Looking back, I wish I had lingered longer. But due to my restless
nature, I had bees in my bonnet and was eager to move along. It
took me years to rid myself of this habit and start savouring the
journey—a mindset that, I now believe, is the essence of cycle
touring.
Budapest – Esztergom – 80 kilometres
Following an additional day of exploring, we cycled out of Budapest.
Initially, our path followed the famed Danube River past vast fields of
sunflowers and timeless villages. Eventually, our chosen path led us
to Esztergom’s ancient town, where the day’s ride ended. The city is
easily recognised by its massive basilica (the third largest church in
Europe), which dominates the town. It sits atop a hill above this
bustling town and overlooks the Danube River.
Esztergom has a rich history dating back many years. The town was
founded in 972 AD and played a significant role in Hungarian history,
being the birthplace and coronation site of the first Hungarian King. It
served as Hungary's capital until the 13th century, resulting in an
abundance of historic buildings with both royal and religious
significance.