Thank You Mr E!

The Hotel Oktogon is well located and gets good reviews. I haven’t stayed in a hotel here in over a decade so, I can only recommend locations. But I think you did well on all counts.

You sort of nailed the best of both worlds between the Opera and Opus. Someone gave you good advice.

The Bath Houses are not awkward, they are kinda fun. I will PM you a link that includes more information on what to expect (if you haven’t already found that link).

Isnt it beautiful that everyone of a certain age rides for free! Not to give them too much credit, but I think the reason is that it would take too much staff any other way. As it is, anyone that looks to be of a certain age is just nodded through the random checks.

Central Market Hall Paprika is tourist paprika. Looks beautiful and makes great gifts because of the packaging. If you cook, let me suggest you find this place: Budapest, Károly krt. 10, 1052 Its located in the courtyard of a building so you got a do a bit of pecking to find it, but that’s part of the charm. Someone told me the Market Hall had a booth by them now, maybe so, maybe not. Don’t know but this is more fun either way.

Café Vian ….. maybe so since you are staying so close to it. If breakfast Stika is not too far and it’s a favorite of TexasTravelMom (at least the palink spiked lemonade is). If its for lunch Szek came up yesterday in another post. Don’t know why I overlook it. Very nice lunch. Or upscale you aren’t far from Kiraly 100.

Bobs Kitchen … absolutely. Tell Bob the guy from Texas sent you and maybe I get a discount next time I am in (I live a 3 min walk away so I tend to be there too often).

Porc & Prezli Etterem was a find by Christy I think and its very good.

Dunacorso Etterem is always a sure bet for the views – yes get reservations and tell them outside. And for the lights I like to save it for a late night dinner. But if you get too tired for that look at N26 (its closer) but the first day you still gotta go to the river. Easy from your hotel … walk if you are up to it. Either way you cant do wrong. Andrassy ut is beautiful as is the walk through District V to the water. Or the M1 metro from just down the street from your hotel stops about a 3 minute walk away. Walk down and metro back.

The hotel is providing the transfer from the airport? That’s nice. He will take your euros, no problem. Later there are banks with ATMs on 3 of the four corners of the Oktogon. But don’t use Erste Bank, it’s a Austrian bank and they will charge you a fee (which has nothing to do with being Austrian … ).

I will send you the promised link, watch your PMs

Thank you for your most helpful reply!

And I was remiss not to thank Texas Travel Mom too, I have enjoyed all her suggestions also. Thanks TTM!

Paprika stop: noted, added to my saved lists, sounds like a great exploring walk.

Stika: noted, and only 11 minutes walk, I think we can manage that. Satellite pics show outdoor cafe with lots of good people watching, we'll be sure to try the lemonade - no matter which meal we end up eating there. Lunch at Szek, another very short walk. Sweet.

Bob's: ha! We may see you there, who knows? My husband wears a salmon colored ball cap with a Hawaii store on the logo, come say hi if we happen to be there when you are (joan & Don). (Maybe late lunch on Friday before the opera...or after for late dinner, sounds like they have live music on weekends both early and late...)

N26...did you mean N28? Located at Budapest, Nagymező u. 28, 1065 Hungary? If so, that is nearby and Michelin starred. But no view. However, reviews mention a sense of humor, which we love. Will be a hard choice vs Dunacourso!

The free taxi is only for those with suite reservations (which we have because we splurged for an outward facing terrace, and they did confirm). Euros for the taxi driver, and easy peasy for the ATM, thanks for the tip. No Erste.

OK, on my way to check out your link for the baths.

Thanks again Mr.E, so so much. You made my day!

Yes, sorry, N28. And I think it is recently a Michelin bib gourmand restaurant. Not a "star" but a place recommended. The sommelier / manager (Sándor: ponounced ShAn dor) is a character but so good at what he does that i generally end up trying a lot when I am there. Of course if you like the wine, there is Kadarka's Wine bar. As for your husbands hat ..... so I was sitting at Kadarka a few days ago when two ladies approached me and noted that they saw "Texas" on my cap (Texas A&M). A few words then they asked if I was Mr. E. LOL No hiding. Sometimes the cap is pink (was maroon 45 years ago but fadded .... cheap cap), or white or sometimes brown. But always A&M.

Safe travels

Thanks again Mr E!