9 Nights in Hungary. How to split it up?

I agree with James, both that I preferred Budapest to Vienna, and that I wouldn't cut your time there short. Even if you don't like it, there's certainly more than enough to fill your days there. I highly recommend looking at Vienna Walks http://tinyurl.com/7jgt4sv. If you can take a tour led by Brigitte Timmermann, do so (I've had other good walking tour guides, but she was exceptional). Of the other places on your list, I've only been to Pecs and Eger, and much preferred Pecs. I also loved my daytrip from Budapest to Vac, and preferred Vac to Szentendre. I learned about Vac and Pecs (at the time the latter wasn't in Rick Steves) from Frommers Budapest, which I found a useful supplement to the RS book.

Hi, I agree Eger. And spend at least two nights there. Senator Haz is THE place. Great location and excellent service. Kitty-corner across the street is where to go for roast duck. Visit the wine cliffs. The little children's train will take you there. You look like a dufus and feel like one also as you ride out to the wine area, but on the return you will have a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and you too will be waving at everyone. A little wine and you become a child again. We took the bus there, and the train back to Budapest. Great experience on both. Budapest is a city that is not over run by tourists. It has a very lively and authentic feel. People living there have business to conduct, places to go, and people to meet. So different than the tourist hot spots where they want to sell you a trinket. enjoy,
wayne iNWI

At Balaton I like Tihany. Add to your list the fortress at Komaron (spelling?) http://www.fort-monostor.hu/. Eger is fantastic. I like the Senator Haz hotel right on the main square. Look at Vac too (if you are into mummies). You might also consider an overnight trip to Kosice or one of the Banska towns in Slovakia. Gyor and the Archabbery are a great overnight trip on the way to Vienna. And three nights isn't too long in Vienna but I prefer Budapest five to one. Still if you are in that part of the world you have to see it and form your own decision. You just might be one of those that prefers it over Budapest. Speaking of Vienna. First go to the archabbey near Gyor at pannonhalma http://bences.hu/ and then when you get to Vienna visit the Abbey at Melk and compare the two. We spend two to three weeks in Budapest every year (usually 3 trips) and another week or so visiting outlying areas and never get bored or run out of things to do. In Budapest think about a tour of District 8 and walking the main cemetery for a day. Pretty fantastic monuments in a massive huge cemetery. Mostly 19th to mid 20th century.

Here is a link to the cemetery. Its not in English but with a little creativity and with Bing Translate or something similar you can figure it out. Move the map around and click on the yellow dots to see the memorials. http://nemzetisirkert.hu/virtualis-seta And I notice you didn't have Szentendre on the list. Not too sure about Vac or Szentendre on the 13th. They are both going to experience some flooding this week. But if you can get up to Szentendre and if the river taxi back to Budapest is running then I really suggest it. Entering Budapest on the river is pretty special.

Hi Jeffery - The only input I have would be I enjoyed Eger very much. I can't vouch for the other spots though. I too stayed at the Senator Haz and found it to be a fantastic location and nice place to stay. I would only stay there 1 night.....it is a relatively small town.