How much time should I spend in each, Prague, Budapest and Vienna?

Since all of those are Austria-Hungary cities, you might consider adding a question about that period in Central Europe.

Paul, I am trying to figure out what defines each as unique. Sort of elusive. I know in most cases, if you are freaking in love with Prague, Budapest bores you. Why? Vienna? Well Vienna bores almost everyone.... (just kidding).

Good questions, James.

Good survey questions.

Re: #6...what about 19th century history in each of these cities?

Fred, I'm looking for 3 contrasting answers. If for instance you choose 6 "A" answers and 4 "B" answers and 2 "C" answers you are more inclined to get the most out of Prague and the least out of Vienna. I know, it's a bit of a game. If for no other reason, my questions reflect my personal biases. But with more input it might have a little validity.

I see where you're going. But I don't see obvious ties for some questions. For "beer, wine, cocktails", I see Prague for beer, but which is wine? Budapest? Why is Vienna cocktails?

I think it's a fun idea.

Yea, some of it is a stretch....
If you are a wine lover, Budapest is excellent, but that's not widely known or taken advantage of by tourists. Cocktails? If you arent a wine drinker or a beer drinker, might as well go to Vienna.... Okay, I'll work on that one.

I thought the Arch history question would get more comments. Prague is famous for the really old stuff, but if you are really well versed in Arch history you know there is more significant architecture in Vienna a Budapest.

Paul, I am trying to figure out what defines each as unique.

Prague is Central Europes best preserved big city, with a architectonical heritage you can't find in any other city to the north of the Alps.
Vienna was the capital of a huge, multicultural empire for many centuries, and preserved its traditions and culture like no other city in Central Europe.
Budapest is a dynamic and lively 19th century city, and the Central/Eastern European city that suffered the least under the Communist regime.

Prague 3 nights
Budapest 4 nights
Vienna 3 nights
1) B and C
2) A, B and C
3) C
4) C
5) A, B and C
6) Ancient and A, B and C
7) A
8) B
9) C
10) A and B
11) B
12) used to be A, but now A

Prague is Central Europe's best preserved big city, with a
architectural heritage you can't find in any other city to the north
of the Alps.

"Best Preserved" when describing Prague doesn't describe what defines "Best". It has some of the best restored Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque era architecture in Eastern Europe and the largest UNESCO urban zone; and some really great Art Nouveau. Those areas that most tourists go to see stand more as museums than a functioning reality. That and the crowds staring at it is part of the reason that Prague gets the title Disneyland so often.

Prague has an amazing preserved Jewish district, but almost no Jews. Budapest has fewer "remarkable" Jewish landmarks but a thriving and growing and active Jewish community that creates an atmosphere that is hard to find an equal to. Vienna isnt warm and fuzzy on the subject.

In Budapest you wont find much that predates 1800 for two reasons. First, Pest didn't really exist as much prior to 1800 and what was in Buda was bombed flat by the Russians in the final siege of the city. If you were to define "Best" as remaining fully intact and and functioning as originally intended; then Pest probably stands as the best preserved physical and cultural environment; although its not the best "restored" architecture in Eastern Europe. Budapest because of 50 years of Russian oppression was pretty much held in 1945 until just recently so if you want to experience Hungarian culture as it existed in 1945 you can get a pretty idea by visiting today. Not sure the same can be said of Vienna; Prague, maybe. If you have academic background in Architecture, context and function carries a bit more weight which is why I think an Architect might get more out of Budapest than the other two.

Vienna, doesn't have the Gothic or Renaissance presence, but it probably does have the best restored architecture of the three; and yes, it reeks of Empire and if period novels are your thing, this is the place to be. I would argue the statement that it has the best preserved culture. But again, culture is dynamic and so you have to pick a point in history. Or if "preserved" means it has the most dead stuff under glass, then yes, no place beats the sheer number of museums that Vienna has.

For a student of architecture Vienna and Budapest all offer Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Secession (a Vienna creation) and Bahaus Architecture in equal doses. In Vienna and Prague probably better restored, in Budapest probably more functionally intact. In a lot of ways the academic value of these far exceeds that of Gothic or Renaissance; but you gotta sort of study it to understand why.

Point is, there are no Bests. Just differences and those differences will talk differently to different people.

This is awesome! Thanks for posting it. I was contemplating a question about horses but in Vienna that's seasonal and in Hungary you need to go outside Budapest so there want that idea. Bookmarking for when I eventually get to this part of the world.

Very clever, James. I enjoyed playing the game!

Here is one sure to start an argument.
You are a:
A. Democrat
B. Republican
C. Independent

None of the questions by themselves would mean anything but with enough I think a trend could be established...

But again, culture is dynamic and so you have to pick a point in
history. Or if "preserved" means it has the most dead stuff under
glass, then yes, no place beats the sheer number of museums that
Vienna has.

You mean, apart from shoemakers, tailors, confectioners etc. who already served the Imperial court, and still exist today, the coffeehouse and Heuriger culture, the Viennese cuisine, some of the most important theatres and opera houses of the German-speaking world, the modern art scene around the Museumsquartier, the strange connection of the Viennese with death...

yes, exactly

I scored Prague highest, with Vienna and BP tied for second place. I discounted question 10 as I don't agree with the criteria. I've used public trans in each and have equal feelings about all of them; they are all convenient, relatively inexpensive, understandable, and you get to ride with the locals.

Edited to add: Although of all 3, I feel most affinity for Vienna.

To me, 3 days in Prague was sufficient. I enjoyed Vienna but 2 days is enough. I only had one day in Budapest and would have like another couple. It’s sights seemed a little more spread out.