“The Grand Hotel Budapest”

This morning finds us checking in to the most gorgeous hotel in Budapest, Hungary -- the Four Seasons.  A masterpiece of Art Nouveau style, totally restored from the ravages of the past Communist regime, it is really a stunning introduction to this beautiful city. 

This is the view of the Danube River from our hotel room's window.  Wow!

We traveled overnight from Boston to Frankfurt, Germany and then a connecting flight to Budapest without a wink of sleep, but it was all worth it in the end!  What a beautiful city -- so full of history and architectural treasures.  (Extra shows some of the sights we saw on an early evening stroll -- the Roman Catholic cathedral,  some magnificent macrons at the famous Gerbeaud Bakery, the atrium of our hotel, and a festive Ferris Wheel in a pretty little park.

We will be boarding a Viking river cruise ship the day after tomorrow, and traveling from Budapest to Amsterdam on a two-week journey.  Our first such experience, and we are very much looking forward to it!