For me Bratislava had to be the highlight of the last stage, relatively small, not too hectic, and with a lovely old town. Budapest on the other hand I found too busy and without doubt needed more time than I was able to give it. I have always wanted to go there and I am sure I will go back to see the city properly but on this visit for me, after so many weeks of relative quiet and solitude, a crowded, car-busy city was a little overwhelming however beautiful its architecture and interesting its history.
My next stage takes me to another capital city: Belgrade. I will continue my journey southwards, following the Danube until it starts to veer eastwards again as it approaches Belgrade. The first couple of days will be in Hungary, where I go through the country's main paprika growing area, until the Serbian and Croatian borders at Mohács in the Duna-Drava National park. Here I have a choice of continuing into Serbia and on to Belgrade or heading into Croatia and then crossing into Serbia later. The latter option appeals for a couple of reasons: I have never been to Croatia and I here this section is beautiful; and I am advised that the wild dogs that I will come across from Serbia onwards do not feature there.
If all goes well I will arrive in Novi Sad, the main city prior to Belgrade, in time to meet a friend who is visiting for work. Not only will that offer a welcome period of socialising but I am hoping to drop off a couple of guide books I no longer need and some of the kit I am carrying and which I now know I can do without. Hopefully I will reach Novi Sad in four days and Belgrade is only a day's cycle further.
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