Prague and Budapest
 

Two fit, curious-about-everything (art, food, history, music), middle-aged couples want to visit Prague and Budapest for 8-9 days at the end of March, 2012. Looking for suggested itinerary, including "don't-miss," best means of travel between the cities, and options for where to stay.

The city that really stands out in my mind is Prague. What a beautiful city--a wonderful building around every corner!

When we went to Budapest, it was raining, so my impression of it isn't as favorable.

Have you been to Vienna? It is much closer to Prague than Budapest and if you are traveling by train or bus you will save considerable travel time. It is hard to find a city that has more art, food, history, music options than Vienna.

Go to www.inyourpocket.com and see what interests you. There's a page on the website for both Prague and Budapest. Once you've determined what piques your interest, come back here for help refining your suggestions.

No such thing as a don't miss - if you wouldn't like it, it's a do-miss for you.

I would choose Vienna over Budapest. To me, Vienna is a beautiful and joyous city.

Prague don't miss:

- Mucha Museum
- Wandering the streets looking at all the artwork on the building facades
- Municipal House tour. They're not given at set times so you need to stop in to find out when the tours are.
- Jewish Quarter and Synagogues
- Church concerts (dress warmly - the churches are cold)
- Loreto church
- Nerudova Street

I'm on a tight budget so I stayed in Prague 6, outside the old town but I would recommend staying in the old town.

Take a train between cities.

Here's my photos:
http://modigliani.shutterfly.com/cze...kowfrankfurtpa

Be aware that end of March can still be winter. You can get some plesant days - but you can also get snow - since you are on the centreal european plain - and do;t get the weirdly high temps in UK and western europe associated with the gulf strem.

I vote for Prague and Budapest - Vienna is wonderful, but I find it somewhat Triste. 3 or 4 ful days in easn city is not a lot, although you can consider a day trip if your time and the weather allow.

We flew to Prague, took the train to Vienna and then a train to Budapest. Of the three I would definitely choose Prague and Budapest. Loved the hotels we stayed at, but unfortunately my old links no longer work. I think both hotels are still excellent ones:

Prague - Maximillian Hotel. I understand it has been renovated since we stayed there. It is well located, has a wonderful included breakfast and very comfortable. We had Room 308. They also had a driver service we were able to use several times. A couple of restaurants steps away that we liked.

Budapest - Hotel Victoria. It's on the Buda side, right on the Danube with huge picture windows. Be sure to be high enough that the trees don't block your view. We had Room 42. Again well located, good included breakfast. There were 2-3 restaurants very close when we were there, in particular a French restaurant behind the hotel that we really enjoyed.

Adrienne gave you good advice for Prague (incidentally I loved your pictures Adrienne). She didn't mention the Charles Bridge which we enjoyed walking slowly across and admiring all the statues. We also saw "The Bartered Bride" at the National Theater. We bought our train tickets at the Cedok Travel Agency in Prague. We toured the Staropramen Brewery.

We did a city tour in Budapest, visited St. Stephen's church (took the elevator to the top and then walked a few steps to get to the very top and outside for an incredible view of the city). Also enjoyed an evening boat ride on the Danube. It was very beautiful with all the city lights. We visited the Roman Ruins at Aquincum and then took the local train to Szentendre, returning by boat on the river.

Loved both cities. Loved the food, but my roots are in these two countries. Fabulous beer. Hope your weather is good. We went in May, had some rain but overall nice days.

"Vienna is wonderful, but I find it somewhat Triste"

What is sad about Vienna?

<< What is sad about Vienna? >>

This is a perfect example of how people view things so differently. I described Vienna as "joyous."

Thanks Giovanna - glad you liked my photos.

Thank you all for your very helpful comments --- especially those of Adrienne and Giovanna (with whom I heartily agree about Adrienne's beautiful photos).

Big Russ, thank you for directing me to the "inyourpocket" guides. Oddly, while I found Prague on their homepage, I had to search on Google to find their Budapest directory --- http://www.inyourpocket.com/Hungary.

Thanks jrpfeiffer!

If you click on the word "Destinations" at the top of the screen you'll get some good info on these cities.

IMHO nothing replaces reading guide books for travel information.

That's strange that IYP doesn't have its Budapest page anymore.

That said: some advice not related to what to see because you really need to figure that out on your own in the first instance.

First, stay in Prague 1. Y'all are middle-aged and likely don't need a student's budget. There are a lot of areas in Prague that are dicey. Most of Prague 1 in the Old Town or Mala Strana is good. We stayed at The Bishop's House hotel and had a large room, decent breakfast, and a 60-yard walk to the Charles Bridge. I would NOT stay near the Castle, however, because that's far from the rest of the main sites tourists usually want to visit - Josefov, Old Town Square, Kampa Island, New Town, etc.

In Budapest, stay in Pest, not Buda. Better proximity to the major sites other than the Castle and far greater selection of bars, restaurants, shopping, etc. We stayed at the K&K Hotel Opera, which is about 6 blocks from the Chain Bridge, close to St. Stephen's Basilica, Dohany Street, Liszt Ter, and Embassy Row, and about 15 minutes from Deak Ter, which is the center of Pest. But there are also many international hotel chains with iterations along the eastern bank of the Danube.

And for all the Vienna shills: the OP said the trip was Prague and Budapest and hasn't wavered on that. Budapest is a fine city with great architecture and a rich history.

<< And for all the Vienna shills... >>

You post on a public forum you get opinions. The OP can take the advice or not. jr didn't seem insulted to be offered something different.

Vienna just seems much more staid. To me Prague and Budapest are both young and exciting and still celebrating their freedom and opportunities to do whatever they want (after 40 years of Russian control). Vienna never had that, was always more of a capitol city - of the empire as well as the country - and just seems more staid, although there is a tremendous amount to see and do,

Thank you again for all these great tips. They will be a great help. We welcome differences of opinion, by the way. We surely will have some in our own planning, which is just beginning. There are no shrinking violets here. - John

I think I still have some notes on Prague and Budapest, some of which may still be pertinent. If you'd like me to send them to you, e-mail me: [email protected]

jr,
Twice we have stayed at the Pension Dietzenhofer in Prague, in Mala Strana, which is the castle side of the bridge. We enjoyed our stay there, the price includes a very good breakfast, & the owner & staff are very helpful. It's a quieter neighborhood, which we like, but it only takes about 5 minutes to walk to Charles Bridge.

You can click on my name to read my trip report from August 2009, in which I give details on sightseeing, names of restaurants, etc.

Both of my daughters have been to both Prague & Budapest; they love both cities & like the fact that both cities are very different from each other. We just saw DD's photos from her recent trip to Budapest; some buildings have peeling paint, which you don't see in Prague, but she said it gave Budapest a more lived in look, maybe a little bit worn looking, but still a beautiful city. Both my daughters loved the baths in Budapest.

Kwoo, I found your report on your trip to the Czech Republic, "Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Telc and Karlovy Vary." It's terrific. Thank you very much for making me aware of it. It will surely be very helpful.

jrpfeiffer, I'm happy to hear you find my trip report helpful.
Are you going to post your finalized itinerary? Hope you will post a trip report, too. I enjoy reading other travelers's reports.

bookmarking

I've been to Budapest, Prague and Vienna (2 times). I think it's great if you just want to do Prague and Budapest. I loved both cities.

I stayed in the Castle District in Buda and loved the charm in the early morning and evening, even though it was across the river. I visited the Fishermen's Bastion when it was virtually empty. Also, the stunning views of the Chain Bridge, Danube and Parliament from my room helped. Visit the Ruszwurm Cukrászda (pastry shop) in the Castle District for their famous cream pastry or kréme. I also enjoyed climbing the tower of St. Stephen's Basilica for the beautiful views. The Museum of Fine Arts is worth a visit too, if you like art (old masters).

I don't remember if anyone posted about the Castle in Prague, but I really enjoyed it, especially St. Vitus' Cathedral. The midday light shone through the beautiful stained glass windows casting magical projections on the white walls. I also loved going up in the Old Town Clock Tower; their were stunning views of the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.

Do try to visit Cesky Krumlov if you can. It is so charming!