The best souvenirs are those that are specific to the place you visited and, ideally, made by local people. You’ll not only be buying something special but you’ll also be supporting the local economy. If you’re traveling to Hungary and are hoping to bring back a memorable gift, here is a list of ideas for [...]
Exactly seven weeks before Easter, the streets of Mohács come alive with the annual Busójárás Carnival. The pre-Lent festival features locals wearing sheepskin costumes while parading and dancing in the streets. Busójárás lasts six days, starting on Thursday and ending the day before Ash Wednesday. The carnival ends with a symbolic ritual called ‘The Burial [...]
From imperial palaces, trotting white horses, lush gardens to chandelier-lit coffeehouses and fine wines, Vienna doesn’t disappoint when it comes to romance. So, if you’re looking to do something special to spark a little love in your life, here are just a few of the best things on offer in this historical city. Admire “The [...]
In 1913, the 7th Congress of the International Women’s Suffrage Alliance (IWSA) met in Budapest. The aim of the convention was to raise public awareness of women’s issues in Hungary. In particular, the alliance wanted to work with city council to establish a women’s aid office as well as day care centers. Here’s a look [...]
A larger-than size bronze statue of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was unveiled today at the Graphisoft Park in Budapest. The statue was commissioned by Graphisoft Founder and Chairman of the Board Gabor Bojar. The relationship between Graphisoft and Apple can be traced to the 1980’s, when Jobs came across the first version of Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD [...]
Christmas is celebrated in many different ways throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Commonly most of the regions’ festivities begin with the period of Advent which is four weeks prior to Christmas and the feast of Saint Nicholas on the 6th of December. Although the celebration of the season is shared, each country has developed their [...]
Honey cake is one of the most popular traditional desserts in Croatia. It consists of thin layers of biscuit made with honey and vanilla flavored cream filling. This version contains both vanilla and cocoa which gives it just the right amount of sweetness. It makes a great accompaniment with tea or coffee. For the biscuit [...]
Originating as a staple for herdsman’s traveling across the great plains of Hungary many centuries ago, goulash is one of Hungary’s most famous dishes. A hearty soup of beef, vegetables, and paprika, goulash gets its flavor from being cooked slowly over a long period of time. Making goulash is fairly simple but to make a [...]
Often referred to as “Hungary’s red gold”, paprika has become synonymous with Hungarian food due to its ability to add excellent flavor and color to various traditional dishes. There are several versions of paprika ranging from édes (sweet) to eros (hot) as well as everything in between. Below is a list of the types of paprika [...]
There are a lot of legends about wine. Of the more strange and usual is the parallel with bull’s blood. Bull’s blood also known locally as “Egri Bikavér” is a potent, dry red wine that is from the Eger wine region in northern Hungary. It is reputed to have earned its name from the 16th-century [...]
Launched in September, “The Tokaji Journal“, is a new digital wine magazine that focuses exclusively on the wines of Tokaj, both dry and sweet. The magazine’s aim is to provide the latest news, trends, and information about these unique wines to an English-speaking audience worldwide. Editor Gergely Somogyi shares with us his inspiration for launching the magazine. [...]
Hungary has a vast array of alcoholic beverages including quality wines and beers, as well as liqueurs and brandies that are made exclusively in the country. Here are a few suggestions of various drinks to try. Egészségedre! (Cheers!) Palinka Produced in both Hungary and Transylvania, this traditional brandy is made from various kinds of fruit such [...]
To Hungarian children, of course, it’s all about Mikulás. But for the grown-ups, Christmas celebrations in Hungary focus a lot on the culinary delights. Here are a few of the highlights. Halászlé (Fish Soup) As a relic of the earlier church tradition of fasting for Advent, it is still traditional for fish to be eaten [...]
‘Tis the season once again in Budapest, where the city is transformed into twinkling, aromatic open-air markets. Filled with traditional arts and crafts, mulled wine, and tasty eats, these holiday bazaars offer a great way to experience some of the local culture while shopping for special gifts. The largest and most colorful market is located at Vörösmarty Square which includes [...]
Paprenjak is a traditional Croatian biscuit that contains a unique mix of honey, walnuts, pepper and spices. Its origin is still unclear but it is known to have existed since the 16th century and more lately its become a family tradition in many Croatian homes to make paprenjak for Christmas. To make paprenjak you need special wooden mould’s [...]
Spending Christmas in Budapest can be a really wonderful experience. From stunning Christmas lights on many of the busiest streets, festive concerts, markets offering handmade arts and crafts, and delicious seasonal food, there’s something to delight everyone from young and old alike. So, if you’re wondering what to do during the month of December, here’s [...]
Honey cookies also known as mézeskalács are a traditional Christmas treat in Hungary and are often sold at festivals and markets. Similar to gingerbread, these cookies are made with honey and spices and are decorated with white sugar icing. This recipe is an adaptation from Nora Papp’s recipe, who is the creator and editor of Wise Lady, a [...]
Transylvania is so strongly associated with popular culture and modern horror folklore that for some people it can be hard to believe that it’s actually a real place. Yet Transylvania lives up to its famed legend, even though nineteenth-century novelist Bram Stoker never even set foot here. Nestled at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, [...]
Fritule is a traditional Croatian pastry that is most commonly made for Christmas. Although very similar to a doughnut these fluffy pastries are actually much smaller in size and are shaped into round balls. In this recipe, sour cream and grated apples are used to give it a richer taste. They make an excellent accompaniment to [...]
Budapest has eight bridges that extend across the Danube. Each of these bridges have played an important role in the development and infrastructure of the city. Some have even become icons because of their influence and engineering wonder while others are known for their remarkable beauty. Here’s a brief highlight of each bridge that includes some [...]
