We started the day at 8am with our local guide Victoria. First we went up to the Fisherman's Bastion, which was originally medieval but rebuilt after the war. Sights included St Matthew's church (Christian but with mosaic-tiled roof which gives it a mosque-like appearance), the Obelisk, Hilton hotel (built around the ruins of a Roman church, and where ZsaZsa Gabor always stayed), the Cultural House, old technical university buildings and great views over the city. We walked back along the Old city wall to the bus and then travelled over the river to the Pest side, along the main avenue to Heroes Square and the Tomb of the Unknown soldier (passed the Opera House, House of Terror, the Octagon and lots of high-end shops, cafes and embassies). I walked over to Varosliget (the large park behind Heroe's Square, where the baths, zoo and circus are situated). Lastly, we had a look at the Jewish quarter and the Synagogue which is the largest practising one in Europe (and second in the world after the one in NY). It survived the war because it was used by the Hungarian Nazis.
Our lunchtime excursion was to Szentendre (north of the city) where we had a cooking demonstration for Goulash soup, followed by lunch of the same and a wander around the hand-made markets and artisans' shops. It was very hot so we were glad to get back on the bus.
Cathy and I got off at the Szechenyi Spa and had a refreshing bathe (lots of interesting sights there, of the human variety!) Dinner was at the hotel tonight (Stroganoff).