Budapest

[kyshel]

Cathy--we're going to Budapest again on the 15th and my 13 yr old step-daughter is taking her first trip to Europe. Questions about the baths--which is best choice to take her?--she is extremely timid in new circumstances. We thought we'd have her try the hotel spa first. She has never been to an art museum--I'm thinking there has to be a way to interest her, so maybe the guide idea is good. Do you just show up and ask on entry?
Bonnie--where do you get a massage on Margarite Island--we went to the fountain/casino area--anywhere nearby?
I know I have a lot of q's but it's my first long trip with her, too. She's a very typical newly bday-d teen--feet dragging, text-msging, conversation-ignoring, chicken nugget-eating, shoulder shrugger who needs to get a life outside of soccer. Wow--did I paint a dismal picture, or what?
HELP!!

[cruisinred]

I also vote for a trip to the thermal baths! They were a highlight of my solo trip to Budapest about 9 years ago.

I wish I could remember the name for you....but I do know there are several different baths/spas. Some are more upscale/western and others are more local/less expensive. Perhaps your hotel could suggest one of the former?



Another place in Budapest I found interestingwas the old Jewish quarter. It was recently mentioned in an article in CN_Traveller as a place to see before it's destroyed by development. http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/...2&pageNumber=9



Statue Park is a graveyard for all of the old communist area statues. As a child of the cold-war era I found it interesting/fun to take pictures with statues of Marx, Lenin, etc. The park is a short bus ride out of town, but well worth the trip.

http://www.szoborpark.hu/index.php?Lang=en

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Kyshel. Yeah for your to be going back to Budapest. My sister in law left Budapest in 1956. Please check with IBUSZ for tours, etc. In Margarita Island I believe there is only one property to go to the Baths. (please verify with IBUSZ) It is more public and not really a "spa" as we know it. I agree with you about choosing the spa in your hotel for the first time for your daughter. Budapest is so rich in history. It is hard to get the people to talk about the revolution in 1956 but really do read about it before you go. It was an interesting chapter in history. If you have a chance, go visit Lake Balaton. Enjoy!

[kyshel]

Thanks Bonnie and all!
Flights look great for this weekend so we're telling her about the trip today--I hope she gets excited! Thank you for the page on Statue Park--I appreciate the info for the bus trip--that makes it so simple! I had read that article about 20 places to visit before they die--I was fascinated about seeing the Jewish Quarter--we passed by last time and plan to walk there this trip--it's relatively close to the hotel. Budapest has so much to offer. My husband is bidding his trips for next month's flying and he's including another trip in August (I think he'll invite me again...!) I'll pay more attention to restaurants, etc and report back.
Regards, y'all.
Shel