View from the Gellert, Budapest 2001, originally uploaded by julieharbin.

Autumn is here again and I am reminded of a couple of memorable trips my husband and I took to Hungary (November 2000 and October 2001) and the Netherlands (November/December 2001). Here’s a collection of  our photos of Budapest and Amsterdam that we put up on our web site.

http://www.theharbins.info/hungary_and_netherlands_2001.htm

In November 2000 we spent a memorable Thanksgiving weekend getaway at the Danubius Health Spa Resort Helia in Budapest. This is a modern hotel with a terrific spa and a nice dinner buffet.

Here’s the link:

http://www.danubiushotels.com/en/budapest-hotels/danubius-health-spa-resort-helia-budapest

Then in October 2001 we had a chance to visit Budapest again. This time we stayed at the Gellert Hotel, a grand hotel known for its Art Noveau therapeutic baths.

This picturesque hotel on the banks of the Danube River first opened in 1918.

Official link: http://www.danubiushotels.com/en/budapest-hotels/danubius-hotel-gellert-budapest

For pictures and history of the Gellert Baths: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gell%C3%A9rt_Baths
** Tips: Men and women are separated in these baths. Also– you should leave your modesty behind. Most people relax naked in the steaming waters. It’s refreshing to alternate between the steaming and cool pools.

My Favorites:
•Take an overall sightseeing trip of the city by bus for the day to visit the historical sites of Buda and Pest.
•Take a walk down the Vaci utca (pedestrian street).
•Drink coffee at any the cafes and ride the trams around town. Stop and get off the tram wherever it looks interesting. Enjoy the people watching!
•If you visit in the Spring, you can take a boat cruise to Vienna.