We are planning a trip to Prague, Vienna and Budapest over Christmas and probably into New Years . I would love any tips on hotels/apartments, train rides between the cities, Christmas markets like which are best which weeks/days around Christmas. Pretty much anything anyone can offer. We have 2 teens that will be traveling with us a boy and a girl so apartments normally are more feasible for us. We are in Sicily but I know most of the time we can find flights cheaper from Catania to Rome and Rome to our destination. Still tossing around the idea of Germany this year if not next year. Decisions decisions lol
thanks!
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5507 posts
Hotels/apartments - I think that with your family size, an apartment would be the way to go. I use vrbo.com, homeaway.com and trip advisor to make my bookings in apartments. In Vienna, you will want to stay in districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, but it might be a good idea to run your short list by some folks on here to make sure about things.
Train - You will use this link to buy your Prague to Vienna tickets. You will use this link to buy your Vienna to Budapest tickets. If you buy online, in advance for a specific train through these websites, you will save a lot of money.
Christmas Markets - In Vienna (and everywhere), these will close on Dec. 24, so best to come earlier than later if this is important to you. My favorites are the ones at Karlsplatz, Altes AKH, Spittelberg and Schonbrunn Palace. The main one at the Rathaus is best from a distance. I should note that the market at Schonbrunn will run through New Year's and the one at the Rathaus will revive itself at New Year's but not in the same way.
New Year's - In Vienna, there is a huge event in the center of town called the Silvesterpfad, which is literally the New Year's Path. This route is full of stages, music, dancing, food, drinks, etc. On New Year's Day, you must watch the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Day concert live on the big screen at the Rathaus and do the waltz.
As the holidays approach, you will be able to google all of the things I have mentioned for details.
Posted by
OP
51 posts
Thank you so much especially for the train links.
Posted by
2081 posts
Janette,
On this trip, the trains were just trains imo/ime. Its just a way to get from A to B. I chose/bought tickets for the ones that fit my schedule and times i wanted to get up or arrive at B.
I fly solo, so what i like and will accept in terms of lodging will not fit 99% of others on here.
you will love all of 3 cityies. They all have each a different character/charm and things to do/see.
happy trails.
Posted by
pittsburgh
162 posts
Vienna is nice, but a lot of things are closed Christmas Day and the day after. Not sure about the markets there.
Christmas Markets in Prague are open throughout the holiday season. New Years Eve in Prague can be a wild time. People in all the public squares, and of course crowding around the astronomical clock. Locals on the Charles Bridge like to get loaded and shoot off their own fireworks--often at each other :).
I've never been to Budapest and I'm spending Christmas there this year---but I'm getting the train to make sure I'm in Prague for New Years!
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20197 posts
Budapest
We are spending Christmas and New Year in Budapest again this year. Here are some ideas for your trip.
We generally stay in an apartment when in Budapest but this is a good hotel choice. http://www.kkhotels.com/en/hotels/budapest/k-k-hotel-opera/welcome/ nice 19th century building next door to the Opera House and Andrassy ut.
Budapest at Christmas: http://ppcdn.500px.org/4932259/468b7473e2387eb183fd6b5c5c4cf53a91f968d2/5.jpg
Ice Skating at Városligeti Műjégpálya. http://budapest-card.com/files/partners/109.jpg
Bath Houses outside (note the snow) http://guidepal.blob.core.windows.net/inspireimage/inspire103057.jpg or inside a 14th century bath house http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__hpVNPe3HNw/TMMu88ToBfI/AAAAAAAABKI/qiWLg2I5AA4/s1600/WEB+rudas+0.jpg or maybe you prefer classical: http://www.thevandallist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/[email protected] with the dubious history of having been visited by Himmler and Schindler. Even bathhouse party night http://attractions.topbudapest.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Design-Szechenyi-Bath-Sparty-Budapest-Spa-July-27-2013.jpg The Bath house New Year Eve part is strangely on the 30th of December http://szechenyispabaths.com/szechenyi-baths-new-year-bath-party/
![http://www.thevandallist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/[email protected]](http://www.thevandallist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Gellert-Baths-@-Budapest.jpeg){kind=link}
Concerts New Year’s Eve, Before and After
Opera New Year’s Eve Gala Performance; http://www.worldwideticketing.com/images/opera-ballet/hungarian-state-opera/hall.jpg and http://www.opera.hu/en
“Tourist” Concerts http://budapestchristmas.com/budapest-new-years-eve-classical-music-concerts
Liszt Academy (fantastic venue) http://zeneakademia.hu/en/home and http://zeneakademia.hu/en/lisztery/video/-/asset_publisher/fCa86eGLCFdM/content/a-2013-oktober-22-i-unnepelyes-megnyito-gala
Christmas Markets
They run through 31 December in Budapest http://cdn-wac.emirates247.com/polopoly_fs/1.434344.1324785528!/image/744982653.jpg
Shopping in the three story 19th century market hall http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/danperry/Hungary/Budapest/The%20market/1-IMG_3889.jpg
A couple of classic Budapest restaurants for before, during or after:
http://halaszbastya.eu/
http://www.rezkakasbistro.hu/en/
And the holiday lights http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--tIpbcA5HcM/TvDqWvaYXsI/AAAAAAAAAcg/n1SsL9mejgE/s1600/1828771-Christmas_lights_on_Andrassy_Avenue_Budapest.jpg and even the trams http://blog.utazol.hu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Budapest-KAr%C3%A1csonyi-vasar-2013-Zsolt-Andrasi.png and http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f6/0f/ff/f60ffff302046f46a437f676f64b2f4b.jpg
Here is the long list: http://www.budapestbylocals.com/new-years-in-budapest.html#free