Bookmarking as, I too, am going to Budapest and Prague in May. It sounds like it might be very crowded! Some great suggestions.

Prague. The Church of St Cyril and Methodicus.
This is where the assassins of Heydrich were finally trapped and.....
Well the story is well told in the film Operation Daybreak. There is a small museum and the crypt is just like it was when it all happened. A very good outing for a half day trip in Prague.

A cup of coffee at the Bellavista Restaurant in the Strahovský Cloister overlooking the top of Prague Castle (and everything else). I have never enjoyed a view like it anywhere. The monastary itself is worth a look too(especially the libray). Fortunately, we hit it at 3:00 pm when it was empty and had a choice of tables without having to get dinner (which looked sublime but pricey as can be).

Thanks to everyone who has shared so far. These are great! Your memories are adding fuel to my anticipation of my trip. Keep them coming!

My favourite has to be Prague Castle at dusk in the winter time. It is truly breathtaking.

Hardly a hidden gem, but it really is "magical"

Also drinking very strong Czech beer, with a couple of students in a small pub not far from the bus station....aaah that takes me back

In Prague- St Vitus Cathedral. I'm not an overly religious person but when I walked into the sanctuary, with the sun shining through the upper windows, I felt as if I was in the presence of God. Also, walking along Kampa Island just after a rain shower. It was so fresh and green.

In Budapest: Coming across the decorated cows that were scattered about the city last summer. You never knew where you'd find one and it was just fun. Walking down the middle of the street going over the Chain Bridge. It's closed to vehicular traffic on the weekends. We had stopped to take in the night lights around the Fisherman's Bastion and St Matyas when I noticed the cloud formations over the church. Quite heavenly. Finally, coming across a tiny old lady selling her crocheted doilies and embroidery while we strolled through Városliget Park. She was so sweet.

How odd, I just looked at the Faust Wine Celler website that you provided, Joe, and all I can say is, I was just there a year and a half ago, and between the Austrians and myself and the college dude in jeans who was pouring wine, there was nobody in a white jacket, or dressed to the nines-perhaps they've decided to spiff it up a bit? However, there is no way I would go formally dressed to that place-that's nutty-it's too small, and like I said, it's a 13th century monastery cell, with benches-very tiny-why would one get formally dressed for that place-that makes me laugh!

I can tell you that if I make a faux pas it would not be the first time, especially while traveling. I'll go casual and see how things go and report back. Thanks for the suggestion.

Prague:
-Malostranske Namesti and the view from the top of Nerudova.
-Walking the streets of Stare Mesto early in the morning (before all the other tourists get in the way)
-Staropramen

Budapest:
-Daytrip to Szentendre!
-Coffee at Ruszwurm
-The cupola of the Saint Stephen's Basilica
-Chain bridge at night
-Szechenyi baths
-The gardens on Margit-sziget.

Vienna:
Never been to Vienna, but I love Bratislava, so...
-Daytrip to Bratislava

In Vienna, it was special for me to see the legendary Lippizzaners performing in their amazingly beautiful winter arena. Something I'd wanted to see since I was a pre-teen. It lived up to all expectations. We also toured the stables, to see behind the scenes.
:)>-

Budapest...Eastern Europe's version of the city of lights.

Of course there is nothing that compares to the Lanc Hid (Chain Bridge) lit up at night. Just standing and admiring what a beautiful city my parents once called home.

Szent Endre- take the green Hev. An artists community along the banks of the Danube. Quaint and charming.

The elderly people. The expression on their faces, you can see the years of hardship and the years of happiness all rolled up into one in their smiles, and their giving nature. Get to the country side for a real experience in kindness. It is a city/country of beauty.

Enjoy :>

bookmarking

Great thread!

We're headed to those cities soon as well...just trying to decide whether to do Budapest before Prague, or save it for last. Any thoughts? (We're flying in/out of Vienna...)

do budapest before prague

In Budapest, sitting at the outdoor restaurant/bar at the Hotel Gellert and looking over the river and the city on a warm evening with strolling musicians serenading.

Vienna: Enjoying a wonderful sausage at the "Würstelstand" sausage stand with a great beer and just watch the people and actions around me. Hillarious!

Prague: Sitting at the train station, waiting for a train and listening to the announcers. One of the nicest never ending melodies I've ever heard.

Enjoy and then let us know what YOUR magical experiences were.

KarinMarina, WHICH Prague train station did you find magical? I've been in both and am trying to imagine the scene.

Budapest:

Aimlessly walking around on our first day, enjoying the beauty of the city and marvelling that we were in Budapest.

The beautiful views of the Danube from Fisherman's Bastion, both by day and night.

An unexpectedly delicious pizza and local brewed beer at the Cafe Korona on our last day in Budapest (my sister was hankering for something other than traditional fare by this point, although I couldn't get enough of it.)

Strolling around Fisherman's Bastion one evening and being stopped by a couple young local boys (10-12yo?) who wanted to practice their English and chat about Canada (where we're from).

Being inside St Stephen's Basilica when it was aglow with the sunlight streaming in the windows. The natural lighting in this building is amazing.

The Holy Right Relic - most of the folks we saw simply glanced and moved along (perhaps more used to mummified artifacts than we were), so when we stopped to ask about the relic, the guard seemed genuinely thrilled to explain its significance and history. His enthusiasm and warmth made it a special experience.

A ballet gala at the Opera House. The performance itself was magical and wow, were we overwhelmed with the grandeur of the building! It was our first visit to a true opera house (we have theatre and symphony in our home city but no opera) so had not seen such opulence in a performance hall.

All fabulous cities, especially Prague and Budapest.
Take time to go to a classical music concert in a church.It is a great way to relax and sit after a long day on your feet, listening to great music in a magical setting.
We also loved the Spoons restaurant..went there for coffee and dessert and drank in the view of the castle and the bridge. It is a floating restaurant moored on the Danube.
Saturday concert at the Liszt museum in Budapest..
Dinner at a Rathaus near St.Stephens ina quiet courtyard in Vienna.
The incredibly moving story of the Czech patriots who assassinated Reinhardt Heydrich at the Church
of St.Cyril in Prague.
Attending a Dvorak concert at the Opera House in Prague.
And in every city ducking into a cozy cafe for a late afternoon pick me up of cappuchino and local pastry to regroup and just watch the locals.
Enjoy... there are so many little moments that make a trip memorable.

Yes, as was said, in these three locations touristy things (like touring castles, sipping coffee, attending concerts, strolling streets) are just fine. And in each city you can indeed walk or take public transportation.

Last poster speaks of concerts in churches and restaurants...and others have mentioned trips to nearby places.
As to this, I'd recommend out of Prague Dvorak summer house at Vysoka u Primari and Nosalov village, out of Budapest Danube cruise to Szentendre and Holloko village, out of Vienna Baden spa town.

Yes, to Prague castle & Strahov Monastery, yes to Budapest fine art museum at Hero's Sq., and yes to Vienna opera house with standing room tickets.

ozarksbill
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