The bumps (England and Ireland)

If you happen to celebrate your birthday in the company of some English and Irish friends, don’t get surprised when the moment comes for them to take you by the hands and legs and “bump” you up into the air and back to the floor – and then again, and again until the number of “bumps” reaches the age you are turning.

Beating with belts (Poland)

Turning 18 is a big thing in Europe – you suddenly find yourself with a lot of exciting new opportunities, you don’t need mom and dad’s permission to do anything and you are no longer a child. And to welcome you to adulthood, Poles will slap you 18 times on the ass with a belt in front of all your guests in the middle of your birthday party. I am not quite sure how to comment on this, so let’s just leave it here and move a bit north to…

Decapitating the cake (Denmark)

…where the roles swap.  The birthday person is no longer being tortured but rather turns into the torturer – over their birthday cake. In Denmark it is common for the birthday cake (called Kagemand) to be shaped and decorated to look like a man (if it’s a boy’s birthday) or woman (if it’s a girl’s birthday). After the kid has finished blowing out the candles, they cut off the head of the cake-person while all the other kids around are screaming their own heads off.

A cute one to restore your faith in humanity (Ukraine)

We are finishing the list of bizarre birthday customs in Ukraine, with one that (thankfully) doesn’t hurt anyone. Ukrainians draw a circle on a piece of paper, which they cut into eight slices like pizza. On each of them they write something bad that happened in the last year and then burn that “slice”. When the bad things are all burned and buried in the past, the same “pizza” is made – this time with the positive changes in the past year of one’s life.

Ear pulling (Hungary, Italy, Brazil, Argentina…)

The idea of showing the birthday person that you are happy they were born and you wish them a happy and long life by actually causing them physical discomfort is not foreign to Hungarians or Italians either – they will pull your earlobes, once again the same number of times as the age you are turning. This practice is also common in Brazil and Argentina.

Pin for later:

The post 5 unusual birthday traditions around the world to steal for your party appeared first on 203Challenges.

Although traveling requires certain expenses, students can still enjoy it without breaking the bank. Today, we want to show it using the capital of Hungary. From the neo-Gothic parliament building to Gellért Hill, Budapest offers many budget-friendly attractions for students. 

In this article, you’ll learn about five must-see tourist spots in Budapest that will suit a student’s budget. We promise that they will leave you with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Hungary’s rich history and culture. You can use this experience to write an essay and earn extra points at college. Read on to find out more!

Top 5 budget-friendly Budapest attractions for students

1. Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament is one of the oldest legislative buildings in Europe. It is built in a neo-Gothic style and located on the bank of the Danube River in Budapest. Since 1902, the parliament has served as the seat of Hungary’s National Parliament. Today, it is considered one of the most iconic buildings in Budapest. This popular tourist attraction is known for its stunning architecture and historical significance.

You can explore the beautiful exterior of the Hungarian Parliament building for free. You can also see its exteriors by booking a guided tour online. A ticket for EU students will cost about 4 euros, while a ticket for non-EU students will cost approximately 9 euros.

2. Danube River

The Danube River in Budapest is a must-see for every tourist. The river is not only a beautiful sight but also offers various activities, such as river cruises, water sports, and cycling along its banks. Additionally, the iconic Chain Bridge and Parliament building can be seen from the river, making it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts. Budapest river cruise tickets start at 9 euros.

To not stress out while looking at tourist attractions of a new city, make sure to delegate your college assignments. You can order essay paper, editing, proofreading, or any other academic-related task from professional writers. It will save you time for the things you enjoy most.

3. Gellért Hill

If you are looking for the best panoramic views of Budapest, you should definitely visit Gellért Hill. This 235-meter-high hill is home to the famous Citadella, a fortress built in the 19th century. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Danube River and the entire city. The hill is named after Hungary’s first missionary, Saint Gellért. He was thrown to his death from this cliff by pagans. Today, a statue of Saint Gellért stands at the top of the hill, overlooking the city of Budapest.

4. Hungarian State Opera House

The Hungarian State Opera House is a stunning example of neo-Renaissance architecture, located in the heart of Budapest. It was opened in 1884 and has since become one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. All thanks to its remarkable acoustics and performances. This citadel of opera and ballet has recently been revived. 

Visitors have the opportunity to see how the magnificent interior was restored to its former beauty. A 60-minute guided tour of the revived Opera House will cost you around 14 euros in the Hungarian language. A tour in English costs around 19 euros. You can also request other languages, including Spanish, Russian, German, and French.

5. Great Market Hall

The Great Market Hall, or Central Market Hall, is a famous indoor market in Budapest. It was built in the late 19th century and is a popular tourist destination for its variety of food, souvenirs, and local products. 

Be it the best essay writing services, professional resume writers, or online tutoring platforms, the internet is filled with options for students seeking academic assistance. Just as the Great Market Hall is filled with activities for both locals and tourists. 

Here, you can enjoy the building’s impressive architecture. It has a neo-Gothic entry gate, a striking roof with colorful tile, and a large variety of stalls on three floors. Alternatively, you can try different foods at the market. Be sure to come hungry and ready to explore the many Hungarian dishes. These include traditional goulash, chimney cake, and lángos.

Bottom line

Being one of the most attractive capitals in the world, Budapest is famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant cultural life. While the city offers plenty of expensive experiences for visitors, you can find budget-friendly things to do in Budapest. We hope our little guide will help you discover some of the best affordable tourist options.

The post 5 Things to See in Budapest on a Student Budget appeared first on 203Challenges.

Travelling by train is one of the most exciting adventures you experience as a child. Choo-choo, creaking rails, swaying to the left and right, enjoying the constantly changing view through the window, running around the compartment (and why not in the whole train)…

It is even better when the train is designed especially for kids! Here are some of our favourite children’s railways in Europe. And what is best about the children’s railways is that they are not only for kids!

On to the railway top 5:

Wells and Walsingham Light Railway

This narrow-gauge train is pulled by two legendary steam engines – the Norfolk Hero and the Norfolk Heroine. This adventure on rails is a favourite fun time for the families visiting the North Norfolk coast.

Fares: Adult return GBP 9, child return GBP 7.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Children’s Railway in Budapest

The Children’s Railway in Budapest was built after the WWII and initially it was called the Pioneer Railway. The train is driven by children under the supervision of an experienced adult engine-driver. The kids are also in charge of the ticket sale, the timetable and the traffic management. In other words, a real children’s kingdom. There are 7 railway stations along the route.

Fare: Adult return EUR 4.50, half the price for a child.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Miniature Railway in Brockwell Park, UK

Miniature is the best word to describe this railway located at the British Brockwell Park. The track-gauge is only 18.5 cm wide. The train runs from Herne Hill (London) to the Brockwell Lido outdoor pool, and the other way round. Both kids and adults are welcome to take a ride. The railway is open from March until October.

Fare: GBP 1 for all.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Little Yellow Train, France (maybe the country where tennis was born)

Well, this is not a train designed especially for kids but it is yellow and has panoramic coaches during the summer, and we are absolutely sure that every child will fall in love with it! In fact, the Little Yellow Train runs a regular route of the French railways, which starts from Villefranche de Conflent, located 50 km away from Perpignan. The most picturesque part of the route is in the beginning when the little yellow train is rolling and winding through woods, precipices, streams and two viaducts. At the final railway station in Latour-de-Carol you may take a more new-fashioned train to Toulouse or Barcelona. The route is 63 km long.

Fare: Return ticket EUR 41, or you may buy a return ticket to a previous station at the price of EUR 6.60.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Children’s Railway in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

This is one of the last functioning children’s two railways in the country. It is situated at the foot of the Mladezhki Halm Hill. The train is comprised of an engine and three carriages. The one-kilometre route passes through a bridge, which is built over a walkway, a level crossing with barriers and a tunnel. Right after the tunnel comes one of the funniest experiences for the passengers – going up the trestle, which is in the form of the number six. Next comes the Snow White station, and then the final Panorama station. At the Panorama station there is a brief break and the passengers have the chance to enjoy the incredible nature of the hill.

Fare: BGN 1 for all.

Useful information: The children’s railway in Plovdiv is closed on Monday and Tuesday. The first run is at 10:30 a.m., the last one –at 4:30 a.m.

More information is available here.

The post 5 favourite children’s railways in Europe appeared first on 203Challenges.

#1 The Neo-Gothic construction, built between 1884 and 1904, is composed of 691 rooms.

#2 It is 268 m long, 118 m high, while its dome is at the impressive height of 96 m. This is not just by chance – 1,000 years since the arrival of the Magyars in these lands were marked in 1896 and that is why the number 96 plays an important role in the Hungarian architecture.

#3 The total length of the stairs in the building reaches around 20 km (12.5 mi).

#4 The Hungarian Parliament has 365 towers, each for every day of the year.

#5 Its design was inspired by the Parliament in London.

#6 The building stretches between Margaret Bridge and Chain Bridge, at the Lajos Kossuth Square, situated on the banks of the Danube River, thus meeting two major historical requirements – on the one hand, the Parliament should oppose the building of the Royal Palace, while on the other – it should also stress Danube River’s importance for the city.

#7 The entrance to the building is on the side of the square, it is also open for tourists but you can visit it only with a guide. Information about how to book a tour you can find here.

#8 Parliament’s Congress Hall shelters the painting of the most prominent Hungarian painter of his time – Mihály Munkácsy, which depicts the conquering of the lands inhabited by the Hungarians nowadays. Paintings by Károly Lotz and sculptures by György Kiss adorn the walls of the main staircase. There are a total of 242 sculptures on the inside and outside walls of the Parliament.

#9 At the building of the Parliament you can also see Hungarian regalia. Since 2000, the royal apple, sword, scepter and crown of Stephen I of Hungary are exposed there so everyone can admire them.

#10 The Hungarian Parliament Building is made of very soft limestone, which is easily destroyed, and that is why there are almost constantly repair works underway.

Pin it for later:

The post Budapest: The parliament with 20 km of stairs in 10 fun facts appeared first on 203Challenges.

Sziget festival in Hungary has existed since 1993. Literally, the name of the festival means ‘Island’, so that might give you a hint about what kind of scenery to expect. Here are the most important things to know if you want to join in the action.

Location – The festival takes place on a small island in the Danube River. How cool is that?! Plus, if you need to take a break from the party, you have Budapest right at the tip of your fingers. Budapest is one of the most versatile European capitals, with plenty of beautiful architecture to admire and a hectic nightlife scene all year round.

A colorful crowd at Sziget feistval.

Line-up – The event actually started off as a festival for student bands and included only Hungarian artists. Over the next five years Sziget gained international popularity for the artists that came to perform: Iggy Pop, Slash, The Prodigy, David Bowie and Rammstein, among others. Nowadays there is a bit of everything, from soft rock to hard techno.

Accessibility – Budapest has excellent flight connections to destinations across Europe, so you’ll have no problems finding tickets. The festival takes place right in the middle of the Danube in the center of this well-planned city – you can’t miss it!

The festival stage lights up the night.

Cost – Tickets for this festival vary in price, from one-day tickets for 65-75 euros to seven-day passes that range between 275 and 325 euros (depending on how early you buy the tickets). Accommodation in Budapest is easy to find, and if you’re looking for something on a budget you can choose from a range of guesthouses and hostels costing around 15-20 euros per night.

More information here.

The post Sziget: the festival island of the Danube appeared first on 203Challenges.