Today was a very hot day, I only had a short, one hour walk in the city. This stretch of the city, from Jászai Mari Square to Blaha Lujza Square houses lots of beautiful, old, stylish buildings. They include the Comedy Theater of Budapest, Western Train Station, and a few hotels. There are also many modern restaurants on this streets, one for every taste.
Enjoy the tour! (Directions and direct link to the gallery under the map.)

• Directions to use the map: If you click on a picture circle on the map, location information will open on the left side. Click on the image to see it enlarged, then click on the back arrow to get back to the map. (Zoom in on the map to see more location circles.)
• It is also possible to view the images in a gallery, without the map background, by clicking here.

This morning I headed out to the district where I lived the year prior to moving to the USA: Óbuda (3. District). I got off the tram at Zsigmond Square (2. District), because I attended a once-a-week English class in that area during that last year. Then I started walking on Bécsi Street, which has been renovated almost completely in the past few years. I soon reached the Amphitheater, which are the ruins of an Ancient Roman Military Amphitheater. I was able to walk inside of it last year, but the area is now closed. I then walked to Flórián Square, where it started raining. Luckily, I was able to go into the underground walking passage, where there were more Ancient Roman ruins. Finally, after the rain mostly stopped, I walked to Fő Square and Szentlélek Square, where they were building the stage for an upcoming concert series. I might come back to check out the festivities.
Enjoy the tour! (Directions and direct link to the gallery under the map.)

• Directions to use the map: If you click on a picture circle on the map, location information will open on the left side. Click on the image to see it enlarged, then click on the back arrow to get back to the map. (Zoom in on the map to see more location circles.)
• It is also possible to view the images in a gallery, without the map background, by clicking here.

When I woke up the skies were rather dark, and I even spotted a double rainbow:

I was hesitant if I should head into downtown or not, but I decided to go. I was taking a bus from Deak Square up to the Castle District, when I spotted the breathtaking lights on the castle and its surrounding. I got off the bus, and took about a 10 second walk to reach a good spot for photos, when the Sun decided to hide behind the clouds. For most of the morning it stayed cloudy, only for short periods of time I saw the Sun’s magical work on the buildings. This cloudy day was great for one thing: I was able to photograph the Pest side from Fisherman’s Bastion, which I usually cannot do due to the Sun being on that side.
I walked only a small part of the district, I left the other side for a different day. I really enjoyed the peacefulness of the area prior to the tourists showing up.
Enjoy the tour! (Directions and direct link to the gallery under the map.)

• Directions to use the map: If you click on a picture circle on the map, location information will open on the left side. Click on the image to see it enlarged, then click on the back arrow to get back to the map. (Zoom in on the map to see more location circles.)
• It is also possible to view the images in a gallery, without the map background, by clicking here.

The day started out rainy, but by the afternoon it cleared up. I started my walk from a main transportation hub, Deák Square, where three subway lines and numerous tram and bus lines intersect. I strolled on a very well known street of Budapest, Andrássy út. This long, wide road houses gorgeous buildings, elegant stores, restaurants, as well as very old, mature trees. It ends at Hero’s Square.
The biggest surprise for me on this walk was seeing a huge structure built into the City Park pond. I had no idea first what it was, but behind it I found a board explaining that it was the facility that will house the Synchronized swimming events during the Fina World Championships. Hopefully, in the remaining 12 days prior to the event they will be able to do something with the smell that surrounds the whole area that is coming from the pond, which in its current state smells like a swamp.
Enjoy the tour! (Directions and direct link to the gallery under the map.)

• Directions to use the map: If you click on a picture circle on the map, location information will open on the left side. Click on the image to see it enlarged, then click on the back arrow to get back to the map. (Zoom in on the map to see more location circles.)
• It is also possible to view the images in a gallery, without the map background, by clicking here.

I traditionally spend a few weeks in Hungary every summer, visiting my family and friends. I like to visit and photograph lots of places, mostly in Budapest, and this year I’d like to invite you to follow along with me on my walking trips. I will take photos on my walks and post them on a map. If you click on a picture circle on the following map, location information will open on the left side. Click on the image to see it enlarged, then click on the back arrow to get back to the map. (Zoom in on the map to see more location circles.)
It is also possible to view the images in a gallery, without the map background, by clicking here.
Enjoy the first short trip I took between Blaha Lujza Square and Kossuth Lajos Square (Parliament).