It was our biggest contest ever, and we sent not just one, but two winners on their Grand Prize Trips! The two winners of the Win A Trip To Budapest online video contest , Kirsten Rash and Natalie Barrios, recently returned from their unforgettable trips to Hungary and the Eminence Certified Organic Farm, and we were very excited to chat with them about their experience. Here is our first interview – with Kirsten – and her take on the ultimate dream trip to Budapest:
IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE HUNGARY IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Hungary is … sigh … so beautiful and full of rich culture and history.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT DURING THE TRIP?
The most unforgettable moment of the trip, besides the farm of course, was one evening, after dinner, sitting up on the wall on Castle Hill. We were just steps from our hotel and Matthias Church, overlooking Parliament across the Danube. The buildings were all lit up and as the birds circled looking for dinner in the lights, they looked like golden glitter swirling around a giant snow globe. And to top that off, there was a violinist playing incredible music. Magical!
WHAT WAS THE MOST SURPRISING THING THAT YOU DISCOVERED ON THE TRIP?
I knew that Budapest was comprised of two cities, but it was neat to see just how different they were. Buda is a hill and Pest is completely flat.
TELL US THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT THE EMINENCE CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARM
The farm!!! First, there were so many edible plants there. I could not get enough of the purple grapes. And it was interesting that the strawberries tasted so much different from what I’m used to. They were sooo sweet. The frogs in the pond were also a fun surprise. Lastly, the variety of plants grown was really cool. I had no idea there would be pumpkin and melon patches, 3 kinds of lavender, and ricinus, which is the plant castor-oil comes from. It looks straight out of Dr. Seuss.
IF YOU COULD GIVE TIPS AND TRICKS TO ANYONE PLANNING TO VISIT HUNGARY AND EMINENCE CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARM, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Plan to spend a good chunk of time in Budapest. I feel like we barely scratched the surface of all there was to see. Make sure you go to Pest Buda and Castle Hill! Thank you, Boldijarre, for the recommendation. I’m still thinking about the Chicken Paprikash. Yum! One of our favorite things was just wandering the streets and discovering quaint little squares. I think you see so much when you walk aimlessly. And, of course, go to the Eminence Certified Organic Farm. It was so pretty and was a dream come true to visit. I could not be more in love.
HOW DID YOUR VISIT TO THE FARM HELP YOU GET TO KNOW OUR COMPANY BETTER?
I think I have a new appreciation for the amount of ingredients that are grown to put into each product. I could also see the care put into organic practices to keep a pure skin care line. You can see how everything added is there because of the benefits they will provide to the skin.
WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE EMINENCE ORGANICS PRODUCT AND WHY?
Don’t make me choose! But ok … I have always been obsessed with the Linden Calendula Treatment cream. [As an esthetician], I use it in my facial massage. I love to prescribe it to my super dry and sensitive guests. Everyone I put it on takes a deep breath and says how wonderful it smells. I also come back to it again and again as a moisturizer for my own reactive skin. I love it! And have you seen the calendula flower??? It’s so bright and cheerful.
Thank you, Kirsten, for your fun answers and keep an eye out for our interview with the second winner, Natalie, to hear more about her trip of a lifetime.