Please help us decide: We will be traveling for two weeks early May 2013 from Dubrovnik to Zagreb with a wine club from northern California. We would like to add a week to this trip. We have been to northern Italy but not the Verona, Lake Cumo areas. The architecture and natural beauty of this area appeals to us. We are also considering Budapest, one of the places on our "list." Our interests are architecture, culture (museums, art), wine and food experiences, and little out-of-the way places. We prefer moderately priced small hotels or inns. Your expertise would be most appreciated.
From Zagreb, Croatia to Budapest, Hungary or Verona, Italy?
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You have a number of interesting options to consider.
As you note, you could go west into Italy or Italian-influenced areas, perhaps spending a few days in Istria en route.
Or you could head to Budapest. Or into Slovenia.
Or you could choose the more Austro-Hungarian parts of northern Croatia, including places like Zagreb, Varazdin, and maybe Čakovec.
Or backtrack to visit the magnificent Plitvice Lakes and/or other parts of Croatia that your tour doesn't include.
You should be able to find at least enough things that mesh with your interests in just about any of these directions to justify further exploration.
You might find it helpful to review guidebooks to the area and/or scan some trip reports that cover one or more of these areas.
The good news is that you should see some wonderful things whatever you decide!
Budapest is hardly out-of-the way, but it has architecture and culture. We stayed at http://www.bellevuebudapest.com/index.php?lang=en&faz=1&aaz=0 and liked it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157623003638578/show/with/4186910508/
Thank you kja & Michael for your response. We will have done all we want to do in Croatia during the two-week tour. This additional week will allow us to explore further. Is Budapest of sufficient interest to consume a week or are there day trips we could do out of the city?
I would spend three days in Budapest and 4 days touring, perhaps going to the Tokay wine area and farther east.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157623003638578/show/with/4186897334/ to Csenger. Hungary is not that large as a country, so that it would take just a few hours to drive back to Budapest. If planned correctly, you could drop the car off at the airport on your way home, thus avoiding a drive back into the city.
> Is Budapest of sufficient interest to consume a week
I thought it of great interest. You can probably see its highlights in 3 or maybe 4 days.
I also love Budapest. You may or may not need a whole week there. We spent 4 nights there and wished we had an extra one or two.