Traveling with the Jones

Discovering the local food specialities of a destination has always been one of our favorite aspects of travel. And if the destination is also known for its wine, all the better.

When we visited Budapest in early May, we wanted to get an insider’s view of the local Hungarian food and wine scene.

We booked a Culinary Walking Tour through Taste Hungary that promised to show us the food, wine and culture of Budapest.

Our four-hour tour started upstairs at the Central Market Hall, one of Europe’s largest indoor market halls filled with every kind of food and meat imaginable.

The first stop on our tour was at a tiny corner bar, for our introduction to Unicum, a bitter herbal liqueur produced by the Zwack family from a secret recipe of more than 40 herbs.

Unicum tastes like a bitter herbal cough remedy, and since we were struggling with colds, jet lag and missing luggage, we convinced ourselves that this drink would cure our ails and get our walking tour off to a good start.

Properly conditioned, we set off to tour the market’s out-of-the-mainstream aisles, led by our knowledgeable and charming guide Gabor Banfalvi.

 

Hungarians love their sausage, and this stand at the Central Market offered a wide selection.

 

Gí¡bor ordered a selection for our group of four, and then explained each, starting with the fried goose fat or cracklings, followed by sausages made of pork and paprika, horse meat, Italian-style and head cheese.

 

Next we visited a poultry stall. Can you guess which rooster parts are in the center of the photo?

 

As we worked our way through the market, we learned how Hungarian home cooks use ingredients like paprika, pork fat, and goose liver.

 

Hungarians also love their pickles, made from a wide array of vegetables.

 

We tasted three kinds of cheese, including a chocolate cheese that came in a wrapper like a candy bar.

 

It was also interesting to see the fresh ingredients available in the market.  In early May, ramps were in season.

 

From the Central Market, we walked to a fish restaurant in the surrounding neighborhood, where we each enjoyed a bowl of the soup of the day (after learning how important soup is in the Hungarian food culture.)

 

We also shared several fish dishes, from the traditional to the trendy during a leisurely lunch.

 

Walking again, we stopped by a chocolate shop, trying several different samples of beautiful chocolates with some unusual flavors.  Paprika chili chocolate tastes better than it sounds.

 

Very full, we walked again, through a park while Gí¡bor shared tidbits on the neighborhoods as well as  the history and culture of Hungary.

 

A tour of Hungarian food wouldn’t be complete without visiting a cafe. Our next stop was a Hungarian cafe dating to 1870, where we sampled four different styles of Hungarian pastry. Walnuts, poppy seeds, chocolate and custard are common ingredients.

 

Finally, we walked back towards our starting point at the Central Market Hall, with a stop for wine tasting at the nearby Borbirosag “wine cork” restaurant and wine bar.  We tasted three different Hungarian wines.

 

This was our group with Gabor to the far left.  While teaching us about Hungarian wines, we also got the insider’s scoop on the cities best restaurants and wine bars.

TASTE HUNGARY was founded in 2008 by Carolyn and Gabor Banfalvi.

Carolyn is a journalist and foodie from Washington, D.C.  She is the author of Food Wine Budapest.

Gabor grew up in a village in northwestern Hungary.  He and Carolyn met working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean.

They are the perfect hosts to show you the culinary delights of Budapest.

Have you visited Budapest?  What was your favorite Hungarian food? 

Recently, we are hooked on culinary walking tours. Read about some others that we’ve experienced in these posts:

• History, Food and Fun in San Juan with Spí¼n Food Tours
• Walking and Eating With Chicago Food Planet Tours

You may be interested in this post about our best meal in Budapest:

• World Class Food at Borkonyha Wine Kitchen in Budapest, Hungary

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It is almost that time of year when we stop to say, “Happy Birthday, America” during U.S. Independence Day celebrations on the 4th of July.

4th Fireworks. Photo by Matt H. Wade

What better way to celebrate than by visiting one of the four of the best cities in the United States throwing a party for the red, white and blue?

 

Fireworks Over the East Village of New York City. Photo by David Skankbone.

New York City– Hosted by Macy’s, this fireworks display is noted as the largest in the country. With fireworks being lit along the Hudson River, Macy’s fireworks show is sure to keep any attendee oohing and aahing. Seeing the display in person is probably the best vantage point, but if you can’t make the trip to the Big Apple, this fireworks display is shown on NBC.

 

Boston, Massachusetts– The Boston Pops Orchestra sets the musical stage for this fireworks celebration known as the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. This fireworks display along the Charles River has been going strong for 40 years. History of the United States is rooted in this town so there is no better location to celebrate the stars and stripes on the 4^th of July.

 

Washington, D. C.- The grand capital city makes the list for its fireworks extravaganza taking place on that National Mall. The rockets’ red glare lights up the monuments on the National Mall for all 500,000 attendees to see. The fireworks show wraps up a day full of activities in the city celebrating the marvelous United States of America.

 

Kaboom Town! Photo by ravedelay

Addison, Texas- A suburb of Dallas, Addison, Texas, hosts a firework show called Kaboom Town! with almost 500,000 people making the trek to see the spectacular sights. Following an air show, Kaboom Town! includes a musically choreographed 30-minute fireworks display.

Wherever you choose to view 4th of July fireworks, be sure to get your place early to get the best view possible.

Have you ever seen these fireworks displays? What are your favorite places to visit for the 4^th of July?

This is a guest post by Morgan Large, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas.

Morgan loves to explore the world. She’s traveled across the United States and to 11 countries.

Originally from Ohio, Morgan currently lives in Arkansas with her Australian Shepherd, Oxley.

At the  University of Arkansas, Morgan’s studies are focused in agricultural communications.  Her blog,  RazorBuck: A Midwestern girl living in a Southern world highlights her adventures in photography, cooking and travel.

 The United States offers tremendous travel discoveries, from big cities to tiny towns and remote National Parks. Here’s a collection of other posts on U.S. travels that you may want to check out:

• Destination Discovery: Kimballton, Iowa is home for this “Little Mermaid”
• Destination Discovery: Peanuts on Parade, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Destination Discovery: Glacier Bay, National Park and Preserve, Southeast Alaska
• Destination Discovery: Mount Magazine, Arkansas
• Exploring New York City – the High Line

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This is a guest post by Morgan Large, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas.

In my opinion Myrtle Beach can sometimes be too crowded and the beach is not the cleanest. If you are looking for another type of vacation drive a few more miles north up the coast to Wilmington, North Carolina.

Wilmington has something for everyone from families to young adults and even seniors. There are ample things to see and do around Wilmington, North Carolina, but below are five things I love about Wilmington.

 

#1 – The USS North Carolina Battleship

Even if you are not a history buff, the enormity and beauty of the USS North Carolina Battleship will keep you amazed and entertained.

The USS North Carolina has been open to the public since 1962 with many other battleships being sold for scrap or decommissioned.

You could literally spend hours upon hours touring the ship’s 2,633-ton frame from upper to lower decks.

The whole family will enjoy this stop in Wilmington.

 

 

#2 – North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

One of four North Carolina costal aquariums, Fort Fisher boasts gigantic lobsters and glow in the dark jellyfish along with many other sea creatures.

Fort Fisher Aquarium was rated as one of the top aquariums in the United States by the Travel Channel and as Wilmington parents’ top attraction in 2012.

You must stop at Fort Fisher  to see the albino alligator and pet the horseshoe crab in their interactive sea life exhibit.

 

#3 – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach

Here at both beaches, you will find some of the softest and cleanest sand around.

The low-key, stress free atmosphere at these beaches will make you want to come back for more.

If you want a relaxing, nice time along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean during the summer or anytime of year, visiting either one of these beaches will be sure to put you in your own paradise.

 

#4 – Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park–

The word for this place is fun. It has fun for all ages. Cotton candy, ice cream, and amusement rides, what else could you ask for?

It has the classic New Jersey boardwalk look but is scaled down with a charming, more personal feel.

After a long day at the beach, cool off with an ice cream cone with sprinkles and let the kids go on the rides.You may even want to take a ride or two yourself on the Ferris wheel or carousel.

 

 #5 – Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar–

All of the tiki bars you have heard about on beaches with perfect locations, views and beverages, Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar is one of them.

From the lime green paint, ocean view and cold drinks, Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar is one of a kind with beach access on Carolina Beach, a stunning view and fabulous atmosphere.

The eye popping green tiki bar draws you in after a few hours on the beach for a refreshing, cold drink or dinner.

 

Have you ever been to Wilmington, North Carolina? What did you love about Wilmington?

 

Morgan Large loves to explore the world. She’s traveled across the United States and to 11 countries.

Originally from Ohio, Morgan currently lives in Arkansas with her Australian Shepherd, Oxley.

A graduate student at the University of Arkansas, Morgan’s studies are focused in agricultural communications.  Her blog,  RazorBuck: A Midwestern girl living in a Southern world highlights her adventures in photography, cooking and travel.

If you’d like to read more about Wilmington, North Carolina, check out these books:

Wilmington (NC) (Then & Now)

Insiders’ Guide to North Carolina’s Southern Coast and Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina (Postcard History)

 

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