Prague, Budapest, Vienna
 

My husband and I will be in Central Europe for 3 weeks in July. We've heard it's hot and humid with no air conditioning. We are from central Florida where the humidity is 100% and the temp. is 95 or so. Can anyone compare it to that? Will we be miserable? We'd like to travel to Bratislava from Vienna for a day or two (we'll take the train), but are unsure about sites, etc. <BR>We would like to rent bikes for part of our stay but are having trouble finding any information, <BR>Thanks for your help! <BR>Giselle

Check wunderground.com and you can see temperatures for last few years. You will need only a day in Bratislava (one hour from Vienna by train).

The pest part of budapest is quite flan although the city is fairly large. The humidity is less than in Florida by far. I don't think that you'd want to rent bikes in Budapest or Prague, they are such great sities to walk. There may not be much air conditioning in either city yet except in the american hotels ie Hilton, Continantal etc. I would also be worried about bike theft in either city. They are both beautiful cities so I'm sure that you'll have a great time. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

Giselle, <BR>My parents also live in central Florida (Leesburg area) and they were just as hot as everybody else when we did Vienna last June during a heat wave. Fortunately, our favorite Vienna hotel (Kaiserin Elisabeth) does have air conditioning. Believe me, we all needed it...if you're in town when a heat wave rolls in, it can be almost as miserable as muggy central Florida. <BR>BTilke

Re: Bratislava: you might consider a bus rather than train, as the schedules are more convenient. You can find out more at <BR> <BR>www.inyourpocket.com <BR>and <BR> <BR>www.slovakia.org <BR> <BR>

I've been in Budapest several times in the summer -- it *is* hot and humid. I've seen it in the low 90s with the humidity just hanging in the air. That's a good time to take a boat trip on the Danube or the HEV to Szentendre. The big difference you will find, of course, is that there isn't as much air conditioning as you are used to in FL.

Thanks to all of you that responded to my questions. I guess I'll rethink some of the things I throw in my suitcase. We ordered a rail pass so we could have a bit more mobility (just in case we want to venture out o9f the city). <BR>Thanks again! <BR>Giselle

If you are interested in bicycling in the Vienna area, the bicycle paths along the Danube just west of the city are some of the most popular and scenic in Europe. Many of the Danube ferries rent bicycles by the day, at a very reasonable cost. We started in Weissenkirschen, a very tiny and scenic village in the vinyards along the river.

I've cycled in all three cities, and found it convenient, and a weight off my feet for heavy touring. Tramlines needed consideration. Theft too, but no more so than here in London, where I cable my bike to lampposts and other street furniture. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London