Touchdown in Budapest, Hungary—and back to the Avenue Hostel, where I’d randomly stayed a few years ago with The Boys. This time, I was with my son, Declan, 23, on his first proper taste of my kinda travel.
We grabbed beds at £7 a night, not exactly five-star but unbeatable for backpackers and perfect for our mission. Declan has always wanted to go travelling, so I suggested trying out a few city breaks first to see if the solo travel life suited him. After all, it's not all Instagram sunsets—there are highs and lows, and sometimes things get a bit lonely out there.
So he booked Budapest, and then—maybe anticipating some of those lows—asked if I fancied tagging along. Naturally, I said yes.
That night, we hit the bars and had an absolute blast. One of the highlights? Szimpla Kert—Budapest’s most iconic ruin bar, set inside an abandoned factory and transformed into a multi-level art bar. Graffiti, bathtubs, disco lights—it’s like drinking inside a surrealist daydream.
Back at the hostel, however, the vibe shifted. Turns out I was the one who snored like a freight train, and likely ruined sleep for everyone else in the dorm.
Day 2 – Wednesday, 11th Jan: Pilgrimage to MJ
We spent the day walking miles through the city—Buda Castle, Parliament, the Fisherman’s Bastion. Then we made our way to a hidden gem of pop culture oddity: the Michael Jackson Memorial Tree.
Yes, it’s real. Outside the Kempinski Hotel, fans have created a bizarre shrine—posters, candles, trinkets, and heartfelt notes all pinned to a tree. We couldn't resist. Declan did a dramatic prayer-like recital of Beat It on camera, which quickly morphed into a film idea:
A spoof documentary about obsessive MJ fans making a sacred pilgrimage from Abergele to Budapest to find the tree.
Later, we hit the bars again and had another cracking night out—some lively spots in Pest, including a great little roadside bar near Parliament (called PRLMNT Bar). We got in around 1am knackered but buzzing.
Day 3 – Thursday, 12th Jan: Thermal Baths & Budget Beers
Breakfast? A Hungarian hot dog—meaty, spiced, and just the thing before a soak. We queued up for the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths, which opened at 10am.
Built in 1913, and funded under the rule of King Franz Joseph, the baths are powered by natural hot springs. They’re the largest of their kind in Europe, and honestly, it feels like stepping into another world: baroque courtyards, columns, statues, swirling steam, and elderly locals playing chess in 38°C water.
And yes, plenty of Instagram bikini girls doing their thing while everyone else floated by like confused walruses. We stared a bit, not gonna lie.
Later, we wandered across the Danube into Buda—the quieter, older half of the city (Budapest = Buda + Pest). Over here, things were way cheaper. The litmus test? The price of a pint: £1.67. So of course, we drank accordingly.
Declan, already hooked on the freedom of the trip, whipped out his phone and casually booked a solo Ryanair trip to Prague in three weeks. No hesitation. He’s got the bug now.
Day 4 – Friday, 13th Jan: Pool, Sights & One Last Look
With our flight not until 9:45pm, we had one final long day to soak up Budapest. Sadly, no beers for me today—I’d be driving us home from Manchester Airport later.
So we played some pool, wandered through side streets, and took in the city one last time. No big plans, no wild missions—just that perfect, mellow end-of-trip energy. We hit up a few more sights we’d missed, grabbed a bite, and let the city close its chapter at its own pace.
Even in the drizzle, Budapest still shines.
We made it to the airport, boarded our flight home, and just like that—it was over.
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