Szechenyi Baths in Budapest is now on my fantasy European pool/spa itinerary. Built in 1913, this pool is “the most visited and much praised attraction in Budapest: relaxing, fun, affordable and, at night, romantic.”
Apparently those Hungarians even like to hang out and play chess in the pool (when they’re not making out π€·π»ββοΈ).
Here’s some more inspiration to get to Spain, as if I already needed that. π
The square looks unreal from above, but it is very real indeed as “a major public space in the heart of Madrid.” And the square is much bigger than it looks here, with 237 residential balconies facing inwards.
The picture below features the Puente Nuevo, towering 390 feet over the GuadalevΓn River in Ronda, Spain. This is the “new” bridge, meaning it was completed in 1793. The old one was built in 1616. π€·π»ββοΈ
I think it’s safe to say that Ronda is on the list if I ever get to Spain. π€©
You may be wondering what that room in the middle of the bridge is for. Among other things, it has served as a prison and a torture chamber during the various civil wars and inquisitions in Spain. Apparently even the torture chambers are beautiful in Spain. π€
The story of Boland Mills in Dublin is sort of the story of modern Ireland itself.
In 1916, the mills stood as a rebel outpost for an independent Irish state. Now it’s part of a high-end residential development in that independent Irish state. See the post for more. π
This looks like an interesting stop on my upcoming trip to Ireland. βοΈ
Next time in England, it would be fun to visit some of the ancient geoglyphs etched into chalk in the hills there.
The Cerne Abbas Giant, for one, is 180 feet tall and has a 26-foot-long, uh, thing. People visit it for fertility. π€
π The Mysterious Origins of the Cerne Abbas Giant (The New Yorker)
And there are plenty of others with odd stories. Always a good excuse to get out to some otherwise random English countryside.
I may need to visit Switzerland π¨π just for the train ride. π€©
Okay, this photo makes me want to wander around Vienna and do an updated version of Before Sunrise. π€©
A cool little stop if I ever make it to Germany. Note: coordinate timing with the arrival of snow. π
This little island in Italy looks so amazing it belongs in a Nintendo game. But what the heck – it’s real!
One beautiful reason too get to Bavaria, Germany.
