We had a real treat this morning sailing into Budapest, first under some bridges, past Margaret’s Island and onto the Chain bridge opposite the Hungarian Parliament Building.

1st major bridge upstream
Parliament Building

The shoreline was a maze of buildings…Churches, Apartments and Government buildings stretched either side of the banks.

3 across !

Eventually we passed under the Chain bridge, and moored up just by it. Thankfully we are the first boat in our row, and our cabin faces inshore…..so no staring directly into cabin alongside.

Chain Bridge
Looking upstream, Elizabeth Bridge
Statue of Liberty – erected by Russia for Nazi defeat

We were straight of the ship and into a city tour by coach, ending up with a walking tour in the old city behind the castle.

Freedom square
Opera house
Drop off point hedge of Philadelphus (mock-orange) 
As usual our local guide was excellent
Matthias Church
Roof details
Roof details
Matching ministry roof to church
Stunning views over Danube
St Stephan I

Nicky then took us into King Stephen’s Church……everything was guilded, but all the tourists spoilt any Church serenity.

Interior of Stephans Church

We had an hours free time before heading back to the boat, just enough to purchase a traditional hand embroidered table cloth, and try the local chimney cake……cinnamon and pistachio 🤫

Sorry Susan……I’m sharing with Hazel 😁

We’ve had a quiet afternoon in anticipation of a farewell cocktail party, and dinner tonight for those not going onto Bucharest. We shall miss their company, but have another 10 days before the UK and Prime Thyme cruising, so hopefully will find another great table of dinner companions……I know a few are following this blog to see how it continues.

THE table…….thanks all, safe travels
Mr Schnitzel himself…….the one and only Stefan 😁

Well Bucharest at night is a lively place…..the castle is lit up, cruise boats are going up and down, a concert is going off in front of the ship and there are police cars with sirens on to ferry diplomats around for a meeting with the Türkiye alliance in town for the next couple of days

Party, Party ….
and an arty one to finish off…