Budapest - Beautiful City on the Danube

A view from the hill in Buda across the Danube toward Pest.
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Budapest it turns out is actually three cities all together which form one metropolitan area.  Buda, Pest, and Obuda.  All of the action seems to be in Buda and Pest though.  Buda, the home of the castle, is up on a hill next to the Danube over-looking Pest which is a low, flat commercial zone.  There seemed to be a bit of ego in Buda.  Lots of expensive cars and the like with a warning from the landlord where we stayed that the Gypsies are in Pest and it is therefore not so good.  I guess people don´t change much... just the names they use to describe others!  We found the city to be undergoing rapid renewal following on the heels of its admission to the European Union.  It has very similar architecture in terms of classical buildings to Vienna but hasn´t had as much restoration and modern construction yet.  Prices are also lower because Hungary hasn´t converted to the Euro.  (For people with an economics background, the statement might not make sense from a supply/demand perspective since currency shouldn´t be relevant but trust me... it is.)  The primary claim to fame for the city aside from being historical and beautiful (which is rather common in Europe) is that there are warm springs under the city and therefore some very large and ornate public spas.  We went to try one out and they are worth the reputation.  The only comparable pool/spa combos I can think of are maybe in Las Vegas but the focus there is different.  (Budapest is health and Vegas is hang-over recovery!)

Budapest is actually Buda and Pest side-by-side. Who knew?