Hello,
We are going on a trip in mid February '13 to Prague, Vienna and Budapest. This is actually a part of a 17-day trip (London and Paris are on the front and back ends), but my focus for right now is this piece of it.
Our original plan was to do four nights in each city. We are definitely committed to the order stated above. We're flying into Prague, taking the train to Vienna and flying out of Budapest. However, we've been to Prague before and are wondering if it would be better to do three nights in Prague and add an extra night to either Vienna or Budapest. It seems that Budapest is very affordable, so ideally we'd spend more time there but ultimately we want the extra day where it would be most enjoyable.
My husband and I are in our mid 40's and have traveled to Europe several times. We love to walk around cities, see the architecture, cafes, cathedrals and the people. We like museums to a small extent and a tiny bit of shopping (window mainly) but are not interested in night life. We're tourists so we always like to see the main sites.
I would love to hear recommendations on a possibly better way to break this up (e.g. three in Prague, four in another, etc.) and if you have any other recommendations while we're in these places.
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I like Prague the best of these 3 - but if you have been there before and not to the other two - then I would spend less time there. And while Budapest is fascinating and certainly cheaper than Vienna, Vienna has at least twice as much to see and do as Budapest. (It was the capitol of the AH Empire for centuries and has all of the history associated with it.) Definitely get tickets for the Spanish Riding School performance, see the palaces at Schoenbron and in the city - as well as some of the plethora of wonderful museums. You might also want to take a day trip to see Melk Abbey (not sure if there is a boat option in midwinter - but we did it that way in spring.)
In any case - all are on the Central european plain and while you may get cold, sunny days - you can also get a lot of days that are dreary and possibly substantial snow.
Great input, thanks. Also, thanks for the ideas in Vienna! I have Schoenbron down but need to look into both the Spanish Riding School and Melk Abbey. I've seen these recommended a lot so I need to add them to our list and look up the logistics.
toriacat - i too would add the time to Vienna. So many museums, cafes, palaces, and galleries to see, plus the Prater, Melk, the Heurige [vinyards that offer their own wines often with very nice food] etc. etc.
BTW, do you know that you can buy a combined ticket for the Hofburg [the palace in the centre of town] and the Schönbrunn? it's called the sissi ticket and if you buy it at the ?Hofburg [where the queues seem to be shorter] it gives you immediate access to the whole of the interior of the Schönnbrun without queuing.
have a great trip!
annhig, thanks! I appreciate your input and thanks so much for the info on the ticket. I'm adding to my notes right now. We are definitely leaning toward the extra night in Vienna.
toriacat, the ticket also includes the furniture repository, i think, which sounds weird, but honestly it was fascinating to see all the different styles of furniture that the royal families accumulated; nothing for a special journey but if you've got the odd hour and are in the area it's worth popping in.
at the Schönbrunn they offer several levels of ticket which each give increasing access to the palace; the Sissi ticket [named after the Empress Sissi] lets you into the whole palace so it's well worth it.
I'm sure you'll have a lovely time - we loved Vienna. As soon as you have your dates, if you are hoping to go to the Staatsoper or Musikverein, get booking.
We liked this B&B in Budapest:
http://www.bellevuebudapest.com/index.php?lang=en&faz=1&aaz=0
Given your experience I think I'd try and get more time in Hungary and visit either Eger or Tokaji (for a wine tasting or two) by train. Another option is to consider enjoying the many spas in the area of which the cave spa in Miscolc is a real blast.
Budapest itself should give you 4 to 5 days entertainment
Michael, thanks for the B&B info. Will check it out, especially since we have no idea yet where we're staying.
bilboburgler, thanks for the additional Hungry ideas!
annhig, I just read a trip report from yk on Vienna and Budapest and it was fun to see your excitement for your Vienna trip.