Beginning in October, professionally-trained photographer Kelli Salter will be offering a 10-week class covering the basics of great photography.  You’ll learn about camera equipment, shutter speeds,  composition, exposure, and photo styling.  Whether you are interested in starting a new hobby or would simply like to take better pics of your family, this course can get …

One of the wonderful aspects of the quality of life in Budapest is its proximity to unspoiled areas to enjoy the outdoors. There’s great hiking in the Buda and PIlis to the west and to the east near Eger. Farther afield, biking around Lake Balaton in the southwest or Lake Fertod near the Austrian border …

There’s no shortage of paprika in Budapest, but every once in a while it’s nice to be able to cook up a little something different…or as the case may be for a lot of expats, something familiar. Culinaris is wonderful if you’re looking for a wide range of Western-style ingredients, but you’ll be more …

After eight days in Balassagyarmat, I had seen what I thought there was to see: the Palóc museum, the pool, the music school, the market.   Then Agi slipped me a number at dinner.   Had I heard about the Jewish cemetery?  When I called the next morning, Béla Majdán answered, said he could pick us up …

Readers have recently shared a few of their own favorites.  Scroll down to the bottom for the latest additions.
Summer getting a bit long?  You’ve been to Szentendre, Balaton and Vienna…what about the rest?  Here are a few short trip ideas for the weekend that you can do from a Budapest base.

Volcanic catastrophe, sharks in Nógrád: …

I am a big fantasy sci-fi buff, but after a time I just had to stop reading the books because they were so similar, or I would realize 20 pages into it that I had already read it. No such problems there with Leah R. Cutter’s Paper Mage (ROC, 2003).
What could possibly be new in …

Recently moved to Budapest and looking for the perfect décor for your new home abroad? Been here a while but a bit bored with your bare walls?  Then no need to worry; the works of some of the city’s newest and most talented artists are readily available … but not permanently.

Expats on the …

Last summer did us in.  Five transatlantic tickets, two weeks of car rental, one U-Haul and a loop-de-loop track up and down the East Coast had the cops looking for us. Not because we were lost. The officer left a message at a friend’s place, asked if my husband could please not flee from gas …

WAMP design conquest began on a hot summer day in July, during the previous football world championship. In the time that passed between the two football-events, more than 50 fairs have been organised. The suberb atmosphere of was ensured by excellent designers, musicians, other performers and of course by your participation!
Now it’s time to celebrate! …

First off, a hearty congratulations the the Hungarian men’s cricket team, who have advanced to the Euro Twenty20 semifinal in Macedonia.  This Sunday, July 18th, they hope to get one step closer to championship bragging rights by doing away with the Bulgarians. Follow their progress, as well as learn more about the state of cricket …

Farkasrét cemetery is the biggest in Buda, playing a strong symbolic role in Hungarian history and culture. Officially opened in 1894, at a semi-forested, sloping sight, it gained its name –Wolffield– from a competition during the Reform-époque, where German place-names were rebaptised into Hungarian. Veres Sándor’s winged griffin (griffmadár), greets visitors …

As we know, it is difficult in Hungary to source children’s books in English and other languages. Therefore, if you are looking for reading material to entertain and educate your child during the summer holiday, then there is another option: The PBS Summer Challenge!
In partnership with iVillage, PBS Parents is providing an exciting four-week summer …

Looking to make a little something different for dinner?  Treat yourself and your family to a new culinary experience this summer. Chefparade Cooking School offers hands-on cooking courses, where guests can master the basics of both Hungarian and international cooking in a fun and interactive atmosphere.  Cook side-by-side with local chefs as they introduce you …

It was a long time a-coming, but a genuine Mexican taqueria finally set up shop in Budapest in spring of 2009. Arriba Taqueria (opposite the Muvesz cinema on Terez krt., Dist. VI) is under the direction of Mo Ortiz, well known to expats as a partner in Iguana Restaurant. With its eye-catching décor and focus …