2017: Balkan Bike Tour

Mileage: Today-0; Total-612  Route to Budapest International Terminal With everything packed or laid out, I was up and out of the room in 15 minutes. We had minimal rain for 3 weeks, but it was raining this morning in Budapest as I loaded my bags. Leslie, my private car driver, was precisely 2 minutes early, and the drive to the airport was less than 30 minutes. The check-in line extended across the terminal, (everyone is now 2 hours early), but only one couple in the Sky Priority line. Sitting in Delta seats for well over 2-million miles for 30 years counts for something. Absolutely zero issues with every aspect of the return on Delta flights. Random Trip Observations Everybody smokes, young, old, male, female. They smoke pretty much everywhere. At cafes’ outdoor tables, nearly every individual at every table smokes—over drinks, between courses, and after the meal. They smoke as the walk and even as they bike. Getting upwind is often difficult. T...

Mileage: Today-22; Total-612 Today was a personal sightseeing day, as Stuart has visited Budapest numerous times. Much as last year in Madrid, I used the Hop-on; Hop-off Bus map to cycle to the various sights, along with Stuart's recommendations. I first cycled across the bridge to the older Buda side and went upriver nearly 5 miles. I was told that there was a Roman encampment, but the excellent riverside trail (the EV6 Route) transitioned to city streets, and I lost interest in navigating Monday morning traffic. I returned and followed cycle paths to Castle Hill, then back to the Pest side, multiple sights, lunch, packed the bike, and then found the major tourist market. I'll venture out for an early light dinner and then early to bed, given my 4 am car pickup to the airport. What follows are some sights of Budapest that caught my eye. Buda side. I particularly like the colored shingle/tile roof. Pest from Castle Hill on the Buda side. Given the guards...