Unpacking Budapest: 5 Things You Can't Miss + Anti-Theft Tips & Flight Deals To Some Great Canadian Cities! 🇭🇺
A Tale Of Two Cities | 40
Wow, I can’t believe we’re already in the final month of the year. Christmas. I used to pride myself on being a very happy “Bah Humbug-er,” but over the years, I’ve softened up. There is something about the lights and the energy everyone gives off—especially here in Toronto at St. Lawrence Market—that just works. We can all use a little joy these days!
But aside from the holiday hustle, this season is actually quite slow. It’s the perfect time to relax and update old content. As my old DJ friends would say, I’ve been “diggin’ in the crates”—looking for a record we haven’t played in a while.
That record is Budapest.
I was watching my old videos from the archives, and I knew I had to share them. In this edition, I’m unpacking my biking adventures across the Chain Bridge, sharing the five things you absolutely cannot miss, and dropping some essential tips. Plus, I’ve found some incredible flight deals if you’re already thinking about escaping the cold!
A Tale of Two Cities 🚲
Watching my old videos, I had to laugh at my younger self because my Airbnb host, Maria, who quickly became my fast friend, insisted that the best way to see Budapest was by bike. For some reason, my mind went straight to a motorcycle. I spent a good minute mentally preparing to handle a clutch, only to realize she meant... a bicycle. She was a fantastic host who really loves her city! And for the record, pedalling through the city was incredibly fun.
I checked my past Airbnb accommodations, and unfortunately, her place is no longer listed. I really wanted to give her place a plug!
Anyways, this city is crazy obsessed with its origin story—specifically the year 896, when the Magyar tribes arrived. In fact, in 1896, as you’d expect, they threw a massive “Millennium” party that gave the city many of its grandest landmarks, including Heroes’ Square and the subway system.
My 5 Faves
1. The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle (aka Matthias Church) + Fisherman’s Bastion. Located on Castle Hill, the first thing you notice is the roof, which is covered in colourful Zsolnay ceramic tiles—handmade in southern Hungary. Absolutely beautiful! Also, if you look closely at the spires, you’ll see the ravens are holding rings in their beaks, a symbol of King Matthias found all over the city.
Don’t Miss: The Fisherman’s Bastion right next door. It looks ancient, but it was built in the 19th century as a viewing terrace. The seven stone towers represent the seven Magyar chieftains who originally led the tribes to Hungary.
2. The Parliament Building. It dominates the riverbank with its Neo-Gothic spires. Fun fact: It was designed to be exactly 96 meters tall to commemorate the Hungarian conquest in the year 896. The interior is just as impressive, decorated with about 40kg of gold and 3 kilometres of red carpet. This is definitely another one of my favourite buildings I’ve come across.
3. Ruin Bars (e.g., Grund). Budapest turned decaying buildings into cool places to hang out with a drink. Love this! “Ruin bars” are set up in the courtyards of derelict pre-war apartment buildings, filled with mismatched furniture. Grund is a local favourite; it’s named after a famous 1907 Hungarian novel (The Paul Street Boys) about kids fighting for their playground. This idea is definitely a bit more common now.
4. St. Stephen’s Basilica. You know I love my cathedrals!! :) This basilica, like the Parliament building, is also exactly 96 meters tall, symbolizing the balance between church and state. Inside, you can visit the “Holy Right Hand” chapel, which houses the actual mummified right hand of King Stephen, Hungary’s first king.
5. The Chain Bridge Count Széchenyi, a Hungarian nobleman, funded it because he was once stuck on one side of the river during winter and missed his father’s funeral because the ferries couldn’t run. Riding across it, with the castle looming on one side and the Parliament on the other, is so cool.
Here are some fantastic places to stay in Budapest!
Tips, Tricks & Hacks:
Keeping Thieves Out Of Your S**t!
Ever since I had my iPhone 3 stolen in Paris, I felt completely vulnerable. For some reason, I thought I was invincible—a big Black guy with dreads, who’s going to rob me? The thing is, Paris, in terms of multiculturalism, looked like Toronto, and it let me guard down.
You are not invincible. You have to be prepared. Here are the tips and tricks I learned along the way to help keep your things with you:
Money Belt or Modern Fanny Pack: A money belt is a small, zippered pouch worn on an elastic strap under clothes to keep essentials like passports and cards secure.
Be a Hard Target: To make things harder for thieves, loop your daypack strap around your arm, leg, or chair leg when sitting at a café. This makes your bag harder to steal. Oh, and never leave your camera or iPhone lying on the table as you sit on a piazza looking at the menu.
Stay Vigilant in Tourist Hot Spots: Crowded transit lines that pass through tourist attractions are also popular. Stay alert for any commotion, as it could be a distraction for theft.
Whether you choose to keep your passport with you at all times or leave it locked in the hotel is up to you. I’ve heard arguments for both, but I hope this helps keep your stuff with you, and I’m sure we’ll revisit this in a later edition.
Unpacked Travel Insider
Fly to Toronto! ✈️🇨🇦
If you’re thinking about hanging out with me and the holiday vibes at St. Lawrence Market, I found some incredible deals to get you to Toronto (YYZ). Whether you want to see the Christmas lights or just visit the “6ix,” the price is right.
The normal round-trip price is around $500 CAD, but check out these current deals. 💰
Canadian Cities:
Calgary (YYC): $116* CAD
Edmonton (YEG): $155* CAD
Halifax (YHZ): $113* CAD
London (YXU): $498* CAD
Montreal (YUL): $220* CAD
Ottawa (YOW): $198* CAD
Vancouver (YVR): $184* CAD
Winnipeg (YWG): $131* CAD
* Nonstop flights
Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Lynx, Flair
When to Visit: There’s availability from December through March.
Act fast! These fares will be gone in 2-3 weeks. Click here to check for flights and book your Canadian escape!
Fly to Halifax! ✈️🇨🇦
If you're craving that fresh seafood and Maritime hospitality? I found some incredible fares to Halifax (YHZ). The normal round-trip price is around $600 CAD, but check out these current deals. 💰
Canadian Cities:
Calgary (YYC): $366* CAD
Edmonton (YEG): $302 CAD
London (YXU): $799 CAD
Montreal (YUL): $402* CAD
Ottawa (YOW): $354* CAD
Toronto (YYZ): $113* CAD
Vancouver (YVR): $598 CAD
Winnipeg (YWG): $599 CAD
* Nonstop flights
Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Flair, Lynx
When to Visit: There’s availability from December through March.
Act fast! These deals are expected to be gone in 2-3 weeks. Click here to check for flights and book your East Coast escape!
Fly to Winnipeg! ✈️🇨🇦
If you're ready to embrace the real Canadian winter in the heart of the country, I found some fantastic fares to Winnipeg (YWG). The normal round-trip price is around $400 CAD, but check out these current deals. 💰
Canadian Cities:
Calgary (YYC): $181* CAD
Edmonton (YEG): $181* CAD
Halifax (YHZ): $599 CAD
London (YXU): $615 CAD
Montreal (YUL): $428* CAD
Ottawa (YOW): $347* CAD
Toronto (YYZ): $133* CAD
Vancouver (YVR): $123* CAD
* Nonstop flights
Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Flair
When to Visit: There’s availability from December through March.
Act fast! These fares will be gone in 2-3 weeks. Click here to check for flights and book your trip to “The Peg”!
I’m curious—what’s the one “old” destination you’ve been dying to revisit? Is there a place you went to 10 years ago that you think deserves a second look? Let me know in the comments! 🗣️
Sometimes, when it comes to travel, it’s about looking forward to your next destination, but also about looking back at where we’ve been, what you’ve learnt and how you’ve grown!
Thanks for reading!
—Stay Rudderless