It’s dificult to pigeon-hole Berlin, as it is a diverse mix of old and new, is very multicultural and heavily steeped in history. We bought daily transport passes and changed from buses to trams to trains very regularly. The main points of interest are quite spread out and there doesn’t seem to be the congestion that we experienced in Budapest. Obviously, due to its part in WW2 and the destruction of most of Berlin in 1945, the buildings are relatively recent and many are reproductions of what stood there before. It makes for an interesting mix of socialist modernist styles, Soviet architecture in the East and newer buildings highlighting modern Germany and its place in the modern world. You can’t visit Berlin without commenting on its role in WW2 and the Holocaust but I think it ... read more

Today we revisit the Central Market when the doors are open. We have been there before but it’s worth a return visit and is the cheapest place, with the greatest range, to buy traditional linen and crocheted articles in Budapest. Taking the escalator to the first floor, you realise how large the market is. In 1896, 5 markets were opened simultaneously in Budapest. Four of these markets supplied their local area, whereas the Central Market No1 was designed to supply a greater range of goods for the Budapest region. It covers 10,400 square metres indoors and its location was chosen due to its proximity to road, rail and river transport. There was a 120 meter tunnel joining the Market to the Danube to facilitate the easy movement of goods from boats. The ground floor is dedicated ... read more

Breakfast was on the house today and it was the full blown sausages, bacon, eggs, various cheeses, cereals, 3 types of bread, salads etc. etc, and juice, tea and coffee; just as they like it in Europe. After eating Chimney Cake late last night I was still coming down from a sugar overdose, so breakfast wasn’t high on my priorities . It’s a Hungarian specialty consisting of sweet dough, rolled into a coil, wrapped around a wooden spindle and rotisseried until golden brown. It’s then coated in butter and sugary flavours and served hot. My favourite is cinnamon sugar but it’s a treat to eat sparingly. It’s basically sugar. Stepping from the sanctuary of our appartment into the slowly waking lane dividing Gozsdu Court, I am suddenly in the world of early morning market stalls setting ... read more

Bratislava is a jumble of elegance, style, history dating back thousands of years, and happiness, all wrapped up with welcoming friendliness that is too often missing. I came to Bratislava on a suggestion from Tim and was prepared for an interesting stopover on the way to a desired destination. After two and a half days of turning up tiny laneways, visiting majestic churches, traipsing over castle grounds that date back thousands of years, I’ve come to realise that this should be a quiet priority on any Eastern European itinerary. It may not have the high reputation bestowed upon Vienna, Prague or Budapest, but it sits proudly on the Danube and compares favourably with these cities. As you pass by stately, sometimes neglected, buildings, plaques stop you in your tracks to announce that Napoleon signed the Treaty ... read more

. Our taxi to the airport today was a mix of Uber and the guy next door with a car we can rent. It was a little old corolla type of car with half the boot taken up by an LPG bottle. I’m pleased to report that he has the same sense of pride in his car and makes sure it is washed at least once a year. The case had to sit in the front with the driver and 3 of us squeezed into the back. I didn’t even bother with the seatbelt. The upside was that he knew the way, took a few risks to get us into the traffic, and he only cost about $5. He had a very good tip because where were going zloty are of no use. , We are ... read more