Bela Lukacs

Hi!<BR>I am back with some news again.<BR><BR>After its closure for more than 10 days the newly renovated HAUER confectionery and coffee house has opened its doors to the public. Better to say it was completely transformed by one of the grandsons of the Hauer family. The neighboring Palace Hotel was ready in august so with the opening of the noble confectionery this part of the ones famous Rakoczi Street was revitalized. Now, after dying for almost 10 years, the main street is back in the high life again. The reconstruction that was carried out according to old pictures cost a lot of money. The result of this a spacious street-front confectionery with 3 saloons, a cocktail bar and a conservative English cigar club.<BR>I think this will be a very good alternative to the little bit overpriced, extremely touristy Gerbeaud confectionery. I even don’t mention the pastry in the Gerbeaud which is a far cry from real good Hungarian pastries.<BR>Also there is good news that starting from November 10 and on the famous Ecseri antiques market is going to be opened on Sundays as well. For many visitors this was quite a big inconvenience that one of the biggest flee-markets in Europe was closed on Sundays. Not any more.<BR><BR>Happy travels to all!<BR>

Alice the Magyar

Thank you Bela for the great information. I love and miss Beautiful Hungary so very much!! I am looking for airline tickets already to go back there In mid to late May 2003 for 5 to 6 weeks. <BR>Bela, How do I find out if a friend of mine who lives in Hungary can come to America? I would love very much for her to come to America and stay with my family a few weeks. It may not be for a year or two. As I need to save money, so I can take off work to show her around. Plus I know she will not have much, if any spending money of her own. I will pay for her airline tickets, and also she have free room and board staying me. She speaks only a few words of English, will that be a problem for her? She was in America once before for only two weeks, a couple of years ago, Maybe 2-3 years ago, I am not sure when, but she stayed with a family that spoke fluent Hungarian so she didn't learn any American really, a few words only. I speak enough very broken Hungarian but enough to get by, and that is how we communicated, &quot;talked to each other&quot; I really want to learn Hungarian again. I spoke it as a very small child. Thank you very much for any help. Please feel free to E-mail me. Alice K.

Kathy Farrell

Hi, it was interesting to read the information you posted re the HAUER confectionary and coffee house. I am coming to Hungary next year (my first time) with my Dad who hasn't been back since he left in 1956 (he's a bit anxious to put it mildly). We are coming from New Zealand and I was wondering if you could possibly advise some websites that would provide me with some information re accommodation etc.. I have searched, but don't seem to get a whole lot of good sites back.<BR><BR>Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>Many thanks<BR><BR>Kathy Farrell

Vicky Fodor

Hi Kathy,<BR>My husband and I traveled to Hungary in 2000, his first trip back since 1956 as well. Immigration in both directions was fine. He now laughs that coming back to the USA afterward was so easy; it was as if the Hungarian immigration folks wanted him to return and bring more $!<BR>We relied more on travel books than websites. If we can be of any help, please e-mail me directly. We are planning another trip in September, 2003.<BR>

Bela Lukacs

Hi Everybody!<BR><BR>First my answer to Alice.<BR>If your friend visited the USA before she probably got the multiple entry visa. When I applied for my visa 7 years ago they issued me one for 10 years. Those days it was very easy to get one. Not any more. Now the embassy doesn’t accept visa application from travel agencies. You have to go there personally and bring with you a significant number of different documents. Also nowadays it’s likely they issue just a single entry Visa. I think (but this is just my opinion) she will not have problems in getting a new visa. The big + is that she was in the USA before and returned from there and also that you are paying all her expenses. So hope for the best.<BR>Now on to Kathy’s question.<BR>There are no problems in coming to and leaving from Hungary. I take Americans and other foreigners in my car to Vienna and Bratislava quite often. They never stamp their passports when leaving the country and stamp theirs only when coming back to Hungary. Last time we went to Vienna I had 2 people with me and one was reaching for his passport at the very last moment, when I already handed the immigration officer mine and one American passport. The Hungarian border guard just looked quickly through one American passport and didn’t even want to see the other one.<BR>So nowadays this is that easy however it is different (I don’t know why) at the immigration desk at the airport. All in all, no problems at all.<BR>As for accommodation it looks like this:<BR>Here are a few Hotels and their prices:<BR> <BR>1.Hotel IBIS Centrum 3*, excellent location, probably the best concerning quality and price.<BR>Triple room 25.600 Hungarian forints.<BR>Today's rate is 1$=240 Forints.<BR> <BR>2. City Panzio MATYAS. 3*<BR>Absolutely in the heart of the City.<BR>Triple room 30.500 Hungarian forints.<BR> <BR>3. Hotel MERCURE DUNA. 3*<BR>Very close to center, on the Danube bank. Opened a few years ago, great views.<BR>Triple room $ 112.00 + $8.00 breakfast/person, not obligatory.<BR> <BR>4. Hotel CORVIN. 3*<BR>Close to center, family Hotel.<BR>Triple room $115.00<BR> <BR>5. Art'Otel. 4*<BR>Opposite the Parliament, great view.<BR>Triple room 200.00<BR> <BR>6. Marriott. 5*<BR>Heart of the city, fabulous views.<BR>Triple room $110.00 + 15% tax+ 16.00/breakfast/person/weekends.<BR>Weekdays $170.00 + 15% tax+ 16.00/breakfast/person.<BR> <BR>You can check other Hotels on this site:<BR>http://www.ohb.hu/<BR>Now off-season all the prices are 10-30% less.<BR>Also I am sure that booking online you probably will have better rates.<BR>You can try the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus as well. One of the best hotels in Budapest.<BR>Some of my clients booked it for $125.00/double in August. The regular price is about -228.00 $.,breakfast not included.<BR>Their website:<BR>www.kempinski-budapest.com<BR> <BR>All the prices inclusive of breakfast and tax with exception where otherwise mentioned.<BR>Also you can find a nice apartment downtown with all the extras for $60.00-75.00 The biggest advantage of those is complete privacy and no check in/check out regulations, so you can have that shower at the very last minute of your departure.<BR><BR>The last news is that the airport transfer by minivan is up again. It is now 2,100 forints per person. Also the cheapest taxi transfer to the city center is 5,600 forints.<BR><BR>Happy travels to everybody.<BR>Bela Lukacs<BR>

Leslie

Just to add to Bela's comments, the City Panzio Matyas is very close to the Elizabeth Bridge, and its an excellent location. However, there are no elevators in this hotel, and that might be a drawback for some people.<BR><BR>In March, I stayed at the Kalmar B&amp;B, in the Buda Hills just behind the Gellert Hotel. If you're looking for something small, with a lot of charm and at an excellent price, check out this B&amp;B. There are other comments here at Fodors reviewing this B&amp;B.

Alice the Magyar

Bela' Thank you very much for all the wonderful information you posted here. Not just what you wrote me, but what you wrote Kathy was also very helpful to me too. I'm so excited about returning to Hungary in May! I'm thinking of maybe renting a car. So I can go to lake Balaton and many other smaller towns. I now how to use all the public transportation, trams trains trollys, ect.. Do you think I would be able to find resonable parking in the 14 distict area? I'm not sure if I'd be able to park where my family lives. They live in one of those big tall older buildings. Are you a guide of some sort? Please forgive me for all the questions. <BR>Also, thanks Leslie, for your help too, you always are willing help with good information too. <BR> Thanks again Alice<BR>

Bela Lukacs

Hi Alice!<BR>You won’t have any problems in finding a parking place in district 14. It is actually free almost in the whole district however you can find a place where your car will be guarded on for very reasonable price, around 8-10/night. But since you are going to use a rent a car you don’t have to worry about it. It is protected by insurance policy against everything (theft, CDW etc.)<BR>Yes I am a private guide and I do strictly personalized tours in Budapest around the countryside, Vienna and Bratislava as well. Only 1-4 pax. And no preplanned schedule at all.<BR>Now some news again:<BR>British Air now is very keen on carry on luggage. ONLY 6 kilos (14 pounds) allowed. I saw many passengers were turned back and had to repack all they luggage in front of 100-s of people. Just a tip. Leave your carry on luggage away from the check in counter (of course at your sight) and when asked about that just say No for any. After having got your boarding passes pick it up and proceed to the customs and immigration. Worked fine for many people. The immigration folks don’t care about that! Actually many of my clients told me that BA cuts on everything nowadays but the ticket prices!<BR>Yesterday I had a chance to visit the soon to be opened ROYAL hotel on Erzsebet krt. (Elizabeth Boulevard). It will have its first guests by Christmas. The hotel was turned in a 5 star venue having 415 rooms and even a superb ballroom. The ballroom shines like in 1896 when it was opened as the biggest hotel in Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy. The size and the look of the hotel are really impressive and were renovated using all the modern amenities.<BR>If you are in Budapest from November 4 till December 15 you can take advantage from the promotion of our national air company MALEV. They will take you to almost all of the European capitals plus cities like Venice, Bologna, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Milan, Moscow, Larnaca, Istanbul etc, for as little as $125.00 roundtrip plus taxes.<BR>Happy travels to all.<BR>

Alice the Magyar

Bela' May I please E-Mail you with a few questions? If not I understand, Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. I plan on returning to hungary in May sometime. I stay with family and friends. Believe me it is not cheaper than a hotel, because I treat for eveything and Pay to stay with them too. People think just because you stay with family you are staying there for free not true at all! I much rather see my family or friends get the money and not some fancy hotel. Of course I may look into a place to stay at Lake Balaton this year. Only thing is I can't understand German! NOt one word of it. At least I know a few words in Hungarian. Thank you Bela'<BR><BR> Alizka K.

Bela Lukacs

Hi Alice!<BR>Yes feel free to e-mail me your questions or ask for any advice.<BR>Best regards,<BR>Bela Lukacs