Budapest is charming and historical. Christmas is the perfect time to see the city dazzle in its ancient beauty and glow with the fragrant of mulled wine.

I think this city is the fundamental European city – based on my biased and hasting judgement of course. But this city has all the elements of Europe: castle, cobblestone, grand architecture, old trams, cafes… I wish I had visited Budapest first, because this city feels like the heart of this continent.

This time of the year, a thick veil of fog covers the Danube, making the light reflect off a red-ish tint in so many of my photos. I usually can deal with different situations to get decent photos, but I have to admit defeated with the fog. That’s when I just gave up and actually enjoyed being there in the city.

Christmas time makes me lazy though, and I wish I wasn’t so lethargic. Although I did walk around the city a lot. I felt safe and cozy in the city center, where it’s convenient to get to places and people aren’t hurrying all the time.

Of course when people think of Budapest they think of the grandiose parliament building. I enjoyed seeing it as I walked across the bridges and along the river. Having come back from Stockholm, I didn’t find the city that cold in comparison! I wanted to bike around the city, but the vacation mood took over and I went shopping instead. Surprisingly I didn’t go on a spree, but I was so into the secret boxes – they’re actually Turkish. And I remembered that the Rubik’s Cube was invented by a Hungarian! Can’t resist a little exercise for the mind.

I see a little bit of everywhere I’ve been in Budapest. There’s Ronald Reagan in the park and ruined bars. A fun, young, and cultural city, full of character and charisma.

I’m starting to become exhausted – not just from the travelling, but also from winding down from a hectic year. As I stood on top of a hill overlooking Budapest, I found myself letting go and catching a breathe in the foggy December air.