This week, we’re taking you to two cities combined into one. Get ready for thermal baths, Hungarian food, and stunning architecture.

Planning an international trip can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.

How?

You just need a plan for your plan.

It’s important to prepare with enough time for things like:

Budapest is actually made up of two sides — Buda and Pest — which used to be separate cities until they were united in 1873.

Buda is the hilly side, full of quiet neighborhoods, panoramic views, and historic castles.

Pest is flat, energetic, and where you’ll find a lot of the action: restaurants, nightlife, and some of the city’s most iconic buildings.

You can easily cross between the two sides on foot over the Chain Bridge — one of the many beautiful bridges that connect them. At night, this bridge glows with lights, reflecting off the river and making for some unforgettable views.

One of the most unique things to do in Budapest? Soak in a 100-year-old thermal bath.

Széchenyi is the most famous, and yes, it really does live up to the hype. Picture steaming outdoor pools surrounded by yellow Neo-Baroque buildings — even in winter. The water is warm, and it’s a local experience that goes beyond the tourist photos.

After a relaxing soak, grab a drink at one of Budapest’s many rooftop bars. Our favorite was 360 Bar, where you can sip cocktails with a view of the city’s spires, domes, and red-tiled rooftops.

We spent one afternoon at Gellért Thermal Spa, and it felt like stepping into a vintage postcard. Located on the Buda side of the city inside the elegant Hotel Gellért, this spa is famous for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture — think mosaic-tiled walls, stained glass windows, and towering columns surrounding an indoor pool that looks more like a Roman palace than a public bath.

The spa uses natural thermal waters from the nearby Gellért Hill, and there are several indoor and outdoor pools to choose from, plus steam rooms and saunas. It’s a little less touristy than Széchenyi, which gave us time to slow down, relax, and just take in the atmosphere. If you're visiting Budapest and want a mix of history, architecture, and wellness, this is a must-stop.

On the Buda side, you’ll want to spend time exploring Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion. The latter looks like something out of a fairytale, with turrets and sweeping views over the Parliament building and Danube River.

*Try to go early in the morning or around sunset for fewer crowds and magical light.

We didn’t expect the Hungarian Parliament Building to be one of the most jaw-dropping sights of our trip — but it absolutely was. It's lit up and looks like a glowing Gothic palace sitting on the edge of the river at night.

The best way to take it in? From a Danube River cruise. It’s peaceful, romantic, and gives you a front-row seat to some of Budapest’s most stunning architecture.

One of the most moving places we visited in Budapest was the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial.

It’s a simple display - just 60 pairs of iron shoes lined up along the edge of the river - but it left a deep impression.

The shoes represent the Jewish men, women, and children who were executed along the Danube during World War II. Victims were ordered to take off their shoes before being shot, their bodies falling into the river.

The memorial is powerful in its quietness. Some of the shoes are small, like a child’s, and others have candles or flowers placed inside them. It’s a place to reflect, to pause, and to remember a tragic part of Hungary’s history.

We recommend walking by around sunset, when the golden light hits the water.

Don’t make the mistake of skipping Budapest if you’re planning a trip through Central Europe. Give yourself a few days here to soak it all in — literally and figuratively.

You’ll leave feeling like you discovered one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

The main airport is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, and the code is BUD.

Depending on where you’re flying in from, you may need to have a layover in European hubs such as London, Frankfurt, or Vienna.

If you are traveling there from another European city, you can use the Eurail to get you there.

Park Plaza Budapest - near Buda Castle

Hotel Clark Budapest - adults only hotel, breakfast buffet included

Aria Hotel Budapest - buffet breakfast included, spa, and gorgeous rooftop views of the city

Airbnb: Parliament Panorama - an entire condo with the most stunning panoramic views of the Parliament

Leo Rooftop Budapest - Can’t beat a meal with great views

Hungarikum Bisztro - Go here for old-fashioned Hungarian dishes such as goulash

Gelarto Rosa - Hungary has delicious ice cream and this place should not be skipped

Chimney Cake Shop - Another Hungarian specialty

Public transportation is great but be prepared for plenty of walking if you want to explore the whole city (both of them).

You will definitely want to pack some sandals, swimsuit and towel if visiting the thermal spas.

This towel is super absorbent and hardly takes up any space.

Here are a few things to help you when in Budapest.

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob