Hello Vienna!❤️

After my train journey from Budapest, I arrived in Vienna and emerged from the Karlsplatz U-Bahn Station — and there it was, the magnificent Vienna State Opera! The landmark I was heading for.

My hotel, Hotel Pension Suzanne, was just nearby, so I knew I was heading in the right direction. 😊 Once I’d checked in, there was no time for resting — I was far too excited to start exploring! And what a location my hotel has. It’s right in the heart of Vienna, with so many of the city’s famous sights within easy walking distance.

On my first little wander I passed the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Albertina Museum, Vienna’s beautiful shopping streets and Hofburg Palace. And this was just my first afternoon! I could already tell that I was going to love exploring Vienna, and I had 10 whole days ahead of me to discover these places properly — along with many, many more.

After Budapest, my Central European adventure was continuing… and Vienna was looking very promising!

✨If you`re planning your own Vienna adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #ViennaAustria #ViennaStateOpera #SoloTravel #CentralEurope

I was finally inside Schloss Belvedere… and I couldn’t even make it through the foyer without taking hundreds of photos! 😂📸

The gleaming white walls, elegant statues and beautiful balustrades on the staircase, all contrasted with black details and striking light fittings, were simply stunning. I’m pretty sure I could arrange to move in immediately!! 😍 I hadn’t even started the actual visit yet!

Before heading upstairs, you pass through the magnificent Carlone Hall, with its spectacular Baroque frescoed ceiling. Then, right in the middle of the floor, there was a contemporary art installation — a circle of lavender creating a lovely aroma and beautiful contrast with all that Baroque grandeur. And this was just on the way to the cloakroom!

Of course, the first important job was to dump all my excess gear before heading properly inside. So, coat deposited, camera ready…I was ready to explore! 😂

And judging by the foyer alone, I had a feeling there were going to be a LOT more photos coming… ❤️

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #LowerBelvedere #BelvederePalace #ViennaAustria #SoloTravel

👗 What to Wear for an Imperial Occasion? 👑

A little fashion inspiration from the Sisi Museum in the Imperial apartments at Hofburg Palace! On display were some of Empress Elisabeth’s (known as Sisi) beautiful personal garments, giving a fascinating glimpse into her wardrobe and the way she dressed for different occasions.

The full lace gowns worn over several layers of padded petticoats, with the back flowing into a longer train. Just for a simple dinner at home! Then there was a delicate silk capelet, designed to add a little extra glamour and zhuzh up a plainer gown. A rather clever way to give an outfit a whole new look!

Then came a much more dramatic ensemble: a black velvet cape trimmed with fur, ankle boots and a feather-trimmed hat. I suspect this was one of her travelling outfits — certainly a stylish way to step out of the carriage when arriving somewhere!

And something a little more relaxed: a belted blue skirt and top, worn with white silk ankle boots, from the time when Sisi lived in Corfu.

I do love seeing the actual clothes worn by historical figures. Portraits and paintings are lovely, but standing in front of their real garments makes history feel that little bit closer. Each outfit telling a little story about the Empress and her lifestyle. And I have to say, Sisi certainly knew how to put an outfit together! ✨

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#SisiMuseum #EmpressElisabeth #HofburgPalace #Vienna #SoloFemaleTravel

And then… my plan worked! 🎉😂

After all that wandering around the Belvedere gardens, keeping one very suspicious eye on the queue, I suddenly noticed something incredible…The queue had disappeared! 👀

This was my moment.I quickly made my way to the ticket office, got my ticket, and headed around to the entrance.The reason for the disappearing queue soon became clear. Only a certain number of visitors are allowed inside the building at any one time, so I’m guessing a large group of people had all finished their visit at roughly the same time. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t asking questions! The doors were open, the queue was gone…and it was finally MY turn! 🙌

All that patience, wandering around the gardens and keeping watch over the queue had paid off. Now it was time to see what was inside the Belvedere Palace… ❤️

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #BelvederePalace #LowerBelvedere #ViennaAustria #SoloTravel

🌼 Schönbrunn’s Gloriette – So Close, Yet So Far! 👑

After my uphill walk to the Gloriette, I was greeted by a beautiful pathway lined with bright yellow flowering plants. A lovely welcome after all that walking!

Then it was up the steps, through the elegant colonnade and beneath the soaring ceiling. What a magnificent structure! ✨

And just when I thought I’d explored everything, I spotted the entrance to the rooftop, where I could enjoy even more spectacular views across Vienna. There was just one little problem… 😏

It turned out that tickets for the rooftop were only available from the ticket office back down at the Palace! Oh dear!! A return journey down the hill and back up again? My feet and I had a quick discussion, and we decided that perhaps the rooftop could wait until next time! 😂👟

That’s another little adventure of travelling solo. You make your own decisions, change your plans when you need to, and sometimes leave a good excuse to return to a place you’ve loved. So, Schönbrunn, I haven’t finished with you yet!💖

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#SchonbrunnPalace #Gloriette #Vienna #SoloFemaleTravel #AustriaTravel

And just like that… it was time to say goodbye to Budapest and continue my solo adventure through Central Europe! 🚆

After an amazing week exploring Budapest, I caught a taxi from my hotel to Keleti Station to catch the train to Vienna. Keleti Station itself is quite impressive, both inside and out, but my attention soon turned to the rather important business of getting myself — and my luggage — onto the train!

I can usually manage this myself, but the train was very high and the platform, very low!

One of the station staff kindly helped lift my luggage onto the train. I noticed that some passengers had simply left their luggage beside their seats, which is what I would normally do if there is space, (and there was!). But before I could say anything… he had lifted my suitcase right up onto the luggage rack above my seat! 😳

Now, I’m not particularly tall, and even standing on the seat I could barely reach it! So there it was… safely stored above my head while I settled in for the journey to Vienna. I decided not to worry about it just yet. I had a couple of hours on the train to come up with a plan for getting it down! 😂

Fortunately, by the time we arrived in Vienna, there was a very tall gentleman in my carriage. He very kindly rescued my suitcase from its lofty position🙏😂

Sometimes travelling solo means being independent……and sometimes it means quietly hoping a very tall person gets on your train! 🥂!! Next stop… Vienna! 🇦🇹❤️

#BudapestToVienna #KeletiStation #Vienna #SoloTravel #CentralEurope

Leaving the Castle District behind, I was off to continue exploring Budapest in the sunshine. ☀️

I caught the bus back down towards the Danube and hopped off before it crossed the Liberty Bridge — and, of course, I couldn’t resist looking back before continuing on.

There was the entrance to the Buda Castle Tunnel, built beneath Castle Hill and opened in 1857. Above the archway, the Hungarian coat of arms and a lion’s head make a rather impressive entrance.

Nearby, I spotted another Hungarian coat of arms incorporated into the brickwork near the lower station of the Castle Funicular, dated 1880, and then noticed a little building that looked remarkably like a miniature Fisherman’s Bastion! It turns out this is part of the Pauline monastery beside the Cave Church on Gellért Hill. The Cave Church itself was created in the 1920s inside the hillside, with the present church completed in 1931.

More little Budapest discoveries… and I hadn’t even reached the river yet! 😊

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #BudaCastle #GellertHill #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

Next stop… crossing the Danube! 💚

With the sun shining, I walked across Liberty Bridge, one of Budapest’s most distinctive bridges — and another one that is impossible to cross without stopping for photos!

Originally opened in 1896 as part of Hungary’s Millennium celebrations, this beautiful Art Nouveau bridge was badly damaged during World War II. It was the first of Budapest’s Danube bridges to be rebuilt after the war, reopening in 1946.

My favourite detail has to be the enormous bronze Turul birds perched high on the bridge’s masts. 🦅 The Turul is a mythical bird from Hungarian tradition, so these impressive creatures seem perfectly at home watching over the Danube.

Blue skies, sunshine, the Danube beneath me and those magnificent Turuls overhead…such a shame its my last full day in Budapest. After all the grey days in Budapest, this was definitely a bridge crossing worth celebrating! ☀️

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #LibertyBridge #Danube #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

When you’re exploring a city on your own, sometimes you just have to trust your instincts… and recognise a park when you see one! 😂🚌

After leaving Margaret Island, I jumped on a bus with absolutely no idea where it was heading. But then I spotted City Park — somewhere I recognised — so I knew that if I got off there, I wouldn’t be completely lost!

I walked past the magnificent Széchenyi Thermal Bath and continued through the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle. And what a difference a little sunshine makes! ☀️ I’d visited the castle earlier in my trip under gloomy grey skies, but seeing it again beneath brilliant blue skies was like discovering it all over again.

The towers, turrets and beautiful architecture looked completely different in the sunshine — and suddenly I understood why Budapest decided to keep this “temporary” castle after the Millennium Exhibition!

Same castle, completely different mood. ❤️

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #VajdahunyadCastle #CityParkBudapest #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

🎭 Vienna State Opera – A Daily Dose of Elegance! ✨

Some buildings deserve more than one visit, and the magnificent Vienna State Opera was one I walked past every day during my stay. When your hotel is this centrally located, even your everyday walks become a sightseeing tour!

I loved the elegant colonnades you can stroll beneath, the beautiful arched windows and the grand architecture that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back into imperial Vienna. But behind all that beauty is a little royal drama! 👑 Emperor Franz Joseph had opinions about the opera house’s design details, and the building attracted criticism when it was first constructed.

Thankfully, it has since become one of Vienna’s most celebrated landmarks.I didn’t attend a performance this time, but I certainly appreciated the exterior. Sometimes you don’t need a ticket to enjoy a little opera-house glamour!🎶

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #ViennaStateOpera #Austria #EuropeanArchitecture #SoloTravel

My sunny morning in Budapest was getting better by the minute! ☀️

Walking through the Castle District, I discovered one of Budapest’s wonderfully quirky little treasures — a tiny Kolodko sculpture peering through his telescope towards the Chain Bridge. 🔭And clearly, he knew exactly where to look!

Just beyond him, the real Chain Bridge was glowing in the morning sunshine, looking every bit as magnificent as it should.

Then came the view along the Danube towards the Hungarian Parliament Building, with its grand Gothic Revival architecture reflected in the sparkling water. ❤️

After days of grey skies and rain, seeing Budapest bathed in sunshine felt pretty special. Sometimes you need a tiny statue with a telescope to point out exactly where the best views are! 😄

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #ChainBridge #HungarianParliament #Danube #SoloTravel

And yes… I took more photos of the Hungarian Parliament! 😂📸Because `why not?`, can you ever have too many?

After crossing Liberty Bridge, I caught the tram along the Pest side of the Danube, following the river past some of Budapest’s most beautiful sights until I reached Margaret Bridge.Of course, I had to photograph the Parliament Building as we went past on the tram and again from the bridge. It was looking far too magnificent to ignore! ☀️

And then I spotted something else worth photographing — the obelisk on Margaret Bridge, with a beautiful stone carving of King Stephen’s crown resting on a stone cushion.

Although, somehow, the Parliament Building still managed to sneak into the photo.... clearly it has decided to photo-bomb everything! 😂 By this stage, I’m beginning to think Budapest’s Parliament Building deserves its own folder on my camera!

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #HungarianParliament #MargaretBridge #Danube #SoloTravel

The Vivid Sydney light show in Argyle Cut, looking along Argyle St from Cumberland St, The Rocks.

#vividsydney #traveltheworldwithme #sydney #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes

🎼 Vienna – Where Music Blooms! 🌼🎶

You can’t wander through Vienna’s beautiful parks without discovering a little musical history along the way! Austria`s famous composers are celebrated with statues honouring musical legends such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss dotted around the city.

Mozart’s tribute in the garden was particularly eye-catching — a giant treble clef planted in bright yellow flowers! 🌼🎼 Even the gardens have their own soundtrack here!

I’m beginning to think that in Vienna, you don’t just stop to smell the roses… you stop to admire the music growing among them! 🎶🌷

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #Mozart #JohannStrauss #ViennaParks #SoloTravel

👑 Schönbrunn Palace – One Last Look… Then Schnitzel!

🍽️Before leaving Schönbrunn Palace gardens, I took one last look back up towards the magnificent Gloriette from the palace balcony. What a wonderful way to finish exploring this grand imperial estate!

After all that walking, climbing hills and admiring the sights, I’d certainly worked up an appetite. It was time to reward myself with a late lunch or, perhaps, an early dinner at Gerstner Restaurant at the Palace.

And what did I choose? A good old-fashioned Vienna Schnitzel — an absolutely enormous one! 😂 Somehow, I managed to finish it. All that walking around Schönbrunn’s enormous grounds certainly helped!

With a very happy stomach and tired feet, it was time to hop back on the U-Bahn and head into Vienna.

Another wonderful day of solo exploring, a magnificent palace, beautiful gardens and a meal fit for an empress. Well… perhaps not quite an imperial banquet, but that schnitzel certainly felt like one! 😋

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#SchonbrunnPalace #Vienna #WienerSchnitzel #SoloFemaleTravel #AustriaTravel

🏰 The climb was worth it!

After tackling the steep stairs and pathways up to Fisherman`s Bastion, I finally reached the top — and was greeted by the magnificent bronze statue of King Stephen I of Hungary on horseback.

Created by sculptor Alajos Stróbl and unveiled in 1906, the statue is packed with incredible detail. From the flowing robes (hard to believe they are all made of bronze!) and armour to the powerful horse and ornate stone pedestal, there`s plenty to admire. King Stephen I holds a very special place in Hungarian history. Crowned around the year 1000, he became Hungary`s first king and played a major role in establishing Hungary as a Christian kingdom.

After all those stairs, I was more than happy to stop and admire him… and, of course, take a few photos while pretending I wasn`t secretly catching my breath! 😉

Sometimes the journey to a landmark is half the adventure — and in Budapest, it often comes with a pretty spectacular reward at the top. ❤️

Have you climbed the steps up to Fisherman`s Bastion? Or were you smarter and caught the bus????😀

If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #FishermansBastion #KingStephen #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

🎨 The Albertina – Walking Among the Masters! ✨

After admiring the magnificent interiors of the Albertina Museum, it was time to climb those grand, red-carpeted stairs and head upstairs to the galleries. Walking beneath the sparkling chandeliers felt rather special — although I was soon distracted by what was waiting in the exhibition rooms!

Here, I found myself face-to-face with works by some of the biggest names in the art world, including Monet, Picasso, Cézanne and Matisse, along with many other celebrated artists. 🖼️

It’s quite something to stand in front of paintings you’ve seen reproduced countless times and appreciate them in person.

And this is one of the things I love about travelling solo: I can linger in front of a painting for as long as I like, wander into the next room when I’m ready, or simply stop and soak it all in — no compromises and no one asking, “Are you ready to go yet?” 😂

Vienna certainly knows how to combine beautiful buildings with world-class art. For a solo traveller, it’s a wonderful feeling to explore such places entirely at your own pace and make every visit your own.

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#AlbertinaMuseum #Vienna #ArtLovers #SoloFemaleTravel #TravelAtYourOwnPace

Walking through the impressive gates into the gardens of Upper Belvedere Palace, I was greeted by one of those views that makes you stop and take it all in. ❤️

Beautiful flower beds filled with tulips, an enormous reflecting pond and, stretching out beyond it all, the magnificent palace itself.

The Belvedere was originally built as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, one of the most successful military commanders of his time, during the great expansion of the Habsburg Empire. And what a summer residence it was! The palace, gardens, sculptures and formal flower beds create such an impressive setting — and I could see why this was designed to make an entrance.

Walking towards the palace with the tulips in bloom, I couldn’t help thinking that Vienna really does know how to make an arrival feel special. 🌷And this was just the beginning of discovering the Belvedere…

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #BelvederePalace #UpperBelvedere #ViennaAustria #SoloTravel

✨️Little discoveries on the Danube.....

One of my favourite things about wandering around Budapest is never knowing what you’re going to discover around the next corner. ❤️

Walking along the path near the Danube, I came across three bronze sculptures that immediately caught my eye.

📌First was The Little Princess (Kiskirálylány), sitting happily in her jester’s crown. Created by Hungarian sculptor László Marton, she has become one of Budapest’s much-loved sculptures — and I can certainly see why!

📌Then I found Ignác Roskovics, the Hungarian painter, standing at his easel as though he had simply stopped for a moment to paint the world around him.

📌And finally, a delightful scene of a little girl playing with her dog, created by Hungarian sculptor Dávid Raffay. There’s something wonderfully natural about this one — it feels like a little moment of everyday life captured in bronze.

Three sculptures, three very different stories… and another reminder that in Budapest, you don’t always have to go looking for the sights. Sometimes they find you! 😊

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #BudapestSculptures #Danube #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

🌿 Schönbrunn Palace – The Climb to the Gloriette! ☀️👑

I seemed to have been ambling through the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace for hours by the time I’d passed the ponds, fountains and statues and reached the magnificent Gloriette, perched on the hill at the far end of the gardens!

Of course, getting there meant a rather determined walk uphill. 😅 But when you’re travelling solo, there’s nobody to blame for choosing the long route except yourself!

Built during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, the Gloriette was used by the Imperial family for dining and entertaining. Imagine enjoying a meal here while looking out across the palace and its enormous grounds, and further out over your Empire.

Standing at the top and looking back towards the palace, you could appreciate just how vast the estate really is. My original plan to explore the gardens had turned into a full-blown walking adventure — and I still had the palace interior to come back for another day!

That’s the beauty of solo travel: I could stop whenever I wanted, take as many photos as I liked and tackle that hill at my own pace. No rushing, no compromises… just me, the sunshine and a very impressive imperial view! 💛📸

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#SchonbrunnPalace #Vienna #Gloriette #SoloFemaleTravel #AustriaTravel

✨ Inside the Royal Palace of Buda Castle…

After wandering through the cobblestone courtyards and passing the watchful lion statues, it was time to step inside the magnificent Royal Palace.

The palace has had quite a history. The original medieval royal residence dates back to the 13th century, although what we see today is the result of centuries of rebuilding, destruction and restoration.

Inside, the grand halls, sweeping staircases, ornate details and beautiful architecture give you a glimpse of the palace`s royal past. It’s hard not to imagine kings, queens and courtiers moving through these very spaces.

Sadly, much of the palace was destroyed during the Siege of Budapest in 1944–45, and the building was later reconstructed. Today, the palace is home to the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.

I love places like this where the architecture tells as much of the story as the exhibits do. And after all the walking around Buda Castle, I was more than happy to wander indoors for a while! 😂

Another piece of Budapest history explored. ❤️

Have you visited the Royal Palace at Buda Castle?

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #BudaCastle #RoyalPalace #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

A place of remembrance in the heart of Budapest✨️

Behind the magnificent Dohány Street Synagogue is a place that feels very different from the grand beauty of the synagogue itself. In the garden stands the Tree of Life, a weeping willow sculpture created by Hungarian artist Imre Varga. Its metal leaves bear the names and tattoo numbers of victims of the Holocaust, turning the tree into a powerful memorial to those who were murdered or disappeared.

The gardens surrounding the synagogue also hold the graves of thousands of Jewish people who died during the terrible conditions of the Budapest Ghetto during the Second World War. It is difficult to stand here and comprehend the scale of the suffering that took place in this very part of Budapest. The peaceful gardens, the sound of the leaves and the beautiful synagogue behind them make the history feel even more poignant.

📍If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #DohanySynagogue #TreeOfLife #HolocaustRemembrance #JewishHistory

Beautiful Prague in spring was the next stop on my recent solo adventure to central Europe, where I stayed at Hotel Grandium ✨️ Lovely place in a great location and nice and close to the station, perfect if you arrive by rail.
✨️Check out the hotels I stayed in by clicking the link to my website in the bio.

#grandiumprague #solotravel

My last full day in Budapest was turning into a serious sightseeing marathon! 🚶‍♀️☀️

After catching the tram to Margaret Bridge, I crossed over to Margaret Island and started exploring. Just a few minutes into the park, down the hill from the bridge, I discovered the beautiful Water Tower, built in 1911 and now one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks.

Apparently, there are 152 steps to climb to the top for wonderful views over Budapest.I say apparently because, thankfully… it was closed! 😂 After all the stairs I’d already climbed around Budapest, I decided this was one viewpoint I could happily admire from ground level!

So I continued my walk and soon came across another little treasure — St Michael’s Chapel, a charming medieval chapel dating back to the 12th century.

From grand Parliament views to a historic little chapel hidden among the greenery, Margaret Island was proving that there was still plenty more of Budapest to discover. And thankfully, not every discovery required climbing 152 steps! 😄

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #MargaretIsland #StMichaelsChapel #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

Turns out, I wasn`t the only one enjoying Budapest under blue skies! ☀️😂 (Solo traveller meets everyone else who had the same bright idea! 😂)

By the time I reached Fisherman’s Bastion, the quiet morning atmosphere had well and truly disappeared.

Suddenly there were `other people` everywhere — wandering through the fairytale turrets, stopping for photos, admiring the views and generally enjoying the sunshine just as much as I was. And who could blame them?

After several gloomy, rainy days in Budapest, it seemed the minute the sun came out, everyone had exactly the same idea…...Get to Fisherman’s Bastion! 😄📸

So much for having Budapest all to myself — but I certainly wasn’t complaining. The sunshine made those beautiful white stone turrets look even more magical.

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #FishermansBastion #HungaryTravel #BudapestViews #SoloTravel

🏰 Three more little discoveries around Buda Castle…

There is so much to see walking back up through the Castle District that you really do need to keep your eyes open — and preferably have your camera ready! 📸

First, I came across the impressive Habsburg Gate, built in 1903 as part of the castle`s fortifications. With its ornate stonework and rather grand entrance, it certainly makes a statement.

Then there was the wonderfully playful Fountain of the Fishing Children, created by Hungarian sculptor Károly Senyei in 1900. The bronze children wrestling with their fishing net and fish bring a little fun to the otherwise very grand surroundings.

And then, keeping a watchful eye over it all, is the magnificent Turul Bird statue. This mythical bird of Hungarian legend sits proudly with its wings spread, clutching a sword in its talons. The statue was created by sculptor Gyula Donáth and unveiled in 1905.

Three very different sights, but each with its own story — and another reminder that around Buda Castle, there seems to be something interesting hiding around every corner.

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #BudaCastle #BudapestSculptures #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

Sometimes the best Budapest discoveries happen when you`re on your way somewhere else!✨

I was walking past the magnificent St. Stephen`s Basilica when I noticed a service was about to begin. I spotted an opportunity for a quick look inside… and, well, who was I to just walk past? 😉I quietly slipped inside, took a few photos of the incredible interior and had a quick look around before leaving them to prepare for the service.

And what an interior! The soaring dome, magnificent marble, gilded details, paintings and mosaics make this one of Budapest`s most impressive churches. Named after St. Stephen, Hungary`s first king, the basilica was completed in 1905, after more than half a century of construction and several rather unfortunate setbacks along the way.

I didn`t stay long on this occasion, but sometimes a quick glimpse is enough! When there is no service happening you can pay to visit and stay longer!

Another little Budapest bonus — and this one didn`t cost me a cent! 😂

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #StStephensBasilica #HungaryTravel #BudapestArchitecture #SoloTravel

🍽️ Hofburg Palace – Dinner Fit for an Emperor, (or Empress!) 👑

Oh, to have been invited to dinner at the Hofburg Palace with Sisi and Franz! What an experience that must have been.

From the grand entrance, through rooms dressed in deep crimson carpets and curtains, with mirrors and gold trimmings everywhere, you certainly knew you were somewhere rather special.

And then there was the dining table! Beautifully laid with sparkling glassware, an impressive array of cutlery, exquisite gold-trimmed crockery and magnificent silverware. Every detail was designed to impress, and impress it certainly did!🥂

I could only imagine the grand dinners, important guests and royal occasions that once took place here. What conversations must have been held around these tables, and what a privilege it would have been to experience one of those evenings.

Wandering through as a solo traveller, I had plenty of time to take it all in and imagine what life behind these imperial doors must have been like.

I think I could quite happily have accepted a dinner invitation… and I would have dressed for the occasion! 😉✨

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#HofburgPalace #Vienna #ImperialVienna #PalaceInteriors #SoloFemaleTravel

Budapest was an amazing place to begin my solo adventure to Central Europe.
✨️ Hotel President was in a great location for exploring, walking distance to most places, or handy to the metro or buses.
✨️For more info on the hotels I stayed in click the link to my website in the bio.

#hotelpresidentbudapest #solotravel #solotrip #soloadventure #budapest

🏰 Budapest has another castle… and of course I had to go and find it!

Even though the weather was looking a little gloomy during my time in Budapest, it certainly wasn`t going to keep me indoors. So I headed up to City Park (Városliget) to discover the city`s other castle — the enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle.

And what a beautiful surprise!

Built between 1896 and 1908 as part of Hungary`s Millennium celebrations, Vajdahunyad Castle is a wonderfully eclectic mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Rather than being an ancient castle, it was originally created as a temporary exhibition — but Budapest obviously decided it liked it too much to let it go!

Today, its fairytale towers, turrets and lakeside setting make it one of the most photographed spots in City Park.

The gloomy skies actually added a little atmosphere to the castle… although I wouldn`t have complained if Budapest had turned the sunshine on for me! ☁️😂

If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #VajdahunyadCastle #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel #VisitBudapest

Not all of Buda Castle is polished and perfect… and that`s part of its story. 🏰

While exploring Buda Castle, I came across a section that has yet to receive the same restoration and renovation as some of the more pristine areas.And I have to admit, I found it more fascinating.

The weathered walls, exposed stonework and signs of its long history tell a very different story from the grand restored palace nearby. After centuries of rebuilding, wars and destruction, particularly during the Siege of Budapest in 1944–45, Buda Castle has quite literally worn its history.

It was tempting to not walk that far past the main renovated sections, but I think these less-perfect corners can sometimes tell us more than the beautifully finished ones. There`s something quite special about seeing a place where the past hasn`t been completely smoothed away.

Budapest certainly has its grand and glamorous side… but I rather liked seeing a little of its rough-around-the-edges history too. ❤️

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #BudaCastle #BudapestHistory #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

Views, views and more views… and yes, I took even more photos of the Parliament! 📸

Standing high up at Buda Castle, I was treated to some of the best views across Budapest.

There was the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building sitting proudly on the banks of the Danube — and honestly, you can never have too many photos of it! 😂

Looking along the river, I could also see the elegant Chain Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge and the beautiful sweep of the Danube, with Budapest stretching out on either side. It`s one of those views where you keep moving a few steps, thinking this must be the best angle… only to find another one a few metres later!

The weather may not have been perfect during my visit, but Budapest certainly didn`t let a few gloomy skies spoil the view.

Sometimes you just have to stop, take it all in… and take one more photo of the Parliament. ❤️📸

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #BudapestViews #HungarianParliament #Danube #SoloTravel

Had a quick run around Prague after a 4 hour train trip from Vienna. I was last in Prague 9 years ago, all seems familiar except Wenceslas Square....apart from the statue of Good King Wenceslas on his horse, the rest of the square that used to be an elegant collection of historic buildings, hotels, cafes, etc......has now turned into Oxford Street, London...Primark, C&A, Half Price, the list goes on......who thought that was a good idea????

#prague #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #charlesbridgeprague

Exploring Prague with lots of walking and lots of tram rides! Walking across Charles Bridge, up to the castle, through Lesser Town, into New Town, and historic Old Town.

#prague #praguelife #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything

Walking from Bratislava train station to the town centre takes 15 minutes, passing through a park and by the parliament buildings before reaching the historic cobblestone streets.
This is where the touristification of the town kicks in, every shop is a restaurant or souvenier shop.
Even the castle is a remake of what they think tourists want to see....we actually want to see the original castle!!

#bratislava #streetsofbratislava #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes

Beautiful day to have another amble around the gardens at Schonbrunn Palace after exploring the Imperial Apartments, in another month these gardens will be in full bloom☀️☀️☀️

#schönbrunnpalace #schönbrunnschloss #palacegardens #solotrip

🏰 Kings, hunters and a prince on horseback… Budapest Castle certainly has some impressive company!

While exploring Buda Castle, I came across two very different but equally spectacular bronze statues.

First, the King Matthias and His Hunting Party fountain, created by Hungarian sculptor Alajos Stróbl and unveiled in 1904. King Matthias Corvinus, one of Hungary`s most celebrated rulers, sits proudly among his hunting party, with the figures, horses and hounds capturing the excitement of a royal hunt. The detail is incredible — even the dogs look as though they`re ready to take off after their next target!

Then there`s the rather dramatic Prince Eugene of Savoy, proudly sitting high on his horse outside the castle. Created by sculptor József Róna and unveiled in 1900, the monument commemorates Prince Eugene, the military commander who played an important role in the defeat of the Ottoman forces and the liberation of Buda in 1686.

Two statues, two very different stories, and plenty of magnificent bronze to admire.

I do love a city where you can simply wander around and unexpectedly find yourself standing beside centuries of history — although I think I`d have preferred to arrive at Buda Castle on horseback rather than climbing all those stairs! 😂🐎

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #BudaCastle #BudapestSculptures #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

A table for one… and a very good reason to book it! 🍽️✨

After admiring the beautiful Párisi Passage in Budapest, it was time to experience it from the inside — this time with a delicious three-course set menu and a table for one.

And what a setting for dinner! Surrounded by the spectacular architecture, ornate details and warm atmosphere of this magnificent restaurant ✨️ Three courses of beautifully presented food, a lovely atmosphere and plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the experience. ❤️

And yes… I may have taken photos of every course before eating it! 📸😂

Great food, a beautiful setting and a memorable evening in Budapest. The perfect end to a big day exploring Budapest.

If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #ParisiPassage #BudapestFood #SoloTravel #SoloDining

✨ Standing among the heroes of Hungary…..

No visit to Budapest`s City Park is complete without a stop at Heroes` Square (Hősök tere) — and after exploring Vajdahunyad Castle, it was the perfect next stop on my solo adventure. The enormous square is dominated by the Millennium Monument, built to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the arrival of the Magyars in the Carpathian Basin in 895.

At its centre stands the Archangel Gabriel, high above the 36-metre column, while the colonnades on either side feature statues of important figures from Hungarian history. There is certainly no shortage of impressive-looking people to keep you company!

The monument was begun in 1896 as part of Hungary`s Millennium celebrations, although the whole ensemble wasn`t completed until 1929. With its grand scale, towering statues and beautiful surrounding buildings, Heroes` Square is one of those places where you can`t help but stop for a moment and take it all in.

Budapest certainly knows how to make history feel larger than life. ❤️

If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #HeroesSquare #HungaryTravel #HungarianHistory #SoloTravel

After exploring the Upper Belvedere, I continued around to discover the Lower Belvedere and its gardens — and they seemed to go on and on! 🌿

The gardens were filled with sparkling white sculptures, beautifully positioned amongst the flower beds and dotted in and around the many ponds. Every turn seemed to reveal another sculpture, another view or another beautiful part of the gardens.

And here’s a useful little tip if you’re visiting: the Belvedere gardens are free to enter, so you can wander around and enjoy the magnificent setting without needing a ticket for the palace interiors. I could also keep an eye on the queue of people waiting to go inside the palace… 👀

My plan was simple — enjoy the gardens, admire the views, and wait patiently for a little afternoon lull in the crowds! After all, there was no point standing in a queue if I could be wandering around beautiful gardens instead! 😂 Now I just had to hope that my timing was right…

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #BelvederePalace #LowerBelvedere #ViennaAustria #SoloTravel

Well… when you see a staircase, you may as well find out where it leads! 😄

Inside Matthias Church, I climbed my way up to one of the higher balcony levels — and I’m very pleased to report that the view was absolutely worth every step! Looking down from above, the church was even more spectacular. The colourful patterns, ornate decorations and beautiful architecture all came together in a completely different way from up here.

Sometimes exploring means looking up, sometimes looking down… and occasionally wondering just how many more stairs there are! 😂

But this view? Definitely worth the climb. ❤️

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #MatthiasChurch #BudaCastle #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

✨ A little taste of Paris… in Budapest!

I stumbled upon Párisi Passage in Budapest and, honestly, this is one of those places where you walk in and immediately forget where you were going!

Tucked beneath the impressive Párisi Udvar building, this spectacular glass-roofed passage is a feast for the eyes, with its ornate Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic details, beautiful mosaics, stained glass and sparkling chandeliers.

The building dates back to the early 20th century, when Budapest was enjoying its golden age and competing with the great European cities for architectural bragging rights. And I think it did rather well!

Today, the passage is home to a beautiful café and hotel, making it the perfect place to stop for a coffee and admire the architecture from the inside.

Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you weren`t actually looking for! ❤️

Would you add Párisi Passage to your Budapest itinerary?

If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.

#Budapest #ParisiPassage #BudapestTravel #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

The gardens at the Governor Generals house in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens are open to walk around most weekends.
✨️ Feels weird to go and sit on the balcony of someone else`s house and look out at the harbour, but it`s a very relaxing way to spend a bit of time!!

#royalbotanicgarden #fountains #beautifulgardensoftheworld #seeeverythingdoeverything

Cesky Krumlov, a quaint medieval town in the south of the Czech Republic, a simple day trip by train from Prague....then lots and lots of walking on cobble stone paths!!

#ceskykrumlov #daytripfromprague #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes

👑 Hofburg Palace – A Visit to the Imperial City Residence! ✨

My exploration of Vienna’s imperial palaces continued, this time at the Hofburg Palace, the Emperor and Empress’s grand city residence. Clearly, I hadn’t quite had my fill of royal palaces just yet!

I began my visit at the Sisi Museum, making my way up a very grand marble staircase before entering the reception room - there was a beautifully restored tall ceramic heater, sparkling chandeliers, gold-framed mirrors and deep crimson wallpaper and curtains. Absolutely dripping in imperial elegance!

Now, red has never really been one of my favourite colours, but this rich, deep crimson? I think I could get used to that! ❤️

As I wandered through these magnificent rooms, I couldn`t help imagining what life must have been like behind these grand palace walls. I think I could get used to that too! ❤️

And the lovely thing about exploring somewhere like this on my own? I could take my time, admire every little detail and indulge my fascination with imperial history without anyone wondering how many more rooms I intended to visit!

Apparently, quite a few! 😂

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#HofburgPalace #SisiMuseum #Vienna #ImperialHistory #SoloFemaleTravel

🌧️ Well, the rain had clearly decided where I was going next!

I was wandering around the Castle District when the rain started falling again. Luckily, I happened to be very close to Matthias Church, so naturally I took this as a very clear sign that it was time to head inside. 😉

And what a decision! The interior of Matthias Church is absolutely spectacular, with its beautifully patterned walls, colourful decoration, intricate details and magnificent stained-glass windows. It feels completely different from the grand Gothic churches you might expect to find in Europe.

The church has a fascinating history dating back to the 13th century, although much of what you see today was restored in the 19th century under architect Frigyes Schulek. Named after King Matthias Corvinus, who was married here in the 15th century, the church has witnessed coronations, royal weddings, Ottoman occupation and centuries of change.

So, thank you, Budapest rain! ☔️ What started as an attempt to stay dry turned into one of the highlights of my time exploring Buda Castle. Sometimes the weather really does know best! ❤️

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #MatthiasChurch #BudaCastle #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel

Gold, Gold and MORE Gold at the Belvedere! ✨👑

If I thought the foyer and staircase at the Lower Belvedere were impressive, the rooms upstairs certainly weren’t going to disappoint!

The first rooms I wandered into had gleaming white walls, magnificent gold chandeliers, gold-framed mirrors, gold ceiling decorations and gold embellishments covering the walls. Did I mention the gold? 😂 It was everywhere!

The contrast between the crisp white walls and all that golden detail was simply stunning. Everywhere I looked, there was another beautiful feature to admire — and, of course, another photo to take! 📸

I was beginning to think the designers at the palace, didn`t have subtlety mentioned in the brief! After all, why have one gold chandelier when you can have magnificent gold chandeliers, gold mirrors and gold decorations everywhere you turn? 😂 ❤️

✨If you`re planning your own solo adventure to Vienna, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Vienna #LowerBelvedere #BelvederePalace #ViennaAustria #SoloTravel

And just like that, my walk through Margaret Island came to an end… but my big final day in Budapest was nowhere near finished! ☀️🚶‍♀️

After wandering past the Ensana Grand Health Spa and the charming Music Well, I made my way to the bus stop on Árpád Bridge. By now, I’d covered a serious amount of ground — but there was still more Budapest waiting to be explored.

So I did what any determined solo traveller would do…I jumped on the first bus that came along and headed off to see what I could discover next! 🚌😂

No complicated plans, no stopping for a rest… just me, my camera and a city that still had plenty more to show me.Onwards with the Budapest adventure! ❤️

✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website, tripovertheworld.com, in my bio.

#Budapest #MargaretIsland #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel #BudapestAdventure