budapest / christmas market / thermal baths / snow.

the interest is growing at this time of year to travel and visit with family. to warm your heart and your fingers. there is no better place to do this than at a christmas market, with your family of course. it is expensive to get flights at this time of year, but there are still incredible deals on flights in order to get away with mom and dad and brother and sister in tow. budapest offers great hospitality as well as excellent holiday activities.

the open air ice rinks are open now, with relatively cheap entrance. the most popular one is in city park, right next to hero's square. skates can be rented and if you aren't so skilled on your bladed feet, there are teachers around to give you a lesson, or two!

budapest is also home to one of the most famous christmas markets. there are different parts of it scattered around the city, but the main deal is at vörösmarty square, right in the city centre, just a few blocks away from the danube. the festival features handcrafts, traditional hungarian folk music, mulled wine, and fresh pastries and treats. everynight until christmas an advent window is opened at the famous gerbeau cafe. people come back every winter to get their festival mug, which changes its design year to year.

there is no trip to budapest that is complete without a visit to a thermal bath. at szechenyi, their outdoor heated pools stay open all winter, even when there are snow flakes in the air. its magical. admission costs 3000 forint but you can stay all-day long, going from bath to bath. make sure to bring a robe though, as its pretty chilly when you get out!