I'm starting to count down the days to my trip to Budapest. I'll be there for 10 days. Thanks for all of the information that everyone has given me so far.<BR><BR>I know that I will either have brunch or dinner at the Gundel (maybe both) and also go to The Owl for dinner. I'll even go to the thermal baths and possibly get a massage if the masseusse does not torture me.<BR><BR>I'm going to a few concerts as I will be in Budapest during its Spring Festival. Even got myself a ticket to the Andreas Vollenweider concert.<BR><BR>Other than the standard sightseeing in Budapest and the daytrips I will make outside of Budapest, any other suggestions or hidden jewels?<BR><BR>Thanks.<BR><BR>

Hi Leslie, First I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful report on Prague you sent me a while back! I loved it so very. I wanted to write and Thank you sooner, but I was in a bad car accident and still in lots of pain. Then I saw we were no longer allowed to write you, because of some rotten people who did not appreciate all your hard work you put into it. I felt so bad, please forgive me for not being able to get back to you sooner. I had to really take my time your beautiful report. I do hope you have a wonderful trip to Hungary too. Please if you go there could you let me know about any spa's you go to? Like prices there for any type of treatments, healing waters, or swimming, Also what can or should one wear going from one area to another in the spa's. I will not prance around naked or with just very little to wear if anything! I do hope you write a beautiful travel log on Hungary too. Have a safe and wonderful trip. Thank you so much once again Leslie. <BR>I will be there from May 22nd- June 26th. I hope to go for treatments for my back and neck injury. If anyone out there can help me with information on spa's in Hungary please feel free too. I am not getting much here with Doctors and Little help with Physical Therapy. I do know my way around Hungary pretty well by public transportion and Trains. Thank you so much in advance for any information. Alice

Alice, thanks so much for your beautiful note. I'll be happy to let you know what I find out about the spas and thermal baths in Budapest. So far, I know that the cost at the Hotel Gellert is about $7 for the baths. I'll probably go there, as it is across the street from the B&B that I am staying at. I understand that bathing suits are optional in some of the baths, but they are required in the pools.<BR><BR>Alice, I was in a car accident a few years ago and ended up with all kinds of problems after going to a chiropractor -- some people swear by them, but the treatment wasn't for me. I still have a pinched nerve that acts up upon occasion. I am allergic to anti-inflammatories, so all that I can recommend from experience is aspirin, ice, a heating pad, and those topical ointments. I've also been to an acupuncturist with some success.<BR><BR>On another note, I am still sending out my travelogue for Prague. Received a lot of nice supportive notes, which convinced me to send it out again.

Thank you Leslie for your fast reply. You are a real sweetie! Would you mind if I e-mail you with a reply to your message? If not, I do understand. I will just ask you here then. <BR>Alice

Alice, email me anytime you like.

Leslie,<BR>Have a wonderful trip-I would like to sneak along in your suitcase! Are you going to use Eva as a tour guide?<BR>If Alice the Magyar reads this, I am so sorry to hear about your car accident. It's awful how long some of the injuries linger on. We don't appreciate how good we feel until something happens, I guess. I sinerely hope that when you get to Hungary, the thermal baths will help you. Some of my friends go to a hot springs bath facilty in Washington, just over the Portland, Oregon border where we live and swear by them. May I EMail you with some questions about Hungary? Linda

Leslie, have a wonderful trip. I love Hungary and esp Budapest. Wish I could join you.<BR>

Hi Linda, Please feel free to E-Mail with any questions on Hungary. You are right we don't realize how Blessed we are to have our health until something happens to us. Alice

Leslie,<BR>Can you please let me know the name, location and rates for the B&B you will be staying in in Budapest? Do they have an e-mail site? We will be there in May following an organized tour and want an interesting, well located, inexpensive B&B for a few days.<BR>Thank you. J

Joanne, I have a reservation at the Kalmar Bed & Breakfast on Gellert Hill across the street from the Gellert Hotel on the Buda side of the river, very near the Freedom Bridge. There is a bus stop/tram stop in front of the Gellert Hotel. The B&B was built in the early 1900s as a villa for the visit of Emperor Franz Josef. <BR><BR>I got a special rate, as I am going off-season, and it effectively is stay 4 nights, get the 5th night free. As I am staying 9 nights, it nets out to $28USD including breakfast and taxes. The B&B only accepts cash payment.<BR><BR>I made the reservation through its booking agent, www.budapesthotels.com -- there are photographs and personal reviews on the site. The personal comments were very favorable. The contact at Budapest Hotels is Anita Kalman, and she has been very helpful, answering all of my questions, even those not related to the B&B. I specifically decided to use this booking agent because it is affiliated with the one that I used for my trip to Prague, and I was very pleased with the accommodations there.<BR><BR>Each room at the Kalmar B&B has a king-sized bed, kitchen and new bathroom (including hair dryer), along with a sitting area and TV. I believe that the rooms are described as apartments. The furniture is supposed to be either antiques or in an antique style -- I just hope that doesn't mean that it's ready for the trash heap, as everyone has a different perspective on any item that is 100 or more years old. I believe the B&B was recently remodeled in the last couple of years (I recall personal comments on the website I mentioned). <BR><BR>One Fodorite has mentioned that he is staying here a few weeks before I arrive and another Fodorite that I have been in contact with has reservations there at the same time that I do. I was told by Eva Tokody (a Fodorite contributor that lives in Budapest) that the B&B is very nice and in a safe area. I was looking for something less commercial and with some charm which is why I chose it. Also, the price was right.<BR>

Hi Leslie -<BR><BR>You might have told me this previously and I just mis-placed it ... but when are you going to be there? I think it is about the same time we are... we will be in Budapest March 10, 11 & 12...<BR><BR>Barry

L, Thank you for the info. on the Kalmar B&B. The web site was very helpful and we will contact them when we decide how many extra days to add after our tour.<BR>Someone said that you had a Prague travel guide. I wonder if you would please e-mail it to me at the above address. Our tour includes Prague, Warsaw & Krakow with some days that we will be on our own for sightseeing. Thank you.<BR>I would also be interested in your feedback on Budapest sightseeing, side trips outside the city and the Kalmar when you return, if possible. Thanks.<BR>Enjoy your trip. J

Leslie, you sent me a copy of your travelog on Prague and it was marvelous. I am planning a trip to Vienna, Budapest and Prague, hopefully, in the near future. I would like to receive a copy of your travelog when you return from Budapest, please. And, thank you.

Leslie -<BR><BR>Treat yourself to a meal at Vadrozsa. It is outstanding and such a nice place! It is in a converted mansion in the Rozsadom district and is run by a family. It is IMHO the most elegant and charming restaurant in the world. Gundel is delicious, but Vadrozsa has a soul.

Thanks Jennifer, I have added to Vadroza as another restaurant that I will dine at.<BR><BR>I leave a week from tonight. Anyone else have any suggestions to add to my itinerary? Art has told me that I must go to Statue Park, which is one of the venues at the top of my list.

Leslie, I am planning a trip to Prague and Vienna in late summer -- would you please forward me a copy of your travelogue on Prague. From the notes posted above this must be a really great resource.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Jim

Hi Leslie<BR><BR>We are off to Prague later in the year. Would be really grateful if you would email me a copy of your travelogue! We are also going to Budapest in the same trip so would love a copy of that one too. Thanks, Chris