Karen Moore - Travel Counsellors

21/10/2026

Budapest Castle Hill Funicular, Budapest, Hungary

To save my legs I took the funicular up the hill to Buda Castle. The historic cable car runs from the Buda end of the Chain Bridge up to the square at the top of Castle Hill. There are two vintage tram cars that transport you 95-metres up (or down) over 50 metres of elevation. It's very quaint and you get great views on the journey.

20/10/2026

Fisherman's Bastion, Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary

Tuesday Travels!

During my time in Budapest, I spent a day exploring the Buda district of the city. Fisherman's Bastion is one of the best-known historical monuments, with its iconic fairytale architecture and panoramic views of the Danube River and the Hungarian Parliament. Located near Buda Castle, it was built between 1895 and 1902 as a viewing terrace with lookout towers and turrets as part of the series of developments to celebrate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state. It's now a UNESCO world heritage site and a famous spot to have your photo taken.

18/10/2026

Offer - A Spring break to a city where east meets west!

Spend four nights discovering Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosphorus. Stay at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus and explore a city shaped by empires, grand mosques, lively bazaars, and tucked-away cafés. A cruise with an audio guide offers a memorable way to see Istanbul from the wat...

16/10/2026

Cafe Gerbeaud, Budapest, Hungary

Foodie Friday!

When in Budapest you must make time to visit one of the historic cafes for coffee (or tea) and cake. Cafe Gerbeaud is a grand, historic 160-year-old coffee house on Vorosmarty Square right in the heart of the city, with regal room and large chandeliers. I enjoyed their most famous cake, Dobos torte, a famous Hungarian multi-layered vanilla sponge cake filled with chocolate buttercream topped with a hard caramel glaze. It was delicious!

15/10/2026

Tram No 2 & Metro, Budapest, Hungary

Budapest Tram Line 2 is one of the world's most scenic urban tram routes, running along the Pest side of the Danube River. The iconic yellow trams offer a mini sightseeing tour for about one euro. It's a great way to see some of the sights and to get around. Line 1 of the Budapest Metro opened in 1896 and is the oldest underground railway in mainland Europe (only the London Underground is older). It's also listed as a UNESCO world heritage site along with Andrassy Avenue. I used both during my time in Budapest and it was quick, easy and very affordable.

14/10/2026

Szechenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary

This was the first permanent bridge to span the river Danube, uniting the separate cities of Buda and Pest into a single capital city. It's guarded by four massive stone lion sculptures and has lots of ornate lampposts and ironwork. It's the most central way to cross the river to explore the Buda side and offers great views of the river and both 'sides' of the city. Like the Parliament, it looks fabulous in daylight and at night when it is illuminated.

13/10/2026

Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary

Tuesday Travels!

From one capital city to another. I’m just back from a few days in the capital city of Hungary, Budapest. It was my first visit to the city (and the country) and it was fabulous. There’s so much to see and do and it’s a beautiful city. This is the Hungarian Parliament Building, which is one of the most iconic sights in the city. It dominates the Pest side and sits right on the banks of the Danube. The scale of the building and all the intricate decoration are very impressive, plus it looks stunning both during the day and at night.

11/10/2026

I've recently returned from a fabulous few days in Budapest. Read more about my city break and my first visit to Hungary.

If this inspires you, please get in touch as I'd love to share my knowledge and experience and help to research, plan and book your mini break (or longer) to Budapest.

https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/karen.moore/5DaysinBudapestAFirst%E2%80%91Timer%E2%80%99sGuidetoHungary%E2%80%99sCaptivatingCapital

09/10/2026

Coal Drops Yard, near Kings Cross, London, UK

This area of the city has changed so much in the last few years. When I lived in London, Kings Cross was somewhere you avoided, unless you needed to catch a train. Today the whole area behind the station has changed beyond recognition. There are plenty of nods to the industrial past, like the gas holders, which I love. Plus the developers transformed two 1850s coal sheds, joining them together with a curving roof. It’s a great, buzzing part of the city and adjoins Regent’s Canal meaning you can walk to Little Venice, Islington and Camden Market. There are lots of great cafes, bars and restaurants here too.

08/10/2026

Chinatown, Westminster, London, UK

I enjoyed a mooch around the streets of Chinatown. Right in the heart of the West End, it’s centred on Gerrard Street and always has a vibrant atmosphere. Home to diverse cuisines with over 70 restaurants, plenty of bakeries & sweets on offer and Asian supermarkets for tracking down those hard-to-find ingredients. The area hosts London's massive annual Chinese New Year celebrations with lion dances, parades, and street performances.