One Must Go - Prague, Salzburg, Vienna or Budapest. But WHICH one?
Nov 13th, 2004, 02:42 PM
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One Must Go - Prague, Salzburg, Vienna or Budapest. But WHICH one?
This four city itinerary will be just too crowded and rushed for the time available next May so one will have to go.
Which one would you drop, and why ?
Thanks
Which one would you drop, and why ?
Thanks
Nov 13th, 2004, 03:52 PM
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I would drop Budapest. They are all fabulous, but I just loved Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna so much and Budapest was a little less incredible to me. How much time are you planning on spending in the area?
Nov 13th, 2004, 04:06 PM
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I've never been to any of them, but if it were my choice, I'd definitely keep Prague and Budapest, because those are the two I'm most interested in and would most want to visit. I really think this has to come down to YOUR interests and preferences.
Nov 13th, 2004, 08:01 PM
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I'll be the oddball here and recommend that Salzburg be dropped, but only this time. My reasoning is that the other cities are considered the "Imperial" Cities of the Habsburg Empire, and all three have huge treasures of great cathedrals, palaces and Baroque squares.
The question is, how much time do you have?
Each city requires at least 3 days to digest.
Perhaps on another trip, I'd include Salzburg along with the Alps and Bavarian Germany.
The question is, how much time do you have?
Each city requires at least 3 days to digest.
Perhaps on another trip, I'd include Salzburg along with the Alps and Bavarian Germany.
Nov 14th, 2004, 03:01 AM
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I agree with Platzman and I've been to all of these cities several times. Salzburg is very scenic but it pales in comparison to others in terms of the scale of things to see and do.
I think you'd be better off combining Salzburg with nearby Bavaria and Munich, etc., on a separate trip.
I think you'd be better off combining Salzburg with nearby Bavaria and Munich, etc., on a separate trip.
Nov 14th, 2004, 05:47 AM
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I would not leave out Salzburg. You will need a contrast to the other BIG cities you are visiting. Seeing Prague, Vienna, and (or) Budapest will leave you so exhausted that you will need some time to relax. Visiting Salzburg will give you some time to take it easy.
I have never been to Budapest. I have been to Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Out of the three, Prague is my favourite. Salzburg is very scenic, very pokey. Vienna is my least favourite big city in Europe. (I found it dreary and cold in manner. The Viennese are NOT the warmest people in the world.)
I have never been to Budapest. I have been to Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Out of the three, Prague is my favourite. Salzburg is very scenic, very pokey. Vienna is my least favourite big city in Europe. (I found it dreary and cold in manner. The Viennese are NOT the warmest people in the world.)
Nov 14th, 2004, 08:06 AM
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I have not been to Salzburg so I cannot say whether to drop it. I wouild be inclined to do so for the reason given above: the other three are imperial cities and to do all three would give your trip an interesting thematic edge.
None of these cities is so large as to be draining. Vienna is a better walking city, perhaps, than Budapest. They rank about equal for museums and great collections of art.
In Budapest I felt I really was SOMEWHERE -- somewhere exotic. No, I did not have any insuperable language problems.
I liked Vienna more than I expected to (been there twice in the last year) but Budapest has a stunning setting, which Vienna simply has not.
Vienna is (perilously) clean and efficient; Budapest is grittier but I can't wait to go back. (It's cheaper too, by far)
None of these cities is so large as to be draining. Vienna is a better walking city, perhaps, than Budapest. They rank about equal for museums and great collections of art.
In Budapest I felt I really was SOMEWHERE -- somewhere exotic. No, I did not have any insuperable language problems.
I liked Vienna more than I expected to (been there twice in the last year) but Budapest has a stunning setting, which Vienna simply has not.
Vienna is (perilously) clean and efficient; Budapest is grittier but I can't wait to go back. (It's cheaper too, by far)
Nov 14th, 2004, 08:58 AM
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Been to all four and would drop Salzburg. Although very scenic and restfull unless that's what your looking for you will be bored. Vienna is a great gateway to Budapest and Prague if traveling by rail. Whatever you do don't miss Budapest or Prague.Have fun!
Nov 14th, 2004, 09:15 AM
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I second the thought about countryside/small towns for contrast. This June we spent three days in the Bavarian countryside before heading to Munich, Prague, and Berlin: frankly it would have been much easier to do backwards. Big Cities do tire you out, even if you think they wont. However, to be devils advocate, Prague was very relaxing for a large city. (Once we got out of the Soviet train station from hell).
Because you bring up time contraints though in the end I would ax Salzburg. Its further away from the proximity of your other destinations...and lets say you cut Vienna...then Salzburg is really far away from everything else (unless your flying into Munich or something like that).
Two options...both work...you know what you can handle more than anyone else does...but Prague is a definite!
Because you bring up time contraints though in the end I would ax Salzburg. Its further away from the proximity of your other destinations...and lets say you cut Vienna...then Salzburg is really far away from everything else (unless your flying into Munich or something like that).
Two options...both work...you know what you can handle more than anyone else does...but Prague is a definite!
Nov 14th, 2004, 10:09 AM
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I thought I was going to be the oddball bt saying bypass Salzburg, but I am not.
Vienna is interesting and multi cultural.
It is a good introduction to eastern Europe. From there you can go to Budapest easily by train, and then on to Prague.
The train from Budapest to Prague is slow, however.
Your best bet is to leave Budapest at 6:25 or 10:25. The journey is 6 hours and 40 minutes with 0 changes. Be sure to note the train station from which you depart IF you decide to leave from Budapest.
Going the other way, Praha (Prague) to Budapest, your best travel time is about the same. One train leaves at 8:26; the second 0 change connection leaves at 12:29.
Vienna is interesting and multi cultural.
It is a good introduction to eastern Europe. From there you can go to Budapest easily by train, and then on to Prague.
The train from Budapest to Prague is slow, however.
Your best bet is to leave Budapest at 6:25 or 10:25. The journey is 6 hours and 40 minutes with 0 changes. Be sure to note the train station from which you depart IF you decide to leave from Budapest.
Going the other way, Praha (Prague) to Budapest, your best travel time is about the same. One train leaves at 8:26; the second 0 change connection leaves at 12:29.
Nov 14th, 2004, 10:31 AM
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Second thought. You do not say how much total time you have. If you are talking 7 days, 3 cities is perhaps too much.
If you are talking 15 days, then you might consider including Salzburg for one full day, or the equivalent.
Salzburg's attractions are limited to the old town, Schloss Heilbrunn, and the fortress up on the hill, Mirabell Gardens, and perhaps the Marionetten Theater.
The train trip fron Vienna to Salzburg is less than 3 hours on many connections. So you could leave Vienna early one morning, say 6:10 or 7:00 and be in Salzburg less than 3 hours later.
You could spend the day touring what your could, spend the night, and then take an early train back to Vienna or go on to Prague.
The big problem there is that the train to Prague from Salzburg requires a very early start or multiple changes.
(the 0 change connection leaves at 6:17)
Salzburg Budapest is a 6 hour ride, almost, with one 0 change connection and some 1 change connections. The changes are in Vienna West and usually the change is relatively easy because the two trains use nearby platforms.
If you are talking 15 days, then you might consider including Salzburg for one full day, or the equivalent.
Salzburg's attractions are limited to the old town, Schloss Heilbrunn, and the fortress up on the hill, Mirabell Gardens, and perhaps the Marionetten Theater.
The train trip fron Vienna to Salzburg is less than 3 hours on many connections. So you could leave Vienna early one morning, say 6:10 or 7:00 and be in Salzburg less than 3 hours later.
You could spend the day touring what your could, spend the night, and then take an early train back to Vienna or go on to Prague.
The big problem there is that the train to Prague from Salzburg requires a very early start or multiple changes.
(the 0 change connection leaves at 6:17)
Salzburg Budapest is a 6 hour ride, almost, with one 0 change connection and some 1 change connections. The changes are in Vienna West and usually the change is relatively easy because the two trains use nearby platforms.
Nov 14th, 2004, 10:33 AM
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This idea may not appeal to you, but I'll just mention that our visit to Vienna-Prague-Munich was ideal for many of the reasons already mentioned. We saw them in the order I named them above, via train.
By the time we got to Munich, we only wanted to spend one more day walking in the city, which we did to see Marianplatz, etc. Then we took the train for day-trips into Bavaria to Salzburg and then to Fussen, using Munich as our home base. That plan worked really well. We were ready for the relaxing countryside of Bavaria and the peaceful time on the trains after walking through Vienna and Prague.
But that leaves out Budapest, which I've never seen but hear it's wonderful. Maybe as others suggested, you'd be wise to leave Germany for a trip on its own.
Again, too many places, too little time!
By the time we got to Munich, we only wanted to spend one more day walking in the city, which we did to see Marianplatz, etc. Then we took the train for day-trips into Bavaria to Salzburg and then to Fussen, using Munich as our home base. That plan worked really well. We were ready for the relaxing countryside of Bavaria and the peaceful time on the trains after walking through Vienna and Prague.
But that leaves out Budapest, which I've never seen but hear it's wonderful. Maybe as others suggested, you'd be wise to leave Germany for a trip on its own.
Again, too many places, too little time!
Nov 14th, 2004, 11:26 AM
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>"Vienna is my least favourite big city in Europe. (I found it dreary and cold in mannner. The Viennese are NOT the warmest people in the world)."<
That was probably true... in 1948. The city lay mostly in ruins. The population was desperate. The Soviet Union was at the doorstep. Cigarettes and nylons were considered a form of currency.
But I assure you it is not like that now.
That was probably true... in 1948. The city lay mostly in ruins. The population was desperate. The Soviet Union was at the doorstep. Cigarettes and nylons were considered a form of currency.
But I assure you it is not like that now.
Nov 14th, 2004, 02:57 PM
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Sorry, darling, I wasn't born until 1969. I couldn't have possibly been in Vienna in 1948. You senior citizens (and former Marxists) sure are sensitive.
Why do some people on this forum keep mentioning Germany?? None of the cities listed by tropicaldan are in Germany. Salzburg is in Austria, not in Bavaria (which is Germany).
Sheesh.
Why do some people on this forum keep mentioning Germany?? None of the cities listed by tropicaldan are in Germany. Salzburg is in Austria, not in Bavaria (which is Germany).
Sheesh.
