Adelaide

Hello, <BR>I'm going to Budapest at the end of March, and I'd like to have some information about how to organize my days (only 5 unfortunately!): what is worth visiting (museums, theatres), where are some nice restaurants, where are the best places to go at night... Thank you! <BR>Adelaide

Art

Hi Adelande, I was in Budapest for 7 days in Sept 99. It is a wonderful city with a lot to do. Take in the Opra, its a beautifull building and very inexpensive to attend. They also have something called Operette that is a combination of well known Operetta pieces with great performers. It is down the street from the Mariott hotel. I stayed in a private flat while there and with a Dr Fleps and his wife. Had private room and bath with fantastic breakfast'es. He has published a phamflet titled "Twelve walks in Budapest and the History of Hungary". I did 11 of them and they really take you through the city. The national museum is terrific. I also visited a small museum of Ignaziz Semmelweise, an early 19th century Doctor who discovered the concept of cleanlyness thereby saving thousands of lives of pregnant woman and thir babies. It is on the Buda side at the bottom of castle hill.

Linda

The Parliament Building (which communists made into museums) is beautiful architecture. Castle Hill with the Church & its museum in the basement, just walking around the old area is nice. The Symphony is very nice and most inexpensive. I did not do the spas but understand they are nice. Like Art we stayed with the Fleps and found them very nice. You do take a bus to the metro & 3 stops to downtown but the bedroom terrace overlooks the city. If it is still cold when you go, they warm your bathtowels on the radiator--so nice. Email him or me for the Fleps info, if you have not committed already.

carl

Adelaide, I lived in Bp for two years so I can advise you on a few things to see, but I have no idea wher to stay. The Hotel Gellert has great baths, but the rooms/service beckon the Socialist days. <BR> <BR>To see: take the boat from vaci utca up to Visegrad (4 hours) this will give you idea of the Old Hungary. <BR> <BR>The Castle District (half a day) includes St. Mathias Cathedral and the Castle and an Old Town gives a good Hungarian nationalist or empire view. <BR> <BR>There are great walks around Pest that give you the art noveau/deco Hungary. <BR> <BR>Hero's Park. <BR> <BR>Five days is a goog amount of time for Bp. <BR> <BR>Have fun, say hi to my ex-girlfriend Szilvia (grrrrr...)

mark

If you're into design - the Museum of Applied Arts has a great collection. I stayed at the Gellert - yes, the interiors were done by the Joesph Stalin Interior Design correspondence course and the food is so-so - but the location is great and the use of the spas are included with your room. I went to some of the restaurants recommended by Fodors and was not disappointed. There was one restaurant - the Golden Stag - at the base of Castle Hill - great food, lots of game dishes. Eyewitness Travel book for Budapest was very helpful. I went to the Opera also - beautiful building. Going back this May to explore the country side. <BR> <BR>http://www.inyourpocket.com/Hungary/Hungary_links.shtml <BR> <BR>http://www.excite.com/travel/destina...t/city_guides/

Michelle/NYC

I was in Budapest this past November as an extension to a trip to Salzburg/Vienna. stayed at the brand new Meridien just a few blocks from the plaza and river... definitely recommend if you're looking for an upscale accommodation! (I got a reduced rate b/c it wasn't completely finished being built). I spent my first day just wandering along the river to get a sense of the city... and browsing along Vaci Utca which is a shopping area that is closed to cars. <BR> <BR>I wasn't impressed with the shops on Vaci Utca... I was hoping for fewer names I recognized from home... but I did manage to stumble into a great store for Folkart and bought some beautiful black pottery from a village in Nadudvar, Hungary. the store, Folkart Centrum is at Vaci Utca 14. <BR> <BR>keep in mind that Budapest is such a great walking city. Enjoy walking over the different bridges if you have time, especially the Szechenyl Chain Bridge which will give you great access to the Buda side and the Castle district... once on the Buda side spend the money to take the Furnicular up the cliff... the views of Pest from the top are gorgeous. walk over to the Mattius Church and then enjoy more great views from the unique architecture of the Fisherman's Bastion. I didn't have time to spend in museums, Parliament (limited tour times) or Opera House (again limited tour times)... but did wander into the Central Market which I understand is the most impressive one in Budapest. schedule your day so you can indulge in tasting from the different food vendors. I took an interesting walking tour of the Jewish Quarter which included the Dohany Synagogue which is the second largest in the world. <BR> <BR>remember, you can get an amazing meal for very little. I ate at Kispipa Vendeglo in the Jewish district ($4 for a huge portion of schnitzle, salad and beer)... it's an older restaurant with many typical hungarian dishes (except Paprika chicken which I never found on a menu!). and then I accidentally stumbled on this "trendier", more modern restaurant called Cafe Kor (Sas U. 17)... I definitely recommend a reservation! I got lucky and begged my way into a table... great food and huge portions (had a delicious greek salad, huge fish dish, and wine for about $11). hope this information helps. happy and safe travels.

Michelle/NYC

I was in Budapest this past November as an extension to a trip to Salzburg/Vienna. stayed at the brand new Meridien just a few blocks from the plaza and river... definitely recommend if you're looking for an upscale accommodation! (I got a reduced rate b/c it wasn't completely finished being built). I spent my first day just wandering along the river to get a sense of the city... and browsing along Vaci Utca which is a shopping area that is closed to cars. <BR> <BR>I wasn't impressed with the shops on Vaci Utca... I was hoping for fewer names I recognized from home... but I did manage to stumble into a great store for Folkart and bought some beautiful black pottery from a village in Nadudvar, Hungary. the store, Folkart Centrum is at Vaci Utca 14. <BR> <BR>keep in mind that Budapest is such a great walking city. Enjoy walking over the different bridges if you have time, especially the Szechenyl Chain Bridge which will give you great access to the Buda side and the Castle district... once on the Buda side spend the money to take the Furnicular up the cliff... the views of Pest from the top are gorgeous. walk over to the Mattius Church and then enjoy more great views from the unique architecture of the Fisherman's Bastion. I didn't have time to spend in museums, Parliament (limited tour times) or Opera House (again limited tour times)... but did wander into the Central Market which I understand is the most impressive one in Budapest. schedule your day so you can indulge in tasting from the different food vendors. I took an interesting walking tour of the Jewish Quarter which included the Dohany Synagogue which is the second largest in the world. <BR> <BR>remember, you can get an amazing meal for very little. I ate at Kispipa Vendeglo in the Jewish district ($4 for a huge portion of schnitzle, salad and beer)... it's an older restaurant with many typical hungarian dishes (except Paprika chicken which I never found on a menu!). and then I accidentally stumbled on this "trendier", more modern restaurant called Cafe Kor (Sas U. 17)... I definitely recommend a reservation! I got lucky and begged my way into a table... great food and huge portions (had a delicious greek salad, huge fish dish, and wine for about $11). hope this information helps. happy and safe travels.

Michelle/NYC

I was in Budapest in November. if you're looking for upscale accommodations try the new Le Meridien within walking distance to the river and Vaci Utca (shopping). <BR>I enjoyed wandering along the river. definitely explore the bridges... the Chain Bridge will give you great access to the Buda side and Castle District. take the trip up the Furnicular and enjoy the views on top of the cliff of Pest. once on the Buda side,wander over to Mattius Church and then enjoy more views from the unique architecture of Fisherman's Bastion. Central Market is probably the most interesting market for it's size and architecture... save your appetite to enjoy tastings at different food vendors! also, I took a walking tour of the Jewish district which included the Dohany Synagogue which is second largest in the world. <BR>for food, I never found chicken paprika on a menu which was disappointing, but ended up stumbling into a "trendy", modern restaurant called Cafe Kor (Sas U.17) I recommend reservations. also ate at Kispipa Vendeglo which is a traditional hungarian restaurand... schnitzel for $4. enjoy. <BR>

Michelle again

I didn't make it to the Parliament or Opera House because tour times conflicted with other things I was doing... make sure you plan ahead if these are on your list of places to visit.

Michelle

sorry, I had trouble posting my first reply and didn't realize that it actually went through... ooops.