We arrived in Budapest yesterday. This is the beginning of a long journey from Budapest to Santiago da Compostela. In two three month trips we hope to make our way to Santiago from Budapest. This year we will travel through Hungary on the Via Pannonia , Slovenia on the Jacobova Pot, Italy on the Via Flavia and the Via Postumia , finally heading into France to link up with the Chemin d’Arles. This will take us roughly halfway to Santiago and we can return to Arles next year to complete the journey. Gord will be making his way on foot and I have the assistance, once more, of grandma Friday, my folding bicycle.
We spent out first full day in Budapest with our friend Denys, who we met on the Via de la Plata last year. There are not many pilgrims on this route so we decided to gather our own. Denys came down from Cologne to join us for a week or more. Ewa from Poland is joining us on our second day to walk for a couple of days. We met Ewa in 2013 in a little Tuscan Village on the Via Francigena.
Budapest is a wonderful city! We spent the morning at the Market Hall shopping and eating . The three floors have everything from handicrafts to pickled peppers stuffed with garlic. After looking around we stopped for a lunch of goulash and chicken paprikash on the top floor. We just followed our nose.
In the afternoon we walked over to a Turkish bath to soak in a four hundred year old domed pool. Then we crossed the river a second time to visit the wonderful and friendly Pilgrim office before finally heading back to our apartment for a late dinner.
Don’t forget to put dried peas in your (matching) shoes for the true pilgrim experience. Bon voyage!
I mean Jó út?
WOW🙀
¡Buen Camino!
What a great journey you are about te start Ruth and Gordon. When following you I remember ‘our’ Via Francigena. Have a great time and stay safe. Thom&Elly
Thank you so much!!
Buen Camino!
you set a high bar for wild world travelling.
this adventure sounds especially epic.
but do you never tire of the constant wandering? it seems you just returned from Cuba.
We just wrapped up the West Highland Way in Scotland (completely unsuitable for biking over most stretches) and while it was a challenge i think we are both left wondering “Why? What’s the point?”
I’m sure it’s just travel fatique (or maybe it’s just my reaction to the UK, never a favoured destination of mine) and it will pass. (and we will soon follow in one if your many sets of footprints)
I guess I like being a bit nomadic, but yes, of course, sometimes I tire of it if the weather is bad of the trail is hard. I didn’t enjoy detaching my trailer and pulling it up a steep hill today. Most of the time some chocolate or a beer eases those travel gremlins and I’m happy to head down the road again.
So happy to see the blog again but missing you two!
We were unaware of the market when we were there..sounds fascinating!
Buen Camino you two! Looking forward to following your adventures. Keep the great photos coming!
Buen Camino ❣️
Real happy for you my friends…enjoy every minute of this new adventure💛💙💛
Hello, hello you world travelers! I am Eva, Vicky’s friend. I am Hungarian and gives me the shrivels to see you in Budapest.
I saw you already visited the biggest shopping mall, market is the better word. I absolutely need to recommend you to buy some paprika for your sister, but please not the Szeged one, buy Kalocsai Paprika. All three kinds. Edes, nemes and csipos. She will love you for this gift.
Maybe you are already towards Viena, did not go to Balaton, Hungarians call the Hungarian Sea – Magyar Tenger and eat a fish soup called Gubracsos Halaszle.
Oh, well maybe next time. Have a lovely trip towards my dream, Santiago de Compostela.
Hello Eva, It is a beautiful spring in Hungary! There are lilacs blooming everywhere and it is so green. We are really enjoying our route. Tomorrow we make it to Lake Balaton.