Budapest Travel Forum

I'm planning this trip for three (me, my mom and sister)---we've never been on a trip together so I'm trying to make it special. We will be staying 4 nights in each city and would love to have some advice on what to do and where to stay. I do know we would like to stay in the city center for all three cities. I'd love to hear some suggestions about local restuarants or any day excursions you think are worth taking out of or in any of the cities. We really want to get a feel for the culture/history of all three cities. Any unique experiences that we shouldn't miss? Any advice on transportation to and from the airports or between cities?

We fly in to Prague on 7/12 and will leave on 7/16---considering masna apartment
Vienna from 7/16 to 7/20---considering Apartment Pension Sacher
Budapest from 7/20 to 7/24---unsure moderate price range

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

2 ways to "cheat" when you are feeling overwhelmed visiting new places:
1) check out www.viator.com to see what tours they offer
2) check out the link below to see what an organized tour company would offer for essentially the same tour you are doing (P.S. I actually took this tour with this company)
http://www.goaheadtours.com/master/destination/overview.asp?tourcode=VIB

NOT TO MISS:
Vienna:
- we did this TOTAL SPLURGE - very, very special: http://www.mozart.co.at/vip_en.htm
- Danube River Cruise through the Wachau Valley
- the Treasury at the Hofburg Palace
Budapest:
- the Communist Statue Park!!!

Boy, I wish we were going back. Feel free to e-mail me privately at my Virtual Tourist account.

Prague is amazing. I would make sure to visit a lot of the old churches. St. Nicholas and St. Vitus were really neat! Take walks around the city to enjoy the architecture that is hidden on every street you turn. Go to St. Charles Bridge and better yet, walk up to the top of the tower. Most people don't even know you can. So, it will give you a wonderful view.

Vienna: Go to Kaisergruft it is really neat to see the royal crypts. Make sure to go to Stephansom (go in the basement also), you must also see Karlskirche and take the elevator up to the scaffolding. The Kunthistoriches Museum is also one of the best museums I have ever been to. Relax and enjoy the Schmetterling Haus, it is a cool setting with butterflies flying all around. For dinner (slow service, but worth the wait) is Ilona Strubel. From the Stephansom Church go to the street in front called Graben. You will see a white statue representing the plague, turn left onto the small street, it is right there. After that, if you have room, go to the cafe Europa for a HUGE gelato that is artistically done to look like martinis or spaghetti (right next to the plague statue). Another good restaurant is called the Danielli. It is Italian, make sure you get the garlic bread bites before your meal. Really good!

Do look at the VT pages for all these cities (use the search box top right). You'll find lots of tips for off-the-beaten-path things to see as well as info on major sites, places to eat, transport etc etc.

In Budapest, visit Statue Park. It's one the outskirts of the city (tram, then bus) and is where they put some of the remaining sculptures from the Soviet erea.........fascinating stuff, and well worth visiting. Also make sure you have a bathe in one of the thermal baths: I went to Szchenyi Baths.

http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/ is very useful

http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/budapest-statue-park.html

In Prague make sure you visit at least one (preferavbly more than one) pivovar (micro-brewery). The beer is superb, and their food is always good too. The Ghetto area is an essential place to go: the synagogue and burial ground is intensely moving. Also seek out the Museum of Miniatures on the Hrad: this contains the work of a Russian guy who puts golden horseshoes on fleas, carves camels in the eye of a needle etc etc.......wonderful stuff!

http://www.prague.net/museum-of-miniatures

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/ is an excellent and helpful site.

In both cities do take the time to just wander round (particularly in the old part of Prague). You will see so much more by doing so.

The arrival to Budapest would be interesting by Hydrofoil http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f1fc1/4e34c/6/#1820825.
As accomodation I would recommend the City Hotel Pilvax, because it has a decent price despite the very good downtown location.. I have checked the price: 456 EUR/4 nights/3 Pers. is not bad, but you can save 50 - 100 EUR, if you book immediately. The services should include also recommending programmes, help to organize sightseeing tours etc.
Do not worry! Laszlo

Hi
I sent you a private email!
Cheers

In Prague we stayed at the Hotel Ventana; one of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at: staff, rooms and locaion cant be beat. I have never been impressed with any of the hotels I have stayed at in Vienna - actually, I am not impressed with Vienna. In Budapest, where I travel frequently, I prefer the K&K Opera when my wife is with me and the Hotel Pest when I travel alone. I like their locations.
Budapest takes a while to get to know. Since you have a short trip I would suggest at least a half day with a guide for orientation. I like Andrew Illes for that. Check the hotels you are considering at Tripadvisor.com. Check out Andrew by Googling him - or write me.

Have fun.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, they are all so helpful.