Budapest-Vienna-Prague what was your favorite thing to do
Jul 7th, 2023, 01:50 PM
#23
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My husband and I are in the midst of planning a 21 day trip to Europe with four nights each in Amsterdam, Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin. We have our plane tickets and the hotels are tentatively booked. At this point we are trying to figure out what are the best things to see and do in each city. We would love to hear suggestions from all of you as to what you enjoyed doing in each of these cities. Thank you for your help and input.
Jul 8th, 2023, 12:24 PM
#26
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For Prague, you can just check the performance schedule at the top concert hall, of course, that's what I do (the Rudolfinum). that's where the Philharmonic plays. If you are going in May, however, if your husband likes classical music, you probably know that Prague has a very famous international music festival that runs most of May and into the first week in June. You have book early for hotels and for tickets to any of their concerts you want to hear. I've been to that a couple times, I think I book in February or so.
https://www.rudolfinum.cz/
YOu say you already have things booked for next May, which I'm surprised, as a lot of hotels won't book that far out. But I sure hope you aren't going all that way there and to Prague and missing that festival by going at the beginning of May. If so, I might rearrange my itinerary. this is the festival website
https://festival.cz/en/
You can see the programme for 2023 was basically May 12 to June 2.
Of course you can visit Dvorak's home as a museum, and there is a Czech Musical Instrument Museum as part of the National Museum. I'm not a big Smetana fan but there is a museum for him, also.
https://www.nm.cz/en/visit-us/buildi...useum-of-music
I think they have a Cold War museum, also, but haven't been there.
AS far as architecture, Prague has a lot of Baroque or Classic buildings, and then Art Nouveau of course (Mucha museum) and some Cubist. I don't think they have much Art Deco, actually, they are known more for Art Nouveau. Prague central station, the HOtel Pariz, Municipal House and Vinohrady Theater, Lucerna Passage, etc are Art Nouveau.
I don't think there is any Art Deco in the center of Prague, the only Art Deco building I know is the Hotel Imperial and along Na Porici, the Republika restaurant. And the Hotel Adria.
https://www.hotel-imperial.cz/cz/
https://www.larepublica.cz/en/gallery/
https://www.adria-hotel.cz/en/
https://delveintoeurope.com/art-nouveau-prague/
https://www.nm.cz/en/visit-us/buildi...-dvorak-museum
FYI that Dvorak museum isn't really all that exciting compared to some like that in other cities.
One of my favorite things in Prague which few tourists go to for some reason, is their modern art museum north of the river in the Trade Fair Palace. They have some excellent works by Czech artists from the 19th and early 20th century. There is a tram stop right near it.
https://www.ngprague.cz/
I also really enjoyed the Prague Ctiy Museum, a history museum of Prague. It's not too far from Florenc metro. It looked like it is being renovated now but should be open sometime in 2024.
https://www.muzeumprahy.cz/en/
As far as OPera, the National Theatre in Prague is excellent, nobody does Rusalka like them. But it looks like Rusalka isn't on during your time. There is also opera at the Estates Theatre. they do a lot of Mozart there.
https://www.estatestheatre.cz/
Tickets to various venues
https://www.pragueticketoffice.com/v...opera-tickets/
Looks like the Philharmonic is doing something by Strauss at beg. of next May.
https://www.pragueticketoffice.com/v...-opera-tickets
I think I've used ticketmaster also or this
https://www.czechopera.cz/
https://www.rudolfinum.cz/
YOu say you already have things booked for next May, which I'm surprised, as a lot of hotels won't book that far out. But I sure hope you aren't going all that way there and to Prague and missing that festival by going at the beginning of May. If so, I might rearrange my itinerary. this is the festival website
https://festival.cz/en/
You can see the programme for 2023 was basically May 12 to June 2.
Of course you can visit Dvorak's home as a museum, and there is a Czech Musical Instrument Museum as part of the National Museum. I'm not a big Smetana fan but there is a museum for him, also.
https://www.nm.cz/en/visit-us/buildi...useum-of-music
I think they have a Cold War museum, also, but haven't been there.
AS far as architecture, Prague has a lot of Baroque or Classic buildings, and then Art Nouveau of course (Mucha museum) and some Cubist. I don't think they have much Art Deco, actually, they are known more for Art Nouveau. Prague central station, the HOtel Pariz, Municipal House and Vinohrady Theater, Lucerna Passage, etc are Art Nouveau.
I don't think there is any Art Deco in the center of Prague, the only Art Deco building I know is the Hotel Imperial and along Na Porici, the Republika restaurant. And the Hotel Adria.
https://www.hotel-imperial.cz/cz/
https://www.larepublica.cz/en/gallery/
https://www.adria-hotel.cz/en/
https://delveintoeurope.com/art-nouveau-prague/
https://www.nm.cz/en/visit-us/buildi...-dvorak-museum
FYI that Dvorak museum isn't really all that exciting compared to some like that in other cities.
One of my favorite things in Prague which few tourists go to for some reason, is their modern art museum north of the river in the Trade Fair Palace. They have some excellent works by Czech artists from the 19th and early 20th century. There is a tram stop right near it.
https://www.ngprague.cz/
I also really enjoyed the Prague Ctiy Museum, a history museum of Prague. It's not too far from Florenc metro. It looked like it is being renovated now but should be open sometime in 2024.
https://www.muzeumprahy.cz/en/
As far as OPera, the National Theatre in Prague is excellent, nobody does Rusalka like them. But it looks like Rusalka isn't on during your time. There is also opera at the Estates Theatre. they do a lot of Mozart there.
https://www.estatestheatre.cz/
Tickets to various venues
https://www.pragueticketoffice.com/v...opera-tickets/
Looks like the Philharmonic is doing something by Strauss at beg. of next May.
https://www.pragueticketoffice.com/v...-opera-tickets
I think I've used ticketmaster also or this
https://www.czechopera.cz/
Jul 9th, 2023, 05:32 PM
#28
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We went to Budapest in May and loved it. Here are recommendations:
1. Book a Guru Walks tour. We did two of them and they were excellent. We did the Welcome to Historic Budapest and the Nazi, World War II Jewish Ghetto tour.. Tour Guides work for tips. We learned a lot and the pace was perfect.
2. Book an English speaking tour of the Parliment asap because they sell out. I thought it was a good tour to take after our Guru Walks because it put things in perspective.
3. Since you mentioned you are history buffs, then definitely visit the Hospital in the Rock and the Terror Museum. I didn't pre-book those tours.
4. Try to catch a performance at the Opera House. If you can't then definitely book a tour of it. They sell-out so be sure to make that reservation.
5. We didn't get to do it because they were sold out but I would do a twilight River cruise.
6. Be sure to visit both sides, there is a wonderful Church on the Buda side that I can't remember the name. Views were outstanding.
7. Visit the Shoes on the River monument. It is very moving.
Try to see if there are any wine festivals going on while you are there.We stumbled upon one at Liberty Square near the U.S. Embassy and it was a lot of fun. We stayed at Hotel Moments which was in a perfect location. It is easy to get around Budapest using public transportation. Arrange for a driver to pick you up from the airport to make transport easy. Budapest's airport is pretty new and very user friendly. It was our first time to Budapest and we can hardly wait to visit again.
1. Book a Guru Walks tour. We did two of them and they were excellent. We did the Welcome to Historic Budapest and the Nazi, World War II Jewish Ghetto tour.. Tour Guides work for tips. We learned a lot and the pace was perfect.
2. Book an English speaking tour of the Parliment asap because they sell out. I thought it was a good tour to take after our Guru Walks because it put things in perspective.
3. Since you mentioned you are history buffs, then definitely visit the Hospital in the Rock and the Terror Museum. I didn't pre-book those tours.
4. Try to catch a performance at the Opera House. If you can't then definitely book a tour of it. They sell-out so be sure to make that reservation.
5. We didn't get to do it because they were sold out but I would do a twilight River cruise.
6. Be sure to visit both sides, there is a wonderful Church on the Buda side that I can't remember the name. Views were outstanding.
7. Visit the Shoes on the River monument. It is very moving.
Try to see if there are any wine festivals going on while you are there.We stumbled upon one at Liberty Square near the U.S. Embassy and it was a lot of fun. We stayed at Hotel Moments which was in a perfect location. It is easy to get around Budapest using public transportation. Arrange for a driver to pick you up from the airport to make transport easy. Budapest's airport is pretty new and very user friendly. It was our first time to Budapest and we can hardly wait to visit again.
Jul 16th, 2023, 06:55 AM
#30
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I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I have incorporated many of them in our travel plans.
I am hoping you can give me some advice on Hotels. Our range is $300 - $450 per night and we need two rooms. So far we are looking at
Amsterdam -- Estherea Hotel
Budapest -- Aria Hotel
Vienna - Das Tyrol
Still need hotels in Prague and Berlin.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I am hoping you can give me some advice on Hotels. Our range is $300 - $450 per night and we need two rooms. So far we are looking at
Amsterdam -- Estherea Hotel
Budapest -- Aria Hotel
Vienna - Das Tyrol
Still need hotels in Prague and Berlin.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Jul 17th, 2023, 05:54 AM
#31
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That budget will get you just about any hotel room in Prague. Half that budget will get you a palatial room in a historic hotel, but some history might sacrifice creature comforts like an elevator. So it would be good to know what your taste is. For example, I never stay at a chain hotel if I can help it or at a modern hotel if there is something traditional to be had.
In Prague there are places with palatial rooms with more traditional architecture that maybe aren't the fanciest places in general.
In Prague there are places with palatial rooms with more traditional architecture that maybe aren't the fanciest places in general.
Jul 17th, 2023, 03:08 PM
#33
<<My husband played symphony oboe through college and wants to go to the opera or symphony on this trip to hear Straus, Mozart and Dvorak etc. Any ideas are welcome.>>
We went to the opera in all three cities but the best experiences were in Prague and Budapest. We also went to a great gypsy music concert in Budapest that we saw advertised in our hotel; though it seemed to be aimed at tourists in fact there were a lot of local people there. Sadly it was quite a long time ago [20 years or so] and I have completely forgotten the details, but perhaps someone who has been more recently will know. Also in Budapest there is the Franz Liszt museum which amongst other things features Beethoven's piano. I think that they may organise concerts there too.
And in Prague we went to a concert in the municipal hall that was also excellent [and there are two lovely restaurants in the same building, or there were then anyway].
As for Vienna, perhaps our most memorable experience was going to Beethoven's summer house and then visiting the "Heurige" [wine tavern] next door. In the villages just outside Vienna there are many Heurige dotted around which can be visited by public transport and there are a few in Vienna itself. Lovely on a warm summer afternoon, followed by a trip to the Prater in the evening.
We went to the opera in all three cities but the best experiences were in Prague and Budapest. We also went to a great gypsy music concert in Budapest that we saw advertised in our hotel; though it seemed to be aimed at tourists in fact there were a lot of local people there. Sadly it was quite a long time ago [20 years or so] and I have completely forgotten the details, but perhaps someone who has been more recently will know. Also in Budapest there is the Franz Liszt museum which amongst other things features Beethoven's piano. I think that they may organise concerts there too.
And in Prague we went to a concert in the municipal hall that was also excellent [and there are two lovely restaurants in the same building, or there were then anyway].
As for Vienna, perhaps our most memorable experience was going to Beethoven's summer house and then visiting the "Heurige" [wine tavern] next door. In the villages just outside Vienna there are many Heurige dotted around which can be visited by public transport and there are a few in Vienna itself. Lovely on a warm summer afternoon, followed by a trip to the Prater in the evening.
Jul 18th, 2023, 01:39 AM
#34
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As two adults and two children on a more limited budget, we stayed in Suite Home Prague in a one-bedroom suite.
Jul 18th, 2023, 08:02 AM
#35
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A little belated but I did look up where we had stayed in both Vienna and Prague. In Prague we stayed at the K & K Central, great location right near the Powder Tower. It was almost brand new when we stayed there in 2008, a boutique hotel located in an older art nouveau building. Great breakfast buffet and if I recall the dining area floor was glass. The front desk very helpful in booking us a shuttle van for our return trip to the airport as we had taken the train there from Vienna. We walked everywhere and took a tram from Wenceslas Square up to the Prague Castle and monastery. We did have an incredible dinner one night at the restored Hotel Imperial.
In Vienna we stayed at an average but comfortable Pension Hotel Zipser, located right behind the Rathaus. We walked all over and took a bus from there to the train station to head north to Prague on our last morning. We did use the subway with our daughter when she met us upon arrival at the airport as she was studying abroad and located right near the Naschmarket in an outstanding older building.
In Vienna we stayed at an average but comfortable Pension Hotel Zipser, located right behind the Rathaus. We walked all over and took a bus from there to the train station to head north to Prague on our last morning. We did use the subway with our daughter when she met us upon arrival at the airport as she was studying abroad and located right near the Naschmarket in an outstanding older building.
Mar 6th, 2024, 08:12 AM
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An addition to the Anne Frank tour: An educational gem: 30 minutes before your museum visit, we will tell you about the history of Anne Frank in the context of the Second World War and the persecution of the Jews. This way you are well prepared for your visit.
Also, a fun orientation to Amsterdam is a canal boat ride. We liked Those Dam Boat Guys.
Also, a fun orientation to Amsterdam is a canal boat ride. We liked Those Dam Boat Guys.
Mar 6th, 2024, 08:18 AM
#38
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seeks ocean, thanks for pulling up this thread. We’re going to Budapest next month and I find lots of valuable tips and information here. Would love to catch a gypsy music concert or an opera, will look to see what’s on end April.
Mar 6th, 2024, 08:54 AM
#39
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Hi there,
As others have mentioned, the Prague opera is wonderful (and very affordable!). You likely will also enjoy the Communism museum and the Kafka museum. Since you'll be there when it (might) be warm out, I always enjoy going paddle-boating on the Vltava river - it's a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, and the views from the river are really gorgeous. More great views (and peace) can be found at Vysehrad - a wonderful garden/outdoor space/church + enchanting old graveyard - particularly at twilight, which is my favorite time to go and get away from the tourists. Letna and Riegerovy sady parks (and beer gardens) also have amazing views.
I assume you're aware of the other main sites in Prague (Prague castle/St. Vitus Cathedral/Golden Lane, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the astronomical clock, Wenceslas Square, Jewish Quarter, Petrin funicular and gardens, etc. )
As for hotels, I can recommend the Hotel Pariz which is right in the heart of Old Town and has absolutely beautiful interior rooms, or the Hotel Aria closer to the castle - also just lovely.
As others have mentioned, the Prague opera is wonderful (and very affordable!). You likely will also enjoy the Communism museum and the Kafka museum. Since you'll be there when it (might) be warm out, I always enjoy going paddle-boating on the Vltava river - it's a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, and the views from the river are really gorgeous. More great views (and peace) can be found at Vysehrad - a wonderful garden/outdoor space/church + enchanting old graveyard - particularly at twilight, which is my favorite time to go and get away from the tourists. Letna and Riegerovy sady parks (and beer gardens) also have amazing views.
I assume you're aware of the other main sites in Prague (Prague castle/St. Vitus Cathedral/Golden Lane, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the astronomical clock, Wenceslas Square, Jewish Quarter, Petrin funicular and gardens, etc. )
As for hotels, I can recommend the Hotel Pariz which is right in the heart of Old Town and has absolutely beautiful interior rooms, or the Hotel Aria closer to the castle - also just lovely.
