Monday, July 13, 2015

Party in Budapest

When I booked my stay in Budapest I was thinking about the history and beauty of the city, not the party scene. Which as it turns out, is awesome.
Even though I was unaware of the party scene, I chose to stay at a party hostel and it was a good decision.  Every night there was a planned activity that allowed me to explore the bars and events around the city while having some sort of group safety.
 
So what did I do my first night in Budapest? Go on a Pub Crawl! It was a great way to get a sample of the nightlife. The guys that lead the crawl took the group to local places. So we avoided most of the tourist junk. But, whether you book a pub crawl through a tour company or join the hostel crawl make sure you get to see a ruin pub. They are basically building ruins that have lights, tables, and a bar. They can be great lively places to visit and a unique piece of Budapest. 

 
Taken in what might have been mistaken for a dungeon had it not been for the mind-numbingly loud music or the awesome party lights, this pic is from the basement of one of the clubs in Budapest. Yes, I said basement. There were at least three floors to this maze of a club, at one point I wasn't sure if I was above ground or even in the same building. It could have been the confusing floor plan or the many drinks I consumed before we got there. I would love to give you a name for this place but...yeah.
 


On another note there was a whale hanging from the ceiling in this bar. Its not the best picture I've ever taken in a bar but its certainly not the worst. The bars in Budapest are plentiful and very unique. I can't wait to go back and explore some more, and maybe next time I will write down a few of the places I visited so I can find them again.
 
But in Budapest even the unique is traditional want something a little more interesting? Than go to a spa party. What could be better than going to thermal baths and a bar? Well that is exactly what a Spa Party is. Relax in the delicious waters, ride a blow up Dolphin to the bar or just party in the pool. Anything you choose leads to a unique Budapest Party. I'll be honest, I chickened out on this one, and I quickly regretted it. Don't make my mistake! 
There are a number of other options for enjoying the nightlife in Budapest but these are just a few of the more unique options.
 
The number one rule? Make sure you know how to get back to the hostel/hotel. In the dark the city can be a labyrinth of stone buildings so be aware of where you are. Wandering around the dark streets at 5am is not a good idea (trust me, I know). But, in my personal experience the streets in the city center seem pretty safe. But by no means take chances. Use basic safety rules.
That being said,  go get your party on in Budapest!
 
Sincerely yours,  Lady of Adventure
 
 
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Friday, July 10, 2015

Where to Next?


One of the things I always have a hard time with is deciding where to go when I travel. I have so many places that I want to see that deciding on just one or two can be difficult. After struggling with my choice of destination several times I have come up with 3 questions that I ask myself to help me decide.

1.       What time of year is it?


This question is a great place to start when planning a trip. There are so many amazing festivals and events around the world that the time of year can make a huge difference. I won’t be taking cruise to Alaska in December and I won’t want to visit Oklahoma in tornado season. The cherry blossom viewing in Japan, the Balloon festival in New Mexico or the running of the Bulls in Spain are all things on my bucket list and if I get an opportunity to travel during one of those events it’s easy to decide where I am headed too.

 

2.       When will I be able to travel there again?

One of the things I have learned from the jetsetters before me is travel wisely. When you are young and you have the option to travel, choose the destination that is farthest and hardest. If you are deciding between camping in the Sahara and going to Niagara falls. Pick the Sahara. Unless it’s on the very top of your list, save the trips that are easy and closer to home for your retirement years.

3.       Can I Afford it?

This is the ultimate question that all others rely on. Unfortunately the answer to this question is often no. So, I try to shuffle my options to see if I can make the trip cheaper. Can I take a different flight? Can I stay at a hostel instead of a hotel? Will cutting few days off the trip save me money without ruining the experience? Hopefully I can find a happy balance between an amazing travelling experience and not having to sell my car when I get home.

These three main questions will not solve all of your travel decision dilemmas but for me they help put my options into perspective. What questions do you start your travel planning with? How do you decide on your destination?
 
Sincerely yours, Lady of Adventure
 
 
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter (@LadyofAdventure), Instagram (LadyofAdventure) and Facebook (Lady of Adventure) for lots of fun travel stories, tips and pictures.