Beyond Budapest: Our Day Trip to Visegrád and Szentendre

Dear loyal readers,

Sziasztok from Room 753 (Sydney, Emily, Sonja, and Jasmine)!

What a whirlwind of a day! We began, as usual, with a delicious breakfast in the hotel. Many of us slept in a bit, as it was our first real weekend. Departing the hotel promptly at 9:30, we took the Metro 3 line to the train station, where we boarded a train to Nagymaros. 40 minutes later (and one long stop where fortunately the train did not actually break down), we made it to the quaint riverside town.

Aboard the train!

Highlights included a stunning church and a bustling farmer’s market. We stopped to shop, with purchases including jam, keychains, scarves, and even a whole sausage!

Holden, Alex, Max, Jasmine, and Emily with their purchases.

We then gathered near the river to take the ferry across to Visegrád.

The group by the Danube river and ferry.

Our first stop included some good old-fashioned Renaissance entertainment. After sampling some hot beverages (much needed due to a sudden, Minnesotan-like flurry), we participated in a royal reenactment. Our very own Queen Roxanne sentenced poor Alexander to lifetime in the torture chair, while Jester Tim provided some levity. We, the common folk, watched an athletic competition of arrow shooting, spear throwing, and sword fighting that ended with a bang (literally!). We then tried our hands at some target practice, partaking in archery and throwing stars.

Egészsegetekre!

Pleading for mercy.

Best seat in the house ( the stakes were high)!

Holden shooting a bow and arrow like a pro.

For even more historical fun, we walked over to the Renaissance Restaurant, where each place setting greeted us with a paper crown and a whole loaf of bread. Many of us were offered costumes — king, queen, jester, and monk. 

The noble court, assemble at long last.

Prince Joe, Queen Daniel, King Noah, and Duke Henry.

 

"My phone may die but my pride will not." - King Noah

Roxanne, Natalie, and Emily adorned in regal garb. 

Professor Berliner’s wardrobe today featured a stunning baby blue waffle sweater paired with practical black jeans. However, his outfit got a major upgrade as he donned a kingly robe. He was joined by the lovely Queen Kathy and Jester Emese. 

The king and queen of our trip taking their rightful spot. 

The first course was a scrumptious beef and potato soup, which paired very well with our personal bread. Next we were brought slabs of meat and potatoes, along with a pickled cabbage dish. Finally, our dessert (except for Sydney) was cups of chestnut pudding with a surprise berry at the bottom.

Lunch!!!

After bidding “viszlát” to the medieval times, we ventured forth to the quaint village of Szentendre via bus. This bus was smaller than anticipated, and was already very full before our troupe tried to board. Many thanks go out to the bus driver who kindly allowed all 28 of us to squeeze among the locals. Another thanks to Professor Berliner, Kathy, Emese, and Ákos who planned, prepared, navigated, and participated in our royal day of fun!

A very full bus!

In Szentendre, we participated in a delectable chocolate tasting event, observed the gorgeous interior of a Serbian Orthodox Church, and wandered among the various storefronts.

Jasmine, Joe, and Collin savoring their chocolate. 

          

The Orthodox Church interior.`

Finally we took another train back to Budapest, where many of us split up to seek out supper, hem and haw over homework, or explore other evening entertainment.

Room 753 cordially bids our readers jó estét and viszlát.