Is Love Really Sweeter the Second Time Around?
Why you should revisit that place you loved the first time you went there.
So you think you’ve already “done” Paris, London, Rome or some other destination. Recently, I‘ve been discovering the pros and cons of returning to cities I loved the first time. In this edition of the FREE travel newsletter:
Back to Beautiful Budapest.
FREE tours in with Living Stones.
The Amazing Race discovers Slovenia and you should, too.
My favorite Christmas market in Europe?
Revisiting Budapest
A recent trip to Budapest showed me a different face of the city I visited in 2009 with my husband and then-teenaged son. This time, it was a totally different experience because the world has changed since then. And so have I.
A deeper dive into history: On a return visit, I had more time to study the city’s history in the chilling House of Terror. The art installation of shoes along the Danube, commemorating Jews and others who were pushed to their deaths in the icy waters, sent a powerful message alongside the #BringThemHome posters of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza conflict.
No pressure to “do” the city’s top sights again. On our first visit we followed the crowds into the photogenic Szechenyi Baths. This time, I followed a recommendation to join the locals at the recently renovated Rudas baths. I knew from my previous trip I had to bring my own towel, sandals and — for certain pools — swim cap. Newbies who come unprepared have to pay inflated prices to buy the necessary items. I also had time to book a heavenly massage — because I wasn’t rushing around to see the whole city in two or three days.
A different home base: As first timers, we cashed in the points from my husband’s business travel to stay at the landmark Hilton Budapest. Built out of a ruined church in lofty Buda, the breakfast buffet included a spectacular view of Pest across the Danube. This time, my son the struggling writer booked a basic AirBnb (46 euros per night!) in Pest, the neighborhood where he stayed during a semester at Corvinus University. This gave me a chance to prowl the streets for homey cafes that don’t always make it into the tourist guides.
Crowds weren’t a problem during a chilly week in November. A rainy day was the perfect excuse to check out the blockbuster Renoir exhibit at the National Art Gallery on Hero Square. I could have skipped the 30-minute ticket line with a reservation. I’ve noticed on recent return visits to some of my favorite European cities that you can no longer just show up for the main attractions, especially during peak summer travel season. Reservations are required, for example, if you want to see The Last Supper in Milan.
The digital stuff that is supposed to make our lives easier: This time it was easy to navigate the city on foot with Google maps on my phone. Unlike my first trip, when I was still doing paper maps and guidebooks. I still get the best information by chatting up local residents. English is widely spoken here. Special thanks to the doorman at the Ritz Carlton for pointing me to the stop for the airport express bus when I couldn’t find it on the public transit app.
Europe in general is struggling with immigration issues, but Hungary has taken its own path, welcoming visitors and legal newcomers while putting up a firm barrier against illegal migrants. Go to Hungary and see this beautiful country for yourself.
FREE Tours with Living Stones
This newsletter is all about FREE stuff to help you travel better. This month, the spotlight is on “Living Stones,” a group that offers FREE tours of landmark Catholic churches throughout Europe.
You don’t have to be Catholic to be amazed by the soaring architecture or the priceless works of art. The Living Stones aim to bring a more spiritual dimension to this secular experience. Their tours present the stories behind the depictions of the suffering Christ, the Virgin Mary, various saints and other Biblical figures from the Old and New Testament. Even though I grew up Catholic, there’s a lot I didn’t know!
Called Pietre Vive in French, the complete list of cities is on the Living Stones website under the “communities” tab. Most of the historically Catholic countries in EU are represented, as well as London and Chicago. If you’re planning to visit France, Italy, Germany or Spain you will likely find a city that’s on your itinerary. Planned tour dates and locations will be listed. Or you can email the community and ask to arrange a visit.
I met two of the Living Stones volunteers in Ljubljana, Simon and Ela Perovnik. They stressed that the program is NOT about converting people or selling religion. “We try to share what the frescoes are telling us,” Simon explained.
The tour is FREE and the volunteers do NOT accept tips. However, you might have to buy an entrance ticket, depending on the policy of the church you are touring. At St. Nicholas Cathedral in Ljubljana, for example, tickets cost 2 euros. By the way, I don’t mind buying a ticket to offset the cost of keeping these awe-inspiring locations open to the public. And thanks, Living Stones, for reminding all of us that it’s more than just a really cool place to take a selfie!
The Amazing Race Discovers Slovenia and you should too!
I’m a longtime fan of The Amazing Race, a popular American reality show on CBS. But it only took them 35 seasons to discover Slovenia. The teams racing around the world to win a million dollars couldn’t help but notice the “incredible mountains.” They faced challenges ranging from beekeeping to assembling a dragon statue in a cave.
The Strangers in the Living Room Blog has lots of information to get you started on planning your own adventure in Slovenia. Get busy, because it won’t be a hidden gem for long.
Finally, a reminder that this monthly newsletter will always be FREE with no advertising, straight to your inbox. See you again in December for my annual Festivus airing of travel grievances. Subscribe so you don’t miss it. And for those of you who stayed with me this far, you can probably guess the location of my favorite Christmas market in Europe. Click here to find out. Thanks for reading Strangers in the Living Room! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.