Prague and Budapest

Hi Joy: My husband and I spent 4 days in Prague last year. We used Rick's book and hit almost all of the sites. I would follow his advice about time of day to visit various things (especially Castle quarter). A few things we liked were : Petrin Park (there is a tower you can climb at the top of the park amazing views of the city) Kempa Park Group Restaurants (we got sick of "typical" cuisine really quickly and these restaurants were our saving grace not inexpensive, but great meals we went to one on the water and a french bistro called La Provence). Walking Around so much of the city is about the architecture, just walk around and soak it all in. Stay away from crowds!! The major touristy areas are clogged, so get in and get out quickly. Bus Trip to Cesky Krumlov we took Student Agency there and back in one day and LOVED it. A tip about restaurants anything that is on your table you're going to pay for. We sat down at a bar with pretzels on every table and sure enough, they ended up on our bill. It's okay to ask them to take things away, or decline bread if you don't want it. If you want it and eat it expect to see it on the bill. ESPECIALLY anywhere that is near tourist areas. Enjoy it we loved it there!

Concering Budapest here's a suggested itinerary that fits into 3 days: Day 1: Explore the world heritage site Andrassy Boulevard and neighborhood: start out from St. István Bazilika (Saint Stephan's Cathedral) definetly go up to the tower of it coz the it's the best lookout point on the Pest side then head to "Bajcsy Zsilinsky út" metro stop and Walk along Andrássy Boulevard. On your left will be the National Opera house which has guided tours at 3:30 and 4:30 PM. You can stop on Liszt Ferenc Tér, Budapest's main café square to have a drink then continue to Andrássy út 60 to explore the House of Terror Museum (the best museum in my opinion of Budapest, describing in detail the communist era in Hungary, taking an audio guide is very useful). Continue to towards the City Park. The entrance of City Park is called Hero's square (built in 1896 for the 1000th annisversary of the Hungarian tribes settling down) There -if you like art- can visit the Museum of fine arts and just opposite the M?csarnok (exhibition hall for contemporary art). Then head to visit the park there you can find the zoo (which has fantastic art nouveau buildings), Amusement Park, Circus, Széchenyi Bath House which is my favorite bath house in Bp (you need atleast 2-3 hours there to try out the different pools).It's the biggest and most beautiful. Also don't miss Vajdahunyad Castle which is built in various different styles all representing a different castle from ancient Hungary. to be continued...

You can head then head to Paprika restaurant for some excellent Hungarian food served in huge portions (Dózsa György Street 72.). Later take the yellow metro (historical line, the first in Continetal Europe) to Oktogon. There head into "Erzsébetváros" the jewish district of Bp. famous streets like Dohány, Wesselényi, Klauzál Square, Rumbach Sebestyén, etc. Finish the day off at the Great Synagouge in Dohány street and head for a drink in a ruin pub in the area llike Szimpla Kert in Kazinczy street Day 2: Explore the down town and Margaret Island. Top sites in the city centre are: The House of Parliament (only possible to visit with a guided tour, but they have tours in English at 10, 12 and 2 PM costs about 2500 Forints (9 Euros). A stroll along the Embankment along it: Chain Bridge, the Academy of Science, the Redoute, Szabadság Bridge. Then a short hop from there is the main walking and shopping street, Váci utca. At one end of it is the central markethall. At the other end is Vörösmarty Square, and the famous Gerbeaud Coffee House (expensive but really excellent cakes). Then head back North to Margaret Island. Discover the Park (best with a bike) (especially the Northern part has nice areas like the Fountain playing music, Japanese Garden, etc.). In the evening have dinner in "Újlipótváros" which is begins at the Pest side of Margaret Bridge in either "Pozsonyi Étterem" in Radnóti Miklós utca 38. or Firkász (slightly more pricy) in Tátra Utca 18.

Day 3: The Buda side (2 important hills to explore). Start out in the Castle District (oldest part of the city) there the highlights are Mathias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, The Royal Palace. But the whole area is amazing with really old houses. It's more original than Prague Castle because it's bigger and it's an activlely lived part of the city. Then head down towards the Danube and explore "Víziváros". You can check out Rudas Bath House which is a 500 year old Turkish bath which was been nicely renovated in the inside recently. Try to schedule the second hill: Gellért Hill for late afternoon around dusk. This hill is quite high an offers an exceptional view of the city (it's particulary nice at sunset and after when the city's lighting system comes into life). Finish your day off with a good meal in Ráday utca (huge variety with about 40 restaurants). Enjoy!

Budapesting has it down. We rented an apartment from him when we were there, very convenient and a washer/dryer and full kitchen were great. We enjoyed the restaurants RS recommended especially 'Soul Kitchen" where we dined twice. They offer lots of variety but some of the pork and duck dishes were particulary delish. They had English speaking waiter/waitresses and called a taxi to take us to the hotel when we were too tired and too full to walk. They have a website you can google and are in RS' recommended restaurant part of town not far from Astoria hotel sub stop.
Also the Baths were an experience and enjoyable as a vacation from your vacation afternoon. Always have someone call a cab for you if you arent walking or taking the sub. We thought the locals were very friendly and had a good time there; I liked it better than Prague.