And now, for your viewing pleasure, the video you’ve all been waiting for, the Scoppio del Carro (or at least what we saw of it):

Enjoy!

Esztergom Panorama!

Between being sick and, well, being less sick, Jamie and I have tried to enjoy the first few sunny weekends of Spring! A couple weeks ago, we went caving. Apparently, Budapest is not just the City of Spas, but the City of Caves as well. These caves were formed by the very same water that we swim in at the bathhouses!

Oooh...cave!

If you come to the city for some caving, I recommend you do both caves, as they can easily be done in a couple hours, but start with the Palvolgyi Cave first. There was more to see, and it felt more like being in a cave than a cemented path you just follow (which is what the second one is like).

Jamie exploring!

We also made a day trip out to Esztergom. Though all the guidebooks exclaim how it’s just a train away, they fail to mention the construction and detours involved. If you plan to go to Esztergom, be prepared to hop off and onto a bus (follow everyone else), and then onto another train to Esztergom (again, follow everyone else). You’ll do the same on the way back. Esztergom was cool for a day trip. On a sunny day like we had, the views are spectacular. We unfortunately missed going into the Crypt, but we had an excellent time nonetheless!

Stork in Tokaj

To top off our weekend adventures, we went with several other teachers to Tokaj, AKA white wine country. Unfortunately for me, I had the displeasure of being sick. The fun doesn’t stop with a sore throat, that’s for sure! We walked through the town and into several wine cellars, had some good food, and bounced a ball up and down the street until one of us lost it (cough, cough, Jeremy). We even bought a (reused plastic) bottle of wine from a very old guy who knows how to suck the wine straight from the barrel! 3 puttonyos (stars) Aszu!

Jamie overlooking Slovakia in Esztergom

The bazilika in Esztergom

Szent Istvan and the Bazilika

The way to Slovakia

Back to Hungary!

Jamie and I spent the last weekend recuperating from being sick, which was a bummer except for the fact that we started a new show: Heroes. I have to say that I’m digging it so far. Next weekend, pending our health, should be another Magyarorszag Adventure!

Americans versus Hungarians!

Coming soon…video of the SCOPPIO DEL CARRO!!!

Florence, Italy

Okay, so that may not have been funny, but regardless, Jamie and I still spent our spring break in Northern Italy. We were a little worried about planning a trip that might break our bank, but let me assure you that we still have enough to eat top ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After some back and forth emails with my Italian-residing friend, Nick, we booked a flight on Wizzair.

Wizzair is one of several budget airlines around Europe. While these flights are cheap, the add-ons add up, oftentimes quickly and sadistically. Jamie and I packed lightly, but paid to check an extra bag, just in case. The other catch with these airlines is that most often they land in a city away from your ultimate destination. We landed in Treviso, about 45 minutes from Venice.

Days 1 and 2: Venice, Italy

After arriving in Venice, we made our first purchase: a Rolling Venice card and a 3-day youth pass. For those considering a trip to Venice, know that the transportation is not necessarily cheap. At 6.50 Euros for a one-way, 60-minute waterbus ride, the excursions can quickly add up. The Rolling Venice card also offers some discounts at other places, but we didn’t use it too much.

The first challenge was to find the hotel. However, with my excellent navigation skills (and a blurry Google Map), we were able to drop our bags off. The hotel, Ambassador Tre Rose, is located literally 30 seconds from Piazza San Marco. Turn right, and another right, and BAM, the piazza. We grabbed a Panini, meandered, and made our way to Doge’s Palace.

Doge’s Palace, home to the Bridge of Sighs, is a must-see in Venezia. We decided to take the Secret Tour, which takes you into some rooms that make it worth the extra 6 Euros. Tip: Purchase tickets from the correct website if doing so online. My mistake, and we almost didn’t get to go on the tour. But since we did go, I can tell you that we got to see Casanova’s two prison cells, learn about how he escaped, and even how we could destroy the ceiling of one of the largest rooms in the palace with the drop of a coin.

After exiting the palace, we did what any visitor to Venice does: Get lost. We found ourselves walking every which way, finally ending up near the Naval Arsenal. For most of the day, the weather had been sunny. And then it rained. Not just rained, but poured. Long story short, we made our water bus passes worth the money.

One of our biggest concerns in Italy was eating, especially in Venice. However, with some research, you can save some money. We ate at a restaurant

EuroCheapo Recommendation!

recommended by EuroCheapo, which for 18 euros, included first plate, second plate with side dish, and dessert. On top of that, sparking water and bread were free! What a steal and a deal!

The night ended with lightning and thunder, and a bitter spritz (with Campari). I’m not going to say I recommend it, but at least try it while your there. It was cool drinking a spritz among all these other Italians also enjoying their spritz drinks.

The Venetian Spritz

1 part white wine
1 part Aperol (medium sweet) OR Select (less sweet) OR Campari or San Bitter
1 part seltzer/sparkling water (it helps if you can blast it into the glass)

Combine the above with a little ice, an olive, and a slice of orange / lemon / lemon
respectively, according to your choice of aperitif mixer.

And that ended the night.

The next day was consumed of more walking. We walked the Jewish Ghetto, which is also the first ghetto…EVER! After consuming pizza for lunch, we made our way to Murano, home to glass making, and Burano, home to lace making. Both were cool in their own rights, but the houses of Burano were very unique and colorful.

Burano

Our trip to Venice may have been only two days, but we accomplished a lot, and the trip wasn’t even close to being over! The next step was heading out to the countryside of Vicenza! Near the Santa Lucia train station is a fast food restaurant called Brek. Definitely worth a stop for a quick, cheap, and delicious bite before heading out and about. We arrived in Vicenza around 10, met Nick, and went for a view of the city and a drink. And so it continues…

Day 3: Marostica, Bassano del Grappa, and Asiago

Jamie, Ida, and Nick

After waking up at Castillo LaForgia to some cute kids, we enjoyed an all-American breakfast of pancakes with syrup, bacon, and scrambled eggs. It was just what the Italian doctor ordered.

With one of the kids in tow, we started off with a stop in Marostica, which has remnants of a castle on a hill, a giant chess board, and some nice views. Once we’d had enough, we moved on to Bassano del Grappa for some bruschette, which was probably the best meal of the trip. The day ended with rain and a brisk walk through Asiago (along with some cheese purchases), before heading back to the Castle to sleep before Easter Sunday.

Day 4: Florence

Similar to our Thanksgiving adventure here in Europe, we made sure Easter was an untraditional as possible. Instead of hiding eggs, we watched a cart filled with fireworks explode next to a basilica! Woohoo! Let me just say that the Scoppio del Carro was one of the coolest things that I never actually saw…ever. I was literally holding my camera up by the mini-tripod, hoping to get some footage that I could watch later on. Luckily, I got some great shots. What a surreal way to ring in Easter! A good fireworks show equals a good harvest year, and I’d say that this ought to be a great year for whatever you’re growing at home!

Florence was a busy city, but we managed to walk, take some pictures, enjoy a beer or two, and even see Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Galleria. I am not a big art aficionado, but this was a great museum. Not too big, had some great paintings by some awesome artists, and then you’re done. No harm, no foul. Long lines, but that’s why we had reserved tickets online.

The Scoppio del Carro!

The night ended with some more drinks, some staggering through Florence, and then crashing at the hotel. Our trip was coming to a close, but not without one…more…day.

Day 5: Siena and Monteriggioni

To end the trip, we stopped off in Siena. Located south of Florence, Siena has some cool streets, old buildings, candle holsters on the walls, and a large area used to race horses to their death. After meandering around and eating pizza with potatoes inside (strange, but good), we headed out.

Rather than go straight home, we decided to detour to a totally walled-in city called Monteriggioni. It was on a hillside with nothing else around, but it was a great place to stop. Who would’ve guessed?! We even got to try armor on at the museum there! Now that’s especially worth a stop! After we’d had our fix, we hopped back in the car and sat in traffic for a while. It’s a good thing we didn’t run out of gas — but close to!

Monteriggioni, the walled-in city

While the end of the trip was kind of quiet, we’re glad we got to get out to Italy and have a great time! Thanks again to the LaForgia family for housing us. Their awesome hospitality is greatly appreciated (along with the pancakes!).

I also want to add that we ate plenty of gelato every day, but could’ve used at least one last scoop before our 8:00 AM flight Tuesday morning!