We are visiting Budapest in a few weeks and once done there have about 4 days to play with. "We" includes myself, husband, one year old and mother. I am wondering which of the above we should spend those days seeing. I would prefer to go there for the whole 4 days and relax for the most part. We are in our mid thirties and my mom is along to babysit. We are most interested in wineries, thermal baths, castles and nature, opposed to museums and city stuff. I understand Vienna is a city but we were thinking if we choose there we would take a day trip to see Salzburg which looks absolutely beautiful. I'm thinking maybe there is even somewhere to stay outside Vienna that would give us the opportunity to relax, catch a winery, Vienna for a day, and Salzburg. I should mention we are flying back to Canada from Budapest so much make it back there in those 4 days. Oh, and if anyone has any suggestions on accommodations as well, that would be appreciated! Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Toronto, ON, Canada
44 posts
Oh, and we would prefer to travel by train as I believe this would be fastest/easiest with a baby who likes to move around a lot.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17911 posts
What time of year? How do you feel about heat or cold?
Posted by
OP
Toronto, ON, Canada
44 posts
Visiting very beginning of July. Prefer weather that is about 20-25 Celsius but will deal with whatever, as long as where we're going is beautiful! :)
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17911 posts
Balaton might be a bit warm for you and July/August is the high season so expect a lot of people. https://www.worldweatheronline.com/balaton-weather-averages/bekes/hu.aspx
Eger / Tokaj is easier to get to. Stay in Eger and hire a guide for winery trips. Again, sort of high season and getting a room this late might be challenging.. I like the Senator Haz
I absolutely love the High Tatras and it is discounted in the Summer because its a ski destination. Not quite as straightforward to get to as the others. From Vienna you would take the train to Poprad with probably a change in Bratislava. It would be tempting to stop and spend a night in Bratislava but i would push on to Poprad where the hotel can send a driver to get you or you can take a taxi. The hotel? Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras This place, the lake the mountains, etc is stunning. Hire a guide and see a couple of great castles within an hour from the hotel; like Spis Castle or Orava Castle
After your stay in the High Tatras you can take the train to Budapest by way of Kosice. OR, hire a driver (see the location page in the hotel website)
Posted by
OP
Toronto, ON, Canada
44 posts
Thank you! To me the second and third option seem like the best. I have a friend who recommended Lake Balaton but don't see much appeal from pictures.
What do you think of the trek to Vienna and then a night in Hallstatt?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17911 posts
I love Balaton, just not in the high season. If you are there in April or May or September then head for Tihany. Love it. But July and August nooooo...... not for me.
We love Slovakia. Great kept secret in Europe. Worth the effort to get up to Poprad. We go fishing in the area about every other year.
Another option you can consider would be anyplace Ryanair or Wizzair flies non stop in under 1.5 hours and under $100 each way. Budapest is a Wizzair hub and there are a lot of other discount carriers there now. These are all very day of the week dependent so you have to keep changing the dates to see the options: https://www.google.com/flights/#search;f=BUD;t=r-Europe-0x46ed8886cfadda85%253A0x72ef99e6b3fcf079;d=2017-07-17;r=2017-07-22;tt=o;s=0;mc=m We will be back in Budapest in September and have a side trip to Kyiv scheduled for about $200 RT. EXCELLENT city in an excellent country with very excellent people.
As for Vienna and Austria. The only thing in Austria that i enjoy is the Ikea in Vienna. Much better selection than the Ikea in Budapest; so someone else has to help you with that.
Which brings to mind another interesting stop, Gyor and the Archabbey and winery at Pannonhalma. Basically an overnight stop on the train line from Vienna to Budapest. Worth the time. Stay at the converted monastery in the old town called the Klastrom Hotel.