Hungary Itinerary Help
 

I am heading to Hungary for a twelve day stay at the end of May. I have already booked five nights in Budapest and three in Pecs. So I need three more to book before my last night in Budapest. The question is, do you think I should make Eger my base, or somewhere in Central Transubdania like Gyor or Veszprem?

Geoff - I am going to Hungary next week for 10 nights, so I faced the same decision as you. I am going for general interest, so there is no predetermined place I had to include in my itinerary. We are also staying five nights in Budapest - depending on how much we like the city, and how much there is to do, we will make at least one day trip to the Danube Bend, add another Danube Bend day trip and/or a day trip to Eger. We are then going to Sopron for 2 nights, then Pecs for two nights, returning to Budapest the last night so we can catch the plane home the next day. <BR> <BR>Pecs, Szeged, Eger, Sopron, and a couple of other places all seemed about equal as far as tourist interest. We picked to of those, (not Eger beacause ot good be done as a day trip). I might suggest Sopron - about 2.5 hours from Budapest by train, if you are interested in small cities. Gyor also seemed like it would be nice, but seems to have more (newer) industrial parts to go along with the old.

Thanks! Yes, I think Eger might be best as a day trip. One thing I'm interested in is finding a place where one can make some interesting day trips from, and there seems to be more near Gyor than Eger, especially since I do not have a car. From Gyor I could hit Balaton, Tata and/or Sopron. I am a bit concerned about the industrial aspect, but the old town seems nice and if I'm spending two days on day trips, it should be OK. To rationalize a bit as well, it always seems appropriate to see the 'other side' of a country-not just the gems. Vezprem and Szekesfehervar are also poss. <BR> <BR>From what I understand Pecs is THE place to see after Budapest. I decided not to stay in Sopron because of the over 7-hour train trip. Have a great trip Howard!

I would much prefer Sopron to Gyor. Gyor is worth a stop to quickly see the old town area, perhaps on the way to Sopron, but it is very industrial. Sopron is nice. Worth a day. From Sopron (or on the way), see the Pannonhalma Abbey and the Eszterhazy Palace at Fertod. If you have time and find a good connection, visit Koszeg, a great little walled medieval village we really enjoyed. <BR> <BR>From Eger, where the evenings in the square are not to be missed, you can make day trips to Holloko and, perhaps, (depending on connections), Tokaj where some of the finest Hungarian Wines are produced. Cute little town as well. <BR>If you go to Keszthley at Lake Balaton don't miss Count Festetics Palace. One of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen. Tihany is quaint if a little touristy. Not far from Veszprem, but on the water. <BR> <BR>While in Pecs (your going to love this little city), try to get to Villany, a beautiful area with outstanding wines. Lots of wine tasting opportunities. <BR> <BR>One night in Szeged is enough. Be sure to see the Jewish Temples at Pecs and at Szeged. We are not Jewish, but we found them to be beautiful and very interesting. <BR> <BR>You have a lot of choices. Hungary is a great little Country and you will enjoy it wherever you choose to go. If Eva, a tour guide in Hungary, happens to see this post, she will probably offer some information. She is very knowledgable and offers information about Hungary freely.

Fodors <BR> <BR>To my mind he order of beauty reads Eger, Veszprem, Gyor, Eger has less to do than Veszprem or Gyor. Gyor is itself enjoyable, and gives easy rail and bus trips to Sopron, to Fertod St Michael, the Esterhazy summer palace, and to the country house of the agricultural reformer at Nagycenk. Veszprem lets you visit, easily, Szombathely and Koszeg by rail and beautiful Kesthely, on Lake Balaton, by bus. <BR> <BR>I don't notice anything industrial about old Gyor. The suburbs, yes, but thank heavens the Hungarians stopped the planners putting their tower blocks anywhere where you can see them from the centre. And actually, if you do bus out to the tower blocks I think you'll find them well kept, amidst gardens, with a scatter of cafes. Not touristic, but pleasant. Even the industry is good for the environment: Gyor builts railway trains. <BR> <BR>You'll find it useful to have the railway map of Hungary: it's on <BR>http://www2.chem.elte.hu/gigant_club/pix/mav/map.gif/. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Hungary is a delight. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

I've noticed nobody has mention anything about Eztergom. I'm leaving for Budapest next week for 5 days and was thinking about doing a day trip to Eztergom. Then off to Rome for a week then back to Budapest for 3 more days, with a possible trip to Pecs (my Hungarian tutor is originally from there). Any opinions about Eztergom?

Esztergom <BR>it is worth a day trip, but thereis no good hotel to stay, and it is close to Budapest.The train station is far from the citycenter,so take a bus ,leaving every 30 min from the ÁRPÁD_HÍD metro station, the trip takes some 1-1.5 hours.From the busstop in Esztergom you can walk to the cathedral passing the market.The church is very big, itis easy to find.Visiting the church and the treasury -not much explanation not even in Hungarian, try to buy a book tothe left from the entrance of the church,because at the treasury it is sold only at the exit,or in any good bookstore in Budapest-go to the crypt right from the entrance to visit cardinal Mindszenthy's tomb,climbing up the cupola 400 stairs, no elevator.It takes 1.5 hours, the castle next door 1 hour, and Christian Museum near the river takes 1 hour.Do NOT eat in the restaurant at the cathedral's parking place, it is the worst restaurant in Hungary. <BR> <BR>The hungary itinerary <BR>Staying 9in Eger you can take a daytrip to AGGTELEK_JÓSVAFÕ which is a stalactit cave declared world heritage.Really superb. <BR>An other possibility is the Balaton lake area.I would not suggest it for the summer-overcrowded-but in May it is very nice.You can stay in Hévíz,thermal lake,best hotels outside Budapest-Hotel Aqua, Thermal, Rogner,-visiting Keszthely- good hotel at the lake is Helikon,taking a daytrip along the lake.The otherr chice is Balatonfüred-Hotel Marina, Annabella-,or Tihany-Hotel Club Tihany-the crypt of the church is the oldest building in the country.From both herend is an easy reach,newly reopened museum where you can see the process of china production.(After arrival first go the Manufacture to book the guided tour)The shop has the best collection, much more than in the Budapest shop.The restaurant next to the shop is very good but not cheap at all. <BR>Rgds <BR>Eva

Thanks for the info Eva - looking forward to arriving next week. Regarding restaurants in Eztergom - do you know anything about Primas Pince or the Hotel Eztergom restaurant? The Rough Guide gave both a thumbs up. Your comments?

For Mark <BR>Prímás pince is the place NOT to go.(I have to eat there every weak)Hotel Esztergom belongs to the same owner, but the cook is better-nothing special,but eatable-next to the river, notso many goups.Try the CSÜLÖK CSÁRDA, on the street from the busstop to the church to the right, or SZENT KRISTÓF same area

Eva - noticed on a map of Esztergom that there is a thermal bath there - is it still used by the public? Is it mixed or is there separate baths for men and women?

For Mark <BR>I've never been to the thermal bath in Esztergom,but Ipass it every time walking from bus stop to the cathedral.Next time I'll be there on the 18th,I'll try to have a look at it.but from what I've seen from the outside it is not really good. <BR>If in Budapest you think the Gellért too touristy-may be it is-try the SZÉCHÉNYI in the City Park behind Heroes' Square. <BR>Rgds <BR>Eva

For Mark <BR>Esztegom thermal bath is only a swimmng pool,nothing special. <BR>Eva