- Budapest or Warsaw - where is the best shopping?
- National cuisine
- Attractions and entertainment
The central part of Europe is no less attractive for Russian tourists than Western Europe. There are many beautiful capitals here, for example, Budapest or Warsaw, which have long established themselves as cities worthy of the attention of a sophisticated tourist.
An experienced traveler will naturally find similarities between the main cities of the former Warsaw Pact countries. On the other hand, they are very different from each other - this applies to culture, cuisine, and historical monuments.
Budapest or Warsaw - where is the best shopping experience?
The capital of Hungary in terms of shopping is one of the best cities in the country, this is understandable, here you can buy both food and things. Among the first are the famous Hungarian wines (Tokaj), palinka (fruit brandy) or liquor with the symbolic name Unicum. From food supplies, tourists adore Hungarian salami, paprika paste, marzipan, housewives stock up on saffron. Popular national souvenirs:
- embroidery, including bedding, curtains or tablecloths;
- traditional costumes or dolls in such outfits;
- Hungarian porcelain (choose carefully, as there are many fakes).
Large shopping centers are also present in Budapest, located near the Central Market, shopping for designer items can be combined with buying a bottle of wine and a chocolate cake to celebrate this business.
Warsaw is even more ready than Budapest for tourists who love shopping in all its forms. There are many markets in the city where things are sold at quite democratic prices, where wholesalers from Russia and Belarus like to make purchases. You can also find large shopping centers with many shops selling branded items from European companies, high-quality Polish cosmetics are popular. There are plenty of tasty products for souvenirs in Poland, for example, sweets or the famous Krakow smoked sausage.
National cuisine
What products can be tasted in Budapest has already been mentioned above. You need to be prepared for the fact that Hungarian cuisine is hearty, meaty, not vegetarian in any way, although vegetables are present, but only as a side dish. One of the most famous dishes of the country is goulash, which, rather, resembles a thick soup, especially goulash served in a loaf of bread is especially beautiful. The second feature of the national cuisine is the absence of seafood and very few fish dishes, which is explained by the fact that Hungary has no access to the sea. Lovers of famous Hungarian wines are best served in early September, when the capital is hosting the Wine Festival.
Warsaw knows how to treat deliciously, and the city has a variety of food outlets offering everything from fast food to foie gras. Dairy bars are popular, in which mainly egg and dairy dishes, but at very ridiculous prices. Local specialties are not for everyone, not everyone will dare to try "bigos" (stewed cabbage with meat) or "flask soup" (cow tripe). But the taste of these dishes, which the Poles love and know how to cook, surpasses all expectations and doubts. On the menu of local restaurants, you can see such a dish as "pies" (emphasis on the first syllable), what a surprise tourists can be when, instead of the expected huge pies (in the best Russian traditions), small beautiful dumplings are brought, however, the portion looks impressive.
Attractions and entertainment
The historical center of Budapest is included in the famous UNESCO lists as a treasury of historical monuments of world importance. The city consists of several parts, the most interesting for tourists is the Buda area, it is here that the Buda Fortress is located, which is visible from any corner. The main tourist attraction is the Royal Palace, next to the Museum of the History of the City, the National Gallery. The temple complexes, for example, the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. Stephen, deserve special attention of the guests of the Hungarian capital.
The Polish capital was not very lucky, there are not so many attractions here, but not because the ancient architects bypassed the city. The Second World War brought about significant changes in the modern look of Warsaw. The main attraction is called the Royal Palace, inside it there are museum expositions. It is interesting for walks in Stare myasto (Old Town); in the final, guests will find Krakowska Street, a meeting point for tourists looking for architectural masterpieces.
Comparison of the two beautiful capitals made it possible to find similarities and differences between them, therefore, guests gather in Budapest who:
- love to buy delicious souvenirs and gifts;
- love goulash and Tokay wine;
- cannot imagine a trip without a huge number of historical monuments.
Warsaw will be very good for tourists who:
- can not live without shopping;
- they love to taste Polish cuisine;
- love walks in historical places.
