Out and about - 13 September 2008

A lovely 2.5 km stroll from our lodgings along Andrassy street, a boulevard lined with impressive buildings, takes you to City Park; home of the Millenary Monument, various galleries and one of the city's thermal baths. We returnred on the M1 Metro line, the oldest underground line in Europe.

Because we had managed all the towns on the Danube Bend in one day rather than the two we had planned, we effectively had created a spare day. Godollo was easily accessed via the Metro and the HEV suburban line and was, according to the guide book written by someone who had never been there, an attractive Baroque town. A royal palace was situated there so we decided to make the trip.

The palace was a 'private home' that was purchased and used as a Hungarian retreat by Elisabeth, wife of Franz Joseph and Queen of Austria. After being used as barracks during the communist era it is now well into a programme of renovation. The colours of the fabrics used for draperies, wall coverings and upholstery were simply stunning.

While the palace was an interesting trip, the town was a total disappointment so we headed back to town and walked across the river and climbed the hill to the Citadel for a wonderful last view over Buda, Pest and the Blue Danube dividing the two.