[tandum]

Planning a trip in Sept. Staying about 4 days. Any suggestions on what to see and do.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by tandum

Planning a trip in Sept. Staying about 4 days. Any suggestions on what to see and do.

Budapest is wonderful and there is so much to see, but I think you might need a local guide if you can find one. It is a country that has been occupied by the nazi's and then the Russians and you really need someone who knows the local history to help you understand what you are seeing. For instance, along the banks of the Danube right in the city you will see tiny pairs of bronze shoes, these are to commemorate the jews that were killed by the nazi's when Hungary was being liberated by the Americans - the nazi's lined up all the jews on the river bank and shot them into the Danube. It is a dreadful story, but you need to hear it from a local guide.

It is the one country where the horrors of WW2 and the Russian occupation were brought home to us in full force.

The food is wonderful, the desserts are to die for, and the cost of living is cheap and the people are wonderful and love Americans, I bought more stuff there than I care to admit.

[SMills]

I was in Budapest three years ago and ran into a problem with the currency, I had Euros they were using their local currency. This problem may have resolved itself by now but I would check with your tour company before departing. There are ATMs in the better hotels, the cities are beautiful. Enjoy your trip. Check with the Budapest Visitor's Bureau for a local tour guide. Hope this helps.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by SMills

I was in Budapest three years ago and ran into a problem with the currency, I had Euros they were using their local currency. This problem may have resolved itself by now but I would check with your tour company before departing. There are ATMs in the better hotels, the cities are beautiful. Enjoy your trip. Check with the Budapest Visitor's Bureau for a local tour guide. Hope this helps.

They are not part of the European Union so they are not able to trade in the Euro. They still have their own money. There are plenty of change bureaus in the City, but only change just enough to get you through your trip because their money is worthless anywhere else. We have a 1,000 note left which is worth about $4.00. Don't leave with any money, there are plenty of very old people begging in the streets, it's a very poor country.

[buggyone]

Great wines. Be sure to try the Hungarian Tokai wine. It is a sweet dessert wine.

They love goose liver there. Sometime, try the beef with goose liver pate on top. Delicious!!

[salpal]

Some of the best food I have ever had was in Budapest....loved it so much, I bought a Hungarian cookbook and learned why the food was so delicious. Almost everything was made with lard....sometimes you just have to live it up, I suggest live it up and enjoy.

Use your credit card as much as possible, as previously pointed out, local money is worthless. If you must get cash go to an atm (better rates) and pull out what you think you will need in local money. Take someone with you to atm, it is a very poor country, lots of pickpockets, etc.

I still remember seeing the bullet holes in the buildings left over from WW-2. The views along the river are spectacular, which you will see on any kind of tourist tour.

[swrinfla]

Agree with previous posts. A wonderful city with much to see. Our hotel provided us with a very knowlegeable guide for a "behind-the-scenes" driver/guide - sadly, his English was severely challenged!

SWR

[Cincinnatus]

Hello
We had a great visit there
Must do For dinner, great food great music-
Rose Restaurant, 24 Akacfa St.
Check to go when Billy Farkas & friends are playing music
For lunch go to the giant flea market seems like it is in an old train station
Many vendors with authentic crafts & food
Hope you enjoy Budapest as much as we did
Safe travels

[Zipcat]

We were in Budapest last September, what a beautiful and interesting city. The advice to get a guide is a good one.

I had Forints for our stay, but found that just about everywhere ,Euros were accepted.

Have a great time, you will love Budapest .