My wife and I are planning our first trip to Prague,Vienna and Budapest this May. Fortunately our air to and from Europe is free (frequent flyer) and I have numerous free hotel points to use (Holiday Inns, Marriotts). We could use some advice concerning planning, must sites to see, etc.<BR>We can't wait to get your feedback.

I have just returned from a tour of Austria. We arrived in Vienna on the 28th of December and returned the 9th of January. (Yes we waltzed down the Inner Strat at midnight to the Blue Danube, along with hundreds of thousands more people, beautiful.) Depending if you are planning to tour the city then a pension or "family house" is the ticket. These older buildings have character and they do have long term residents and those who rent the lower levels for offices and shop fronts. Almost everywhere they serve a "continental breakfast" consisting of alot of sliced meats, cheese, breads, jams, cereal, yoghurt, etc. No bacon and eggs unless you are looking for an American breakfast at a local restaurant. A site that will forever stay with me was the site of St. Stephans Catheral lite up at night as I walked up Grabenplatz(?) to Karnetstrasse(?) and turned the corner-absolutely breathtaking. A must see in Vienna are the palaces of the Hapsburgs, oppulance of the churches, the Lippizaner horses, the boys choir (if they are not on tour), Musikverin for a concert, State Opera house for an evening to remember. Tour the gold/silver collections-two different venues. Not to miss the Upper Belvedere Palace for the amazing collection of Rubens, Rembrants, Titans, etc.- definitely a full days worth on this and the Lower Belvedere (which is like a natural museum of history, so I passed on this one). On the lower level is the collection of Egyptian antiquities-and don't forget to look at the palace itself-perhaps from the coffee shop on the second level-stunning! We missed a visit to Schloss Schrobrunn (apparently a smaller version of Versailles and a must see). We also travelled to Salzburg for 3 days(quite medival)and Graz(for 2 days very scenic). Note, the dining experience for the average consumer $75/100 US for supper is less than mediocre. Lots of beef, pork, lamb, sausage, potato salad, no greens or salads to speak of-I was very disappointed. The cafe's coffee, chocolate and pastry are excellent, but some are touristy. Very few people cue in line (anywhere), don't be surprised if someone sits with you without asking pulls out a cigarette and smokes. Smoking is desperate even if you are a smoker. If you want to take something unusual home in a viennese coffee or pumpkin oil stop at Julius Meinl looks like a Hagan Daz parlor or coffee house on the street but a beautiful food emporium past the coffee shop. Enjoy-maybe write after your trip. I will need information on Prague and Budapest as I will be travelling there next year. Oh, pick up Michelin's Green Travel Guide for Austria - quite good.

I lived in Budapest for a year and spent frequent weekends in Prague. If you have Marriott points you are in luck because the Marriott in Budapest is nice, overlooks the Danube, is centrally located and it is a very nice hotel with a friendly bar. Also on Sundays they have the most amazing champagne brunch. Fixed prix...a total steal and the food was so yummy! If you go during the spring or summer dining on the patio is a real treat! You will also be within walking distance of many key areas Vaci ut, The Danube, Chain Bridge - you can hop across and go to the Castle District. I loved the National Museum of Art and there are a lot of cute cafes in the area. In Prague I used stayed at a private hotel the Hotel Movenpick so I can't help you there. Prague just walk and enjoy...my fav is to always cross the Charles Bridge the last thing before I went to my hotel every evening. What a wonderful time. Vienna I was only in for a few days...cafes are fun and the main I think its called somthing platz was lively, loud, young and fun. Enjoy!!! Fodors has great books on all of the cities. I highly recommend them.

In Budapest, take a bus ride to the Szoborpark, an outdoor museum of gigantic statues from the Communist era. It's great. You should try the baths at the Gellert Hotel, but don't go for their basic massage as it's brutal. Take the chairlift to the top of Janos Hegy for the views. Musts include: Heroes Square, the Castle (Var) District, the old grand cafes like the Muvesz across from the Opera house on Andrassy ut, and check if the ballet of Romeo and Juliet is on at the Opera house as it is magical. I lived there for four years, so if you want more detailed information just post another message here and I'll try to get back to you. May is a prime time to go. Oh...the ice cream's lovely! Try the Jegbufe on the Pest side, near the Erzsebet Bridge.

lol @ cass for the brutal massage. I recommend getting a "massage" and a bath house, I still laugh when I think of the experience. Never had a naked massage with baby powder before! What the heck, it's cheap and worth the experience. Have fun Charlie and Mrs. Charlie!