Hungary
Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe, which borders with no fewer than seven countries: Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. The country is mostly flat, with low mountains in the north. Geographical size: 93 011 km2 Population: 9 830 485, Currency: Hungarian Forint HUF, EU member country since: 1 May 2004, Capital: Budapest
Flag of Hungary
Budapest reminded me of Prague the difference being everything in the city is spread out. It is a lovely city and has the best architectural parliament house i have ever seen. We find ourselves on the banks of the Daube river again, which runs through Budapest. There are river cruises docked three deep but still plenty of room for other river cruises to pass by. The four city buildings that impressed us, Fisherman Bastion, Buda Castle, St Stephens Basilica and Parliament house.
Buda Castle
Budapest City
The Museum of Applied Arts
Fisherman Baston
Parliament House
St Stephens Basilica
River Cruises three deep and still room to pass by
Beautiful Statues all throughout the city
For our hike in Budapest we went to Visegrad Castle, we took a ferry across the Danube, it is a beautiful spot and the views from the top of the mountain make the trek worth it.
Ferry across the Danube
Visegrad Castle and views
We had a very nice meal in Amici Miei an Italian restaurant behind the Corvin Plaza Address:Setany 1 A-D 1082 the lamb chops are fantastic.
Serbia
Serbia became a stand-alone sovereign republic in the summer of 2006 after Montenegro voted in a referendum for independence from the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The end of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro marked the closing chapter in the history of the separation of the six republics of the old Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia which was proclaimed in 1945 and comprised Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia. Language: Serbian Religion: Christianity, Currency: Dinar, Population : around 7 million.
Flag of Serbia
The capital of Serbia, Belgrade, is located in the north of the country at the convergence of the two rivers; Danube and Sava. Its population of over 1.5 million people make it the largest Serbian city and the third largest in South-East Europe. One of Europe’s oldest cities, and once part of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, the country has seen some turbulent times but is now becoming an increasingly flourishing tourist destination.
We spent one of the days on Avala mountain visiting the Avala Tower which is a 204.68 m tall telecommunications tower located on Mount Avala, in Belgrade. The original tower was finished in 1965, but was destroyed on 23 April 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. The tower’s reconstruction commenced on 21 December 2006 and it was officially opened on 21 April 2010. It is currently the tallest tower in the Balkans. There is a viewing platform at the top of the Tower that has amazing views across Belgrade. There is also a very nice Monument to the Unknown Hero’s of war on the mountain top. It is also a lovely hike to the top and a nice thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.
The Monument of the Unknown Hero’s and the Avala Tower
A beautiful little church we found close to the Avala Tower
Another day was spent on the Military Museum in Belgrade it was founded in 1878. The museum has over 3000 ancient and modern items. These include Roman swords and helmets, Greek helmets and daggers, Serbian heavy knight’s armor, axes, shields, helmets, crossbows, armoured gloves, as well as Western medieval weapons. There are also more modern guns, firearms, and elements of soldier’s uniforms and equipment. Dioramas, plaques, and displays illustrate the use and historical context of the museum’s collection. It is only a short walk from here to see the spot that the two rivers meet the Danube and Sava.
two rivers meet the Danube and Sava
We were very impressed with the Church of Saint Sava it is a Serbian Orthodox church located on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and ranks among the largest church buildings in the world. Construction started in 1935 and as of 2017, the exterior of the church is complete. The bells and windows have been installed, and the façade completed. The basement contains a crypt, which is also completed and is just stunning. When it is finally finished I am sure it will be amazing and worth another visit.
We enjoyed our few days in Belgrade, it is definitely worth a visit.