December 9th -25th, Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Paris
We went as a Christmas trip but the focus was not on Christmas markets.
Flew into Budapest from Seattle on Delta via Amsterdam (flight was late but we made a 20 minute connection). Traveled via train between cities and public transportation within.
We followed advice from this forum for activities and restaurants. In the beginning of planning the RS Budapest and Vienna book and videos helped a lot as those cities were new to us. We have been to Munich and Paris before. We stayed active seeing sights everyday but our focus was on architecture and history.
Budapest five nights
Stayed: Hotel Moments, Signature room with breakfast. Excellent locatiofor n, breakfast, staff, room.
Highlights: Private Art Nouveau Walking tour with Julia Kravianszky, Széchenyi baths at sunset, dinner at N28, Mass at St. Stephens, bringing Mr. E. TP (haha). We found the people friendly, kind and I am embarrassed to say I did not learn one Hungarian word (English widely spoken) and after six days I still had to think about the forint conversion.
Vienna four nights
Stayed: K & T Boardinghouse, clean, next to subway, value good for Vienna, website reflective.
Highlights: Buildings, Schonbrunn Palace (just the grounds didn't go inside) and their Christmas market at night, the Wein Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (especially the Vermeer), drinks at the Sky Bar and Kleinod, Gingerbread houses in bakery windows.
Munich three nights
Stayed at Hotel Metropol by train station as using Munich base (been to Munich before), nice room (excellent shower, bed and pillows), great location and value.
Highlights: Regensburg as a day trip. Beautiful medieval town (my 2nd favorite after Bamberg). Thurn and Taxis Christmas Market was different with an authentic, craftsman feel.
Day trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the Partnach Gorge. Outstanding. My husbands favorite part of the trip. Excellent breakfast at Mount10 (returned for lunch)
Paris three nights
Stayed: Hotel Saint Louis en I’lsle. Great location, staff, breakfast (included). Had a lovely Parisian feel. Good value for Paris.
Highlight: Notre Dame, Christmas Eve Mass at Notre Dame (quite an experience) and the Dior Museum. Note the crowd in the streets felt double what it was two years ago at the same time.
Wonderful trip and I would be happy to answer any questions or provide more information.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21525 posts
And the TP was greatly appreciated, but what was especially appreciated was the opportunity to meet you guys. G-d bless and keep you safe in life and on your travels.
Posted by
TX, USA
5072 posts
Thanks for the report! It sounds like a successful trip! I appreciate the report on Munich and the side trips at Christmas. It’s the city I haven’t spent any time in but December sounds like a great time to go.
Posted by
Paris
10517 posts
I am embarrassed to say I did not learn one Hungarian word
If there were ever a place not to be embarrassed of not learning a word, it would not be Hungary ! That language is very difficult !!
It sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing your trip report.