safe. Most of their passengers are students and the occasional local. Do your best to book an overnight bus so you can spend a full two to three days in Budapest. Be sure to get out of the bus when it stops in Slovakia just so you can take a quick look around.

Things you must do in Budapest:
1. Go Cave Exploring! With a guide of course! See: http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/caving-in-budapest.html
This was definitely one of my most memorable experiences from studying abroad. They do give you a jumpsuit to crawl around in but make sure you prepare by wearing proper shoes, and be prepared for some fairly intense cave exploring. It may sound scary but it's definitely worth it!
2. Go to a bath house! Budapest is known for its bath houses which are basically giant outdoor jacuzzi's. When my friends and I went it started snowing while we were in the outdoor bath house, it was pretty amazing. See this website for more information: http://www.spasbudapest.com/furdo.php?idx=2
3. Visit the Central Market Hall. Watch out for pickpocketers and seedy looking individuals eyeing your wallets but this is the best place to buy inexpensive but authentic Hungarian souvenirs. While you're at it enjoy some very delicious authentic Hungarian food in between shopping.
4. Walk across the Chain Bridge and admire the differences between Buda and Pest which are split by the Danube river.
5. Visit Castle Hill- Here you can see the Royal Palace and Matthias Church, plus you'll get the best panoramic views of the city from a top this hill.
6. Definitely visit the Terror Museum- Here you can learn about the Nazi and Communist regime in Hungary- two very horribly powerful regimes that were responsible for mass murders, and controling the government.

Below: My friends and I have a little too much fun posing with an important Hungarian monument in front of the Hungarian Parliament.