About Szia and Julius

Topics: About Szia and the founding of this website * About Julius Palacinka

About Szia and the founding of this website

Szia: in Hungarian a welcome greeting between friends, but also the name of a beloved dog.

Szia: Founded in December 2009 for (Dutch) visitors to Budapest, and which let show things which not so readily comes to mind if you stay a few days in this lovely city. Natural 'should' as a visitor highlights such as Parliament, the Fishermen's Bastion, Castle, Heroes Square, and so on have seen, but there is so incredible much more that's worth to be watched.

Szia: built around three main themes:
- Culture in the broad sense (classical) concerts, music, architecture (particularly the periods 1895-1915 and the Bauhaus style);
- Young, inspiring and design, with many links to (fashion) designers, tips and entertainment for young and / or the young elderly;
- Special guided tours which shows Budapest like Julius it experiences.

These themes are complemented by tips and links which provided in the best possible information about Budapest and what  currently is playing in this vibrant city.



Szia: founded due to love for Budapest and the basis of guided tours which Julius gives for 1 to 6 people, in which custom-made tours play a large role. This idea was already long present, but got effective in 2009.

No standard bus tours with headphones on. Because, Julius want not to be yet another guide that leads you around along the famous buildings. But, on targeted special tours. Tours that much more show the city and with as base of transport two legs and /or the public transport, available in town. Small, to get you  acquainted with the many beautiful buildings, art, nature, and so on which Budapest is rich. This is accompanied by a brief explanation on the city and the buildings that you see. Long hours of text you will not remember. Only then you will know  Budapest and see, next to beautiful things, also the downside. Because it is not all pomp and circumstance. 

No false expectations because every time Julius was in Budapest, he also discovers new things. Julius also not claims he knows the city at its fingertips, but more than good enough, based on hunderds hours of walking in the city. Julius is also not a licensed guide. Through the tours, Julius is able to stay semi-permanent in Budapest and that is no punishment, to say the least.

Individual counseling is also possible: for example if you stay for a short time in the city, necessarily want see a building or are looking for a specific store. Julius then also can help, as well as for booking of concerts, and so on. It are only a few examples. if have a wish concerning to this, don't  hesitate to send Julius an e-mail.

On de page Small print on Szia you can find the dates when Julius is in Budapest. In 2011 this will be almost the whole year.

By Szia, Julius hopes that more people (especially Dutch) visits Budapest. Because, every art, music, or culture lovers will really enjoy this city, which, relatively, little in the Dutch travel programs occurs. If you plows on Saturday the Dutch newspapers for travel ads, you can see how less travels from the Netherlands to Budapest are offered. Also on the past Dutch holiday fairs, the stand of the Hungarian state was a shadow of what it was before, only a few standard brochures about Budapest, Pecs and so on and there was barely information about the famous Sziget festival.

And with his view of the city, critical without blinkers, via a guided tour or through links on this site on the track of the many special aspects of the city, Julius hopes to convey to you something of his love for the city. 

About Julius Palacinka

For the first time in Budapest in October 1989. After a few years of less frequently visiting of the city, this enormously increased during the past years and since March 2011 he lives in Budapest. In Budapest  he takes the public transport more easily than in Amsterdam (and feels himself much more at ease)

Middle-aged, older younger, 'quirky stubborn' and independent. Amazed Itself every day about the hardness which creeps into Dutch society, that people less consider each other, and that more and more difference arises between rich and poor. In the Netherlands, living in a neighborhood that shows how the Dutch society derails, without the responsible authorities intervene. Also come to the conclusion no longer to live in a rule of law, where everyone, rich and poor, the opportunity to get his right ..... In short, Julius does not feel at home anymore in his native country and that feeling got stronger every time when he was back in the Netherlands.

A very big love for music (especially classical, but also many other genres), culture, exhibitions, etc. Can enjoy on a terrace, with a book and glass. The Gödör Klub in Budapest is the club for that matter one of his favorites.

Also: nature lover, animal lover (cats and dogs), loves books, art and antiques and ... Burgundian (without having to eat in a 3-star restaurant).

Due to some health problems in the past, which unfortunately occasionally flare up, on medical advice permanently rejected. The effects of many operations ensure that Julius is not suitable for regular employment. However, too much energy and desire to always be surprised by the beauty that life has to offer, to sit behind the geraniums. And, stay in Budapest, as shown in practice is good for the health of Julius.

Julius was the person behind Hungryforbooks, a company that sold good used books for a reasonable price on sites like QOOP and Markplaats. .



(Last update and verification of links: October 25, 2011)