After the longer stretches of travel that had marked our journey so far, the two-and-a-half-hour ride from Bratislava to Budapest felt blissfully short. The train wound its way through gentle countryside, giving us a quiet interlude to rest, reflect, and watch the scenery change as we crossed into Hungary — the homeland George had left in 2013, rescued from the streets and bound for a new life in the UK.
Budapest was always going to be a highlight of our journey — not just for its grand boulevards, thermal baths, and the glittering Danube dividing Buda from Pest, but because this stop carried a deeply personal meaning. For George, it was a homecoming of sorts.
Somewhere in this country, more than a decade ago, his story began — a stray navigating the uncertainty of the streets before kindness found him.
In 2013, he left Hungary for the UK after being rescued from the streets by Hungary Hearts Dogs Rescue — a scrappy little survivor with no idea that a warm bed, park walks, and a family’s love awaited him across the Channel.
Now, he returned not as a wanderer, but as a beloved companion, padding confidently into the Anantara New York Palace Hotel and posing for photos along the banks of the Danube. Stepping paw back onto Hungarian soil felt symbolic, as though we were closing a circle. I found myself watching him closely, wondering if he recognised the scents in the air, or the lilt of the Hungarian language.
We had an early morning photoshoot with Flora to commemorate George’s homecoming.
We wandered along the riverbank, the Parliament building glowing gold in the morning light, and crossed the Chain Bridge, with the Buda Castle rising above us. George paused to sniff at corners as if piecing together half-forgotten memories.
Budapest welcomed us with its striking contrasts — the stately elegance of Buda on one side of the river, the vibrant energy of Pest on the other, linked by the graceful sweep of the Chain Bridge.
The weather was too hot for exploration, and we happily returned to the hotel for a delightful afternoon tea on the private balcony of The White Salon, where dogs are allowed to dine with us.
From the balcony of The White Salon, we could see the replendent and famed New York Cafe.
At day’s end, before dinner, we saw the Danube glittering as the sun set behind the Fisherman’s Bastion on the Buda side.
We were recommended a restaurant in Budapest, Azsu, and we loved that we got to dine there on the last night.
What a fabulous to bid farewell to a city revisted 35 years later.
The heart of any journey: not just the miles travelled, but the moments truly lived.
We chose to stay at the dog-friendly Anantara New York Palace Hotel, and we were pleased that they accommodated the dogs so we could dine with them in their White Salon Restaurant.
This journey was a homecoming for George — a return to the land where his story began. It was just as precious for us humans: a reminder of the joy of discovering new places, the richness of shared experiences, and the beauty of living fully in the moment.
Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue, a UK Registered Charity No 1169136, was founded in 2012 by Hilda Zilahi-Barabas. It started as a Facebook page called ‘Rescue Hungarian Dogs and Puppies for Adoption’ before becoming a small charity in 2014 and then gaining registered charity status in 2016.
HHDR continues to get dogs off the streets and work with local shelters to find dogs that deserve a second chance in the Killing Stations. George (then Bobo) was one of the lucky ones saved from a Killing Station.
