june-2011

[ destinations ]
BUCHAREST-BUDAPEST
Bucharest
www.bucharest.inyourpocket.com Leu Wizz Air: 0903 760 100
Getting to the centre
In Bucharest we provide a
personalised Wizz taxi service
between the airport (Baneasa) and
any address within Bucharest city
centre. The cost is €19 (€38 return).
A slice of the city
Romanians love eating and drinking
al fresco, and at weekends in June
and July Bucharest’s terraces buzz
all day and night. Even the tiniest
bar will find a table to place out
on the street, and the smell of tasty
Romanian meatballs (mici) grilling
on the barbeque becomes impossible
to avoid, or indeed resist.
Eating out
Atelier Mecanic, Str Covaci 12, +40
(0)726 76 7611. One of Old Town’s
more quite streets this place does
simple, cheap (often vegetarian) food
by day before becoming a lively and
often crowded-to-bursting-point bar
by night. Beers from 7-12 lei (€1.70-
€3). La Bonne Bouche, Str Franceza
30, +40 (0)731 24 7876, www.
bistrovin.ro, is the best little bistro in
Bucharest’s Old Town, serving simple
French food in superb surroundings.
Choose one of the daily specials that
gets chalked up on the blackboard,
all around 35 lei (€8.50).
City suggestion
Not only do they have more than
100 beers from all over the world
(from solid Czech stuff to bizarre
concoctions with banana in) but
Beer O’Clock on Calea Victoriei
16-20 (+40 (0) 767 23 3335, www.
beeroclock.ro) also have the correct
glass for every single one. Beers are
priced according to their obscurity:
some go for up to 18 lei (€4.40). Now
that the sun is out, where better to
hang out than the Poolside Grill
at the Radisson Blu, Calea Victoriei
63-81, +40 (0)21 311 9000. You’ll
feel like you’re at a private barbeque
at the Radisson’s terrace, which
surrounds an enormous swimming
pool. Feast on giant mici, as well as
chicken, beef and pork steaks. Mains
weigh in at around 45 lei (€11).
And finally…
If you take an early train, the
mountain retreat of Sinaia (much
cooler than the capital on hot summer
days) is a doable day trip. The journey
takes just under two hours.
Words Craig Turp
Budapest
www.budapestinfo.hu Hungarian Forint Wizz Air: 0690 181 181
Getting to the centre
We provide a point-to-point bus
transfer between airport (Ferihegy 1)
and Budapest city centre (Deák
Ferenc Square). It’s €4 (€8 return).
A slice of the city
21 June is World Music Day and the
previous weekend sees free outdoor
concerts in the city’s main parks such
as Városliget and Népliget.
Eating out
For a brand new suggestion, head
to Il Capriccio, Szépvölgyi útca 21,
+36 (0)1 240 3068. Just opened in
Óbuda, this Italian delicatessen also
has tables outside and in to sample
the finest pastas, cheese and cold
meats. Ravioli with ricotta, spinach
and artichoke (1500 forint; €5.60).
There’s also Onyx, Vörösmarty
tér 7-8, +36 (0)1 429 9023, www.
onyxrestaurant.hu. Recently awarded
„I choose WIZZ XPRESS priority pass
a Michelin star, it’s in the same
building as the landmark Gerbeaud
coffeehouse. Chef Szabina Szulló
produces inventive versions of Magyar
classics – rabbit with mushrooms
marinated in balsamic vinegar, 6500
forint (€24.50).
City suggestions
Cafés and bars are the best places to
find your feet. Try Lánchíd Sörözö,
Fö utca 4, +36 (0)1 214 3144, www.
lanchidsorozo.hu. This agreeable,
foreigner-friendly retro bar gives a
taste of Beatles-era Budapest. The
Komédias Kávéház is a Paris-style
theatre café with live piano players.
www.komediaskavehaz.hu
And finally…
With the opening of the city’s lidos,
or strands, remember many offer a
discount if you arrive later in the day.
Words Peterjon Cresswell
FILLER to beat the queues ADVERT
and board first.“
(Monica, journalist, 32 years)
Fly Wizz. Choose smart.
ALAMY