A very exciting day today as Bob, Daisy and I had tickets for the famous Gellert Spa and Baths. The baths consist of a number of indoor and outdoor mineral pools which are filled with the water bubbling under the city. Most of them are thermally heated with temperatures of 30C or 40C. Two huge ones – one indoor and one outdoor – are natural temperature and there were two little pools indoors that were icy plunges. You also get access to the lovely terraces with loungers, saunas, steam baths, changing cabins and lockers, a champagne bar, rest areas and lounges. You can buy add on treatments of massages and facials. We had just bought day tickets with private changing cabins and they were about £30 each.
The indoor areas are hugely impressive and highly decorated. Much in the style of the old Roman bath idea – vaulted ceilings, painted and mosaic tiled walls and ceilings….. deep and bright colours, statuary, fountains spouting the spring water. Gorgeous. We changed and pegged out by the outdoor pools and then spent literally hours in the 30C outdoor pool. It had a seat/shelf all round the edge for resting on. I would say it was about 11m x 6m. The huge natural pool had a wave action too.
At about 1pm a few rain drops fell from the sky! We decided this was a definite opportunity to go and explore the indoor pools. They were just wow. Started with the 40C pool which was like a hot bath…. Daisy loved that one. Then we moved to an indoor 30C pool…. wallow, wallow…. finally I was the only one brave enough to try the icy dip. We tried the steam bath – wow very hot indeed – and then showered off. Everyone – Bob included – noticed a tremendous difference in the feel of our skin. It felt silky and soft all over – must have been the water. It was incredible. I would really recommend the experience and I would definitely go again.
We took the tram back to our apartment and made A BIG MISTAKE. We bought tickets from the tramstop and looked around for a yellow validation machine — no sign of one at all. Anyway, our tram came and we got on and about 1 minute later a man came round checking tickets. He was the stereotypical bullfrog necked, shaven headed bullyboy.. First he lectured Bob and I for having the audacity to buy 2 tickets when as over 65s we didn’t need to!!! Obviously we should have known that. Then he looked at Daisy’s ticket and shouted that it wasn’t validated. She explained we couldn’t find the machine, and he said “I will show you, but first you must pay me 12000 HUF” ie about £25. The machine turned out to be a little red box, unmarked and about 3 inches x 3 inches….. It punched a little hole in her ticket. Frankly it was obvious it was a mistake and we were un knowing strangers so he could have let her off but clearly that wasn’t his style. He loved yelling at a small young woman far too much…..
Slightly smarting we had lunch and then Daisy and I went in search of a nail bar for her. Walked miles. Failed. Then she found one and went and had her manicure. I relaxed.
In the evening we got cleaned up and walked down to Pier 7 to board our boat for the Legenda Dinner Cruise. It was a beautiful glass covered boat laid for dinner, and with numbers limited to about 40 people. Many of the boats take up to 400 people and serve a buffet. This was a 4 course gourmet meal. Our ticket was about £80 for 3 hours and included the cruise, dinner, a welcome drink and live music. It was absolutely fantastic. We had a wonderful time. The food was delicious and the scenery was sublime.
There was about 5 or 6 choices per course. I started with Beef Tartare with an Onion sauce, then a lovely consomme with a beef marrow meatball, then Duck Breast in a persimmon sauce, layered sweet potato and finally a rich chocolate brownie with cream. Other choices were beef with dumplings, a whole trout stuffed with herbs and nuts, chicken, fresh tuna steak…… We had welcoming champagne and then lots more over dinner. The drinks were well priced and generous. A bottle of Hungarian champagne was 16 euro which I thought was good for a captive audience.
The highlight was drifting along the Danube, passing all the beautiful buildings and castles, lit up with golden illuminations which reflected in the great river.
We were delighted with our final bar bill that despite it’s length only came to £25 each couple!!!!
A wonderful end to our stay in Budapest and one we shall always remember. Tomorrow we move to Polany, a tiny village south of Lake Balaton where the wedding will take place at a beautiful little country mansion/vineyard. Babérliget – Polány – Stílusos vidéki szállás (baberliget.com)