A Very Civilised Start (Well… Almost)
The alarm was set for 07:20 which, on holiday, feels suspiciously like real life sneaking in through the cabin door. Still, there was a very good reason to submit to such tyranny: breakfast at 08:00 and a morning coach tour of Budapest (#Ad) kicking off sharply at 09:00. One simply cannot absorb historical splendour on an empty stomach, after all.
Breakfast on the Emerald Dawn did not disappoint. In fact, “excellent and plentiful” feels almost modest. There were eggs in more forms than I can count before caffeine, pastries that whispered sweet nothings, and enough fruit to appease even the most dedicated of nutritionists. Suitably fuelled, we disembarked and clambered aboard coach number three where David, our cheerful and delightfully humorous tour guide, and Sebastian, our driver with nerves of steel, awaited us.
Buda: Castles, Cobbles & Cracking Views
Buda Castle (Budavári Palota) – A Regal Morning Stroll
Off we whisked towards the Buda Castle, perched proudly on its hilltop like a regal cat surveying its kingdom. The views across the Danube towards Pest were spectacular—exactly the sort of thing that makes you gasp and then immediately attempt to take a photo that never looks quite as good as the real thing. But we tried. Oh yes, we tried.
David, bless him, had a seemingly endless supply of historical facts, entertaining tidbits, and the sort of dry humour that made the chilly morning feel much warmer. There’s something rather special about learning centuries of history from someone who looks like he genuinely enjoys telling the stories.
Crossing Margit híd: From Buda to Pest
After exploring the hilly, charming Buda side, we crossed the Danube (#Ad) via the Margit híd bridge—a scenic trip that somehow felt very glamorous despite being on a coach. Soon we were gliding past the Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház), a structure so staggeringly beautiful it ought to come with a polite sign saying “Please take a moment to compose yourself.”
Even the cloudy winter sky couldn’t dull its magnificence.
Markets, Music & Marvels
A Second Look at the Christmas Markets
We were granted an hour to roam the (#Ad) Budapest Christmas Markets. Charming as they were, we’d given them a good explore yesterday, so instead of repeating ourselves like tourists trapped in a festive Groundhog Day, we decided to venture off to find the Hungarian State Opera—Magyar Állami Operaház.
Hungarian State Opera – A Jaw-Dropping Detour
And what a detour it was.
The opera house is stunning—truly the sort of “wow” that leaves you momentarily speechless. The frescoed ceilings alone were worth the walk. There’s something almost unfair about a building being that beautiful before lunchtime.
Lunching & Lounging on the Emerald Dawn
Back aboard the Emerald Dawn, lunch beckoned. Michele, Warren and I chose the roast leg of lamb—succulent, comforting, and absolutely perfect. Dawn opted for the sandwich of the day which, judging by the contented nods, was equally satisfying. Everything, naturally, was accompanied by a couple of beers. It felt like exactly the right kind of middle-of-the-day indulgence one expects from a Danube cruise.
An Afternoon Wander: Markets & Military Displays
After lunch, Michele and Dawn stayed on board to relax while Warren and I decided to stretch our legs and walk across the Danube (#Ad) via the Liberty Bridge
Szabadság híd. Our destination: Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok).
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of paprika (#Ad)—Hungary’s national treasure and clearly the star of every stall. There were souvenirs galore, from embroidered linens to fridge magnets, all ready to find homes in the suitcases of unsuspecting tourists.
From there, we wandered over to the Bálna, an oddly charming whale-shaped building offering exhibitions and today playing host to a presentation by the Hungarian army. Not exactly what we expected but interesting all the same.
Then it was back to the Emerald Dawn for a couple of Old Fashioneds—because nothing says “afternoon on holiday” quite like whiskey-based cocktails—while Michele enjoyed a well-earned nap.
A Hungarian Feast (of Sorts)
Vadaspark Étterem – A Rustic Evening Out
Come evening, we were swept off once more by David—who by now felt like an old friend—to Vadaspark Étterem for what was promised to be an authentic Hungarian meal and entertainment.
Authentic it was. Delicious? Well… let’s just say the Hungarians love paprika (#Ad) and meat with a passion that borders on spiritual. Potatoes and vegetables, however, seemed to have been given the night off. Still, the atmosphere was lively, the music energetic, and the dancing enthusiastic. Thankfully, we were not invited to join the dancers on stage. The audience was spared our questionable footwork and the stage remained structurally sound. A win-win.
Sailing into the Night
By 21:20 we were back aboard and tucked into the bar. At 21:30 the Emerald Dawn gracefully cast off, gliding along the Danube (#Ad) under twinkling lights as we headed towards our next stop: Bratislava (#Ad).
Inside, we joined a cheerful Christmas song game, and thanks to the combined powers of Warren (aka “diaper guy”), Dawn, and Michele, we scored a respectable 13 out of 18. We weren’t exactly ready for Eurovision, but it was a triumph nonetheless.
Now, as I sit tucked up in bed at exactly 00:04, typing away, I can say with confidence that Day Two has been a full and thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
Until tomorrow’s instalment, feel free to dive into some of my previous blogs—there’s plenty more cheeky charm and holiday chaos to enjoy.
