Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Budapest

I was anxious to see Budapest already for years, but while visiting it, I was thinking about which are my general impressions about it. To be honest, I still did not find a word to describe Budapest. It seemed usual to me, too much usual. Walking around the city was a test on coldness, it was so cold and windy, and my hands were freezing holding the camera, and I was regretting I was dressed up too easy (even if I wasn't!). After a dinner more or less eatable (we had cheese&onion soup, not tasty), we went again in the centre around Danube to see the night Budapest. It seemed much more impressive by night, or it was just that we weren't pressed by time. Anyway, Budapest is the kind of city to fall in love with. I still didn't, but I think it is not the last time me visiting it so it could be a protential my favorite city.


Thank you for reading,
V.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Warm Vaduz


As I mentioned already in my facebook status, Liechtenstein is the 6th smallest country in the world covering only 160 square kilometers. Meanwhile, Google says it is the country which has world’s lowest external debt and the second lowest unemployment rate in the world at 1.5% after Monaco. Vaduz- the capital is a special place you feel part of a Spanish movie with lots of residential houses and beautifuly arranged gardens. Actually, Vaduz is just a residential capital and the country has limited natural resources. Instead, Liechtenstein has more registered companies than citizens (because of the low business taxes), is a big producer of ceramic, world’s larger producer of sausage casings and false teeth. Education in Liechtenstein is highly ranked (10th place in the world).
But besides these numbers, the only must-see trip advisor recommends in Vaduz is the Vaduz Castle, residence of Prince of Liechtenstein. Unfortunately it is not accessible to the public, but I strongly recommend walking up to it. The view opening from the castle is stunning. Another highlight is the Hofkellerei (Wine Cellars) of the Prince of Liechtenstein that I unfortunately wasn’t able to see. But locals say it is a special charm place. Vaduz seemed to me empty, as there are no locals at all. Just some tourists were enjoying a drink in restaurants and the sellers were too glad to make the business. In any case main attractions in Vaduz, Liechtenstein I already described, and the last things to do in there is walk around the main street, buy some souvenirs, a bottle of wine, buy an original expensive watch and enjoy the panorama all around the city.



Thank you for reading. The next post about St.Gallen will follow soon.
V.