Night Train to Munich

We experienced another comfortable train journey from Strasbourg to Munich where more Christmas markets awaited us.  There were a number of different markets to experience, from the traditional Christkindlmarkt in front of the town hall to various others scattered throughout the city.  


 Dinner that evening was at Michael’s second favourite restaurant in Munich, Haxnbauer.  This was to be James’ first experience of Bavarian cuisine, so Michael went all out and ordered a huge meat platter for the two of them to share, consisting of grilled sausages, liver dumplings, pork knuckle, veal knuckle and grilled smoked pork belly, all served with sauerkraut, potato dumplings and gravy.  I think James was impressed, if a little overwhelmed.

Yes they are on surf boards

The next day we walked out to the English Garden to visit the Christmas market held in the beer garden of the Chinese Tower. I think that this was my favourite market in Munich, as it was full of families enjoying the day and the garden itself is always a pleasure to see.  There was a curling rink set up and we spent a while watching the men play the game whilst balancing their beer and cigarettes.  We also took a walk to the Mediaeval Market where we enjoyed a flaming cup of mulled wine.

No trip to Munich would be complete without a visit to the historic Hofbrauhaus and we popped in, intending to just have a drink.  The beer hall was packed to the rafters with people adorned in the red jumpers of the Munich football club, as a game was due to be played that evening. 



We found a table in one of the back rooms and enjoyed a beer when all at once, the crowd seemed to rise as one, and they headed out the door, as obviously the game was due to start.  We took advantage of the exodus and took up a seat in the main hall and decided to remain for our dinner and enjoy the music of the oompah band and soak up the atmosphere of the happy Bavarians.  I think it would be impossible to be unhappy surrounded by so many people enjoying themselves.  Even young children are given small glasses of beer to drink with their families (I assume it is watered down with lemonade).

James and Amber had a day to themselves, so Michael and I re-visited some our favourite places in Munich.  We made sure that we viewed the chiming of the Astronomical Clock (I don’t think I would ever get tired of watching the clock, even if I lived in Munich).  We also had a good look around the Viktualienmarkt, seeing all of the fresh produce, before meeting up with Amber and James for dinner at Michael’s favourite restaurant in Munich, Wirsthaus Zum Straubinger.  The meat platter that James and Michael shared was enough to turn a person vegetarian!

We spent our final day with more wanderings and later dining at a lovely Thai restaurant in the evening called Longgrain.  Michael and I particularly appreciated the food, as we have yet to find a good Thai restaurant in Dublin  (I was also thankful for a rest from all of the meat I had been consuming).  

My House In Budapest

We took another comfortable train journey, this time from Munich to Budapest, arriving late in the evening.  A short walk from the station took us to our hotel where the most magnificent surprise awaited us. 




Amber had organised the accommodation for our stay in the wonderful Hotel Nemzeti and we were instantly taken with the magnificent historic surroundings including the original staircase and lead glass ceiling. The surprises kept coming when we were presented with the keys to our very own suite and we were stunned by the size and beauty of our rooms, including an enormous bathroom with a rain shower.  It was all very luxurious and totally unexpected however very much appreciated and I lost no time settling into our home for the next three nights.

We started the following day with a leisurely buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room.  There was an enormous array of foods to chose from with even a chocolate fountain and sparkling wine on offer (I was remarkably restrained and held myself back from the wine, as I wanted to be able to enjoy the sights).  





 We had a lovely day wandering the streets and visiting the Christmas markets.  The items for sale at the markets were very different to what we had seen in Germany and France, with beautiful handcrafts and the most amazing array of food.  The city itself is looking glorious, with much restoration having taken place since we were last there.  

 I think that in another ten years time, Budapest will rival Vienna in terms of beauty and the magnificence of the architecture.  James had booked dinner for all of us at a lovely restaurant, however I suggested that as it was Christmas Eve, they might prefer to dine alone.   They jumped at the chance and headed out together whilst Michael and I took the opportunity for a night walk around the city in search of somewhere to eat.  Unfortunately for us, the only place that we could find open was a kebab shop, so that was what we had – kebab and chips.

Christmas Day dawned, and we met at the hotel restaurant for b  This time there was no holding back from the sparkling wine (it was Christmas, after all).  Next, it was time for presents, and we adjourned to our suite to spend a fun time, sharing our gifts.  It was a lovely way to spend Christmas morning.

It wasn’t a white Christmas – in fact it was unseasonably warm and sunny.  We took advantage of the sunshine and walked over the Chain Bridge and took a ride up the funicular to the castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.  The view from the top was magnificent and there were many Hungarians wandering about, enjoying the warm day.  

Our Christmas dinner was a real treat, organised for us by James.  The restaurant was Costes, and after some initial confusion (we walked to the wrong restaurant and then had to find a taxi to take us to the correct one), we walked into a beautiful building adorned with a massive chandelier. The restaurant itself was quite lovely and the degustation menu was fantastic.  Plate after plate kept arriving, with each one more delicious than the one before. 


It really was a most memorable Christmas meal.  We finished the night back in our suite, playing Heads Up, a really fun game that Amber had downloaded the App for.  It is like charades, and I think that I will always remember Amber trying to think of a way to act out coral and a barnacle!  What a lovely Christmas!