We have just returned from 4 weeks in Europe.
Greece (Athens)-1-3: We started in Athens. We found our hotel (Hotel Victory Inn, near the Victory metro stop) after some wandering about. The room is pleasant and we are paying about $65/night which includes a breakfast (decent). The neighborhood is a little dodgy, but Athens itself is pretty dodgy. We did the Acropolis, and bought the Athens museum pass (Old Forum, Acropolis, Temple of Jupiter, Roman Forum) for 30€ each. Crowds were there, but not overwhelming, as it is May. Lost 50€ to a pickpocket in the Metro. The Metro in Athens is not a place to relax in. Be vigilant. There are gangs of thieves here. Acropolis - unique, worth the trip. Acropolis Museum - very nice and a reminder that most of the important parts of the Parthenon are in the British Museum. Old Forum - very interesting. Temple of Jupiter - this would have been a sight to behold in its prime. Food in Athens - inexpensive, good. Wine - excellent.
Nafplio, 4-6: A beach and tourist resort. We took a bus from Athens, inexpensive (24€ round-trip), quick (3 hours). A few beggars, not many (if you want beggars, Chicago has cornered the market - I counted 40 yesterday in 20 blocks downtown). Walkable, pleasant. There is a famous wine store, and we did the tasting along with an RS tourgroup - they seemed to be enjoying themselves. We took a bus to Micinae, the famous site of ancient Greek civilization (Trojan war time), which was cheap (6.4 €/person round-trip). The site is amazing, and there is a small museum. The bulk of the finds are in the National Archeological Museum in Athens. Pension Anafli (50€/night), very nice, decent breakfast.
Budapest, 7-9: Flew to Budapest. This is our third visit, so we did not do the standard stuff. We went to Göࣧdöࣧllöࣧ, a summer palace of Franz Joseph and Sisi (emperor Austria-Hungary). I learned why my grandmother's middle name is Gisella (she was a daughter of FJ and Sisi). Lovely palace, with very clear signs about all the objects. We went on the next day to Szentendre, an art colony and tourist destination N of Budapest in the Danube bend. We bought the full pass (2000 Hf or about $6.67) to see all the little museums of which there are about 20. Some were pretty good, some were less so. A fun day. On day 3, we did Höࣧsöࣧk Ter, the big square with Hungarian Heroes, and also the Hungarian Agricultural Museum. This latter is a small gem, with 2 amazing exhibits - winemaking in Hungary (lots about the phloxerra pest) and the history of agriculture (lots about a family interest, Donau-Schwaben in Austria-Hungary). Well-described in Hungarian and English.
Pecs, Hungary: This is a smaller Hungarian city south of Budapest. It has a famous pottery (Zsolnay), which has a museum in town. The works are great. We toured this museum, as well as a museum for Vasserely (op-art, 60s), both of which were great. There is also an extensive early Christian burial complex, partially excavated, which was fun to tour. We stayed 2 nights.