Whoops, so much for editing skills...have a great time in Budapest.

To Michael - Thanks for your reply about "Organic Architecture". Sent an e-mail to you since you have offered it.

OK, one more Budapest question, have any of you tried the Gellert Baths?
The art nouveau interior looks very interesting but I am worried about walking around lost and confused.

I tried the Gellert Baths, and spent much of my time lost and confused. But I enjoyed it anyway. Why worry? It's an interesting way to pass an hour or two, and the building is worth seeing. It is a bit shabbier than you might expect, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the visit.

Since the title was not restrictive to ART museums, I suggest the Ethnography Musem, across the street to the NE from the parliament. We found it very interesting, well prepared exhibits of the historic culture, clothing, and living conditions of the Hungarian people. Dozens of different folk costume/clothing types. Mid-19th century photos of peasant farm workers (would these have bee serfs?).
I posted this mostly for the benefit of future viewers, who might click the link in search of NON-ART museums.

Tomboy, I have seen a lot of feedback concerning the Ethnography Musem on different sites. I might try to see it after our tour of the Parliament. Did you get a chance to see the Museum of Applied Arts? I E-mailed them to see if all of the museum will be open for our visit.

There's a Tiffany and Galle glass exhibit at the Applied Arts Museum (until November).

Saw the Tiffany-Galle exhibit at the Museum of Applied Arts. No too excited about it and I love their designs. Really went for the Eszterhazy exhibit, which was closed for two days while we were there and, of course, that's the time we went.

I spent 4 wonderful days in Budapest last summer. The only museum we went to was the Terror Museum. It was very meaningful to me since my parents fled Hungary during the Communist regime.

We went to the Széchenyi Thermal Bath instead of the Gellert. If you go to this one use the front entrance. There are more treatments offered there than if you go in the side ones. It is a GORGEOUS place and the towel attendants are absolutely wonderful.

I only had trouble with the language once on the metro. If you only know a couple words you'll get smiles and lots of laughs. Such as: thank you= ka-sa-num; please= kay-rem; good= yo, or es yo.

If you're there on a weekend the Chain Bridge is closed to traffic and there are bands and other talent at each end, along with GREAT food. Lots of fun.

Try one of the boat restaurants docked on the river. Also, St. Stephen's Basilica is absolutely stunning. It looks to hold the wealth of Hungary within it's wall.

I hope you have a GREAT time.

I suggest the Szechenyi Baths instead of the Gellert Baths. More options and lots more pools. Szechenyi has about 6 indoors and 3 or 4 outdoors.

The museum up in the castle district. National Gallery, has an amazing HU painter. Tividar Csontvary. Some of his works a little unique, but my favorite.

Definatley the House of Terror. If time allows, check out Szobor Park (Statue Park) on the outskirts of the city. All the communist era statues where placed here.

The language is very unique similar to Finnish. It is difficult. I have spoken it since I can remember (both parents are from there, and visited many times). English is now taught in pre-schools. As mentioned above definately look to the younger crowd for help.

Enjoy your trip.

Shangrila, do you know how to reach Statue Park? I know alot of visitors recommend going there.

HI, I'm not Shangrila but from what I remember about going to Statue Park (came back from Budapest 2 weeks ago):

At Batthyany Ter (on Buda side, which is the side we stayed on), take tram 19 to Etele Ter. This is the last stop. Then change for the yellow bus "Voltan" to Diosd-Erd. At Etele ter you need to buy tickets to get on the Voltan bus. We had the usual Metro pass but that only paid for the tram part of the trip.

Note: When get to Etele ter - you need to walk a couple of blocks to get to the ticket office for the Voltan bus.

hi, inmiami,

WE liked the museum of fine arts up by the szecheyi baths [especially as it was new year and we were very cold and it was warm!] we looked at the baths but didn't go in as we'd forgotten our cossies and were feeling too poor to rent.

there are some very funny instructions in a sort of english and lots of attendants.

On the way back down andrassy ut, do make time for the liszt house [on the right as you are going back into budapest]. THe exhibits are not terribly well liad-out or explained, but I was blown away by being able to see Beethoven's actual piano. It was left to Liszt after Beethoven's death, and it's tiny!

We liked the museum up by the castle too.

regards, ann

Kenav, now I am picturing myself wandering around the outskirts of Prague with a lost expression and fumbling for my translation book. Did you think statue park was worth the effort?

INMiami -

it's worth it depending on what interests you. This is definitely Communist art.

Having these gigantic statues all in a bare park was very interesting for us. Some of them are quite astonishing. Well done. It won't take too long to go through it - about an hour. It's part of their history, so we thought it was worth it.

Don't worry about getting lost in the outskirts of Prague - this is in the outskirts of Budapest!!

I didn't see any mention of the Holocaust Museum. Is it worth a visit?

In my planning of our Budapest-Vienna-Prague trip I am not sure where I am!

The Meseum of Terror Hungarian National Museum are my 2 favorits. As for the baths I thought the Gellert baths were a little run down the Rudas and Szechenyi are much better. If your looking for a place to stay the Carlton Hotel is very nice.

Mcaputo, I had a reservation at the Carlton but switched to the K+K Hotel Opera for 20E more per night. I thought it might be a more central location. I will try your two museum suggestions, thanks.

The Jewish Museum is on the second floor of the attached building to the Great Synagogue.

In the synagogue's courtyard, the world famous Holocaust Memorial is something unique..a weeping willow with metal branches and leaves. The courtyard was once boarded up and used as a holding pen for the deportees, waiting for trains to transport them to the death camps. Raoul Wallenberg, a young Swedish diplomat, in a very heroic stance, saved tens of thousands with false papers, placing many of them in "safe houses" flying the neutral Swedish flag (yellow cross on field of blue) and held there until the Russians finally occupied the city in January '45. Wallenberg was last seen entering a Soviet staff car, never to be heard from or seen again.

Although more than 500,000 Hungarian Jews perished during the Holocaust, there are 80,000 Jews remaining in Budapest, forming a very vibrant community. This museum is certainly not only for Jews..it is open to all those who cherish their freedom and want to see the remnant photos and articles representing history's darkest hour.

Stu T.

p.s. The "tree" was commissioned by actor Tony Curtis in memory of his father, Emmanuel Schwartz, a Hungarian Jew.