My friend, Ambrus, pointed out the black flag hanging just outside the church door. Someone has died in Panyola. Later, I mentioned this to his wife, Zsuzsa. “Yes, I know, they rang the bells,” she said. Curious, I asked if the bells had been rung once for each year of age of the deceased, as … Read more
Interior of the gorgeous, restored Vigado Palace in Budapest, Hungary. The venue is used for government meetings, conferences, and cultural events.
Budapest Castle on the Buda side of the city, seen through a window of the newly restored Vigado Palace on the Pest side of Budapest, Hungary
Perhaps it was the fairy tale I’d heard earlier in the day that put me in mind of ogres. Approaching Holloko Castle I felt like Jack, the steep path to the top of the hill serving as my beanstalk. The crenelated walls seemed more prison than castle and inside, as I descended into the bowels … Read more
Interior of the Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary, which features a large elevated pulpit and lavish decor, is a departure from traditional synagogues that usually have a small pulpit in the center of the room and more conservative furnishings. One of the many magnificent sites seen during my Grand European Tour with Viking River … Read more
