[Rog]

Over the lat two years we have been on short breaks with another couple to Prague and Krakow. Enjoyed both, Krakow was a bit cheaper and less twee than Prague.

We are considering Budapest and Tallinn. Anyone been? What did you think - getting from airport, prices, food, beer, sights, etc.

[woodbush]

Can't help but here is a recent thread.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...light=budapest

[dragonrapide]

We stopped at Tallin whilst on a cruise and spent a day there. It is a wonderful place, perfect for a long weekend. It also seemed reasonably inexpensive. There is an historic old Town which is fascinating and very walkable. We stayed in the old town but no doubt there is a modern area to Talllin too. Loads of shops selling amber, very unusual designs but really expensive. Have you had a look on youtube, there are loads of videos on there for both places.

[Trophy Wife]

I haven't been to Estonia.

I would recommend visiting Budapest; it's a lovely city. The last time that I went (first week of May), it was warm - "shirt-sleeve" weather.

Eating, drinking and transport is cheap. People are friendly. Hungarian is not an easy language to read or speak, but many people speak German or English and some signs, menus etc. are translated.

It's a very big place (Buda on one bank of the river and Pest on the other - two cities), but easy to get around. You can take a guided tour the beautiful Parliament buildings on Mondays (I believe) unless there is a special government event taking place. The House of Terror on the Andrassy ut. is a very interesting (and sad) place to visit. There is a huge food market with typical Hungarian food and wine stalls on the upper mezzanine floor, I would definitely recommend visiting there. There are lots of other lovely things to see and do there, including several open air spas where you can take natural mud baths and get great massages.

Enjoy your break wherever you end up!xx

[Rog]

Thanks for all replies so far. We will probably visit both places over the next two years.

[clarribo]

I went to Tallinn in July definitely recommend, if you go make sure you visit Patarei prison a soviet era prison which was only closed in the early 2000's when Estonia joined the EU, it has been left pretty much as it was- it is one of the creepiest places I have ever been in.

[kiviraat]

I was in Tallinn about 5-6 years ago and thought it was amazing. It was very cheap and had some fantastic food and beers and there was so much to see (I'm a sucker for old towns). I had a little bit of difficulty as a lot of the older generation don't know much English, but luckily I knew enough phrases to get by and the younger folk are happy to chat away in English if they can I'd love to go back one day

[Harleybobs]

Originally Posted by Rog

Over the lat two years we have been on short breaks with another couple to Prague and Krakow. Enjoyed both, Krakow was a bit cheaper and less twee than Prague.

We are considering Budapest and Tallinn. Anyone been? What did you think - getting from airport, prices, food, beer, sights, etc.

Budapest is fantastic!! the people are so friendly the atmosphere is brilliant and I cant wait to go back.

Airport transfer we used http://www.airporttransfersbudapest....s-budapest.php
They where great, someone comes into the airport on your arrival and has a card with your name on and then takes you to your hotel and will collect you on your departure date, we used them a few other times while we where there and they are extremely punctual.

Hungarian food imo was a bit bland but there are many many places to choose from even down to Hard rock cafe and Mcdonlads.

Beer is very cheap as are fags.

Sights, I would recommend using the green Budapest city tour bus as they give you a voucher booklet which gives you 2 free river cruises and a free bowl of Goulash.

Prices are very cheap, we didnt skimp on anything while we where there and I can honestly say that if you only had a budget of £500 you could easily do it.

We stayed in this hotel.. http://www.kempinski.com/en/budapest...vinus/welcome/ it was gorgeous and what you see is what you get if not better.

Also if you go you must try this bar...https://www.facebook.com/froccsterasz?ref=ts&fref=ts
the atmosphere here is brilliant at night!!!

Hope this helps

[Shappy]

I loved Budapest and would thoroughly recommend. I went in February for a work conference and stayed the weekend to explore. It was very chilly and it snowed which made the atmosphere lovely.

The things I enjoyed the most (in descending order starting with my favourite) were:

Szechenyi Bath/ - a wonderful spa with heated thermal pools. I remember being in a bikini at 2 degrees celcius but I didn't feel the cold at all once I got into the pool.

Fisherman's Bastion - go during the day and at night as the views are spectacular and very different in the light and dark. It was snowing the evening I was there and it felt like I was in a Halloween film as the place is quite gothic and mystical. Also gives fantastic views of Budapest from the Buda side of the Danube.

Hungarian State Opera House - one of the most famous Opera Houses in the world, to rival Scala etc. You can watch a show here or take a guided tour in English (I would recommend the latter if you are short of time and can't spend a whole evening at a show).

Dohány Street Synagogue - one of the largest synagogues in the world. Take a guided tour in English to find out about the World War II Jewish history of this place.

House of Terror - chilling and macabre but worth a visit. Funnily, I was one of the few female visitors in this musuem - it was full of men and the odd couple with the husband looking more enthused. Not sure what that says about the appeal of the macabre by gender!

Budapest Parliament - you can take a guided tour in English. Apparently the building is based on Westminster.

I stayed at K+K Hotel Opera, Budapest which is mid range in terms of price but very centrally located behind the State Opera House and just off the main street Andrassy Avenue. Read the reviews. There was a red tour bus stop right nearby if you fancy that (I would recommend this in winter when it is quite cold to walk around.). Most of the main tourist sites are walking distance from this hotel though. There is also a metro station very nearby.

[Rog]

Thanks Harleybobs & Shappy for the latest posts

[Kiko H Fan]

Gice Zagreb a try, especially if you like fountains.

[Ber]

Another vote for Budapest here. Such a wonderful city and I loved the statue park where all the communist era statues were taken

[Harleybobs]

Originally Posted by Ber

Another vote for Budapest here. Such a wonderful city and I loved the statue park where all the communist era statues were taken

We missed out on going to this place, but cat wait to go there next time.
Is is far from the city center? How did you get there?

[Summat]

Originally Posted by Rog

Over the lat two years we have been on short breaks with another couple to Prague and Krakow. Enjoyed both, Krakow was a bit cheaper and less twee than Prague.

We are considering Budapest and Tallinn. Anyone been? What did you think - getting from airport, prices, food, beer, sights, etc.

Are you my wife????

Done Prague (not twee, lovely city and people) and Krakow (great place, lots to see) over the last two years, and she wants to take me to Tallinn next year.

The reason?, I ask for somewhere cheap with decent beer

Reading the replies here with interest.

[Ber]

Originally Posted by Harleybobs

We missed out on going to this place, but cat wait to go there next time.
Is is far from the city center? How did you get there?

It was 8 years ago so I cant remember properly but it was a bit of a trek and we had to change bus a couple of times. I just checked the website and they do a direct shuttle bus from the city centre now.

[Harleybobs]

Originally Posted by Ber

It was 8 years ago so I cant remember properly but it was a bit of a trek and we had to change bus a couple of times. I just checked the website and they do a direct shuttle bus from the city centre now.

Great, thanks for that Ber

[JulesandSand]

We went to Budapest last month (it was my thread referred to in post 2), we stayed at the Intercontinental overlooking the river and loved the city. Our favourite visits were St Stephens Basilica, the Parliament building and the House of Terror.

A boat trip on the Danube is essential - it provides great views of the sights on each side of the river.

It's a great city.