We traveled to Budapest, Vienna and Prague, Central Europe’s gems, with a bonus stop in Bratislava—and we did it in just eight days on the ground with two travel days.

Did we wish we had another few days or a week? Or that we had just made an impromptu decision to move there? Duh. But in the time we had, we saw so many essential things, while still staying sane, enjoying ourselves and even taking breaks to relax. No joke. Read it and weep, all you people on the Rick Steve’s forum who told me it couldn’t be done, as I present the ultimate guide to Central Europe in under 10 days.

ITINERARY GOOD FOR: History buffs and photographers who love museums, culture and walking really fast

SKIP TO:
BUDAPEST  |  VIENNA  |  PRAGUE  |  BRATISLAVA

TRAVEL TIPS

• Catch an open-jaw flight if you can, but it’s ok to go back where you started.
  It was cheaper to fly in and out of Budapest, working north on our train route first to Vienna, then onto Prague. Doing this allowed us to revisit the city we were the most jet-lagged in at the beginning, and take lunch and tour Bratislava in the middle of a long train ride.
• Freshen up on your history.
  We devoured podcasts, books, documentaries and Youtube videos about the Hapsburg Empire, wars, Communist history and Vienna’s art movement. It is fantastic to have a base of reference for the historical significance of not only your host country, but every building, statue and gallery you are about to see.
• Learn how to say the names of attractions and a few pleasantries.
  Everyone here speaks English. Everyone. Maybe not flawlessly, and less so in Budapest, but certainly better than my passable attempts at ordering coffee in Czech. But it will help if you are asking for directions to learn some basics of pronouncing the sites you are trying to see, and a few “please” and “thank you’s” couldn’t hurt.
• Go in fall.
  Or spring. But fall was absolutely magical. My trip was early October of 2017, when leaves were changing, temperatures were just cooling and rain was almost non-existent. Summers are packed with travelers. Winter seems romantic, but remember you will be walking outside quite a bit.

DAY 1

BUDAPEST: INNER CITY

Budapest is separated by the Danube river into its Buda and Pest sides. We had a hotel on the Pest side for the first two days and one night in Buda when we returned, but Pest is known for being more lively and closer to the action.

Plan your visit to the Buda side and castle on a weekday to beat the crowds. We arrived on a weekend, so we explored Pest first. While in the center of town, Central Market Hall and Vaci Utca are worth a very quick visit, but are touristy.

Fuel up at a cafe—we sat for an espresso and chocolate dobos cake in Cafe Central—then get to know the country’s history at the Hungarian National Museum. End the night with a drink at one of many ruin pubs in the Jewish Quarter (Szimpla Kert is a popular choice).

DAY 2

BUDAPEST: LIPOTVAROS & CITY PARK

Start your day in the Lipotvaros neighborhood with a tour of the landmark Hungarian Parliament Building, glistening inside with gold (grab tickets online well in advance). Stroll through Liberty Park and make your way to St. Stephen’s Basilica to admire the interior and panoramic views from the observation level.

Take the metro up Andrassy Ut to Heroes’ Square for a glimpse of Hungary’s revered leaders in statue form. Enter City Park to relax for a patio lunch before donning your swimsuit inside the thermal Szechenyi Baths. 

End the night with a romantic, illuminated Danube night cruise.

DAY 3

BUDAPEST: CASTLE DISTRICT, AQUINCUM, MARGARET ISLAND & GELLERT HILL

This last day in Budapest technically happened at the end of our journey, but I am keeping it here for anyone who is visiting Budapest in consecutive days. Otherwise, if you’re flying out of Budapest at the end of your trip, this day would become your last one.

Spend the morning on the Buda side of town exploring the Castle District. Take the funicular up the hillside and make your way toward Matthias Church (a tour gets you up in the towers for a closer look at the bells and a nice view) and the white-walled Fisherman’s Bastion. 

Did you think you’d be in a radius of Roman ruins on this trip? If you were as excited about the prospect as we were, take the commuter tram up north to the ruins of Aquincum, a stronghold of the Roman Empire now visible as foundations of residences and bathhouses.

On the way back toward town, walk onto Margaret Island and rent a red two-seater buggy to explore its perimeter. Don’s miss the dancing fountain at the southernmost end.

To say farewell to Budapest, hike up Gellert Hill toward the Citadella and stop to enjoy the city light from scenic viewpoints along the way.

ALSO READ: 20 Essential Things to Do in Budapest

DAY 4

VIENNA: ARRIVAL, SCHONBRUNN PALACE & CITY CENTER

If you’re traveling by train from Budapest, plan to arrive in the Bahnhof-Miedling station and transfer to tour the Hapsburg’s grand summer residence, Schonbrunn. See the imperial apartments and explore the grounds, including a climb uphill to the Gloriette.

Continue into the city center and walk the scenic Ringstrasse boulevard, entering the Hofburg plaza. The Austrian National Library might be the most beautiful library you’ll ever oggle. If you have time, visit the renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Vienna has a reputation as the musical capital of the world. If you’re into operas or classical music, it might be a great time to book a concert. Or, if you’re like me and just wanted a taste of the greats, you might enjoy the Haus der Musik, an interactive museum (they have a half-price deal after 8 p.m.).

DAY 5

VIENNA: HOFBURG PALACE, CHURCHES, KAISERGRUFT & BELVEDERE PALACE

The Hofburg complex contains several museum attractions that are well worth visiting: An incredible Hapsburg family collection of art and jewelry in the Imperial Treasury, the lavish Imperial Apartments and winter residence, and the Sisi Museum dedicated to the life of Empress Elisabeth.

Feel humbled in the hallowed interiors of St. Steven’s Cathedral‘s gothic arches, and be awed by St. Peter’s Cathedral‘s baroque beauty. St. Steven’s has a narrow spiral staircase for a view through tower windows.

Break for a cafe, or a sausage stand lunch. You’ll find both on nearly every corner.

The Kaisergruft (or royal crypt) is the final resting place of many of the Hapsburg royalty. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll recognize quite a few names in here. Notable is Empress Maria Theresa’s extravagant casket. Continue across the Ringstrasse toward Karlskirche, another ornate church with a platform for viewing the murals.

End the day at Belvedere Palace, where you don’t need to pay to enjoy the beautifully manicured grounds and gardens.

ALSO READ: Vienna in 48 Hours – Top Things to Do

DAY 6

PRAGUE: OLD TOWN, JEWISH QUARTER, CHARLES BRIDGE & MUCHA MUSEUM

From the train station, walk beneath the 15th century city gate called the Powder Tower toward Old Town Square. This inner hub is packed with people and flanked with incredible architecture. The Old Town Hall draws the largest crowds to the Prague Astronomical Clock it bears on its major tower. On the hour, you can catch a mechanical performance. (Note: Old Town Hall is under construction and the clock is dismantled for repair until August 2018).

Prague’s Jewish Quarter is accessed with a combination ticket that allows entrance to several beautiful and historical synagogues. The Moorish Spanish Synagogue, the preserved Old-New Synagogue and Pinkas Synagogue are especially interesting, as well as the hauntingly picturesque Old Jewish Cemetery.

Work your way toward the Charles Bridge and snack on a trdelnik sweet as you go. Pay to ascend the Old Town Bridge Tower for an incredible shot below with the castle in the background. Head into town toward Wenceslas Square to tour the works of Czech-born Alfons Mucha, famous for his Art Nouveau style, in the Mucha Museum.

DAY 7

PRAGUE: PRAGUE CASTLE & MALA STRANA

Rise and shine to be early in line for tickets to the Prague Castle complex, where you’ll encounter the most tourists of any adventure on this trip so far. There are several sites within, and I would recommend Circuit A for the inclusion of the “Story of Prague Castle” exhibit, an informative and enlightening history on the succession of rulers.

Start with St. Vitus Cathedral, the beacon of historical religious and royal functions in Prague, and enjoy the stained glass and chapels. After the morning rush hits, you’ll already be outside to enjoy the gorgeous views from the South Garden and Garden on the Ramparts, and some historical background in the exhibition I mentioned above. Your ticket also gets you into the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and the Golden Lane, a row of tiny houses for castle staff.

Phew. Done with the crowds yet? Step onto the walkway in the lush Stag Moat and find yourself blissfully alone. Walk out on the north end to Queen Anne’s Summer Palace for a great view, and exit toward the west via Matthias Gate.

Hike uphill toward the Strahov Monestary for lunch with a view at Bellavista. Walk back down into Mala Strana (“Little Quarter”) via Petrin Park, and stop to see the Lennon Wall, a symbol of defiance to Communism once bearing Lennon’s image and song lyrics.

Cross the Charles Bridge again and make your way south along the east bank of the Vltava toward Frank Gehry’s Dancing House. Find a pub to grab a local beer.

ALSO READ: Best of Prague – A 2 Day Itinerary

DAY 8

BRATISLAVA & A TRAIN RIDE

The train from Prague back to Budapest is over 6 hours, so break it up with a stop in Slovakia’s capital.

Once a ghost town during Communism’s efforts to rid citizens of nostalgia, the Old Town of Bratislava is back in business with tour groups on city walks, red tour cars bustling down alleys and shops selling chocolates and jewelry. Find cute bronze statues, such as a Napolean figure leaning over a park bench and a man climbing up from a manhole cover.

Eat bryndzové halušky, the national Slovak dish made with dumplings and sheep cheese. This is what mac n’ cheese only dreams it could be.

Then walk uphill to Bratislava Castle. This white-walled fortress on the hillside is a haul, but worth it for the views. Enjoy the garden commissioned by Maria Theresa in back, reminiscent of Vienna, but the showstopper is the SNP Bridge over the Danube. Once the Communist’s pride and joy, the structure is now nicknamed the UFO for its exact resemblance to a prototypical alien spacecraft.

And there you have it. Four cities in four different countries, in one awesome trip.

Do you have plans to travel to any of these places? Let me know in the comments if you have questions or need recommendations!

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The post Visit Budapest, Vienna & Prague: The Ultimate Central Europe Trip in Under 10 Days appeared first on Roaming Hills.

I had the opportunity to visit in early October, just as a crisp fall chill bit the air. It was part of my larger journey combining Vienna, Prague and Budapest, so I had just two days to see as much as I could. If you’re on a similar schedule, here’s the best of Prague in a 2 day itinerary.

Day 1

1. Powder Tower

If you’re coming from the train station, work your route beneath the 15th-century city gate. Otherwise, you can check it out if you visit the cafe at the Art Nouveau-styled Municipal House.

2. Old Town Square

The heart of the inner-city hub, Old town Square is packed with tourists and surrounded with architectural beauties. The focal point is the iconic Old Town Hall and Prague Astronomical Clock.

3. Jewish Quarter

A combo ticket for the area’s most important houses of worship admits you to the Moorish-style Spanish Synagogue, the old 1270 Old-New Synagogue, left standing during the Nazi occupation with the intent to serve as a Jewish extinction museum, and the Pinkas Synagogue, with walls covered entirely with names of Holocaust victims. The stunning Jewish Cemetery is recognizable for its layers of moss-covered headstones.

4. Eat trdelnik

Sorry, I didn’t just insult you. That’s the name of the popular sweet at street food stands, made with a cone of sugary rolled dough filled with ice cream.

5. Charles Bridge

This lively pedestrian bridge will draw you back more than once during your stay. Our first time over, we joined a river of selfie sticks, people peddling jewelry and paintings, stone statues heralding Catholic saints and beautiful views of spires in all directions. We came back again in the moonlight for a more serene experience.

6. Old Town Bridge Tower

If you want “the” picture, don’t miss going up inside this gothic tower for a scenic view of the bridge and a backdrop with Prague Castle.

7. Narrowest Street

It’s not worth a detour, but if you are already exploring the west bank of the river north of Charles Bridge, you’ll stumble on the narrowest street in Prague, a teeny pathway between buildings that requires a push-button walk sign to alert anyone coming up the stairs of your intent to descend. There are also great shots of the Charles Bridge to be had from the banks near here.

8. Prague Beer Museum

Not actually a museum, but a great place to grab a flight of local craft beer.

9. Mucha Museum

Immerse yourself in the Art Nouveau masterpieces of Alfons Mucha and learn the tale of the Slav Epic, his dramatic series of massive paintings celebrating nationalism.

Day 2

1. Prague Castle

Go early. Go early. Go early. Prague Castle will be the most crowded experience on this trip, and an early start at least helps with the ticket line.

The first stop inside the castle complex is St Vitus Cathedral, a gorgeous gothic church circa 900s. Circle the exterior tombs and graves of important saints, beautiful stained glass windows (don’t miss Mucha’s!) and a lavish tribute dedicated by Hapsburg Maria Theresa.

While the courtyard outside fills up with boyfriends laying on the ground with selfie sticks to get the right shot of their girl in front of St. Vitus (this was a thing), you can duck inside the Story of Prague Castle exhibit and be virtually alone with an encompassing and interesting history of the complex and its succession of rulers.

Go to the outside garden walls for incredible views.

You can also walk through the Old Royal Palace, a series of Renaissance rooms used historically for politics, noble functions and throwing Hapsburg-loving Catholics out windows; St. George’s Basilica, an old Romanesque church; and Golden Lane, small colorful houses belonging to castle staff.

Descend from the crush of crowds into the Stag Moat, a lush walk through greenery and a sleek-looking pedestrian tunnel. A switchback leads out of the stag moat toward an area called “Fikovna.” Look back at the castle from this pathway near Queen Anne’s Summer Palace for a beautiful view. Exit back around the west side through ornate Matthias Gate.

2. Views from Strahov Monestary

Head straight uphill past pastel-colored houses toward the Strahov Monastery, and reward yourself with a meal or wine at Restaurant Bellavista to soak in the views.

Mala Strana

Cobbled stairs and paths lead down Petrin Park into Mala Strana, “The Little Quarter.” Enjoy guessing all the foreign embassies, tucked into colored baroque facades, by their flags and signs on the door (Wales: “Learn about our country with this cute infographic!” USA: “DON’T TAKE PICTURES”). If you’re not churched out, check out the styled statues and baroque ornamentation inside St. Nicholas’ Church.

Lennon Wall

This colorful graffiti wall is a continuously-changing symbol of expression and sticking it to Communism, named for its original inclusion of John Lennon-inspired art and lyrics.

Frank Gehry’s Dancing House

 Stroll down the east bank of the Vltava for beautiful rows of residences and the eccentric “Dancing House,” inspired by dancing couple Fred and Ginger Astaire.

Traveling to Prague and need a recommendation, or want to share something I missed? Post a comment!

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The post Best of Prague: A 2 Day Sightseeing Itinerary appeared first on Roaming Hills.

Now: It’s the best city in the world for quality of life—awarded for the ninth year in a row.

As you walk the streets and sip espresso alongside lively residents, and soak in the grandeur of palaces and churches, you start to get it. Vienna is the best. I could move here, but the reality is that I only had two days on my trip to soak up as much as I could. Plan your own visit to Vienna in 48 hours with these top things to do.

Day 1

1. Schonbrunn Palace

The proximity to the Banhof-Miedling train station we arrived in from Budapest made this a natural first stop. If you are in the city center already, make this a very early morning activity—it’s on the outskirts of town. The Hapsburg’s summer retreat is grand, with gorgeous imperial apartments and grounds of manicured gardens, waterfalls, obelisks and the Gloriette building standing majestically on the hillside.

2. City Walk

Back in the heart of the city, our path took us along the Ringstrasse, a boulevard denoting the original location of the city walls, by the ornate Rathaus, into the Hofburg, a gorgeous plaza flanked with palace wings, parks, museums and music halls.

3. Austrian National Library

The library from Beauty and the Beast ain’t got nothing on this. Visit just to oggle the interior and ceiling motif.

4. Haus der Musik

I’m not a classical music buff, but wanted to get some exposure to Vienna’s greats. The Haus der Musik is an interactive museum with science & sensory experiences and a tribute to classical composers, so I got my fill. Go after 8 p.m. for a half-price ticket.

5. Museum Quarter

My one regret is that we didn’t do the renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum. If you have time, visit this or another museum nearby.

Day 2

1. Hofburg Imperial Treasury

Browse a massive and fascinating collection of jewels, dinnerware, religious artifacts and much more in the Hapsburg’s family collection. I saw the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, gorgeous clothes, portraits made of hummingbird feathers, Catholic relics said to contain bits of saints, and the Holy Grail of the whole collection: a 4th-century agate bowl thought to be, well, the Holy Grail.

2. The Imperial Apartments

As with the residences at Schonbrunn, you’ll enjoy these if you like to peer into the lavish lives of nobility. Plus, it features Sisi’s bedroom, where she scandalized everyone by keeping 19th century workout equipment bolted to the walls.

3. Sisi Museum

I had a vested interest in Empress Elisabeth or “Sisi” after reading Allison Pataki’s New York Times Bestseller Empress On Her Own. While I found her—or her representation—annoying, I shared anecdotes with my unfortunate husband throughout the whole museum (“oooh yeah, Sisi did say that!”) and fully enjoyed comparing her real life to the novel.

4. St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Start a ‘trinity’ of church-viewing with St. Stephen’s 12th century gothic arches, and go up a frighteningly narrow spiral staircase to the watchtower windows.

5. St. Peter’s Cathedral

This cathedral is a gorgeous ode to baroque architecture, with deep gold and purple ornamentation.

6. Cafe break

Sit to sip espresso and spike your energy levels with cake. Or, grab a sausage wrapped in a baguette from a stand.

7. Kaisergruft

Now you’ll have the appetite for royal crypts in the Kaisergruft, where the Hapsburgs were laid to rest. Caskets proceed from the beautiful to outlandish, then back to sparse post-French-revolution sensitivity to spending taxpayer dollars on decorum like this:

8. Karlskirche

My favorite of the three churches is lavishly baroque with stark white statues and a radiating altar piece.  The switchback of creepy stairs isn’t renovation work; you can walk all the way up to get a closer view of the frescoes.

9. Belvedere Palace

Because Vienna is just an amazing place, these lovely palace grounds are completely free to enter. Walk around with city folk and enjoy the neat rows of hedges and statues.

10. Cafe Bar Bloom at the Hotel Lamee

Cap off the night with a drink on the terrace of Hotel Lamee, overlooking the city and St. Stephen’s colorfully tiled roof.

Traveling to Vienna and need a recommendation, or want to share something I missed? (Because I am obviously going back.) Post a comment!

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The post Vienna in 48 Hours: Top Things to Do appeared first on Roaming Hills.

These 20 essential things to see in Budapest are for travelers like myself who enjoy cultural highlights, museums and history. You can also read my full blog on seeing Budapest, Vienna and Prague in less than ten days.

1. Central Market Hall

Get your bearings in Central Pest on a walk to Central Market Hall for a plate of traditional fried langos. Expect crowds.

2. Vaci Utca

This tourist-lined shopping street is at least worth a stroll for its gorgeous facades, and as a route toward a cafe break.

3. Cafe Central

Decadent and ornate, this cafe transports you to last century’s Budapest. Order espresso and dobos, a chocolate wafer cake.

4. Hungarian National Museum

Immerse yourself in the country’s historical turbulence and triumphant nationalism through artifacts and English descriptions.

5. Ruin pubs

If you’ve got energy left, head to the famous ruin pubs in the Jewish Quarter, bedecked with kitschy decorations and options for local beer. Szimpla Kert is the granddaddy of them all, a labyrinth of haphazard rooms, junk, sharpie scrawlings and Christmas lights.

6. Hungarian Parliament Building

Book online in advance for an English-language tour of this landmark of architecture, built in the surge of national pride following Budapest’s 1896 celebration of the country’s millennium milestone.

7. Danube Promenade

Take a stroll and snap some pics of bronze statues such as the Little Princess, Shoes on the Danube and pensive Hungarian poet Attila Jozsef, or just enjoy the waterfront views.

8. Liberty Square

Read up in advance on the historical importance and controversy of monuments in this park, from a beloved statue of leader Imre Nagy to a highly-contested German occupation memorial.

9. Hold Utca Market 

Head upstairs to lunch on everything from schnitzels to seafood (a superior and offbeat alternative to Central Market Hall).

10. St. Stephen’s Basilica

Another point of architectural pride from 1896, St. Stephen’s offers an outstanding view from the observation deck.

11. Heroes’ Square

Take the metro up Andrassy Ut. This massive tiled court pays respect to the nation’s revered heroes, immortalized in statues. Get a guide on your phone to explain who’s who. Side note: It was kind of hard to admire Hungary’s great leaders while boozy English hen parties clambered up on the pedestals, brandishing sun hats and wine bottles, and pedal carts rolled by powered by chanting stag parties. Budapest is becoming a hotspot for cheap beer and flights. But did you need to blast Miley Cyrus at the feet of kings?!

12. City Park

Admire the lush lawns, lake and Vajdahunyad Castle (built in—you guessed it—1896). We sat and enjoyed a beer at an outdoor cafe.

13. Szechenyi Baths

We had carried around a drawstring bag with our suits and flip-flops all day for chance to enjoy a famous public thermal bath. I loved everything about this, from the grumpy bath attendants, to the sulfury heated outdoor pools, to the old men playing chess.

14. Danube night cruise

Cruise the Danube at night to see Budapest’s famous castle, Parliament, and bridges illuminated while you sip wine.

15. Buda Castle

Take the funicular up the hillside. After cycles of war, destruction and repossession, there is no true castle or royal residences to see, but museums, courtyards, fountains and a walk along the edge overlooking residences on the Buda side of town.

16. Matthias Church

Snag a tour to go up in the tower for a closer look at the church’s bells and panorama at the top. The inside is beautiful, and we managed to catch a free choir performance.

17. Fisherman’s Bastion

The beautiful white-stoned bastion was built in you-know-when and sports statues, an open terrace and lovely city views.

18. Aquincum

This was a personal quest born of our love for Roman history that took us on a commuter train up north. You can explore the residential and bathhouse ruins of an ancient city in the Roman Empire. Tip: The coliseum is right across from the tram stop.

19. Margaret Island

Rent a bright-red canopied bike to mob around beautiful Margaret Island. Watch the energetic dancing fountain at its southern tip, and refuel with beer and langos at Hármas Büfé. We almost didn’t make time for this, but it ended up being one of my favorite activities of my entire Central Europe trip.

20. Gellert Hill

 When the sun sets, make your way up the steep paths of Gellert Hill for outstanding nighttime views.

Traveling to Budapest and need a recommendation, or want to share something I missed? Post a comment!

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