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Prague and Budapest -- need some tips!

My wife and I will be spending a quick week in September seeing both Prague and Budapest. Can you tell me the top 5 "must sees" or "must do's" in each of these cities. With respect to eating establishments, can you recommend one great place (inexpensive to moderate) in both cities, preferably local type food. And, lastly, I've read about the great beer in Prague! Where's the best place to sample some?? Appreciate the help. Bob

I think the best Czech beer is Budweiser-Budvar. It's not the same as the US Budweiser which is named after the town the Czech beer is made in. Budweiser is German for the Czech name which is something like Budojesky (maybe someone can correct me because I know that's not right). Anyway, it comes in 10 degree and 12 degree. That refers to the thickness of the beer, I think, and not the alcohol content. Budvar 12 degree is my favorite! You can get it at lots of places, just look for the 12*. Sorry for any confusion about the name, but the labels say Budweiser-Budvar-Budojesky, so take your pick.

To clear up any misinformation I just gave you, here are some websites: http://www.budvar.cz/oldsite/english/ http://www.europeaninternet.com/cent...directory.html Ceske Budejovice is the town. Budweis is the name of the town in German. Really good beer!

Bob, Paige did indeed give you some good advice. I have not yet made it to Budapest, but have been in Prague last November. My favorite's were the Prague castle in Hradcany, the Charles Bridge connecting Old Town with the Lesser Quarter, Old Town Square, Vysehrad Cemetary and the Church of St. Nicholas and the Church of our Lady Victorious which has the famous "Infant of Prague". If you'd like a copy of our trip notes, just email me. I like the Budweiser, also, but I am hooked on the Pilsner Urquell which is brewed in Pilsen. It's the oldest known pilsner beer and copies have been attempted, but to date, have failed. I've got at least six of them in my refrigerator at any given time. You'll enjoy Prague.

Hi Bob, I liked Pilsner Urquel better than Budweis, both are good. Another highlight in Prague is the Museum of Technology and Industry. There you can see just how advanced the Czech Republic was in the 30's before the war. Other than that I agree with above posters. Budapest - This is tough since it is such a great city and there are so many area of interest there. 1. The Parliament 2. The Opera house 3. St Stevens basilica (named after the first Hungarian king.) His right hand is on display. 4. Castle Hill. 5. The Jewish Synagogue 6. Citadel hill. 7. Andressa Utc(Street). 8. The National Museum. 9. The Semmelweise Museum 10. Heroes Square. With your short time I would recommend that you take a 1/2 day tour of the city on the first day to get an overview. Two beautiful cities. Have a great time. Regards, Art

hi Bob We visited both in Sept 1999 for 3 nights each. They were great, Prague was our favorite. Top 5 sights Prague 1. Walking across Charles Bridge 2. Hradny (spelling) Castle area (This needs to be toured during day and walk by at night/also view at distance at night - truly lovely.) 3. Old town Square including clock 4. Jewish Quarter (about 1/2 day, with lunch in old town square) 5. Wenselas Square (we viewed it then went to a Concert on the steps of the Museum at the end then had dinner after on the square combining alot) Another local restaurant we enjoyed was Bonapart's on the way up to the castle. A former resident of Prague took us there, food was great, so was the beer. Budapest 1. Castle Hill (This includes Matthias Church and various other buildings there including the Fishermans Bastion and the view of the Buda Side across the danube which includes the Parliament) 2. Walking tour of Pest which includes the Market and Churches. 3. Night cruise on the Danube. This was a terrific tour. The area is most beautiful lit at night. The boat had ear phones in each language so you did not have to listen to all and they had monitors on the boat which showed additional pictures of locations to explain what you are seeing. 4. Gellert (The hill and the hotel) They have at the hotel the baths which were closed when we took the trolley there but we walked up the hill which was a great view and refreshment at the top. 5. The caves under Castle hill on the buda side. They were used by the Nazis in WWII and although not furnished the stories were very interesting. You can still see the plumbing from the shower area for service men and the hospital. This is also where the city hid during the bombing of Buda. There was a little french named restaurant in Castle hill we enjoyed. (we stayed at the Kulturinov on castle hill). My sister-in-law's grandparents were born in Hungary and she spoke hungarian and we all liked the food. It was great to have her help in ordering. Have a wonderful trip. We really enjoyed it and the weather was great!!

Hi again Just realized after I posted it I made an error. Castle Hill is on the Buda side where you get the fantastic view from the fishermans Bastion of the Pest side. (Above I said buda). We found castle hill(buda) to be quaint and really enjoyed it more than the Pest side which was busier and more commercial. We walked most of the time. There is also a funicular that if you walk to castle Hill accross the Chain Bridge from Pest you can take it up to the hill.

I will try this one more time. I wanted to make a correction but editing was not accepted. When you are at the Fisherman's bastion, it is on the Buda side and the view is of the pest side which is lovely. We found buda to be more quaint and the Pest side busier and more commercial (you get the boats on that side.). Also if you walk across the chain bridge from pest, you can take a funicular up the hill which is interesting. have a great trip they are both lovely cities.

Bob, Two tips for Budapest to add to the list. The Parliament has scheduled tours for different languages. You can only visit on a tour. Check with your hotel for the times. I think there are english language tours twice a day during the week. I am not sure about weekends. On castle hill near Matthias Church - actually across from the hotel (Hyatt or Hilton) which is next to the church we went to a store were you pay about $7-10 US and you are aloud to taste wines from all over Hungary. They have a "celler" with the wine organized by region. Most of the wines are very inexpensive but we found several which we enjoyed. It is a fun way to spend an hour. Have fun! Aileen

In Prague don't miss the Jewish Museum -- really a group of buildings and a cemetary in the old Jewish quarter of Prague. In Budapest MY top 5 are: 1. St. Stephens Basilica 2. Heroes Square 3. Castle Hill - Mathias church 4. the Hungarian National History Museum 5. The metro "yellow" line After that, of course, the views from the Fisherman's bastion and a walk up [or down] Andrassy ut. [You could take the yellow line to heroes square then walk down or ride the tram part of the way -- thus killing several birds at once...]

Thank you for your responses. The info will be put to good use as usual! Bob

Hi Bob- First, thank you so much for your wonderful notes on your trip to Rome! I'm passing it around to our group in anticipation of our October trip. We (the same group) went to Budapest last October (unfortunately for only two days) and all fell in love with the city. Looking back, we wish we had taken some time from Vienna and spent it in Budapest. All the suggestions for "must sees" are good, but I have a restaurant to suggest. It's called Kis Rablo, and is a small place very close to the Gellert Hotel, where we stayed. It was recommended by a Budapest residient on the plane as well as the Gellert desk. It'w a small place, but we had wonderful Hungarian food, with beer, wine and Hungarian schnaps for about $14 a person. The staff was very friendly and attentive to our big group of ten. I know you will love Budapest. Byrd

Thx, Byrd! My wife and I will look that restaurant up when we are in Budapest. Bob

For great people watching in Budapest, try Anna's on Vaci Utca (near Vorosmarty ter).