Sonia and I were jet-lagged at work today, but Brittany and Hemingway did all of the sleeping.

Cottocrudo in Prague. Tuna, grilled octopus, pasta and dessert.

Thought we’d escape Europe without any rain, but happily waited out the hour rain shower in the lobby and got a little work done.

The first written document dates back to 1499 when the house was bought by maltster Vít Skřemenec. The brewery U Fleků is thus the only brewery in Central Europe which has been brewing continuously for over 500 years. The brewery was nationalised with the onset of the communist rule. The original owners, the Brtník family, regained the brewery and restaurant in 1991, after the fall of the regime.

With so little room in the Jewish ghetto, they were forced to bury their dead twelve deep.

My new favorite bar in the world.

Sonia scored a pack of Hemingway Bar napkins.

Watched the US give away the win to Portugal with a couple hundred Americans in the basement of an Irish pub in Prague.

Our hotel bar. Hung out with obnoxious TV personality, Jim Cramer and his wife. Turns out he’s a very nice and mellow guy.

If you have seen Orson Well’s second best movie, The Third Man, then you’ll recognize this antique ferris wheel. I get a little uneasy on ferris wheels in general, but considering this one is the oldest antique still in use I decided to throw caution to the wind and had a ride.

Wieners and Wiener Schnitzel.

May there be many campsites in your future.

It’s our last evening in Budapest. It’s a gem of a city and blew away our expectations. Sorry about yet another Chain Bridge picture, but I can’t stop myself from taking pictures of the view.

Costes, Budapest’s most critically decorated restaurant, didn’t disappoint.

The thermal baths of Budapest are a must. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the oldest and most popular. There are fifteen pools, three outdoor and twelve indoor, all varying from hot to cold. In addition to the pools, there are saunas, steam rooms and massage rooms.

At the end of the day, Sonia and I splurged for some massages. My “masseuse” was a burley Hungarian man who was not happy with the length of my board shorts. He made me hike them up as far as possible for my sixty minute session with him. All week long I was read by locals as more Hungarian than tourist. Must be the Lithuanian in me. Because of this, Sonia asked me last night at dinner if I had any Hungarian in me. Well, after my massage I’d have to say a little bit.

We took in Hunyadi László at the Hungarian State Opera. They even provided sub-titles so that we could follow along.

Hard to show just how fast, but you have to be ready to get on and off.

I had goulash and I’m a fan.

St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Andrassy Ave. The Champs-Élysées of Budapest.

Hero’s Square

The House of Terror. A look back at Soviet and Nazi Occupation.

Budapest is filled with ruin pubs. These are pubs that open in formally derelict and condemned spaces. This is Szimpla Kert, the oldest and most popular ruin pub.

City Park. Sonia almost fell in.

First walk of the day. From our hotel in Pest to Buda. We crossed the Chain Bridge and climbed Castle Hill.

#58 Visit something Ancient

Not much to look at, but this is Aquincum – The Roman Ruins of Budapest.

A subdued first night. Had dinner at Nobu ($41,600 forints if you were wondering). Still not sure what I’m tipping. After dinner we walked around Fashion Street, then watched the Mexico-Brazil game at our hotel before sleeping off the jet lag. Big walking day in the morning.

#62: Stay at one of Conde Naste’d gold list hotels

The Four Seasons at Gresham Palace.

Turbulence

First time in the new international terminal.

Back under control.