Hungary/Czech itinerary advice
 

My husband and I have 13 days in late July/early August. We arrive in Prague and leave from Budapest. I know it can be hot and crowded but that's the only time we have to go. I am concerned about the crowdedness, though...have been looking at "overview" time (2-3 days) in those two cities and then heading out to the countryside. In the Czech Republic, we are interested in Cesky Krumlov, also plan a day trip to Terezin from Prague. Have considered a weekend in Bratislava, but also are interested in the Hungarian countryside, especially Eger, Tokaj, and Kecskemet. We are history buffs, enjoy good food and wine and "creature comforts". Any advice? Especially about traveling from place to place: bus, train, rental car??

I had a very nice time last summer on Lake Balaton in Hungary. The nicest part is around Balatonfured and Tihany. You can apparantly get here by train from Budapest, but I drove and it was no problem.

There is a very nice 11th century Baroque abbey in Tihany - I was there for a friends wedding. There is very nice wine in the region too and I found the food good. "Creature comforts" are not Four Seasons standard - but it really is a lovely place in the summer and there are some spa resorts in the area.

Forget Bratislava..and motor up into the High Tatra mountains of Slovakia...gorgeous country to cool you off in hot July. Many hotels, and I would recommened turnofthecentury Grand Hotel in Stary Smokovec (tch)...hiking trails, etc. Easy drive from Budapest. If you wish, drive over the Polish border into Zakopane..lovely resort area.
Stu T.

I assume you're renting a car? Two nice towns on the way between Prague and Budapest, roughly speaking, are Telc and Tabor. We enjoyed both, and from a historical point of view as well. This May, on the way from Eger (very nice town), back to Vienna, we drove thru Bratislava. Now granted, we weren't going to stay there, but it appeared so run down (and poorly road- signed, from a driving tourist point of view) that we kept going, with only a hour on site. Didn't make me interested in spending a second hour.

In terms of 20th cent. architecture, Kecskemet is more interesting than Eger. For a stay in the former, I would choose the Fábián Panzió which has air-conditionned rooms and a nice inner courtyard. It is also within 5 minutes of the town center. Eger has more variety in its architecture. You might want to look at the beginning and end of my trip report, which includes a reference to Clifton's report who enjoyed Eger more than we did:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34659808

Hi
I agree with tower, we stayed at the Grand hotel several years ago and had a great time. If I remember correctly Fodors had recommended a restaurant across the road from the Grand. It was a typical Slovakian restaurant with music, wine and mostly grilled food. We were glad that we didn't have to drive.
We've been to both Eger and Kecskmet, enjoyed them both, we highly recommentd renting a car. To be able to get about on your schedule makes a big difference.

Thanks for all the help and advice; I'd still love to hear from anyone else although I do think I've been persuaded to rent a car although I realize we won't want it IN Prague or Budapest.

Hi
You're right in Budapest or Prague you dont' want a car. We got lost driving into Budapest several years ago, it's a hard place to drive. Remember if driving in Hungary. headlights on outside of Budapest but off in the city. We were stopped by the police for this. First time we drove to Budapest, got lost as usual and hired a taxi driver to lead us to the hotel. We required secured parking at that time. Haven't drivein there in some time though we have been back, it's one of my favorite cities.

ttt

My dad and I spent 10 days in Central Europe last May (5 days in Prague, 2 in Vienna, and 3 in Budapest). You will have an AMAZING trip. Prague is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We flew into Prague, took the train in between the three cities, and flew out of Budapest. The train rides were very short (3-4 hours) and the train stations were centrally located (of course). It was interesting to compare these three cities as they have been impacted in diferent way by the last century.

My best Prague recommendation is to have dinner at the Bellevue Restaurant. It is pricy and dressy, but AMAZING, elegant, and has traditional food. It overlooks the Charles Bridge and the Castle and is a great setting at sunset.

If you make it to Vienna, definitely make a point to visit the Naschmarkt which is an impressive and beautiful farmer's market. Blocks and blocks of Cheese shops, spices, fruits, vegetables; it overwhelms your senses and is definitely worth finding it (it's in the center of the city, but a little out of the way).

In Budapest, be sure to go to the Statue Park, which is a bus ride away (any hotel will have brochures showing package tours - about 3 hours total). After communism fell, they took down all of the socialist statuary and put them in one park. It is really, really, cool.

Have a great time. I'm itching to go back!

You said, you are history buffs, enjoy good food and wine and "creature comforts". Any advice? So, if you will go by car I can recommend you to visit region named Garden of Europe and town of Mikulov, wine capitol of Czech Republic. Mikulov is tiny but charming ancient town. There is a lot of sigts. The historical Jewish Quarter, synagogue with museum of the history of Mikulov's Jewish quarter and the large Jewish Cemetery. The cemetery contains around four thousand gravestones. There is Unique Viticultural Exhibition in the Chateau Mikulov. The display also includes a remarkable vat from 1643 in the Chateau cellar. When I tell you that a craftsman and his three assistants worked on it for 38 weeks to finish it, you will not be surprised by its noteworthy capacity - 101,400 litres. See websites www.mikulov.cz and www.funnyholiday.cz
Very seductive chance is to explore viticulture and wine in small wine-cellars of mikulover wine-growers, taste local wines. The cellar of Mr. Solarik is very unusual. It is located in the limestone cave.
I recommend accommodation in Hotel Templ **** The hotel has been built in historical interior of renaissance house in the former Jewish quarter. Part of this house is a temple (small synagogue), which has been rebuilt into gallery.
And at the second day you cat visit Lednice-Valtice Area, the large-scale landscape park protected by UNESCO and go on to Bratislava. It is only 100 km.
I think, good chart is Prague – Cesky Krumlov – Telc – Mikulov – Lednice and Valtice – Bratislava – Hungary.