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Guided Tour of Budapest (Day 2 on Ship) BLOG #5 Uniworld River Cruise:

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Onboard River Beatrice: After a buffet breakfast that had a chef who would cook eggs, any style to order, we departed on our first included tour.  Most of the tours each day are included, although there are a few optional extra tours for which there is a charge. In some of the small towns the tours are walking tours but in the larger locations there are the latest model air conditioned coaches to take us to our destinations.  Each group or bus have their own excellent local guides.  Passengers are issued with a small hearing aid type device called a Voice Box.  These have a most comfortable ear clip (that does not go into your ear and is kept for the whole voyage) .  This enables each group to hear only the words from their individual guide and works very well.  It lets you roam away to take photos or to pause at a spot and still be able to hear your guide and keep up with the group.

Although we had been in Budapest for five days, our city tour took us to places that we had not yet seen.   One of the highlights was a stop at the local marketplace where food and local handicrafts could be purchased.  Unfortunately we were so full from breakfast that we could not try any of the local specialities such as their sausages.  We were back at the ship for lunch, leaving the afternoon free to do more exploring and shopping.  Budapest shops were mainly on the Pest side and sold a variety of fashionable items.  The local currency was florints, although many of the major stores accepted Euros, and of course credit cards.  That night we had a scrumptious five course dinner.

The Captain was Dutch but lived in Germany and the international crew that served flawlessly, all spoke impeccable English.  By the second day the crew knew all our names.

PHOTOS by John Pond: Ships lounge during early evening shore lecture.

Sandra at local market, the best I’ve seen.

Breakfast onboard, always a delight.

John Pond, Editor at Sea – Cruise Passenger Magazine

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We set sail tonight on Uniworld’s River Beatrice for Bratislava, Slovakia