Five Best Thermal Baths in Budapest

Posted in Italy on 02. Dec, 2010

What makes Budapest Europe’s best destination for thermal baths? How about the astounding 350,000 cubic metres of hot water that gushes to the surface every single day. Lucky us. And as this has been going on for centuries,the world’s grandest thermal spas have been built for centuries, giving you the unique opportunity to luxuriate as you experience the the city’s rich history. When was the last time you sit in hot water in a museum? And with high government subsidies given to the baths, you can enjoy them for a fraction of the cost that you’d find in other cities. Here are five of the best.

Gellért Baths

bath GellertWhat makes the Gellért Baths so convenient is that they’re actually located within the opulent Danubius Hotel Gellért complex. This magnificent bath occupied both the outside and inside of a spectacular building right at the foot of Gellert Hill. The ornate tile-and-glass ceiling even attracts those who plan to stay dry. Though the popular wave machine is new, the single-sex thermal baths and plunge pools have been around since 1927. There are also many relaxing massage and therapy services, as well as a salon .

Lukacs Baths

Though the present Lukács Thermal Bath dates to the year 1894, people have been bathing in this spot since at least the 12th century, when it was a monastery bath. A drinking cure hall was added in 1937 and a daytime hospital in 1979, and a major recent refurbishment and modernization has restored the baths to their former glory while bringing them into the 21st century. So go back and forth between two outdoor swimming pools. Brave the powerful Csaszar whirlpool. Melt away in the Jacuzzi. Don’t miss the marble tablet in the courtyard, which is etched with praise from many happy customers. The 1937 drinking hall offers sulphurous water that’s meant to aid in digestion.  Set right on the beautiful Danube, just north of Buda’s iconic castle, the Lukács also surrounds you with other Budapest landmarks, and only 150 metres away is the magnificent Budapest Csaszar Hotel.

Szechenyi Baths

bath SzechenyiOne of the continent’s largest spa complexes, the Szechenyi Baths are beautifully set in City Park near the Budapest Zoo. The distinctive bright yellow Baroque building dates back to 1913, making it a vintage treasure from the era of the Hapsburg. While you’re trying to choose between the 15 different pools, you can relax with a game of chess on a floating board or enjoy a drink or a snack at the bar. The water gushing into the many whirlpools comes from 1,250 meters below ground, and massage water aerobics and massage treatments are also offered. Don’t leave without trying the power whirlpool, where you get spun around a fountain. Massage treatments and aquatic aerobics classes are also available. Ibis Budapest Heroes Square provides easy access to the baths and wonderful views of City Park.

Rudas Baths

baths RudasIf the age of the Hapsburgs isn’t far back enough for you, then how about the age of the Ottomans? The Turkish Bath at the centre of the Rudas Baths actually dates back to the 16th century when the Ottoman Turkish ruled the city. Leaning back in the soothing water of the unique 1566 octogonal pool and gazing up at the 10 metre dome is a once-in-a-lifetime experiene.. The therapeutic swimming pool and sauna, was built in 1896, and water from the Hungária, Attila and Juventus Springs can be enjoyed in the drinking hall. It’s difficult to ascend the grand marble staircase without being impressed, and it’s difficult to gaze at the spectra of colors from the sunlight coming through the stained-glass cupola and have your breath taken away. There are also many smaller pools around the main dome, ranging in temperature. Just be sure to remember that the complex is not co-ed. It’s only open to men on most days, with women only on Tuesdays. The Best Western Hotel Orion is located several blocks north.

Palatinus Strand

bath Palatinus StrandIf you’d like your thermal bath with a little  amusement park thrown in, then head to the family-friendly Palatinus Strand Waterpark. Even if you don’t go for the waters, the Palatinus Strand’s wonderful location on Margaret Island, halfway between Buda and Pest, is totally worth seeing. If you’ve come to get wet, then you can choose from 11 pools, a wave pool and a water slide. While the Palatinus Strand is surrounded by whimsical playgrounds, the grand Music Fountain and Water Tower are protected UNESCO sites. The Palatinus Water Park  is also the largest open-air swimming complex in Budapest, and the Alfréd Hajós Sports Pool was three-time home to the European LC Championships. If you decide you just don’t want to leave the island, that’s no problem. You can stay at the aptly-named fin de siècle Grand Hotel Margitsziget or the more modern Thermal Hotel Margitsziget.

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Exploring Jewish Eastern Europe

Posted in Italy on 20. Jul, 2010

With over 2,000 years in Europe and 1,000 years in Eastern Europe, the Jewish people have left a rich cultural imprint on the continent. From architecture to art, from theatre to music, from brisket to bagels, western society has truly been touched by their presence. And though Eastern Europe’s Jewish population is just a fraction of its pre-World War II levels, there is still much to see on your visit through the region.

Prague

Boasting one of Eastern Europe’s oldest Jewish communities, Prague’s Jewish history is nothing short of magical. It was here after all, in the attic of the Old New Synagogue that Rabbi Leow breathed life into the clay figure that came to be known as the Golem, in order to protect the community from persecution. You can still visit this magnificent 13th century building, the oldest existing Synagogue in Europe. You can also visit Rabbi Leow’s 1609 grave, as well as 100,000 others in the 15th century Old Jewish Cemetery. Only around 12,000 tombstones are visible, as the cemetery contains many layers of graves, compiled over the centuries.

The Jewish cemetery in Prague

The Jewish Museum supervises the cemetery, the Old Ceremonial Hall and the Pinkas Synagogue, the walls of which are covered with the names of 77,297 Jewish Holocaust victims. Be sure also to visit the art exhibitions in the beautiful Baroque Klausen Synagogue, the Maisel Synagogue with its famous collection of silverware and the beautiful 1868 Spanish Synagogue. Most Jewish attractions are found in the old Jewish Quarter, known as the Josefov, and there are many Prague hotels that can put you close to these places.

Krakow

The Jewish Quarter of Krakow was named Kazimierz after the King who established it in the 13th century as a safe haven for the Jews. For 700 years, until its destruction during the Holocaust, this was one of Europe’s most vibrant Jewish centres, producing music, literature and some important religious scholars. Though the community is now gone (only 200 Krakow citizens identify themselves as members of the Jewish community), many of the Synagogues and cultural sites remain and are well worth a visit.

Now is a great time to visit the city, as its, hip young residents are bringing in a new wave of Jewish culture, with Klezmer bands playing alongside such western music as blues, jazz and rock-n-roll. Kroke and the Cracow Klezmer Band are quite popular, and there are also dozens of restaurants offering Jewish cuisine. The Jewish community is also attempting a comeback, with 2005 seeing the first full-time Krakow rabbi since before the war.

The best way to experience the Jewish Quarter is to spend the night in a Kazimierz hotel. Some historical sites to visit include the 1553 Remuh Synagogue and its ancient cemetery, the Temple Synagogue, which is still in use as a house of worship, the 1664 Izaak Synagogue, which holds events like movie screenings and many smaller prayer houses. There’s also the Galicja Jewish Museum which has a bookstore and coffee shop. The Museum also arranges coach trips to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, 65 kilometres from the city, where you can view the infamous death camp where many met their end.

Budapest

After witnessing the darkest hour of European Jewry, a trip to Budapest allows you to visit the site of one of its most hopeful moments; the spot where the European Jews’ wish of “Next year in Jerusalem” moved towards becoming a reality. Here you’ll find the birthplace of Theodor Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionism which led to the creation of Israel. Though his house is long gone, Budapest’s Jewish Museum now stands in its place, whose vast collection includes a Jewish tombstone from the 3rd century.

Budapest's beautiful Dohány Street Synagogue

Budapest's beautiful Dohány Street Synagogue

Towering over the museum is the awesome Moorish-styled 19th century Dohány Street Synagogue, which, at 75 x 27 metres is the second largest Synagogue in the world. Be sure to also pay a visit to the 15th century Medieval Synagogue, whose remains, including many beautiful frescoes, were discovered in the 1960s and have since been restored. There’s also a large Jewish cemetery, as well as a memorial to Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved many Jews from the Nazis. Contemporary Jewish life can also be found in Budapest, in the form of kosher restaurants, a kosher wine seller and several Jewish schools. Two hotels right across the street from the Dohany St. Synagogue and the Jewish Museum are the Budapest Karoly Central Guesthouse and the Amigo Panorama Guesthouse.

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