We decide to take a little break and travel to see Bratislava, another European capital along the Danube. I make the train reservations using the local Hungary Rail website, finding it is a 30-40% discount to the RailEurope site I normally use from the US.
Wednesday we catch the 9:40 am train from Budapest's Nyugati station. Before boarding we have a few minutes to share a langos with garlic, sour cream and cheese. Mmmmm.
It's a direct train from Budapest to Bratislava, which then continues on to Prague. For a while the train parallels the Danube and we see old towns on the riverbank and restored citadels on the top of hills. After 2 1/2 hours looking at the countryside through a light rain, our train pulls into Bratislava Hlavna Station.
We can't check into our hotel for 45 minutes and it's supposed to continue misting for an hour more so we find a small nearby restaurant for a beverage and relax until check-in time at the ApartHotel Virgo. We have a two bedroom apartment with a balcony looking over a courtyard. We don't plan to cook in the apartment, but it is nice to have the frig and kettle as well as the separate living space.
Wednesday we catch the 9:40 am train from Budapest's Nyugati station. Before boarding we have a few minutes to share a langos with garlic, sour cream and cheese. Mmmmm.
It's a direct train from Budapest to Bratislava, which then continues on to Prague. For a while the train parallels the Danube and we see old towns on the riverbank and restored citadels on the top of hills. After 2 1/2 hours looking at the countryside through a light rain, our train pulls into Bratislava Hlavna Station.
We can't check into our hotel for 45 minutes and it's supposed to continue misting for an hour more so we find a small nearby restaurant for a beverage and relax until check-in time at the ApartHotel Virgo. We have a two bedroom apartment with a balcony looking over a courtyard. We don't plan to cook in the apartment, but it is nice to have the frig and kettle as well as the separate living space.
After settling in we decide to explore the area below Bratislava Castle as we make our way to a restaurant that is open early for dinner. Along the way we get our first glimpses of St. Stephens Basilica bell tower and the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, complete with it's UFO Observation Deck/Restaurant hovering over the Danube.
After climbing up cobblestone streets we arrive at the restaurant, Modra Hviezd. It is charmingly small, just a main bar / dining area and three small rooms which are really alcoves build with stone walls and curved brick ceilings. We're shown into an alcove. Fall is the season for duck, and roasted duck with buttery pancakes and red cabbage is a special. I can't resist but William is in the mood for beef and chooses a steak for his entree. After sitting and relaxing over a beer and glass of wine our entrees arrive, the duck with incredibly crispy skin and meat below that releases steam as I cut into it. William loves his steak with a delicious mushroom sauce and dumplings served on the side.
After climbing up cobblestone streets we arrive at the restaurant, Modra Hviezd. It is charmingly small, just a main bar / dining area and three small rooms which are really alcoves build with stone walls and curved brick ceilings. We're shown into an alcove. Fall is the season for duck, and roasted duck with buttery pancakes and red cabbage is a special. I can't resist but William is in the mood for beef and chooses a steak for his entree. After sitting and relaxing over a beer and glass of wine our entrees arrive, the duck with incredibly crispy skin and meat below that releases steam as I cut into it. William loves his steak with a delicious mushroom sauce and dumplings served on the side.
Full from our delicious meal we stroll/roll back downhill to find the ApartHotel Virgo. We're tired. Although much of the day was spent on public transportation - streetcar, train and taxi, my pedometer tells me that we still managed to do almost 8,000 steps. In addition we find travel days to always be tiring. We crash on the couch watching Netflix using former guest Myrna's account (apparently she didn't sign out when she left). Sleep comes easily.
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