The Grand Capitals of Europe: London, Paris, Budapest & Prague
A Curated Journey Through Europe’s Timeless Cities.
Upon our arrival in London, we officially began our 16-day European journey. From the moment we landed, our private arrival transfer made the drive from the airport to our hotel feel effortless and completely stress-free—exactly the kind of seamless start every long journey deserves.
We chose a hotel in the Bankside area, a vibrant, historic district on the south bank of London's River Thames, between Blackfriars and London Bridge.
Bankside is home to the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Borough Market, The Clink Prison Museum, historic pubs, Southwark Cathedral, and more.
Established in 1144, The Clink Prison is among the oldest prisons in England, serving London for more than six centuries. It is now a museum, offering a glimpse into London’s medieval past.
Southwark Cathedral, founded in 1106, is London’s oldest Gothic cathedral, standing on the south bank of the Thames for more than 900 years.
We stopped for a London Pride beer, some Halloumi fries, and wandered to the Westminster Bridge area for sunset.
Cheers!
Halloumi fries, crafted from a firm Mediterranean cheese that holds its shape when fried—golden perfection with a rich, savory finish. f you see halloumi fries on the menu… you order them.
Fun fact: Big Ben isn’t actually the clock or the tower—the name refers to the 13-ton bell inside. The tower itself is officially called Elizabeth Tower.
Did you Know? There are wild foxes in London!
Day two took us into the English countryside, where we spent the day at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.
The Wellington Section struck the perfect balance of energy and comfort, with covered grandstands overlooking the track, a welcoming hospitality tent for drinks and downtime, food trucks, and private restrooms that made the experience feel thoughtfully curated.
Marcus in his happy place.
what a cutie ;)
We wrapped up our day with a pint at a local pub in the tiny town of Silverstone, before heading back to London.
Our last day in London began with a walk across Tower Bridge, taking in the views of the Thames and savoring those final moments in the city.
We also spent part of the day participating in a Rock & Roll walking tour, diving into London’s legendary music scene and the stories behind some of its most iconic artists and venues. This was Marcus’ favorite tour!
The Ship Tavern is a legendary rock ’n’ roll pub, long known as a pre- and post-gig hangout for musicians playing at the nearby Marquee Club during the 1960s and 1970s. Over the years, the pub counted icons such as Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Who (particularly Keith Moon), The Clash, and The Cure among its regular patrons.
Site of The Beatles’ legendary 1969 rooftop concert, their final public performance before the band’s breakup.
A little treasure hunting in a vintage record shop led to an original 1973 Pink Floyd album—followed by a visit to the London neighborhood where the band first formed in the mid-1960s.
After an easy direct train ride through the Chunnel, we arrived in Paris—the City of Light—ready to slow down and settle into the rhythm of one of Europe’s most timeless cities. ✨
We eased into Paris with an elegant French dinner—champagne to start, followed by escargot, French onion soup, steak frites, mussels, and crème brûlée—before turning in early, savoring the perfect first night in Paris.
Our first full day began exactly the way it should—slow, relaxed, and unrushed.
Less Regrets, More Baguettes!
The early afternoon was spent exploring our Parisian neighborhood on foot, wandering side streets, popping into small shops and bistros, and letting curiosity lead the way.
From there, we took a short walk to the Eiffel Tower, where we spent the afternoon strolling the area and enjoying the easy rhythm of Paris.
Lunch followed at a charming little bistro, where we kept things light with burrata carpaccio and perfectly cooked octopus—simple, fresh, and very Paris.
As the day slowed, we headed back to get ready for the evening—saving our energy for a Paris classic, a dinner sailing on the Seine!
That evening, we boarded La Calife, an experience that blended excellent food, warm service, and an ever-changing Parisian backdrop.
Gliding along the Seine, the city revealed itself from a new perspective—elegant, illuminated, and quietly magical.
The meal was incredible!
The night ended with Paris illuminated—the Eiffel Tower sparkling after sunset, reflections dancing on the water, and that unmistakable feeling that only Paris can give.
The next day, we set out in a vintage Citroën convertible, a charming way to experience Paris and its most iconic sights.
Along the route, we stopped at Paris icons like the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Arc de Triomphe, among others.
The weather was perfect and this was easily one of our favorite tours of the entire trip!
We finished the day wandering through Montmartre, lingering over dinner, popping into shops, and indulging in Paris’s iconic macarons.
Our last day in Paris began with a tour of the Catacombs of Paris—an incredibly fascinating and slightly eerie experience, but absolutely worth the visit.
Established in the 1780s, the Catacombs of Paris hold the remains of more than six million people, arranged across miles of underground tunnels once used as stone quarries.
Fun fact: The Catacombs stretch for hundreds of miles beneath Paris—though only a small portion is open to the public today.
Walking through the Catacombs, you can’t help but wonder who these people were, what their lives looked like, and how/when their stories ended.
From there, we made our way to Notre-Dame, wandering through tucked-away streets and charming shops before returning to get ready for an unforgettable dinner.
Dinner was at Joël Robuchon, marking my first Michelin-starred dining experience. Joël Robuchon himself is the most decorated chef in Michelin history, holding a total of 32 Michelin stars across his restaurants worldwide at the height of his career—making our last evening in Paris feel especially special.
We began with a green pea foam amuse-bouche
Shared appetizers of aged Ibérico ham, thinly sliced and rich with flavor…
…..and perfectly tender octopus.
For the main course, I enjoyed the classic Dover sole à la meunière, a timeless French dish.
Marcus had the special, a Wagyu steak beautifully seared and finished with fresh shaved truffle, drizzled sauces, and a perfectly jammy egg yolk.
After a quick flight from CDG to BUD, we were ready to explore the city of Budapest, also known as “The Pearl of the Danube”
Budapest is made up of two distinct sides… Buda, the hilly, historic side, and Pest, the flatter, lively side, divided by the Danube River.
Located in Buda’s Castle District, Matthias Church has served as a church, mosque, and coronation site over its long history, reflecting Hungary’s complex past.
We stayed in an ideal location, perched above the city at Fisherman’s Bastion on the historic Buda side, directly beside the stunning Matthias Church.
Our hotel was clean, comfortable and extremely spacious for Europe! Built on the ruins of a 13th century monastery, it boasts ancient cloisters, a rooftop bar, and an incredible wine cellar
We had a beautiful view of the Danube and Parliament Building from our room!
We began our first full day in Budapest with a private tuk tuk tour. Our knowledgeable driver guided us through the city’s highlights, including Chain Bridge, Castle Hill, Heroes’ Square, and ending at the lively Great Market Hall.
The colonnades at Budapest's Heroes' Square, built for the 1896 Millennium Monument, feature 14 bronze statues of significant Hungarian kings and leaders
This lion was created by an artist who had never seen the animal, relying on secondhand descriptions rather than reality. I love it!
After the tour, we strolled along Váci Street, Budapest’s pedestrian walking street stretching from Vörösmarty Square to the Great Market Hall. Along the way, we paused for people watching, a cold local beer and a comforting bowl of chicken paprikash—an ideal taste of Hungary for lunch.
Chicken paprikash—tender chicken slow-simmered in a rich paprika-infused sauce, finished with sour cream and served with soft, pillowy dumplings. Comfort food at its finest.
Fun fact: Paprika is Hungary’s most iconic spice, and there are eight distinct varieties of Hungarian paprika, ranging from mild and sweet to hot.
That evening, we enjoyed a wine and chocolate pairing in the ancient basement cellar of our hotel. With it’s stone walls and vaulted ceilings, this experience felt both intimate and memorable. I would definitely recommend this for wine lovers, with a unique sampling of Hungarian wines!
We then headed to our rooftop restaurant for a little dinner, great views and sunset over the Danube.
Matthias Church has stood in Budapest’s Castle District for over 700 years, dating back to the 13th century, and is known for its striking colorful Zsolnay tile roof.
We spent our final day in Budapest wandering Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion and soaking in the views, before heading out for a relaxing dinner cruise on the Danube.
The Parliament Building is so beautiful in the evenings!
After one last evening stroll, it was time to say goodbye to Budapest…
The next day was a full travel day by train to Prague, giving us time to sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful scenery along the way—including endless sunflower fields.
In the City of a Hundred Spires, we started our Prague journey with a leisurely stroll through the market.
Before heading over to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery for an informative tour (and delicious tasting)
Na zdraví — cheers from Prague!
Fun Fact: Czech Republic consistently ranks #1 in the world for beer consumption per capita, with the average Czech drinking well over 140 liters per year.
Our next day included a day trip to Kutná Hora, a small medieval town just outside Prague. We visited the stunning St. Barbara’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and the Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church—one of the most fascinating and unusual sites in the Czech Republic.
St. Barbara’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic design in Kutná Hora.
Fun fact: The bones at the Sedlec Ossuary came from a medieval cemetery that became highly sought-after after soil from Jerusalem was spread there in the 13th century.
With Prague being the beer capital of the world, we had to try the Beer Spa!
Guests soak in warm tubs infused with hops, malt, and yeast—ingredients believed to promote relaxation, support circulation, and nourish the skin. Each private room even includes a pour-your-own beer tap!
We finished our whirlwind European Capitals adventure with a Prague Old Car Tour.
Our driver whisked us around Prague for 2 hours
Sights included the Powder Tower, Astronomical Clock and Prague Castle.
The Powder Tower—one of Prague’s original medieval city gates, dating back to the 1400s and once stored gunpowder.
The Church of Our Lady before Týn, with its dramatic twin spires, rising above Prague’s Old Town.
Installed in 1410, the Prague Astronomical Clock tracks time, the movement of the sun and moon, and medieval astronomical beliefs.
For our final meal in Prague, Marcus chose a classic pork knuckle braised in dark beer—a perfect way to end our time in the city.
Sixteen days and four unforgettable capitals later, this journey was a beautiful reminder of why we travel—to slow down, explore deeply, and connect with each place beyond the highlights. From London to Paris, Budapest, and Prague, each city brought its own rhythm and charm, creating a trip filled with meaningful moments and lasting memories. A grand European adventure done just right.
