Padova to Budapest

Friday, April 27, 2018

Though we spent most of the day in the car, it was far from dull, a lost day, or drudgery.  We again found ourselves in three countries today (no saints, though) and the scenery on this beautiful day was just glorious. 

We continued our trek across the top of the Italian “boot” and entered Slovenia shortly after leaving Trieste.  In Slovenia, we purchased a vignette, a method an increasing number of European countries are using in lieu of highway tolls.  Similar to the EZ Pass system familiar in some parts of the US, vignettes eliminate the need to stop for toll collections.  Rather than the EZ Pass assessment of tolls for certain usage or events, the vignettes are purchased for unlimited use for a certain period of time.  In some countries, a windshield decal is used; others use a system of license plate registration and highway cameras.  We’ve collected three so far on this trip, and there are others yet to come.  All in all, it seems pretty efficient, which could explain why neither the French nor the Italians have yet adopted the idea.  In any case, the tolls on Italian autostrade are so steep, the government would surely lose revenue if they went to any palatably-priced vignette.

Enough about logistics, and on to the experience!  We spent much of the day in Slovenia and the countryside was just beautiful.  Small clusters of red tile-roofed homes, nestled on and among rolling green hills, peaceful small farms going about the business of Spring, small churches their steeples topped with sloping roofs, snow-capped mountains in the distance, and fields blanketed in the yellow flowers of rape seed (canola) plants, trees clothed in the pale green that only Spring brings – it was all stunning.

We were struck by the amount of traffic flowing in the opposite direction – toward Slovenia’s small coastline and Italy – many cars topped with bicycles or other gear, camper vans and motor homes, boats on trailers.  We theorized that early May Day holidays were underway, an idea that was bolstered when a little research revealed that this is a “Insurrection Day,” a national holiday, and that Slovenia celebrates both May 1 and 2 as its Labor Day holiday(s).  So, with a pesky Monday standing in the way of a six-day weekend, it appears that many Slovenians won’t be showing up for work on Monday!

The roads in Slovenia and Hungary were new and in great condition, as were some sections of the Italian highway, so the drive was an easy one (especially from the passenger’s seat!).

Living room and entrance hallway

We found our apartment in Budapest without any difficulty and the owner was there to meet us.  Our digs are fabulous – huge living room and bedroom and terrace all overlooking a main drag, two bridges over the Danube, and the famous Gellert Hotel and thermal baths across the street.  A large hallway opening onto the building’s interior courtyard, a kitchen and TWO bathrooms complete the accommodations.  Throw in an elevator, markets on the same block, several tram lines that stop at our front door, the fact that the owner saved us a (free) parking spot right in front of the building, reliable Wi-Fi, English-Language TV, and this would be hard to beat!

After getting settled, we walked across the Danube on the Liberty Bridge, whose towers are topped by sculptures of the Turul, the mythical bird that is the symbol of Hungary.  We were joined by lots of others out to enjoy the late afternoon sun as we walked along the Pest banks of the river, then back to Buda on the Elizabeth Bridge, with fine views of Gellert Hill, Castle Hill, the Chain Bridge and Parliament. Along the Buda banks, we passed the Rudas thermal bath complex and Gellert Hotel and baths before stopping in a market to pick up some provisions for our kitchen.  We enjoyed dinner in the apartment, happy to contemplate the next couple of days’ sightseeing here.