Prague / Budapest

[Syv]

Any tips on great deals / shopping / foods to try / adventures in these areas? Heading on a coach tour - Munich to Prague, across Slovakia, to Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg December 30 - January 8.

Thanks all.

[Quebec Gen]

Sounds like a great adventure! I've never been there, but if were to go through Vienna, I'd definitely try to attend a concert at the Wiener Staatsoper or at least visit the building. The Opera House opened in 1869 with a representation of Don Giovanni by Mozart. It is a chef d'oeuvre of Renaissance architecture and one of the most celebrated opera house in the world. Unfortunately, parts of the buldings were damaged during WWII but they apparently did a pretty good job of rebuilding the damaged parts.

Have a good trip!
Gen

[Robert Schaller]

I only wish I was an expert on that corner of the world! Be sure to tell us all about it when you return (please!).

[Syv]

Okay - I'll post a trip report when I get back. Countdown is on now. Leaving on the 30th Dec.

I've been in Vienna in the summer several years ago. We took a brief tour of the opera house and were told we could return that evening for "free" !!! The opera runs just about nightly all season. Opera is so popular there, that there are metal rails (yes like a hand rail only with no wall support behind it) at waist height (or think a tad bit lower...) for several rows in the back for the folks to stand & lean on the railing for the entire opera - but hey, it's a free "seat".

[Mark Sedenquist]

Okay - I'll post a trip report when I get back. Countdown is on now. Leaving on the 30th Dec.

Syv, have a wonderful trip!

Mark

[LA Native]

I've been to Prague and Vienna, and I loved it. They're both great cities, personally I liked Prague more just because it's more "classic" looking. I've heard that Budapest is like a prague from 15-20 years ago, before it became a popular tourist spot. Have fun.

[duruduru]

Prague is the best! There are not many places in the world, about which I can say I love them. I have to confess, that Prague is ONE of those. I have been living in Prague for 3 years now. It is very special city, capital like no other. I am very lucky I can study here, that I didn't just come like tourist who can stay in Prague hotel just for several days. This is city for students, that doesn’t miss anything including perfect universities with cool campus, parks, bars, dorms, where I can live.

[sector9]

Any tips on great deals / shopping / foods to try / adventures in these areas? Heading on a coach tour - Munich to Prague, across Slovakia, to Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg December 30 - January 8.

Thanks all.

Here are the things that stand out from the cities I have visited:

Munich: BMW Museum, Dashau Concentration Camp, Bayern Munich Football Stadium, Beer Gardens, Standing wave surfers.

Prague: Charles Bridge, Communist Museum, Absinthe at 70%, Bohemia Bagels restaurant

Bratislava: The Blue Church, Bratislava Castle, $.28 pints of beer in supermarkets

Budpaest: The thermal baths, the Citadel, the Parliament, the Synagogue



*Hope that helps and yes we did all of this by car, starting from France.

Almost 5000 kilometers in three weeks.

[ChipButty]

Two great cities, Budapest is one place I'd revisit tomorrow although Prague is more aesthetically pleasing.
In Budapest do visit the Gellert thermal baths Have lunch upstairs in the central market hall with the locals, walk down to St Stephens Basilica. Visit the House of Terror, take the funicular up to the castle and admire the views.
Have fun!