Can anyone offer comments or advice about this itinerary?

1) Arrive Saturday April 21 at 4:30 pm. Public transport to Bellevue B and B.

Is it possible to make it to the House of Terror before 7:30 close and have enough time to see it? Seems like this would be rushed, as I'd want to take the cheapest means of transport to Bellevue ... which probably means it is the slowest.

If not, then maybe take a Mahart or Legenda night-time tour? Are these worth it? Any comments on which company to go with?

2) Sunday

Castle Hill - History Museum and small part of National Gallery (maybe 19-20th century stuff ... what else is good?)

Parliament Tour at 2 pm ... does this exist on weekends?

Museum of Fine Arts and House of Terror (until 7:30)

3) Monday - most things closed.

Absolute Walking Tour at 9:30? Is this worth it? Not sure if I get to "see" all the places they list or just stop to take a picture. Specifically, do we tour the opera?

by.http://absolutetours.com/tours/regul...lute-walk.html

Godolloi Palace excusion? Is this easy to get to/from?

4) Tuesday

Early morning to Gellert Hill, St Anne's and/or Franciscan Church and Inner City Parish Church

Back to airport for 12:35 pm flight.

A couple of questions:

1) I am missing out on the Holocaust, Jewish and National Museums. Should I swap out any of these for what I have listed above? The other option is to not do the walking tour and see stuff on my own, which could maybe save a little time.

2) I'd like to do a wine tasting somehow. Is this possible? I like the House of Wines, but this is far too much for me. Maybe something smaller? I've read somewhere about a Hungerian wine club that has weekend tasting?

3) I realize I am missing out on the baths, but I'm honestly not very into them. It seems like we get a peek into one on the Absolute Walking Tour.

That absolute tour does look "fast" Joe, but since you're there only there days I would do it, and on the first day. I've been a few times now on short trips so am getting the lay of the land, but have a hard time responding to the "must see" question, or which museum is better, etc.

Here's just a couple of my thoughts -- I tour slower than you and pick my spots in the same general location. For instance I would take a whole day at the Castle, the labyrinth in the basement, definitely the church and Fisherman's Bastion, and the neighborhood behind -- that's an amazing day to me. One day I went to the Museum of Applied Arts and although a lot of it was closed (check the websites) it is a building just to see. That same day I hung around Reday U. nearby with the cafes and so on, and then walked up to the National Museum, continuing my parade down the big Vamhaz Korut, stopping at the Central Market, a refurbished train station with glass-paned roof near the foot of the bridge, then north along the river. I couldn't see the Dohany Street Synagogue with the weeping willow memorial because it was closed that day, spoken about by someone here. Did you search this site?

Just some thoughts for you. You're trying to squish too much into your 3+ days but I don't blame you for trying. You'll have a blast.

I agree with Fidel all good suggestions. I was there for 3 days in September and we ran around squeezing stuff in . An amazing city, the food is to die for.

Here's a link to my trip report it may give some ideas. Have fun.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ista&fid=2

Sorry this is the correct link

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34866633

I hadn't seen your report laartista, so I'm glad it came up. I have to tell you, your terse description of decades of hell for your family made everything else pale for me. My Hungarian grandparents escaped before the war and managed to make a start here for my parents; now that everyone's gone I feel pulled back to the beautiful, tattered mystery that is Budapest, and would move there if I could manage the language (like you, I can only swear).

And agreed, the food is the best (of course!). If you're in the nabe, stop by for some Hungarian chicken noodle soup on this cold rainy day.

Thanks Fidel. I think the family history made that trip all the more powerful and I did feel strangly connected to Budapest even though it was my first trip there. I guess that's the funny thing about heritage. Anyway I hope JoeTro has a great time.

I really enjoyed your trip report. The tip about the water will be useful!

I don't suppose you remember how long the House of Terror took you, or which company you did the night cruise with? Was it nice to see Budapest all lit up?
I'm debating between that and a day-time one which is cheaper, 1 hour longer and includes Margaret Island.

I don't remember which cruise we took but it was pretty cheap, no dinner about anhour or so. Down by the river on the pest side there are a bunch of them. I think we spent about 1 1/2 hours at the Terror Museum. Really sobering, on the small side so shouldn't take that long. The city is absolutely breathtaking at night. Great photo ops. Have a great time.

This is more a reminder to myself, but the Godollo Palace is closed on Mondays.

Godollo is not that heard to reach - you take the subway (Line B???) to the end or near the end, then take the HEV (suburban railway). The HEV station is about 4 minutes walk from the subway -- really just across a large open square but I had to ask several people before I found my way.

The palace of Godollo, in its park, is visible on your right just before you get to the station -- keep a look out!

Was it worth seeing? It doesn't seem like I'll have time to fit that in, and now with the extra time on Monday I could see a couple of museums I would otherwise have missed.

Well, yes, I enjoyed it greatly. The refurbishment, after decades of Soviet neglect, is quite remarkable.

Now, if you were looking for museums: Don't forget the 2 big art galleries at the entrance to Heroes' Square.

The larger, with permanent exhibits, houses the Esterhazy collection -- a donation to the state in the 1870s: SEVEN El Grecos and countless other treasures. My favourite in Budapest.

Joe,
I spent about 2 hours in the Terror Museum. It is very well done. Don't forget to pick up the audio guide.

As others have mentioned, the National Art Gallery at Heroes Square is one of the finest. I've done the modern art museum across the square also, but liked the former better. I think, though, if I had had more time there, I would have enjoyed it more. Robinson restaurant is within walking distance near the park and would be a good stop for lunch.

I would highly recommend taking the tour of the Dahony St. Synagogue and weeping willow memorial.

Here's a wine link that mentions the House of Hungarian Wines in the Castle District:
http://www.winecountrynetwork.com/budapest.html

I didn't do the tour or wine tasting, but did check out the museum. Very interesting with many wines for sale.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the tips. I am definitely planning on the Museum of Fine Arts at Heroes Square. It is at the top of my list. I only wish I were there to see the Van Gogh.

topping

Joe...WOW I hope you have your running shoes on. From the airport, (I am assuming airport) take the Airport Mini Bus, available right there, and you get a better deal if you buy the round-trip ticket. The House of Terror will take a good 2-3 hours. Perhaps the Mahart tour. It might be a bit expensive. I would suggest just take a nice long walk along the river and "see" the city at night. It is amazing. The Lanchid (Chain Bridge) will be something you never forget.

Sunday.. Castle Hill...yes!! See Mathyas Templom (church) and the Castle area. There is a museum located in the Castle. Be sure to see Csontvari, Tividar's paintings. His paintings are really unique he is one of my fav HU painters. I don't know if there is a Parliament tour on sunday. Be aware, most things close early on Saturday and Sunday.

Monday.. I would skip the walking tour,and get a good map/guidebook and go on your own. It is really easy to navigate the city. Buses, trams, trolleys, and subways (3 lines) run throughout. The Godollo Palace is a bit out of the way. I would suggest a nice long soak at the Szechenyi Baths. Easily accessible via the yellow (1) metro. Head toward Mexikoi ut, Szechenyi has it's own stop. You will arrive in the City Park. It is home to the zoo, circus, and the Vajdahyunad Var. A replic of, I believe, a Transalvanyia Castle. Szechenyi Bath is the big yellow building as you come up from the metro. Take a nice long hot soak, it is the famous place where you see the older gentlemen playing chess in the H20.

To your Sunday you might want to add the Gellert Hill. I would suggest either the bus (leaves from Moricz Zsigmond Korter) or a taxi. Walk is possible, but will wipe you out. There is a really cool Nazi bunker at the top of the hill. Located under the HU Statue of Liberty. Also sounds like you like churches... check out the one carved into the Gellert Hill. If you are facing the hill from the front (by the bridge) if you look up, you will see a stone Horse. Head for that area, you will see it from there. It is amazing.

For your wine tasting.. perhaps on Saturday night, if you go to the walking street, Vaci utca, there is a place called Bor (wine) Koz. Try them, they might be able to help you.

What ever you choose to do, I think you will be back. The 4 days will be enough to get your feet wet, and build up your appetite for one of the most beautiful cities of the world.