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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Candied Oranges from Prague

I had one night in the Putchav Palace in Prague. During my month long adventure in Europe this was the only night I got to myself. No noisy hostel, no semi-clean bed, no shared bathroom (hallelujah!). On my way to the hotel I collected the treats I would eat that night.  A fresh piece of pizza, natural carrot/apple juice, a thin slice of fudge and two candied orange slices dipped in chocolate (yes, I have a major sweet tooth).

I flung open the windows in my room to let in the fresh air, there was a light rain coming down. I turned on my favorite relaxing music and filled the enormous bathtub with delightfully hot water. I sat and enjoyed my tasty little treats. The candied oranges were incredible. Tangy and sweet, perfect. 

Two hours later I crawled into a clean, fluffy bed. I basked in the silence as I fell asleep and dreamed of candied oranges.

After I got home from the trip cabin fever began to set in. With no new adventures in sight, I had to do something to remind me of my last adventure.  Why not make (or try to make) candied oranges?

 

Let the cooking begin! Sugar, water, oranges and chocolate were all part of my remedy for cabin fever.

 

I credit the recipe to http://www.foodandwine.com/chefs/grace-parisi if you want to check it out. But here is a quick view:

 

Pretty simple, right? Don't kid yourself. It takes practice to get them perfect. I ended up making 4 batches of candied oranges and two out of four were good. The other batches were decent but not the best.

(Oranges simmering in the sugar and water mixture)

 

An extra piece of advice, make sure not to over cook the oranges or you will get a jerky-like texture.  The recipe requires the orange peels to simmer for about 10 minutes, It may drive you crazy but don't leave the skillet for more than a minute or two at a time. Until you have practiced the recipe a few times be very attentive to the skillet.

 

(The finished product)

 

Ta-da! Candied oranges. Now, to make them extra delicious melt a little but of chocolate to dip the candied oranges in. I prefer dark chocolate but milk chocolate works too.

 

My favorite part of this delectable treat is that every time I taste it, I think of that night in Prague and every time I share this treat with someone else, I am sharing part of my adventure.

 

Do you have a favorite treat that you discovered while on an adventure? Share the recipe in the comments so that that everyone can have a little taste of the world.

 

 

Sincerely yours, Lady of Adventure

 

 

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Ten Bells Pub

There are a lot of things to be said about London, but I’m not even going to try. When you talk about cities it is impossible to get the true feeling of the city without going. It’s like looking at a picture of Big Ben. In the picture all you see is Big Ben, what you won’t see is the crowd rushing through the streets, the statue of Winston Churchill behind you or Westminster Abby just over your shoulder.

So instead of trying to convey the essence of the city, taking just a bite of the unique little corners is the best way to experience a city without going there.

One of my favorite bites of London was a pub called Ten Bells, also known as the Jack the Ripper pub. One of the required tours to do when you get to London is the Jack the Ripper tour. There are many options for taking the tour, even a free option if you are on a budget. I’m not going to tell you anything about the tour, except that its awesome and you have to go do it for yourself.  At the end of the tour (I took the free one) the tour guide leaves you at a pub called the Ten Bells, named for the church bells next door.



(Christ church next door to Ten Bells pub)

The old world charm of the pub comes from its 1752 origins. It is rumored that at one time or another all of Jack the Rippers victims visited this pub. Moreover, it is speculated that Jack the Ripper himself could have enjoyed a drink in the pub.  Thus, the pub is also called the Jack the Ripper pub.

 

(Ten Bells Pub)



It’s a fun piece of London history, But, don’t worry its not a touristy place. The pub is filled with locals and tourist alike so you don’t lose the flavor of London. Its pretty easy to find the pub. It is right next door to the Spitalfields Market. Try getting off at the Liverpool Street Underground Station. I would give you directions from there but it will be easier on the both of us if you look it up yourself. I will even give you a link to the Transport for London. Have fun.  

Do you have a favorite London pub? One that you have been to or would like to go to? Tell me about it!

Sincerely yours, Lady of Adventure

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Almost Home

Twenty eight days, 3 planes, 4 trains, 1 taxi ride and 7 countries later, I am headed home. It's hard for me to truly realize what I have done over this past month. From getting lost in Budapest at 5am to tea at (well, outside) Buckingham Palace the month has been full of adventures. This trip is one I never thought I would take.
There is always that moment, in every trip, that you realize "Wow, I am actually here." That moment didn't hit me until I got to Paris. Early in the morning, wandering the streets of Paris, trying desperately to find the Eiffel Tower. When suddenly,  I turned the corner and peeking through the trees, there it was more beautiful than any picture, the Eiffel Tower. Wow, I am in Paris. Those are the moments that change you, that make you realize how big and how small the world really is.
When I go home I will tell everyone stories of my adventure (whether they want to hear or not), but it's moments like this that words can never really explain. As I look back on this trip I realize that the moments I hold closest to my heart are the ones that are impossible to explain.
28 days, 3 planes, 4 trains, 1 taxi ride and 7 countries later, I am going home a different person.


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.  

Plane ticket

Quick, double and triple check the details.  Date? Good. Price? Good. Destination? Good. And with one more deep breath, I click the submit button. I hold my breath as I wait for the confirmation and...wow... I just bought a plane ticket to Europe. 
A whole month of just me, in europe. It still hasn't really hit me. I'm going. The places I have seen only in pictures I will soon be seeing with my own eyes, touching with my hands and creating memories that will exist only in me. Wow. I'm going to Europe. 
I've traveled away from home before but every new trip is a new adventure a new chance to explore and grow. I can't imagine NOT traveling, it would be hard for me. Seeing the world is something I have always dreamed of and it's amazing to think that it's actually happening. 
Am I worried? Yes. I might even go as far as to say I am afraid. But that won't stop me. I am going,  the ticket is bought, there is no going back.