Wowcher Mystery Holidays – A Complete Guide 2025
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Linzi Verity-Buck
Budapest on a Budget
Budapest is Hungary’s enchanting capital, it seamlessly blends history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. Famous for its thermal baths, stunning architecture, and vibrant culinary scene.
Average weather in Budapest
Five reasons to visit Budapest
Budapest enchants visitors with its blend of historic grandeur and vibrant modern culture. From relaxing thermal baths to dynamic nightlife, the city promises a memorable experience for all. Most important of all, Budapest offers exceptional value, allowing visitors to enjoy its many attractions without breaking the bank.
Historic landmarks
Thermal baths
River views
Great value
Culinary delights
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Budapest is brimming with must-see spots. Start with the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion for panoramic views. The Parliament Building, with its striking neo-Gothic design, is a must-visit. Don’t miss the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of Europe’s largest spa complexes. St. Stephen’s Basilica offers stunning views from its dome. And for a unique nightlife experience, check out the ruin bars, especially Szimpla Kert.
Budapest’s public transport is both efficient and budget-friendly, with buses, trams, and the metro. The Budapest Card is a great deal, offering unlimited travel and discounts on many attractions. Biking is popular too, with plenty of rentals and bike lanes. For a scenic trip, take a river cruise on the Danube. Walking is enjoyable in areas like the Castle District and Pest’s city center. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Bolt are also readily available.
The best times to visit Budapest are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant events. Spring is perfect for enjoying blooming gardens and outdoor cafes. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and the beauty of autumn leaves. Summer is lively with festivals and outdoor fun, while winter, though cold, has festive Christmas markets and cozy thermal baths.
Budapest’s culinary scene is a treat. Start with goulash, a rich beef stew with paprika. Lángos, deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, is a must-try street food. Paprikash, a creamy chicken dish with paprika sauce, is another traditional favorite. For dessert, indulge in chimney cake (kürtőskalács), a sweet, spiral pastry. Also, taste local wines, particularly Tokaji, and the distinctive Hungarian spirit, pálinka.
Absolutely, Budapest is fantastic for families. The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is a hit with kids. The Children’s Railway, operated by children under adult supervision, offers a fun ride through scenic Buda hills. The Palace of Wonders has interactive science exhibits. Parks like Margaret Island and City Park have playgrounds and open spaces for family fun. Many thermal baths have family-friendly sections with pools and water slides.
Keep up to date...
I am SO bad at keeping secrets… and this has been a big one!
It has always been a dream of mine to publish a book, so when I got a genuine book deal, it was VERY hard to not shout it from the roof tops! Excitement turned into panic when I realised I actually had to write a whole book... but it’s been an incredible journey.
This is more than just a travel book - I share things I’ve never spoken about publicly before, including some difficult moments to revisit, alongside everything I know about bargain family travel.
Thank you @dkeyewitness for bringing my ideas to life, and to @belllomaxmoreton and @mackenzieweller_management for believing in me from the very start ❤️🙏🏻
@dklivinguk #thetravelmum #familytravel #booklaunch #budgettravel
Oct 9
I am SO bad at keeping secrets… and this has been a big one!
It has always been a dream of mine to publish a book, so when I got a genuine book deal, it was VERY hard to not shout it from the roof tops! Excitement turned into panic when I realised I actually had to write a whole book... but it’s been an incredible journey.
This is more than just a travel book - I share things I’ve never spoken about publicly before, including some difficult moments to revisit, alongside everything I know about bargain family travel.
Thank you @dkeyewitness for bringing my ideas to life, and to @belllomaxmoreton and @mackenzieweller_management for believing in me from the very start ❤️🙏🏻
@dklivinguk #thetravelmum #familytravel #booklaunch #budgettravel
We made it work - and you can too.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt since having kids, it’s that your life will be chaotic and wild whether you’re sat at home, in Tescos or on a beach somewhere lush - I know where I’ll be 😅🍹
We have always been budget travellers, and our followers are always shocked at the price we spend on our trips. Follow along for tips, inspo and help getting your family out there ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #budgettravel #travelideas #travelwithbaby
Oct 8
We made it work - and you can too.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt since having kids, it’s that your life will be chaotic and wild whether you’re sat at home, in Tescos or on a beach somewhere lush - I know where I’ll be 😅🍹
We have always been budget travellers, and our followers are always shocked at the price we spend on our trips. Follow along for tips, inspo and help getting your family out there ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #budgettravel #travelideas #travelwithbaby
Taking little Kids to Japan - My honest opinion 🙃
Pros:
👶🏻 In general, it’s a country that loves kids (quiet kids… see con #1)
✨ Toilets are cleaner than your kitchen.
🚽 Toilets are fun (the “bum spray” will never lose its novelty with a 5 year old)
🎢 Disney parks are much cheaper than in the US/EU
❤️ Very safe country.
😸 They love a cartoon character. Themed cafes are everywhere.
Cons:
🤫 It is a very quiet culture. Japanese children are very well behaved. If yours are anything like mine, you’ll get a few side eyes.
✈️ Travelling so far east = Crazy jet lag - Not fun with little ones who want to get ready at 3am.
🍽️ Tiny restaurants aren’t pram friendly, and it was rare anywhere had a baby chair.
🛏️ A family room often turned out to be one double bed for us all to share. Not one place we stayed had a baby cot.
We actually had a great holiday, but it isn’t one for the faint hearted. If a cute Eurocamp holiday in France is level 1 of the family holiday world, this was definitely level 50 😅
💻 I’ve got a blog post on our website with our itinerary and what the 3 week trip cost us ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #travelideas #japanwithkids
Oct 7
Taking little Kids to Japan - My honest opinion 🙃
Pros:
👶🏻 In general, it’s a country that loves kids (quiet kids… see con #1)
✨ Toilets are cleaner than your kitchen.
🚽 Toilets are fun (the “bum spray” will never lose its novelty with a 5 year old)
🎢 Disney parks are much cheaper than in the US/EU
❤️ Very safe country.
😸 They love a cartoon character. Themed cafes are everywhere.
Cons:
🤫 It is a very quiet culture. Japanese children are very well behaved. If yours are anything like mine, you’ll get a few side eyes.
✈️ Travelling so far east = Crazy jet lag - Not fun with little ones who want to get ready at 3am.
🍽️ Tiny restaurants aren’t pram friendly, and it was rare anywhere had a baby chair.
🛏️ A family room often turned out to be one double bed for us all to share. Not one place we stayed had a baby cot.
We actually had a great holiday, but it isn’t one for the faint hearted. If a cute Eurocamp holiday in France is level 1 of the family holiday world, this was definitely level 50 😅
💻 I’ve got a blog post on our website with our itinerary and what the 3 week trip cost us ❤️
#thetravelmum #familytravel #travelideas #japanwithkids
The best Waterpark and Theme park right next door?!
Rulantica is an indoor/outdoor waterpark right next door to Europa park in Rust, Germany.
#rulantica #thetravelmum #europaparkrust #traveldeals #familytravel
Oct 6
The best Waterpark and Theme park right next door?!
Rulantica is an indoor/outdoor waterpark right next door to Europa park in Rust, Germany.
#rulantica #thetravelmum #europaparkrust #traveldeals #familytravel
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