Very chill day in Budapest today. Watched the Czech - Russia Eurocup game last night over an excellent supper. Went home early, slept in today and have just been relaxing all day, using the a/c to beat the high twenties heat, playing poker and enjoying fruit beers. Enjoying a margherita on a patio now. Nice to relax before our night train to Krakow.

Good day today. Caught a bus in the morning out to Memento Park, where most of the Soviet era statues from the city were moved after the fall of communism. We got the guided tour, which was 100% worth it... Our knowledge of Hungary under Soviet rule was greatly increased. Came back into the city and, after we had a quick bite to eat and a nice cold beer, we headed to the House of Terror. The building served as the headquarters of first the Hungarian Arrow Cross...

Viewed the Buda side of the city today. Walked across the city's Chain Bridge to the other side, viewing St Matthias Church first, along with a set of steps known as the Fisherman's Bastion, which serves as a great viewpoint of the city. Made our way past the castle to the Citadelle, which served as one of the last pockets of German and Hungarian resistance. It offers an amazing vista of the city atop it, and the Liberty monument beside it overlooks the city. I...

In the evening, we made our way to the opera house, where we saw an operatic version of Macbeth, arranged by Verdi. Yes, an English play, sung in Italian, and translated into Hungarian.. I was saved by my memory of reading and seeing the play performed previously. Regardless, the opera is an incredible experience, with a large cast, great voices and orchestral works. And in Budapest, this type of cultural experience is very cheap.. Each of our seats was 1200 flor...

After we left the synagogue, we walked to the Danube and walked along one of the prettiest rivers in Europe. The city has grown back admirably after the Second World War, with a good mix of old and new buildings, with a lot of green space as well. Walked north along the Danube until we reached the cathedral like Parliament building and a memorial commonly referred to as 'shoes'. There, a number of bronzed shoes mark the spot where, in 1944, Hungarian Nazis drove...