June Dreaming in Budapest!

Europe is now in its warm season with everything in full bloom and long daylight hours for sightseeing. Filled with elegance, history, beauty, and cultural stimulation, Europe is a continent that ages like fine wine. A summer in Europe is a dream come true and Budapest, Hungary in the summer is a must stop destination.With its Old World Charm, Budapest is an architectural treasure. Bicycling or walking around this city provides one with an abundance of satisfaction. From healing thermal bath waters to a boat ride on the Danube to an evening of opera to eating legendary Hungarian strudel that satisfy your palate, Budapest is a world class destination that's divided in two by the Danube River. Buda is on the west and Pest on the east. Buda has a classier feel to it. It's a calmer side of the city for those seeking a more peaceful environment but it has important attractions; Parliament Building, Opera House, and Hero's Square which has Budapest Zoo, Szechenyi Baths, and the Vajdahunyad Castle. Pest is the lively side of the city where you'll find the most bars, restaurants, and shops.

Top Things to Do in Budapest in June and Beyond:

1) Thermal Baths: Budapest is known as the "City of Baths." It sits on a fault line and its thermal baths are naturally fed by 120 hot springs. Hungarians and tourists love soaking in the healing thermal baths that date back to the 16th century. When visiting a Budapest bath, try not to exceed more than 20 minutes in the bath. The refreshing waters are healing and a pleasure to soak or swim in. Thermal Baths abound in Budapest. Two popular places are Szechenyi Thermal Baths and Gellert Baths. Szechenyi Thermal Baths  has 15 indoor pools, 3 outdoor pools, plus saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools. The thermal waters here are high in calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen carbonate which helps to ease joint pain, and improve blood circulation. Open year round, locals and tourists are drawn to this special place and chess fans can play chess on the floating boards at the edge of the pool 

Gellert Thermal Baths has been opened since 1918 and is known for its lovely architecture and baths. The indoor and outdoor baths are situated on the river Danube where panoramic boats carry passengers by day and night. Spending a day at Gellert will rejuvenate your from head to toe. Pamper yourself with luxury treatments and enjoy one of the most spectacular thermal baths in Europe. The baths here are top notch. 

Due to restoration works Gellert Therman Baths will temporarily close its doors as of JUNE 25th, 2022. Check their website for re-opening date when restoration is finished.

2) Danube River: The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe. It flows through much of Central and Southeastern Europe covering ten countries from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Budapest sits majestically on the River Danube. A boat cruise on the Danube is popular as well as enjoying the walkway. The Danube Promenade offers views of bridges, the Buda Castle, Citadel, and other attractions. Along the walkway of the Danube are cafes, restaurants, bars, casino, and hotels.

3)  Yellow Tram Ride: Get around Budapest on a yellow tram. Budapest has over 40 tram lines that run through the city.

4)   Buda Castle: Europe has its shares of castles and Budapest is included on that list. Inside the castle are the Hungarian National Gallery, The National Library, and the Budapest History Museum. The gardens and courtyards of the castle are open 24 hours, everyday.

5)  Buda Hills: If you enjoy hiking than you'll appreciate the Buda Hills. A hilly forest with a low mountain range. Hiking trails abound and locals have their favorite trails to walk. Gellert Hill is a popular place to hike and offers views of the city.

6) Great Market Hall: Built in 1897, there are three floors to explore for food and shopping. If you like eating, you'll find excellent food choices in the Great Market Hall. A busy place enjoyed by locals and tourists.

7) Margaret Island: There's nothing better than a green oasis to escape the busy city life. Margaret Island is a public park in the middle of the Danube River. You can cycle the island or rent carts, scooters, or egg shaped cars. The water tower was built in 1911. It provides water for the islands bars, hotels, and restaurants. The water tower can be climbed for those wanting views of the city and hills. Palatinus Strand offers the famous thermal baths along with a wave pool to beat the summer heat. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor pool and feel refreshed. The Japanese Gardens offer a fish pond, rock garden, and waterfall. The Musical Fountain illuminates in the evening hours. Music is played five times a day. Margaret Island is an enchanting city escape and a good option for an overnight stay at one of the hotels.

8) Take advantage of the bakeries, bars, cafes, classical musical events, dance clubs, museums, and restaurants. You never know what hidden treasures you'll encounter while exploring the streets and sidewalks of Budapest.

LAKE BALATON

About an hour and a half from bustling Budapest is Lake Balaton. It is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. It is surrounded by the foothills of the Bakony Mountains. Hungarians flock to Lake Balaton to enjoy their summer playground. From wineries to lavender fields to hiking trails, and refreshing swims in the lake, stresses melt away quickly in Lake Balaton. Stay a night, a week, a month, or the whole summer like some Hungarians do. Weekends get especially busy for locals wanting to  escape the heat of Budapest. Dining and Lodging options are plentiful in this region. Bask in the beauty of Lake Balaton.

Hungarian Dishes to Try: 

Gulyas (Goulash): A beef stew with a rich paprika seasoned broth. A comfort food year round.

Chimney Cakes (Kurtoskalacs): Delicious long strips of sugary dough wrapped around cone-shaped spits that are brushed with butter and roasted over charcoal. Dusted with cinnamon and ground walnuts.

Dobas Torta (Drummer Cake) A sponge cake spread with chocolate butter cream, and coated with nuts. Served in bakeries and cafes all around Hungary.

Langos: A fluffy and light bread made from yeasted dough and often with mashed potatoes. Sold all over Budapest by street carts and vendors.

Kolbasz (Sausage) Cooked, boiled, cured, or smoked, Hungarians enjoy kolbasz in their breakfast, lunch, or dinner dishes. 

Stuffed Cabbage (Toltott Kaposzta) Cooked cabbage leaves stuffed with ground pork and beef, rice, tomatoes, and sauerkraut, flavored with paprika.

Paprika: The famous paprika is used in many Hungarian dishes. Made from ground dried red peppers the ever popular paprika spice is used to flavor countless dishes. 

Adventure Awaits at One of the Wonders of the World!

It's awe-inspiring, its captivating, it's visited by 6 million people a year, it's photographed from many angles, and it's one of the wonders of the world. What travel destination is this? Wanna guess? 

It's the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, U.S.A.

If you have the opportunity to see this incredible canyon please put it on your bucket list. You won't be disappointed. On Saturday, April 30, 2022, I made my dream come true when I got off the Amtrak train in Flagstaff, Arizona at 4:20 am in the morning. I was heading back to the Midwest after visiting my friend for several days in Desert Hot Springs, near Palm Springs, California and the Amtrak train was going right through Flagstaff. I had booked a motel near the train station days earlier as well as a shuttle to and from the Grand Canyon because things book up fast, especially during late spring and summer, and of course weekends. If Flagstaff is your destination to the Grand Canyon there's a shuttle that will take you directly to Maswik Lodge at the South Rim adjacent to Grand Canyon Village. It's called Groome Transportation. Bookings can be done on-line or by calling 520- 795-6771.

The ultimate way to experience the Grand Canyon National Park is to spend a couple of nights at one of the historic hotels in the park. This way you can see the Grand Canyon at sunrise, sunset, and throughout the day. However, if you're the adventurous type who doesn't want to spend lots of money for a Grand Canyon vacation there's other ways to experience the magic of the Grand Canyon. You can camp in the canyon wilderness, or stay at a budget style hotel outside the park. 

Best Place to Stay at Grand Canyon: El Tavor Hotel!

El Tavor Hotel is a jewel. This historic hotel is located directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon and has been in operation since 1905. Many famous people have stayed here and for good reason. Relax in the lobby, have a delicious meal in the dining room, shop in the full stocked gift shop, sit in a cozy rocking chair on the porch outdoors and feel connected to the majestic canyon. Located at 9 Village Loop Drive, El Tavor Hotel is one of the priciest places to stay in the park but its unique charm of a cross between a Swiss Chalet and a Norwegian Villa make it a stand out. The hotel was built of local limestone and Oregon pine for a cost of $250,000. Guests of El Tavor Hotel have included President Bill Clinton, Albert Einstein, Theodore Roosevelt, and Oprah Winfrey. El Tavor has 78 rooms and rooms book quickly during high season.

Williams, Arizona is the gateway to the Grand Canyon. If you're a fan of Route 66, you can explore more than six blocks of historic buildings and shops. There's also plenty of lodging to choose from.and most of them are right on the famous Route 66. The best part about staying in Williams, Arizona is the opportunity to take the iconic Grand Canyon Railway. Since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel has been taking passengers on a delightful journey from Williams to the Grand Canyon. You will see terrain ranging from high desert to prairie, to pine forests from the windows while being entertained by Old West characters and musicians who'll entertain you on your train journey before you make your final departure at the South Rim.

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is a 298 room hotel right next to the train station. Room Rates range from $168.00 to $200.00 per night. Amenities include a fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub.

   

You can enjoy the North Rim, South Rim, and West Rim. The South Rim is open year round, attracts more tourists, and has the popular Grand Canyon Village. The air at the Grand Canyon is among the cleanest in the United States. The elevation of the South Rim is about 7.000f feet above sea level. The beautiful Colorado River flows through the canyon. Combined with wind and rain, it shapes over time.

HIKING the GRAND CAYON is the ultimate experience. The hike down takes 3-5 hours while the hike up takes 5-9 hours. A good nights rest is suggested before hiking the 5-9 hours up the canyon. Another option that's truly an adventure is the famous mule ride. The mule ride travels along the East Rim Trail with a wrangler who makes at least 6 stops and provides valuable information. Since the late 1800's tourists have had the opportunity to enjoy a mule ride to the bottom of the canyon. The overnight ride includes.a stay at Phantom Ranch. Mule rides can be reserved by calling 1 303 297-2757.

The best time of year to see the Grand Canyon is between April to June when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall low. 

The South Rim free shuttle bus service is an excellent way to see some of the best spots of the canyon. The buses operate in and around the South Rim and take you to scenic overlooks where vehicles are not permitted.

Have plenty of water with you at the Grand Canyon to stay hydrated. It can get very hot. 

The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail. Spectacular views as well as shade. Bathrooms and water are available on Bright Angel Trail about every 1.5 miles.

The Trail of Time is a relatively flat 4.56 kilometer long paved walk. It allows visitors to focus on Grand Canyon's vistas and rocks. There are benches along the way to sit on. This hike is thoroughly enjoyable.

City Life:

If you're yearning for city life, Flagstaff is about 80 miles away from the South Rim. Flagstaff is a friendly college town perfect for walking and exploring. There are several options here for dining and lodging. A stop at the Flagstaff Visitor Center adjacent to the Amtrak Train Station on Route 66 is a wonderful place to get information on the area. The population of Flagstaff is just over 73.000. 

Places to Stay in Flagstaff:

Motel DuBeau Travelers Inn has some of the best rates in town. Convenient to the Amtrak train station this cozy motel was one of the first motels in America and has been in business since 1929. 

Hotel Monte Vista is a classic hotel that's supposedly haunted. It's a historic hotel with a restaurant and bar.

Weatherford Hotel has 17 boutique rooms, a restaurant, and three lively pubs/bars.

Where to Eat:

Tourist Home is a homey kind of place that opens at 6:00 am. Enjoy breakfast meals, bakery goods, salads, sandwiches and soup. Awesome place to eat and relax. There's craft coffee and cocktails available too. One of my favorite places in Flagstaff.

Na D Li BBQ and Korean Food is a family owned restaurant serving authentic Korean food. Mouthwatering dishes in a relaxing environment.

Delhi Palace is known for good quality Indian food. Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly.

SoSoba is popular with college students. A noddle shop with good drinks, food, and service.

Pato Thai Cuisine gets busy at lunch and dinner. Enjoy popular dishes like Pad Thai, Pad See Ewe, Tom Yum Soup, and Thai Fried Rice.

Tinderbox Kitchen serves contemporary American comfort food and enjoyed by locals and tourists. 

Dreaming of the Greek Islands! Corfu

GREECE is one of the sunniest places in the world, with a coastline of 16,000 kilometers. It is home to more archaeological museums than any other country in the world and offers plenty of ancient history, amazing cuisine, culture stimulation, incredible breath-taking beaches, sunny weather, and warm hospitality. Athens, the largest city has a lot to offer but when it comes to a relaxing vacation even the residents of Athen head to one of the Greek Islands to relax and de-stress. For those that love theater, we have the Greeks to thank. The Ancient Greeks invented the theater including comedy, tragedy, and satire genres. Originally called Hellas, the country known for its Gods and Goddesses; Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Hades, Dionysus, Demeter, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite and more draws millions of visitors from around the globe. Everyone should visit Greece at least once in their lifetime. 

To enjoy the perfect Greek vacation fly or take a ferry to your island of choice. Some visitors like to get their start in the ancient, cosmopolitan city of Athens, which by the way has a number of islands nearby. Some of the most famous islands in Greece are Andros, Crete, Corfu, Kos, Ithaca, Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. Once you arrive at your island of choice and check into an Airbnb, guest house, hotel, or resort your dream vacation has begun. Bask in the sun, eat Greek specialties, sip on local wines, swim in the water, learn some Greek, explore the many attractions and have a splendid time!

A Little Fact: Greek has been written in the Greek Alphabet since about 9th Century BC. It was created by modifying the Phoenician alphabet, with the innovation of adopting certain letters to represent the vowels.

CORFU: When I arrived in Corfu, Greece on a ferry from Brindisi, Italy, I instantly fell in love with this enchanting island. I found a family run hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea for only 40 Euros a night and this included a home cooked breakfast and dinner, what an amazing deal. I met lots of travelers at the hotel and together we explored the beautiful island of Corfu. With a rich history, Corfu has a bewildering number of influences, Venetian, English, French, and Russian have left their mark on the island. The Old Town with its curvy alleyways, and medieval setting is mesmerizing. You can't help but yearn to take photo after photo of the lovely architecture. Unesco has named "Corfu" a world heritage site. With neoclassical influences and stately buildings, it's easy to spend hours exploring Old Town. The cafes and restaurants are wonderful and sitting down to a meal is highly recommended. Seven miles south of Old Town you can marvel at the Achillion Palace, built in Gastouri for the Empress Elizabeth of Austria. Now a public museum, you can explore the rooms inside the palace and the outdoor gardens for only eight euros.Beaches can be explored in all parts of Corfu from the East Coast to North and West Coast. To enjoy Corfu to its fullest, stay on this lovely island for a minimum of 7 nights.

                                       Sunrock Hostel on the sea, run by a Greek family is a super place to stay!

                                                      Best Bakeries in Corfu:

Greek pastries are a must while in Greece, they are amazing.

Emerald Bakery, come here for the delicious cakes, homemade ice cream, and heavenly cookies!

Panetteria Bakery will please your palate with its fine choice of sandwiches and pastries.

Rosy's Bakery is one of the best places in Corfu for baklava and other amazing Green desserts.

Starenio Bakery is highly recommended for coffee and desserts!

Where to Eat in Corfu: (Old Town)

1) Venetian Well: This is a top choice restaurant for exquisite food. that's delicious. Specializing in local fish, meats, and vegetables.

2)  Rouvas: A budget friendly lunch spot where locals and tourists eat. Freshly made, tasty Greek dishes of all kinds.

3)  Da Giovanni Aglio e Olio: Italian food in Corfu, one of the best places for pasta and pizza.

4)  Fishalida: In business since 2015, this is where to come for fresh fish, made to order. (Sea Breeze in Old Town, Corfu).

5)  Chrisomalis: A traditional taverna that's been around since 1904. Enjoy dishes such as pastitsio, souvlaki, swordfish, and veal stiffado.

                                                     What to Eat in Corfu (Local Dishes)

1) Sofrito 2) Pastitsada, 3) Savora 4) Bianco  5) Tsigareli, 6) Porpetes 7) Bourdeto 8) Pastisio Dolce

                                                      Beaches to Explore in Corfu:

1) Agios Gordias Beach 2) Bataria Kassiopi Beach 3) Kerasia Beach 4) Issos Beach 5) Nissaki Beach 6) Sidari Canal d'Amour Beach 7) Glyfada Beach 8) Dassia Beach 9) Kalami Beach

RECIPE FOR PASTITSADA (A Popular Dish in Corfu, Greece)

3 cups of beef stewing steak, cut into 1 inch chunks

3 tablespoons of olive oil 

1 pound of pastitsio noodles, cooked and drained

1 big onion, sliced

2-3 cloves of garlic

1 can of tomato juice (16 ounce)

1 cup of water

1 and a half glasses of red wine

a teaspoon of black pepper, cinnamon, clove, cumin, nutmeg, and red pepper

grated Greek cheese of your choice and fresh chopped parsley

Cut the beef into chunks and place in a pan with three tablespoons of olive oil, and fry until meat becomes brownish on both sides. Once the meat is cooked, set aside. Fry onions and garlic in a pot for about 3-4 minutes and than place the beef chunks into the pot. Place a teaspoon of black pepper, cinnamon, clove, cumin, nutmeg, and red pepper into the pot along with the 1 can of tomato juice and 1 and a half glasses of red wine. Cook for up to an hour until the beef becomes tender. Place the cooked stew over the noodles and serve your pastitsada on separate plates with some grated Greek cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

ENJOY!