Doing a 2 week trip to Prague, Vienna, Budapest. Looking for suggestions for unique places to see/stay while there. What is good, what is un-spoiled, and what is a waste of time... <BR> <BR>Any and all suggestions welcome..Thanks <BR>Patrick

Patrick, <BR> <BR>I am a "regular" (translation: addict) here, and I am trying to put together a small group trip to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Vienna as well as some of southern Poland for July/August; target 10 people or so - - currently have 4, 5 or maybe 7. More info in the message "small group ...Eastern europe... fodorites welcome" - - which I will move to the top as soon as I post this. <BR> <BR>Hope you will write me directly for more info. <BR> <BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio

I think this place in Budapest sounds unique! We just booked three nights there for $108/night with breakfast. <BR> <BR>Kulturinov I, Szentháromság tér 6 <BR>Budapest H-1014 <BR>Hungary <BR> <BR>tel.: 1-355-0122, 1-375-1651 <BR>fax: 1-375-1886 <BR> <BR>The last time I was in Budapest we stayed in a charming hotel called Kulturinov. The hotel is part of a 1902 neo-Baroque castle. It is truly beautiful from the outside and it is in the middle of one of the most beautiful parts of the city-the Castle District. The rooms inside are rather plain and basic, but clean. For the price, it's a great bargain. I recommend it highly. It is very quaint and quite a bargain for the location considering it is across the Budapest Hilton which runs more. Have fun! You'll have a great time, I'm envious. Here's the address if you want to try it out. Make sure you call ahead for reservations, the hotel books very quickly. <BR> <BR>One wing of a magnificent 1902 neo-Baroque castle now houses basic budget accommodations. Rooms come with two or three beds and are clean and delightfully peaceful; they have showers but no tubs. The neighborhood--one of Budapest's most famous squares in the luxurious castle district--is magical. AE, DC, MC, V. 16 rooms. Restaurant/Food, Business Services <BR> <BR>This is the guest house of the Hungarian Culture Foundation, a foundation dedicated to forging ties with ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries. Although it is open to the public, few travelers seem to know about it. There are three reasons to stay here: location, location, location. Hotel Kulturinnov is right in the middle of Buda's lovely Castle District; your only other accommodation choice up here is the Hilton, at four or five times the cost. Rooms at the guest house are clean and simple. Each room is equipped with a refrigerator. The hotel is located directly across the street from Matthias Church and the Plague Column, but the entrance is unassuming and practically unmarked. Go through the iron grille gateway and pass through an exhibition hall, continuing up the grandiose red-carpeted staircase to the right. <BR>

The Hilton was $28 more per night for the executive floor including breafast...room service, or dining room. I highly recommend their Dominican restaurant for excellent Hungarian Wines and food. Great view of the Chair Bridge. Enjoy Budapest.

CHAIN bridge....Typo....sorry.

Patrick <BR>We hit all 3 last fall. Favorites as follows: <BR>Prague - Stayed at the Cloister Inn, secure parking clean, great central location, we walked everywhere (Charles bridge, Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Wenselas squale, and Castle). It is hard to pick a favorite there are all great, perhaps the best was sitting in outdoor cafes, people watching and observing the scenery. Also, a walk down to the river at night to see the castle on the other side lit. It was gorgeous, I think we did it at least twice. <BR>Budapest - Stayed at the Kulturinov last fall it was $85 + parking and the Hilton then was $163 (alot may depend on the time of year). We did visit the small casino in the Hilton, interesting differences in Black Jack, my sister in law (who does speak hungarian) musceled (spelling) in on what appeared to be Russian Heavies, it was interesting. Favorite do was a night time Danube cruise. The city was lovely, the earphones dialed to your language and the video monitors augmented the visual cites on shore. Also if it is open, the tour of the caves in Buda where the city hid during the bombing and the Nazis used during the war. Pest was okay but did not have the quaint old world feel of Buda. <BR>Vienna - Schoenbrun was wonderful. Take time and enjoy (we liked it better than Versailles) then skiped the Hapsburg in town except for the Treasury. A good city tour is to catch the bus that circles the ring. Tour of the opera and a torte at Sacher around the corner of the opera while waiting was also enjoyable. <BR>Have a great trip.

I am still rather focused on trying to make this "open invitation to all Fodorites" trip to CR/PL/H/A work for late July/early August. <BR> <BR>My experience tells me that you (Mary Ann) may have gotten various friends, family or acquaintances interested in seeing this corner of Europe. <BR> <BR>May I write to you directly? (requesting your permission in lieu of simply "spamming" ahead). <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> <BR>Rex