Author: Budapest Guide

Maybe you think that I am joking, but Transporter 3 can now be seen in Budapest cinemas, but there is something more to it. You can see the transporter Frank Martin, played by Jason Statham, in Budapest in the film Transporter 3. It is not to much, only five minutes, but still it is something. It is happening in the middle of the film, and the sharp eye will soon recognice the Parliament and the Saint Stephens Basilica. The rest of the scenes supposed to be from Budapest is probably only from a studio in Hollywood, at least I did not recognice them.

In Transporter 3 Frank Martin has to deliever a package, again. This time it is a person, and Frank does not really understand much why, how and where. As always there are loads of action, and some wild fighting scenes where Frank beats 9-10 badguys alone, but that is how we like the Transporter to act.

I am a fan of the Transporter films, but this film was a little bit boring, as it was to much focus on Frank and the girl he is transporting. To long conversations, to little action and I found those scenes to occur to often, and everytime they occured they were to long.

I still enjoyed it, but I could have enjoyed it much more!

Based on this I give Transporter 3 five smileys.

Hungarian title: Szállító 3

The Hungarian forint reached a record low today, as 1 Euro reached 302 Forints. According to some sources it will not continue further down, so people do not have to worry that it will get even worse.

The problem in this is just that it is very popular to take loans in foreign currencys, and Hungary is packed up with people having loans in Euros and in Swiss Francs. Some people also have loans in Yen (Japan). What all of these people have in common, is that they have to pay much more than they expected when they first asked for the loan. Some people have experienced that they have to pay more than the double of what they did as they applied for the loan.

The government tries to help people, making deals with the different banks, but several families are suffering in these days because of this. The banks have opened for the chance to change the loan into a Forint loan, other banks gives the possibility to make the loan period longer (extending it from for example 10 years to 15 years).

Information about changing of money in Budapest, can be found here.

DIANA – A Celebration
Sunday, February 1 – May 3, 2009
Károlyi Csekonics Rezidencia, Budapest, Hungary
Múzeum utca 17., 1088 Budapest

Source for the below information, and tickets: Eventim
On loan from Althorp Estate in England, Diana A Celebration chronicles the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales, through 150 objects, including her famed royal wedding gown

Budapest- Over a decade after her death, Princess Diana’s memory still stirs interest and emotion. The award-winning exhibition Diana, A Celebration, which chronicles the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, will open at Károlyi – Csekonics Residence on 31st January 2009.

The exhibition presents the life and humanitarian work of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable women through nine galleries containing 150 objects-ranging from her royal wedding gown and 28 of her designer dresses to family heirlooms, personal mementoes, paintings and rare home movies and photos. The exhibition is on loan from the Althorp Estate, the Spencer family’s 500-year-old ancestral home.

The exhibition is being produced by Arts and Exhibitions International. All profits generated to the Althorp Estate from exhibition will support the ongoing work of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to benefit communities living with the legacy of landmines, cluster bombs and other explosive remnants of war. Since 1998 the Exhibition at Althorp has generated over $1,899,708.41 for charities supported by the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Diana, A Celebration, comes directly from the Althorp Estate in England, the Spencer Family’s ancestral home, where it has been on display since 1998 and has attracted over 700,000 visitors, although open for only three months of the year.

The exhibition showcases the life and work of one of the most remarkable women of her time – certainly one of the most photographed, with over one billion television viewers who watched the 1981 Royal Wedding. Her charm, beauty and easy grace touched people worldwide during her short and complex life.

A series of 150 stunning objects chronicle her life and invite the visitor to share the milestones of her many roles: as a youngster, schoolgirl and athlete; as the shy kindergarten teacher who captured the heart of the Prince and the public; as the young, ravishing royal bride; as the devoted mother, sister and daughter; and as the tireless charity advocate and spokeswoman. The strength of the Spencer women and their roots in the bucolic 500-year-old Althorp Estate form the backdrop for Diana’s formative years.

Also featured in the exhibition are portraits of her ancestors, family jewels, heirlooms, paintings, artifacts and photos, which provide the historical context. Home movies filmed by her father and scenes from her childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles and the events leading up to the Royal Wedding are remembered and animated with video clips, personal possessions, photos, displays and letters. The glorious Royal Wedding features her resplendent gown, diamond tiara, veil and 25 ft. train, shoes and parasol, her bridesmaid’s dress among other items.

One entire section is devoted to her energetic and multi-faceted public life and the myriad of charities and causes, including her pioneering efforts in AIDS, the homeless and landmines.
A three-screened video presentation highlights the hundreds of associations that continue to benefit from her patronage and energetic dedication. The world’s grief at her untimely death is dealt with sensitively, in a display of books of condolence and space for reflection and remembrance.

A few of the many dazzling items on display include:
– Over 20 dresses, suits and evening gowns worn by the Princess during her public life, accompanied by photos and designer details from the event at which the outfits were worn.
– Two diamond tiaras and other priceless family jewels.
– The original text of the Earl Spencer’s moving tribute to his sister at the funeral in Westminister Abbey.
– The score and lyrics of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin composition, adapted from “Candle in the Wind.”
– Original heritage family paintings.
– Diana’s magnificent Royal Wedding gown (as described above).

A great thing when arriving to a new city is to have someone waiting for you! That is why we today announce our new service which helps tourists get from the airport to the city, and then continuing on a guided tour. When you have received your luggage you go out to the main room at Budapest Airport (Ferihegy 1 or 2), and there a guide will be waiting for you and escorting you out to the private car/bus. From the airport you will be brought to the place you live, and as you have checked into your room, you will go back to the guide and continue with a short guided tour in Budapest! The guide brings snacks, drinks and other nice things that will make the trip even more enjoyable.

You will not be picked up by a car like the one on the right! Do not worry! Our cars have loads of space for both you and your luggage!

Of course there are many ways to do this, so for example; it is not necessary to check in to the hotel/apartment first, but this we can find out together! We believe this is a great offer, as you do not need to worry about how to get from the airport to the city, and you get to know Budapest just after you have arrived.

Airport transfer & guided tour

The Liberty Bridge was opened for tram traffic not long ago, and in a few months it will be opened to car traffic as well. But, as the Liberty Bridge opens, the Margaret Bridge will be closed. Tram number 4 and 6 will still use the bridge, but it is expected to be closed for cars for 18 months.

In my oppinion the closing of the Margaret Bridge will be much heavier and harder on Budapest than when they closed the Liberty Bridge. The Margaret Bridge has loads of more traffic than the Liberty Bridge, so I am afraid that this will lead to major lines and problems in this area.

Bridges of Budapest

Source: Caboodle.hu