Budapest

[Ding-Dong]

Have just got back from weekend in Budapest.......and won't be going back: very disappointed - the city was too sprawling, it didn't particulary have great architecture, everywhere we went was a bloody long walk and there was graffitti absolutely everywhere. Almost without exception, every single building was daubed with the damn stuff.

So, what are other peoples travel disappointments?

[Ding-Dong]

In fact, the only thing going for the place, in my opinion, is that the city did appear to have more than its fair share of very very good looking women.

[jno]

sounds not unlike London then (seriously). I last went there in Soviet days and there certainly was no graffiti, so I'm sorry to hear it's arrived. Despite the shortage of landmark buildings, I thought it was pleasant enough to walk around (or take the underground), and there were some pretty villages within close reach by train... which is also what I'd say of London. But I know what you mean; compared with Prague or Venice, it's not as striking.

[williamben]

I am suprised by your attitude to Budapest. I went there recently with some mates with a very open mind and found it a thoroughly fascinating place and believe me I went there to experience both the citys history/culture and the night life. Just the recent history alone is immense, its struggle through both fascism and the soviet era and the following revolution are mind blowing. If you missed out on the museum of terror then you missed something special. The architecture and buildings are interesting in their own right and if you cannot appreciate a cities beauty and how that has been honed and formed by its history and people then you are missing the point of a city break. The people were lovely and the beer was great, we found some amazing bars, nightclubs and resturants that never seemed to close, its more of a party city than most in europe. Luckily there was enough charming coffee bars to prolong the hangovers.

Walking through a city is always more revealing and intimate even if the surroundings are not always desirable. It gives you a chance to see how the local residence live and work. Its not all about romanticism. And if walking isn't your thing then the trams and subway were more than easy to negotiate. And If your feet hurt from walking, the various natural hot spring baths around the town were bliss even if a little bemusing for strangers! And as for Graffitti, well to me that is just a form of expression from the younger generation, that in itself reveals clues about the changes that have happened in Budapest since the fall of communism. But perhaps as a city dweller I am used to graffitti.

I will def be returning to Budapest, its a wonderful place for so many reasons. If you want my advise dingdong. Stick to Paris and leave the cities which require a little more imagination and appreciation to us.

[Ding-Dong]

Perhaps the problem was that I went with pre-conceived ideas - I kind of had it in my head that it was a Prague, or a Tallin, or a Riga, or a Rome, or a Dublin, or a Cork (I could go on all day!) - it wasn't, and in my opinion doesn't even come close.

We (there were 22 of us) mid 30s to mid 40s blokes felt the nightlife was OK - but 'OK' for a capital city is not good enough.

The baths at the Gellert Hotel were very good though - if a somewhat alien experience - and perfect for the hangover.

[The Fugative]

Well there you go mate; 22 lads expecting a booze filled weekend with strip clubs like Prague.
I�ve travelled with large groups and most of the time it�s been a disappointment; too many chiefs, not enough Indians comes to mind.

I loved Budapest when I went; the history and women especially!

I found a very hip restaurant that served the best steaks I�ve had in Europe and also enjoyed a nice day relaxing at one of the outdoor thermal pools.

I was quite lucky though as when I was there the Szegit Festival was on, kind of like Hungary�s V Festival or similar; the beer was cheap and we had a great time listening to bands we had never heard of.

Did you make it out to Statue Park at all?

Oh, and by the way; I think Prague�s overrated; Cesky Krumlov was much better and more �authentic�. Prague was filled with drunken English stag groups and cheap souvenir shops selling rubbish made in China!