Budapest: "More than a sample but less than a glass."

1. Austrian countryside on route to Hungary

After consulting with "The Man in Seat 61" - a blog of a British man who has extensive

 information about traveling by trains throughout the world - we booked a train from Vienna to Bucharest which included a six hour stopover in Budapest.  As we had previously visited Budapest, we were content with just the short stopover.  According to the popular website Trip Advisor a great place to visit in Budapest was the Faust Wine Cellar for wine tasting. As we had not previously been there we decided that would be a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

2. Budapest train arrival

3. Either the escalator down to hell
or to the Metro

We arrived at Budapest around 1:00 pm and realized we needed to either change some euros into forints or withdraw some forints from an instant teller. After we stored our luggage for the afternoon, we wandered around the train station looking for information.  A taxi driver approached us and asked if we needed a taxi to a hotel.  We declined and explained that we were only there for a few hours.  We soon spotted a booth for changing money and as we walked towards it the driver approached us again.  He explained that the change booths take a cut of about 25% and we should go outside the station. We were very wary of his advice as we knew that in Budapest unscrupulous people exchange euros for counterfeit forints so we explained that we wanted a machine.  He said, "Yes, yes.  It's a money changer... outside the train station. They will give you the best exchange." What a great welcome to Budapest!!

4. The Castle District

After changing some euros and taking one quick metro ride, we found ourselves in the Castle District on the Buda side of the city.  We walked through the well-maintained district with its colourful buildings and beautiful views of the city toward our destination - the Faust wine cellar located below a Hilton Hotel that was located on the remains of the ancient Church of Matthias.  

The stairs leading down, down into ancient churches ruins buried in the bowels of the Earth were full of atmosphere and promise for the afternoon.  Imagine how disappointed we were to read the sign posted outside of the entrance door indicating that, ‘We are sorry but we are fully reserved this afternoon for wine tasting.  Please accept our apologies. We hope you understand.’

5. Wine drinking at Faust Cellars

In exaggerated remorse Beth slumped over and appeared too distraught to continue while Rob, always willing to go with the flow, turned around ready for an alternative adventure.  She called after him and indicated that she wasn't going to give up.  Perhaps we could go in for a glass of wine and forego the tasting.

The sommelier was welcoming and assured us that there was room for us. Although bewildered, we sat down before he could change his mind.  After explaining our confusion, he consulted with his partner and realized that the sign had been forgotten from the day before!  

6. The night walk down from the Buda's
Fisherman's  Bastion.

We spent a lovely hour and a half drinking wine. "More than a sample but less than a glass.", described the sommelier. Freshly baked Hungarian scones and an assortment of cheeses were served as accompaniment for the wonderfully delicious wines. With our stomachs empty we devoured the tasty morsels with delight and groaned with pleasure at each new variety of vintage presented.  The sommelier led us through five wines, each representing different regions of Hungary - some with names unfamiliar to us.  The sixth wine of the afternoon was our choice. 

7. Window View of Castle

8. Dinner-Gulash with Pasta

The rest of the afternoon was spent walking along the Danube (rated number two on Trip Advisor) before we headed back to the train station, retrieved our luggage, and boarded the train with plenty of time to spare. We had booked a private sleeper as we would not be arriving at Bucharest until 11:00 am the next day.  Although we had consulted with "The Man in Seat 61" who indicated that the few extra euros for a private room was money well spent, we were still a little anxious.  We were pleasantly surprised to see a relatively spacious room containing our two bunks already made up, a private sink, a window that opened and temperature control!

A good day all round!

9. Night Walking the Danube