Brummen; staying at a former Post Office and more

statue 'Thonis Drogenap' at Zutphen
(alpha layers :-)

Last Saturday, 18 January we visited the 'East of The Netherlands' to stay at Hotel 'Het Oude Postkantoor' a former post office and have dinner at Restaurant 'Tante Blanche' both situated in Brummen. Although the initial reason that brought us there was the exhibition of Carli Hermes in the CODA museum in Apeldoorn. We did all and more.

We started Saturday with an extensive visit to Zutphen, a lovely former 'Hanze city'. We walked around the older part of town, which we apparently had skipped on former visits, shopped and visited the Henriette Polak museum, which is situated in an intriguing old building with a hidden chapel in the middle of town. Worth a visit for sure, we liked the temporary exhibition of Norbert Olthuis and the hidden chapel. 

Oude IJsselbrug at Zutphen

Library situated in a former church

paintings of Norbert Olthuis, reminded us of 'Die Brucke' 

When arriving at our hotel we were cordially received by our host. Hotel 'Het Oude Postkantoor' has 6 rooms and has the same 'touch and feeling' as a bed and breakfast; i.e. more personal attention. We loved the atmosphere, the room, the breakfast AND the fact that we could walk to and from Restaurant 'Tante Blanche' where we had a superb 6 course dinner with selected wines. We specifically asked for small portions and they delivered: great atmosphere and lovely food & wines! (see pictures). We will return to Brummen for sure coz these are places to remember!

hotel 'Het Oude Postkantoor', Brummen

Restaurant 'Tante Blanche' in Brummen

Sunday, 19 January

We went for a walk in the countryside; meadows, small villages, the river IJssel, mills and farmhouses. Our host at the hotel advised us to take the ferry and walk to and around Bronkhorst - the smallest 'town' of The Netherlands (stumble 4x and you are at the other end of town :-)

We were lucky; no rain but great typical Dutch skies and some sunshine as well, and a fierce cold wind especially near the river.

After drinking a tea at the local tavern we drove to Apeldoorn where we visited the CODA museum (see pics)

It was a lovely weekend!

dikke kus

Carina

the ferry to Bronkhorst

Work of photographer Carli Hermes, exhibited at CODA Museum in Apeldoorn. Superb exhibit! 

Budapest, 12-15 September, DAY 4

Day 4, Sunday 15th September 2013

Today is the last day of our stay here in Budapest. After a lovely breakfast on our large terrace we take metro line 1 to the city park where Szechenyi Bath & Spa is situated. This is the spa where all the people from Budapest go in summer. Today it's busy too coz after yesterday's rain it's warm and sunny, lucky us.

on the corner of where our appartment is 'Bella Carina' ^^

Szechenyi Bath & Spa 

It's not easy to find our way around the place as all signs are ONLY in Hungarian, mmm strange coz we hear a lot of other languages around us.

When we are in queue for the ticket office a nice English speaking guy helps us and sells me his 'Dr Fish concept'. Hey hey again (Antwerp was the 1st time) I let fishes nibble at my toes.

Hungarian men play chess everywhere 

The photos give an overview of the atmosphere and grandeur of the bath&spa. When we took an elevator by mistake and ended up on the 1st floor we saw young handsome girls dressed in white tees and shorts offering expensive luxury massage spa treatments. The 'spa life in Hungary' is changing and getting commercial, but slowly. 

Being clean and refreshed we walked through the park and ended up in the midst of all kind of festivities near the castle. After a late lunch in the park restaurant our Budapest trip ended. 

Can't wait till our next trip (my Bday trip to Istanbul ^^)
dikke kus
Carina

Budapest, 12 - 15 September (Peter's Bday trip) - DAY 3

DAY 3 Saturday 14 September, hey it's Peter's Bday!

It is raining cats and dogs today, predicted by Weather.com so we are prepared. 
We take the tram to the other side of the river Danube, there we go up the mountain with the cable tram to the museum area where also the famous Matthias church is. However, when we arrive at the church it's closed, while in our tourist guide it's explicitly stated the church is open on Saturday mornings (rain pouring down, grrrr)

On our way to the Matthias church we pass this old Trabant car, fun! 

We visit the Hungarian National Gallery, making pictures is forbidden. I did make a few of course, naughty me. There is an exhibition of Chagall 'Between War and Peace' at the moment, sort of the same as we saw a while ago in Paris. It is super to revisit this colorfull exhibition. But this time no photos :-( 

After our visit to the museum we decided not to visit the wine festival that's held next door, but have a nice glass of Hungarian white wine and some chocolate in posh place Gerbeaud, the famous traditional coffee house of Budapest.

Spinoza, the restaurant in the Jewish Quarter of town that was advised by the guy of our Appartment agency is good and serves great food and wine. We arrive early coz this is a popular and crowded place. We luv it, great atmosphere, live music. 
Afterwards we have coffee in a trendy place that just started. There are many new initiatives here in this old neighbourhood. 
We end up in a very nice winebar in the same narrow street. It was another great day in Budapest.

dinner at Spinoza restaurant in the old Jewish Quarter

our winebar in a narrow street in the old Jewish Quarter.