Sinanation

1. Climb the 288 steps up to tower at St. Stephen’s Basilica to enjoy the amazing view from the top.

2. See the  Holy Right Hand inside St. Stephen’s Basilica. King Stephen died in August 1038 after being canonized in a war. His hand was found in tact and has not fully decomposed since his death.

3. Have at least a shot of Palinka with an apple juice chaser.

4. Find a building that still has the bullet holes from the turbulent times of Communism in Hungary.

5. Ask a girl for a Puszi (a kiss, pronounced Pussy).

6. Be a little adventurous if you can.

7. Go into the Four Seasons Hotel through the Chain Bridge which has been the most expensive hotel in Europe for multiple years.

8. Visit the Matthias Church.

9. Gaze over the Parliament building from the other side of the river.

No way on earth would I imagine finding the best bakery/ice-cream shop in Hungary in a completely remote village 150 km outside of Budapest. Thanks to Janos and Dina for ordering their wedding cake from this amazing shop of delicious wonders and pushing me to check the place out right away.

From a distance Szent Korona Cukraszda looks like a regular bakery shop found in every city around the world. Yet once you step inside you are mesmerized by a long line of displays filled up with some of the most exotic and delicious ice cream (“Kinder Tej” is my favorite) and millefeuille I have ever eaten. Regulars flock this place day and night, ordering scoops of desert for any occasion. If you think Korona is only good for its deserts, you are mistaken. The bruschetta here takes on the original Italian recipe and tops it with steamed red pepper slices and melted cheese. I wish I could tell you to just run out and check this place out, but most probably many of you will never make it there.

I will let the images speak for themselves.

Up until my trip to Budapest I thought the Russians had the biggest weapon in alcohol. I was wrong. The vodka, although the most common and cherished tranquilizer in entertainment, can not come near the Hungarian Palinka with an approximate alcohol level of 70%.

This harmless-looking all-so-natural fruity monster travels your veins like a heavy carriage of 15 horses. You take it ice cold in shots and wait until you can finally taste the fruit it was made from.

It is a fruit brandy that punches you like Muhammad Ali. Only after it comfortably settles in your belly you reach for a cold apple juice. Then the Palinka warms up your blood and pumps up your energy like the women you love. The real fun begins without the fear of a hangover the morning after.