Margaret Island Budapest — A Local Guide's Complete Guide to Margitsziget (2026)
No traffic, no rush — just fountains, rose gardens, pedal carts, and 800 years of history. My local's guide to Margaret Island, Budapest's favorite green escape.
Queen Sisi — Why Hungarians Loved Her More Than the Austrians Did
Empress of Austria by title, but Sisi's heart belonged to Hungary — she learned the language, wore Hungarian fabric to her coronation, and gave her royal gift to the very veterans who'd fought her empire. Here's why Hungarians loved her for it.
Paprika — Hungary's Most Famous Spice Has a History That Will Surprise You
Paprika feels like it's always been Hungarian — but it wasn't. Here's how a spice from the Americas, via the Ottoman Empire, became this country's defining flavor (and even earned a Nobel Prize along the way).
August 20 in Budapest — Hungary's Biggest Holiday and the Most Spectacular Fireworks in Europe
If you're in Budapest on August 20th you've accidentally landed on the best night of the year. St. Stephen's Day brings a medieval procession carrying a thousand-year-old holy relic through the city streets, a full day of folk music and street food, and an evening fireworks display over the Danube that makes the Fourth of July look like a rehearsal. Here's everything you need to know — including where to watch it from and what locals really think about it.
10 Hungarian Cakes You Absolutely Have to Try (A Tour Guide Who Bakes Tells All)
Hungary is full of incredible desserts, and my husband and I love finding the best cakes in Hungary. Here are 10 cakes you must try on your next visit—delicious, rich, and full of local tradition.