Could you share the specific highlights of Budapest? What are the best things about Budapest? Any downside from your point of view? I'm heading to Vienna in Sept.

To igpjazz - We arrive on Wed. morning (March 28). Too bad we'll miss each other. Would've been fun just to meet and say "hi". (We're coming in from our home town - NYC.)

DAX,

We hired a private guide today. His name is Peter Polczman who we highly recommend.
His fee is very reasonable. We got his name from Rick Steves Budapest guidebook.He can show you the highlights and give restaurant recommendations as well

For only 3 days, I also think that Budapest is a better choise than Berlin.
You will love it!

Howevere, if you would have more time, I would say Berlin, because is different from Vienna.

Have a nice trip!

Thanks for the guide name. I realize there's probably other Budapest threads, but I'm interested to hear your/husband's impression of Budapest. Would you return to Budapest to discover more or once is more than enough? We love Berlin and will be going there in a couple of weeks for my 7th visit. Like Paris, there's a large variety of things to do/experience in Berlin. It's a multidimensional city.

DAX,

I think the beauty of Budapest is more subtle than Prague, and given the chance, I would definitely go back since it is a large city and depending on your interest lots of sights and events to choose from. We went to see the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra last night at the Palace of Arts and just loved it!