From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Szamos Marzipan Museum and Confectionery
(Marcipán Múzeum Cukrászda)

Some times you just have to ignore the parental dictate to not play with your food. Or maybe there's an exception to the rule when it comes to marzipan. Especially since some compare this confection to eating a sweet play dough. Regardless, not far from Budapest in nearby Szentendre there's a museum that celebrates what can be done when you play with this food.

Marzipan consists primarily of sugar and ground bitter almonds, though occasionally it is flavored with rosewater. It may be best known as the overly sweet part of some wedding cakes. But flowers and such on a cake is nothing compared to what's been created by two master Hungarian confectioners, Mátyás Szamos and Károly Szabó. Surrounded by "pictures" of Hungary's kings and queens, is a 160cm tall model of the Parliament building. Elsewhere you'll find international famous personalities (one's even life-size!) and cartoon figures, dinosaurs and other animals, a fairy tale carriage, a pirate ship, and more. Everything is sculpted entirely from marzipan and some pieces took 200 hours to create.

Which may mean you will be longing for a taste after your tour is finished, so it may be a good thing that the entrance/exit to the museum is through a marzipan shop. And if you've got a sweet tooth you can easily spend more in the shop than you do for the admission to the museum since it's fairly cheap.

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Standing guard over the intricately concaved door of the Ják templom stand statues of Christ and ten of His apostles (the other two watch from the towers.) This former Benedictine abbey, currently it's St. George Parish Church, was built at the beginning of the 13th century and is the most famous church of Hungarian Romanesque architecture.

However if you can't make it to the Western Transdanubia area of Hungary soon, visit the small-scale replica that's part of the Vajdahunyad Castle complex in the Városliget near Heroes Square in Budapest. Granted the interiors may not hold all the artistic treasures of Romanesque frescos and Gothic statues as the original, but you're sure to find the same calming, cool quiet -- unless of course a concert is being performed.

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Don't wear uncomfortable shoes. A stroll on Széchenyi-island in Városliget, Budapest could be short, but why when you can walk wide tree-lined paths. Play catch in its park. Stop on the foot bridge over a narrow part of the lake (yes, it's man-made, but so what, it's nice) and enjoy the feeling that you're not really in the middle of a large, busy city. You can even rent a row-boat in the summer if you'd like. Or ice-skate in the winter.

Of course, one of the main attractions is the Vajdahunyad Castle. It's not a genuine castle, but rather a complex of buildings that incorporate architectural styles from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period. Ignác Alpár designed it as part of the millenarian celebrations in 1896 (It had been 1,000 years since the Magyars had migrated to Hungary)

Originally intended as temporary exhibition pavilions, the castle proved to be so popular with the public that between 1904-6, it was rebuilt using bricks to create a permanent structure. The architectural styles follow each other chronologically, so that Romanesque is followed by Gothic, then Renaissance, and then Baroque; yet the individual styles are masterfully linked together to give the impression of a single cohesive design. Even still, the architectural student will note that authentic details from twenty renowned buildings of historical Hungary are present. Budapestens named the entire complex after the main Renaissance replica (the Hungarian castle in Vajdahunyad, Transylvania) which is seen prominently from across the lake.

While the Castle and grounds are themselves worth the stroll, especially when accompanied by an ice cream (available at several of the entrances), there's other treasures to be found. In front of the castle is a statue of Alpár depicted wearing the robes of a master architect from the Middle Ages. Possibly better known is the statue in honor of the unknown author of Hungary's first history books, /*Gesta Hungarorum*/. Superstition says that if you touch the pen that the statue Anonymous, also called Magister P, holds you'll receive good luck. Also part of this picturesque retreat is the Museum of Agriculture, which has been housed here since 1897 and is the largest in Europe, and Ják Templom (look for more on this quaint church later.)

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Take a step backwards in time and experience something of a Hungarian fairytale--complete with living folk art traditions, organic farming, and unspoiled natural beauty--simply by visiting a village in Székelyföld and the Hargita Mountains.

The traditional rural architecture with its porches, carved wooden peaks, and decorative Székely-style gates are among the first items that will capture your attention. As you spend more time here you'll also notice that Hungarian folk art in the forms of painted furniture, pottery, embroidery, stove tiles, and even straw hats are still being produced by the local cottage industry. In the fields around the villages, farming is still generally being done in the traditional way using natural fertilizers, horse and plow, simple tools, and human labor. For a while even these eastern Transylvanian villages are not untouched by modern life, you're still more apt to see horse-drawn carriages than cars.

The exceedingly beautiful Hargita Mountians, with peaks as high as 1,800 meters, dominate the heart of Székelyföld. Most of this land is still natural, covered in forest, and totally wild with the exception of a few villages, thermal spas, and ski resorts. There are some developed trails, as well as a number of old lightly-used wagon trails that are good for day hikes and backpacking trips alike. The Homoródalmás area offers over 125 caves for spelunkers to explore and many cliffs for rock climbing. Horseback riding, mountain biking, snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing are also possible in the Hargita.

This region is like a perfectly preserved Hungarian country paradise, awaiting vacationers who are seeking mountain adventures, who love farm-fresh Hungarian cuisine, and who want to get in touch with time-honored folk traditions.

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Cobblestone roads wind past museums, churches, and fountains. Restaurants and shops painted in warm hues of yellow, brown, and orange snuggly sit beside each other welcoming you to come inside. And as it is hugged by the lower slopes of the Pilis range on the left and the Danube River on the right, Szentendre is a sightseer's delight.

It is known for many things. Its beauty. It old-world market appeal. Its museums--including the largest open-air museum of rural architecture and another dedicated to marzipan creations. Its history--as one of the few towns spared from the black death/plague (remembered by a simple cross in the middle of the main square). Its once-strong Serbian influence still seen in the number of orthodox churches. These factors added to its abundant sunshine, led Szentendre to become an artist colony in 1928 and therefore home of many studios and galleries; although dozens of artists create, and of course sell, their work in the alfresco.

While you can easily spend the afternoon in the tourist shops, galleries, and museums, don't forget to also get the bigger picture--a panoramic view seen only by walking up a small hill. There's more than one way to the top, but we'd recommend this simple route. As you stand near the cross memorial in the main square, you'll see a sign for lángos. hanging near a small alley stairway. Take the path all the way up for a great view, as well as to visit the Catholic parish church (still under restoration). On the way back down make sure you pop in to the small stall on the side for a lángos.--a delicious traditional Hungarian treat whether covered in garlic and paprika sauces or apricot jam. If you want to give your feet a rest, but still enjoy the sights there's a horse-drawn carriage that leaves from the main square. Or pick up an ice cream come from one of the many vendors and sit on a bench under the shady paved path of the Danube riverwalk.

Szentendre can be easily reached by commuter train, bus, and boat, each of which will also take you to another nearby (20 minutes or so by bus) sight-to-see: Visegard's Castle Ruins.