My friend Lori, a Bay Area producer and photographer, recently returned from a week-long photo trip to Budapest, Hungary, which inspired both adventure and reflection. Her photo tour with Tony Stromberg allowed her to capture the horses of Hungary while exploring Budapest’s vibrant personality through thermal baths, backstreet cafes, and early mornings in the countryside. Lori’s stories remind me why I love hearing traveler experiences. It isn’t just architecture or food—it’s the chance moments: people in bathrobes at the spa, Budapest’s Parliament glowing at dinner, or a horse raising its head as the light shifts.
This blend of unique moments made her story such a fun conversation for the podcast, and I’m excited to share it with you. If Budapest has been on your “maybe someday” list, tune in to the episode to hear Lori’s inspiring journey and tips for travel planning.
🎧 Click on the above link to listen to the interview or listen on “Mixtape Travels” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
🏰 First Impressions: Old-World Beauty on the Danube
Lori’s first glimpse of Budapest was cinematic — Gothic palaces, stone bridges, and the Danube glinting in the late afternoon sun. The city’s two halves, Buda and Pest, are split by the river, and she loved how different they felt. Buda, with its castle district and cobblestone streets, oozes history; Pest hums with restaurants, bars, and that slightly wild energy of a capital city finding its modern rhythm.
“I think what made it feel so special was knowing that for decades, Westerners couldn’t go there. It still has this air of mystery.”
🧖♀️ Where She Stayed: Budapest’s Hidden Island
Here’s a fun fact I didn’t know: there’s a green island in the middle of the Danube. It’s called Margaret Island, and that’s where Lori stayed — in a historic spa hotel surrounded by gardens, walking paths, and even a tiny zoo.
Her hotel had multiple thermal pools ranging from “very hot to cool,” so she could wander down in her robe and take the waters like a local.
“At any time of day, you’d see people in bathrobes strolling through the lobby — mostly senior citizens heading to the spa,” she laughed.
She called Margaret Island her “hidden gem” of Budapest — a peaceful escape from the city that felt worlds away but was just a bridge crossing from both sides of the river.
🐎 Horses of Hungary: A Photographer’s Dream
Every afternoon, Lori’s group ventured into the countryside to photograph Hungary’s most famous horse breeds: Lipizzaners, Kisbéris, and Spanish stallions known for their grace and intelligence.
The landscapes were straight out of a storybook — green hills, small tidy villages, and winding roads. She was surprised by how pristine everything felt.
“The countryside is beautiful — green, rolling hills, and incredibly well kept.”
Her favorite subjects were the Kisbéri horses, a nearly lost breed revived by dedicated local breeders after World War II.
Evenings were spent reviewing photos, sharing meals with the group, and swapping travel stories — a perfect mix of creativity and connection.
🍽️ What She Ate (and Drank)
While her island hotel offered international fare, Lori did sneak into the city for a few local meals. Her standout dinner was on Váci Street (“buzzy and full of life”), where violinists roamed the restaurant while she enjoyed duck and traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash and paprikash.
She also highly recommends a Danube River dinner cruise — a little touristy, sure, but worth it. Between live music, dancing couples, and a glowing view of the Parliament building lit up at night, it was the highlight of her trip.
Drinks to try: Hungarian wine, local beer, and — surprisingly — gin cocktails, which are having a moment in Budapest.
🏰 History, Culture & Getting Around
On the Buda side, Lori explored the castle district and learned about Hungary’s early tribes and Saint Stephen, the first king to unify them around the year 1000. The Fisherman’s Bastion, with its seven towers representing the seven founding tribes, was a favorite.
She and a few travel friends booked a private Viator tour to efficiently see both sides of the city. (Pro tip: Lori says this is the way to go if you’re short on time.) Budapest also has a great tram system, so even DIY exploring is easy.
The language, however? Tough. “The only word I mastered was köszönöm — thank you,” Lori admitted. Locals were friendly in tourist areas but more reserved elsewhere — something she found interesting after spending time in Italy, where everyone chats with everyone.
💡 Lori’s Must-Do Budapest Tips
Take a Danube River cruise at night. It’s touristy, yes — and totally magical.
Explore Margaret Island. Rent a bike, walk the trails, and visit the gardens and pools.
Visit in early fall. Warm days, cool evenings, and fewer crowds.
Try the thermal baths. Whether it’s your hotel spa or Széchenyi Baths, they’re part of local life.
Book a half-day city tour. Use Viator or GetYourGuide for an efficient overview.
Learn one Hungarian word. Köszönöm (thank you) goes a long way.
Meet Lori Wright
Lori Wright has been a Producer in the Bay Area for over 30 years. Her experience ranges from broadcast spots to online video content and live events. She has produced commercials for HGTV and the Travel Channel, online spots for social sites, and numerous videos for the tech and healthcare industries. Her experience encompasses various storytelling techniques that include live action narrative, documentary and animation. She manages projects from inception to delivery, working closely with script writers and directors to help shape and budget creative ideas. Storytelling is her passion.
With her love of travel and photography, Lori keeps travel journals chock full of inane and entertaining stories. Her photography library is brimming with images from her professional video shoots and personal travels. She loves capturing behind-the-scenes stills from video productions that have taken her around the world to trips that tickle her sense of adventure and immerse her in new cultures.
She earned her BA degree from UC at Santa Barbara and her master’s degree from Goddard College in Studio Art and Photography. She attended the Book Passage’s Travel Writers and Photography Conference for two years consecutively, further inspiring her next photography and writing projects.
Lori, a native Californian, lives in San Anselmo, California with her husband and Labradoodle, Nellie, her trusty companion on the hiking trails of Marin.
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Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
