tips – Culturista Life

10 Things to do in Budapest for FREE

13 Feb 201913 Feb 2019Posted in BudapestTagged attractions, Budapest, free, tipsLeave a comment

The main reason most people visit Budapest is its thermal baths. Ηowever, when you take a break from them, you can´t but explore the rest of the city. Budapest is rich in insane views since it has a lot of high points. It is very easy to explore and enjoy the city without spending a dime.

1. Gellert Hill View

On your way to Citadella, stop at Gellert Hill for the most picturesque view in all of Budapest. Take a moment and embrace the view. This monument will be specifically appreciated by photography lovers.

2. Margaret Island

A great place to unwind and become one with nature. The perfect time to visit would be during spring, fall or summer when the weather is very good and you can fully enjoy the park.

Inside you can find the Music Fountain, canteens, cafes, bike renters, the city´s zoo, a Japanese and Rose garden and many more sights.

3. Cross the Bridges

There are 4 gorgeous and big bridges in the centre of the city that unite Buda with Pest. Going towards all the famous sightseeing, you will see all of them and cross them on foot or public transportation. The chain bridge must be walked through during the day and at night.

4. Free Walking Tour

Who doesn´t love a free tour in a beautiful city? Someone that knows the ropes and history and will be able to give you more insight on the history and sights of Budapest.

There are two tours daily, at 10.30 and 14.30. You do not need to make a booking, but you need to be on time. Private tours are also available, but for a charge. Visit the official free walking tour website for all tour options and choose the one that best fits you.

5. Museum Lovers

Budapest has numerous interesting museums that are mostly come with a fee. However, during Hungarian national holidays (March 15; August 20; October 23) some of the city´s top museums open their doors for free.

So you might want to consider planning a trip during these dates if you want to take advantage of free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Hungarian National Museum and the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.

6. Budapest by Evening

Budapest is beautiful at all times of the day. But when the evening comes and the sun is about to set, it is truly an amazing time. The view is breathtaking and you get that cosy feeling of warmth.

There are so many people walking along the Danube with the sunset. Everything looks far prettier and it comes to be one of the best moments of being in Budapest.

7. Parliament Scenery

When was the last time you saw a sight, museum, monument, city that left you in owe. The Hungarian Parliament has that effect on people.

When you visit it in the morning, you can see all the beauty from both its sides and admire the detail in this gorgeous architectural building.

However, at night it can leave you speechless. By many, it is considered to be one of the most stunning things to see in Europe.

8. Explore Kosponti Vasarcsarnok (central market)

A market which the locals appreciate and visit daily. You can find anything from souvenirs to fresh produce.

As you enter, you will find all the local kiosks, where most Budapest citizens buy their vegetables, fruits and other products every day. However, on the second floor, you will find it filled with tourists, since it is the floor with all the souvenirs.

9. Fisherman´s Bastion

One of the top attractions in Budapest. You can access from Buda Castle, feet, or by bus. Its unique fortification and lookout towers, provide a stunning view of the city.

A truly unique and gorgeous sight. The architecture is so different from everything else you see in Budapest with hundreds of tourists visiting on a daily basis.

We suggest you visit both in the morning and at night, when the view of the Parliament across is breathtaking.

10. Palace of Arts

St. Stephen´s Day, is a national Hungarian holiday that occurs on the 20th of August of each year. This long anticipating festival takes place in Mupa, the city’s biggest concert hall. During the day, you will see jazz concerts and many other performances that end with a firework show.

10 things to do in Berlin on a rainy day

25 Jan 201925 Jan 2019Posted in BerlinTagged Berlin, rainyday, tips, whattodoLeave a comment

Berlin usually ‘blesses’ us with nonstop rainy days, keeping us all inside the house with nothing to do. Especially people with children of all ages have a hard time to entertain their demanding kids, that create chaos and go insane being ‘locked’ in a house with no options of having fun.

However, you can always find alternatives in Berlin for any kind of weather. The indoor options are quite a few and not at all disappointing.

1. Visit the Museums

Luckily, Berlin has more than 50 museums and most of them are worth visiting. Some of the ones I recommend are the National History Museum, Pergamon, Topography of Terrors, National Gallery, Museum of film and television and the German History Museum. The choices are plenty, depending on what it is you are looking for.

2. Day Spas to Relax

Berlin has many day spas, some of them being in the best hotels of the city and you can usually visit without a reservation (unless you are a big group). All of them have indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam baths, and massage services for an extra charge, but most of them have a no-phone policy. The most famous and convenient to visit is Liquidrom, located in Kreuzberg. The spa is known for its indoor pool with warm salt water, as well as soothing light and sound effects.

3. Cozy Coffee Moments

One thing Berlin does not lack of are the coffee houses, some of them being quite unique. Monkey bar which is a must to visit when in Berlin, has an insane view of the Zoo and the Kurfürstendamm area. Another great coffee shop is Shakespeare and Sons in Warschauerstr, where you can enjoy your coffee with some great bagels while reading books from their private little library.

4. Cinema Moments

A safe and nice choice is to go see the movie you have been waiting for. Do not mind the rain. Grab your popcorn and coca cola and enjoy a great movie, while remaining dry.

5. Shopping Time

Going shopping on a rainy day does not have to be a pain in the ass. Prefer the malls on a rainy day, such as Alexa, Mall of Berlin, KaDeWe and my personal favorite: 3 malls in a row in Walther-Schreiber Platz. Plus it is the second and only location of a Primark store. Most of the malls in Berlin has small playground areas next to the cafeterias for your little ones.

6. Tropical Islands

Need we say more? Yes, we do. People are coming from all over Europe to visit Tropical Islands, Europe’s biggest tropical holiday world. Open all year long and 24/7 and accommodation options, makes it a true gem for someone that wants to relax and have fun during a rainy day; whether is summer or winter.

When it comes to an overnight stay, you can choose to stay in rooms, lodges or tents and as for food and drinks, they have many restaurants with a variety of cuisines and of course bars and lounges.

If spending the night is not your thing, simply go and enjoy the spa treatments and enjoy the attractions (rainforest, miniature golf, tropical village, etc.) and water worlds.

7. Street Food Thursday

If it pouring rain and it happens to be Thursday, then you know what to do. Street Food Thursday is an exciting food event in an old market hall in Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg. You can find British delicacies, dumplings, tapioca, pastel de nata, Tacos, delicious burgers, Ceviche, American Barbeque, donats, noodles, currywurst and an insane selection of cheeses.

Image may contain: one or more people and crowd — by Street Food Thursday

8. Escape Rooms

A great way to spend your rainy days and have fun. Around Berlin, you will find a lot of escape rooms with interesting mysteries for you to solve or creepy scenarios to escape from. If you want to be fake-attacked by maniacs or kidnapped, or even be Sherlock Holmes for an hour, this is the type of entertainment for you.

9. Go Jumping or Bowling

Trampolines and bowling!!! Yayyy!! Who doesn’t love them? One of the best options for a rainy day. There are many bowling allies around Berlin to keep you entertained. As for the trampolines, visit Sprung Raum. If trampoline is not for you, you can choose parkour, basketball, dodgeball, and others.

10. Kart Racing

Your teenagers will love it and so will you. Take your friends and visit Berlin’s largest indoor race track of 752m. On their website, you will find all the information on prices, packages, the routes, and the karts.

Low Price & High Quality – Where to eat in Budapest

23 Jan 201924 Jan 2019Posted in BudapestTagged Budapest, food, tipsLeave a comment

If you are looking for a classy, expensive and elegant restaurant to try, you are in the wrong place. The choices in Budapest are endless, with restaurants and cuisines from all over the world and for all budgets.

What you will find here are the best places in Budapest for lunch and dinner based on low price and good quality at the same time.

1. Lucky 7 Burgers & More

The BEST burger you will have. It is flavorful and light. The burgers are made with high-quality beef and their homemade buns and ranch sauce are to die for.

Location: Piarista utca 1., Budapest 1052, Hungary

Price: € (approximately 10 euros per menu, including burger, side & drink)

What to try: Duck burger, Ceasar salad, Ranch sauce

2. Istanbul Kebab & Grill – Török Etterem

A delicious Turkish restaurant, which also has delicious homemade foods. Very fast service and tasty food.

Location: Akacfa utca 5, Budapest 1072, Hungary

Price: € (2.30€ or 700 HUF for Gyros pita)

What to try: Gyros pita, Baklava

3. Vapiano

A pretty usual food place for Europeans. BUT, for some reason, this branch of Vapiano is not only fast but delicious. Everything is cooked much faster and for some reason, they taste even better.

Location: Vaci ut 1-3 | West End Center, Budapest, Hungary

Price: € (20€ or 6200 HUF for 2 pasta, 1 salad & 1 pizza)

What to try: One of everything (one pasta, one pizza, one salad)

4. Meatology Budapest

Welcome to our exception. If you want gourmet dishes at a very low price, this is where you go. 2 brothers with many years of experience as chefs, team up in the heart of Budapest to create tastes that will explode in your mouth.

Location: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky utca 15/B, Budapest 1065, Hungary

Price: € (12€ or 3600 HUF for 1 burger & 1 salad)

What to try: Ceasar salad, Sticky pork belly sandwich, Meatology burger

5. Local Korner

Pizza lovers, time to design your own pizza. Exactly the way you want it with any topping you desire.

Location: Szondi utca 19/A, Budapest 1067, Hungary

Price: € (8€ or 2590 HUF for a 42cm pizza with cheese & 5 toppings)

What to try: Honestly, anything you want. Time to experiment

6. Hummusbar

Who doesn’t love a great hummus place, especially when it is ideal for vegetarians? With more than 14 restaurants all around Budapest, Hummusbar is here to travel you with its exquisite flavors. What makes it even greater, is that also has a delivery service for those lazy days.

Location: Oktober 6 St. 19, Budapest 1051, Hungary

Price: € (7€ or 2000 HUF for a falafel & hummus plate)

What to try: Falafel, Hummus Tahini, laffa wrap

7. Soul Food

Jambalaya and Gumbo. What more do you want? Soul food that fills your soul with happiness.

Location: Kazinczy utca 32., Budapest 1075, Hungary

Price: € (12€ or 4000 HUF for Jambalaya & a burger)

What to try: Kreol burger, Jambalaya, Sweet potato bawl Aioli

8. Panineria

Any kind of sandwich you choose, will for sure be fresh and delicious.

Location: Oktogon 4, Budapest 1067, Hungary

Price: € (12€ or 4000 HUF for 2 sandwiches)

What to try: Philly Cheese Steak, Caprese, Paprica Chichen

9. Gyros Kerkyra Elterbar

A taste of Greece, right here in Budapest. The food is simply delicious and fairly cheap.

Location: Eotvos Utca | 5, Budapest 1067, Hungary

Price: € (3€ or 923 HUF for 1 gyro with pita)

What to try: Gyros pita, souvlaki, tzatziki

10. Pizzica

Whether you want a good and whole pizza or just a slice, make sure to stop by Pizzica.

Location: Nagymezo utca 21, Budapest 1065, Hungary

Price: € (1.60€ or 490 HUF for 1 pizza premium)

What to try: Proscuitto and potato in your pizzas

All pictures were taken for the restaurants´official site & facebook pages

5 essential things you will need for your trip to London

21 Jan 201921 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged London, tipsLeave a comment

Going to London is always exciting and you know you are about to have a great time. However, when you arrive you may come across some unpleasant and unplanned surprises.

1. Currency

The United Kingdom has its own currency (GBP), which means you have to exchange money before or while your trip. What you can do is research the various rates in your country and in London and figure out which is the best country to make your exchange.

Just remember that upon arriving, you will need a few cash for your transportation. Exchanging money at the airport is a big NO NO, as you will be easily charged with way more. A great option is to pay for your personal credit card since the costs are minimal compared to what you would lose in an exchange.

2. Power

Imagine arriving in London and finally going to your hotel. All you want is to charge your phone and go explore London while taking amazing pictures. To your disappointment, you realize that the electrical plugs are different.

They use a three pin plug that is different from what is used in Europe. You can either purchase an adaptor before your trip or in the worst case scenario every mini market has one, but you will pay a little more for it.

3. Water

Tap water is safe to drink in the UK and Ireland. In fact, it is not only safe but one of the cleanest in the world. However, some people may not find the taste so pleasing in some cases. The water from your hotel may have a different taste from the water in a restaurant.

One tip of advice is to always have a water bottle with you and fill it up in your hotel, as bottled water can be expensive.

4. Internet Access

Finding internet is not that difficult in London. Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes have WiFi. Now, with roaming, if you travel to the UK from another European country, you can use your personal Internet data without extra charges.

It is extremely important to know that while in the Underground (Metro), having a signal is impossible. So be prepared and figure out how to go to your destination beforehand.

5. Safety

Generally, London is a safe city. But when you are in such a big city a lot of unfortunate incidents can be expected. Just always keep your belongings close to you and preferably zip all your bags.

You should be aware of your whereabouts at all times and never forget that cars drive on the left so when always check the street before crossing.

How to get around London: A guide to Public Transportation

21 Jan 201921 Jan 2019Posted in LondonTagged London, tips, transportationLeave a comment

Getting a ticket for transportation in London, can be quite tricky for first-time visitors. People can easily get the wrong type of ticket for them and end up paying way more. Transportation in London is already quite expensive, so hopefully, this guide will help you save money.

Cash

Cash is the worst option for travelling in London since cash fares are way higher than the payment or Oyster ones. It is only a good option if you only need one ticket, in case you do not have a contactless payment card.

Contactless Payment Card

A Contactless Payment Card is a very good option for those who own American Express, Master Card and Visa cards that have been enabled for contactless transactions. You can easily use it by touching in and out on the yellow reader at the beginning and end of every travel.

A big advantage of using this type of payment method is its convenience. You can use a card you already own, without having to charge it. However, keep in mind that there are also some disadvantages, such as not being able to apply various discounts for children or the elderly when paying for a ticket. Also, you must always check if you have been charged a foreign fee for your transaction.

Oyster Card

The most popular payment way in London is by far the Oyster card. Most London visitors buy an Oyster card no matter how many days their visit is because they want to keep the card as a souvenir. Why keep a card as a souvenir?

Only because it represents the rhythm and life in London. There is no Londoner that does not use the Oyster card. In case you buy one and do not need it afterwards, you can always return it and take your money back. But how does it work?

You can buy your Oyster from most TfL Visitor Centres, which you will find in most Tube stations. The price is £5.00 and you need to add £5.00 more, which will not be taken away from your balance. It is better if you put around £15.00 in total since you will spend all of them.

After purchasing the Oyster, you can go anywhere you want without worrying about tickets. Don’t forget to touch in and out on the yellow reader at the beginning and end of every Tube, DLR and London Overground journey to make sure you get the cheapest fare.

Children under 11 travel free on most public transport services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, or with a 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard.

Each time you use your Oyster on the way in or out, you can always see how much you were charged and how much money you have left. Recharge your card by placing it on the charging cubic machines and once you select the amount of money you want to add, pay and place the card again so that the transaction can be completed.

The most important thing you need to know about the Oyster is the daily price capping. After using the card for about 2 days, on the third day, the card will cap at some point. Based on your average use of the card, when you reach the average of the 2 previous days, you do not get charged anymore.

TIPS ON SAVING MONEY

Get an Oyster card

A single fare in central London costs £4.90 when you pay in cash. Use an Oyster or contactless card and pay just £2.40.
Use the same card all day long to make the most savings when making multiple journeys. Contactless users benefit from both a daily and weekly cap.

Travel with buses instead of the Tube

A single bus fare costs just £1.50, while unlimited bus travel on a contactless card costs £4.50.
Make the most of it, by having a second bus journey for free within the same hour of travel.

Travel Off-Peak

Αvoid travelling between Monday and Friday from 06:30 to 09:30, and 16:00 to 19:00 in Zone 1. During these times you will be charged way more for any travel.