Central Europe (Budapest, Vienna, and Prague): ChichiChic Top 15 Highlights

I visited Central Europe in September 2018 and it was such a fantastic trip. Though the scars of the Cold War are still quite glaring, the beauty and rich culture in this region cannot be denied. Which countries comprise Central Europe? They are Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. On this trip, I visited Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria), and Prague (Czech Republic).

So let’s get into it: Here are the Top 15 Highlights of my visit to Central Europe

Budapest, Hungary

1. Budapest: Budapest is such an amazing city. It is probably one of the most underrated cities in all of Europe. It is Parisian Chic without the Parisian snobbery (or sticker shock for that matter). There is so much beauty, art, culture, rich history and delectable goodies…EVERYWHERE!

Budapest: St Stephen’s Basilica is the building in the center behind me.

Lunch at Kolazs Cafe Budapest @chichi_chic_md

Chain Bridge, Budapest

2. Buda Side- Pest side: The Buda Side is the classier, more residential side of the city while the Pest side is the more active and more hip side of the city where you see more tourists. Buda side has the beautiful Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, Mattias Church and some Thermal Spas. The Pest Side has the Parliament building, Hero’s Square and the Opera House—it is also home to many of the luxury hotels and fabulous it spots in Budapest. What separates the two sides? The breathtaking Danube River.

View of the Chain Bridge, Budapest over the Danube River connecting the Buda Side with the Pest Side @chichi_chic_md .

Budapest Parliament Building at night: Pest Side @chichi_chic_md @chichi_chic_md 

Széchenyi thermal bath, Budapest: Buda Side@chichi_chic_md

3. Mattias Church: According to http://budacastlebudapest.com/matthias-church/ the Mattias church was used as a coronation church by Hungarian kings for centuries; it was also used as a mosque for over 150 years by the Ottoman Turks, once owned by Franciscans and by Jesuits, and it is now a thriving Catholic church with holy masses, concerts, plenty of weddings, thousands of tourists. The graceful architecture and stunningly rich, all embracing wall paintings of the majestic building will leave you speechless.

Mattias Church in Buda Castle@chichi_chic_md

Inside Mattias Church@chichi_chic_md

Buda Side: Budapest, Hungary@chichi_chic_md

4. House of Terror: The House of Terror is a museum that contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary.  It also serves as a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building. A visit to the House of Terror is a reminder that we must remember the pain and suffering inflicted by fascism and communism so as to never ever let them be repeated. Click here for more information.

House of Terror Budapest @chichi_chic_md

5. Gundel Etterem: Easily the best brunch buffet in the world (no exaggeration). The elegant ambience, impeccable service, and delicious spread will leave you thoroughly and beautifully satiated. If you ever visit Budapest, you must experience the Brunch Buffet at Café Gundel. Click here for more information. 

Cafe Gundel @chichi_chic_md

With my friend Marjorie in front of the Cafe Gundel wall of fame @chichi_chic_md

Plate of Food at Cafe Gundel Brunch Buffet @chichi_chic_md

Vienna, Austria

6. Sisi: Empress Elisabeth of Austria (also the Queen of Hungary) is one of the most fascinating historical figures of Austria. Elisabeth was born into the royal Bavarian house of Wittelsbach. Nicknamed “Sisi”, she enjoyed an informal upbringing before marrying Emperor Franz Joseph I at the age of sixteen. The marriage thrust her into the much more formal Habsburg court life, for which she was unprepared and which she found uncongenial. Early in the marriage she was at odds with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, who took over the rearing of Elisabeth’s daughters, one of whom, Sophie, died in infancy. The birth of a male heir, Rudolf, improved her standing at court, but her health suffered under the strain, and she would often visit Hungary for its more relaxed environment. She came to develop a deep kinship with Hungary, and helped to bring about the dual monarchy of Austria–Hungary in 1867.
   

   Empress Elisabeth of Austria: Sisi

The death of her only son and his mistress Mary Vetsera, in a murder–suicide at his hunting lodge at Mayerling in 1889 was a blow from which Elisabeth never recovered. She withdrew from court duties and travelled widely, unaccompanied by her family. In 1890, she had a palace built on the Greek Island of Corfu that she visited often. The palace Achilleion, featuring an elaborate mythological motif, served as a refuge. She was obsessively concerned with maintaining her youthful figure and beauty, which were already legendary during her life. While travelling in Geneva in 1898, she was stabbed to death by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni. Elisabeth was the longest serving Empress of Austria at 44 years (Credit: Wikipedia) 

One of Sisi’s beautiful gowns on display at the Hofburg Palace

Empress Sisi considered her long hair to be her crowning glory and would submit to upwards of 3 hours a day to the handwork of her hairdresser. Click here for more details.

When in Vienna, you must visit The Hofburg Palace @chichi_chic_md

Hofburg Palace Gold @chichi_chic_md

7. Classical Music: Vienna is the World’s capital of classical music. Mozart and Beethoven, though not originally from Vienna, resided in Vienna. Johann Strauss I and Franz Schubert, famous composers, were Viennese in origin. Vienna is saturated with high quality classical music—there are so many options for every pocket and every level of music appreciation. Check this article out for more information on Vienna’s Theater and Music scene.

Vienna Mozart Orchestra

8. Café Demel: Demel is a famous pastry shop and chocolaterie established in 1786 in Vienna, Austria. It is located near the Hofburg Palace. Café Demel serves up the tastiest and most beautifully decorated confectioneries and has been doing so for over 200 years—talk about longevity! Click here for more information.

Cafe Demel deliciousness @chichi_chic_md

9. The Holocaust Memorial: The Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial also known as the Nameless Librarystands in Judenplatz in the first district of Vienna. It is the central memorial for the Austrian victims of the Holocaust and was designed by the British artist Rachel Whiteread.
   

   The Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial @chichi_chic_md

The engraving at the base:

In commemoration of more than 65,000 Austrian Jews
who were killed by the Nazis between
1938 and 1945.

10. The Albertina: The Albertina not only has the largest and most valuable graphical collections in the world, with works such as Dürer’s “Hare” and Klimt’s studies of women. Its latest exhibition collection presents masterpieces of the Modern, spanning Monet to Picasso and Baselitz. As the largest Habsburg residential palace, the Albertina dominates the southern tip of the Imperial Palace on one of the last remaining fortress walls in Vienna. Click here for more information.
    

    State Rooms Albertina Museum (Photo credit: www.albertina.at)

Albertina Art Piece: Pablo Picasso @chichi_chic_md 

Prague, Czech Republic

11. Český Krumlov: A city in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, it is one of the most picturesque towns in Europe. It’s a little like Prague in miniature – a Unesco World Heritage Site with a stunning castle above the Vltava River, an old town square, Renaissance and baroque architecture, and hordes of tourists milling through the streets – but all on a smaller scale; you can walk from one side of town to the other in 20 minutes. We stopped over on our drive from Vienna to Prague.
    

    Český Krumlov @chichi_chic_md

    

    

    Hat Shop in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic @chichi_chic_md

12. The Vltava River: The Vltava River flows through the center of Prague and is the waterway around which the city was built over the past 1000 years. The Old Town and the New Town are on one side of the river and, on the other side are Lesser Town and the magnificent Prague Castle. At the City Center is the Charles Bridge under which the Vltava River flows. It is truly a beautiful site to behold.
    

    On the Vltava River Prague, Czech Republic @chichi_chic_md

13. The Museum of Communism: Everyone who visits Prague must visit this museum. The museum provides detailed view of life in Communist-era Czechoslovakia—daily life, politics, economics, art, propaganda in the media, the people’s militia, the secret police, censorship, the institutes of repression, political labor camps of the Stalinist era. You will see it all and you will be reminded: NEVER EVER AGAIN!  Click here for more information. http://muzeumkomunismu.cz/en/

Museum of Communism @chichi_chic_md

A display at the Museum of Communism in Prague @chichi_chic_md

14. Chimney Cake: Trdelník or trdlo is a kind of spit cake. It is made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix. It can come with jam, jellies or creams plastered on the inside or stuffed with the creamiest soft serve ice-cream. When in Prague…eat Chimney Cake. 
    

    Chimney Cake @chichi_chic_md

    

15. Shopping: Prague is the fashion capital of Eastern Europe. You will find so many different shopping options from luxury boutiques to small local labels. You will be spoiled for choice and the price difference of designer goods in Prague versus the US will have your jaw permanently dropped.

Dior Prague (Photo Credit http://www.elkoepusa.com)

Shopping at Dior Prague @chichi_chic_md

Fendi, Prague @chichi_chic_md

Three down, six more to go! I cannot wait to explore the other countries in Central Europe. Please share your thoughts about my trip and any recommendations for where in Central Europe I should explore next in the comment section below.

Dinner at Revkakas Bistro, Budapest @chichi_chic_md

Love,

Chichi