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Have U ever been to Hungary?
- Thread starter Gyuribá
- Start date
interjambo
New member
Spent a few days in Hungary as part of a driving tour of central/Eastern Europe in 1996.
Stopped off in a place called Siofok on Lake Baloton and there happened to be a friendly between Hungary and the UAE just down the road from our digs.
In Budapest, had to order a sajtburger at McDonalds (pronunciation
)
Also attended a local derby between Ferencvaros and Kispest Honved. Ended up 5-2 for the "Eagles" (Vradi - Ferencvaros)
Would like to spend more time there. Preferably without the wife
Stopped off in a place called Siofok on Lake Baloton and there happened to be a friendly between Hungary and the UAE just down the road from our digs.
In Budapest, had to order a sajtburger at McDonalds (pronunciation
)Also attended a local derby between Ferencvaros and Kispest Honved. Ended up 5-2 for the "Eagles" (Vradi - Ferencvaros)
Would like to spend more time there. Preferably without the wife
Seagulls over Lewes
New member
Uncle Buck said:
Yes I was with Uncle Buck for this game as well.
Gully
Monkey in a seagull suit.
Never been to Hungary or indeed any part of eastern europe, would love to travel there but fear that by the time I do much of the charm of the place will have disappeared and it will be unrecognisable from much of western europe.
Milton Keynes Seagull
Active member
Budapest is indeed a wonderful city (apart from the grafitti). Try and go soon before it loses it's unique identity. My wife and I spent a wonderful afternoon listening to classical music by the huge fountain on Elizabeth Island. So civilised, so relaxing and no groups of cretinous youths hanging around acting like t***s.
Dreher is damn good beer and the food is good as well. Visit the old town of Buda for history and Pest for nightlife.
Koszonom as they say over there!
Dreher is damn good beer and the food is good as well. Visit the old town of Buda for history and Pest for nightlife.
Koszonom as they say over there!
Lady Bracknell
Handbag at Dawn
I went to Budapest for a fortnight in the summer of 1996 and had a brilliant time - even the 52 hours I spent on a bus getting there and back was strangely enjoyable! Plus I got to see a lot of the Hungarian countryside and small villages which I would have missed if I'd flown there.
Everything was astonishingly cheap although the western fast food chains were beginning to invade and bump up prices if you were daft enough to want to go all that way and then eat in Pizza Hut!
We stayed at a University hall of residence which, in the vacation, is used as a tourist hostel and three of us spent 10 nights for the princely sum of £94. That's for the three of us - not each!
Temperatures were into the high 90's and I spent several happy hours at Palatinus Park which is a huge swimming pool/spa thingy on an island in the Danube.
A great city with wonderful architecture - the railway stations are quite magnificent! - and very nice people. Language was something of a challenge since nobody spoke English or French and I don't speak German beyond "two coffees and a beer" standard but picking up the odd Hungarian phrase wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be.
I'd happily go back and often wonder how much Budapest has changed since there was clear evidence of much "westernisation" with branches of Macdonalds and similar opening all over the city and all sorts of other retail outlets stocking horrendously priced Nike trainers and the like.
About 3 weeks after coming home from Budapest I went to Prague which, at the time, was significantly more expensive although, by our standards still extremely cheap.
Everything was astonishingly cheap although the western fast food chains were beginning to invade and bump up prices if you were daft enough to want to go all that way and then eat in Pizza Hut!
We stayed at a University hall of residence which, in the vacation, is used as a tourist hostel and three of us spent 10 nights for the princely sum of £94. That's for the three of us - not each!
Temperatures were into the high 90's and I spent several happy hours at Palatinus Park which is a huge swimming pool/spa thingy on an island in the Danube.
A great city with wonderful architecture - the railway stations are quite magnificent! - and very nice people. Language was something of a challenge since nobody spoke English or French and I don't speak German beyond "two coffees and a beer" standard but picking up the odd Hungarian phrase wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be.
I'd happily go back and often wonder how much Budapest has changed since there was clear evidence of much "westernisation" with branches of Macdonalds and similar opening all over the city and all sorts of other retail outlets stocking horrendously priced Nike trainers and the like.
About 3 weeks after coming home from Budapest I went to Prague which, at the time, was significantly more expensive although, by our standards still extremely cheap.
roz said:
Sadly, it gets more western every time I go back there - although it should be noted that there was a McDonald's in Budapest when Hungary was still communist. I think it was the only one in the Eastern Bloc.
I say that it's sad that it gets more western, but of course, the Hungarians don't see it that way and every time I moan about yet another McD or Nike outlet, I have to say to myself it's better that they're free, with all the attendant baggage, than not.
For that authentic east European experience these days, check out Romania or Serbia. I went to both a couple of years ago and had a great time.
Seagull's Return
Active member
Was in Hungary in 1990, fantastic people and place!
Sorrel
Well-known member
I had a really nice time in Budapest in 1987, and again in 1989 (when it seemed to be full of East Germans). I've not been back since then so I imagine I'd find it rather different. Both times we drove through Hungary to Romania, but we didn't stop for the night anywhere else.
And my Grandparents met in Budapest in 1936 (though they were both English, but they were in rowing groups at the time), so it's an important place to my family. I'd love to go back, and to see more than just Budapest. Maybe I'll take my children for a holiday one day.
And my Grandparents met in Budapest in 1936 (though they were both English, but they were in rowing groups at the time), so it's an important place to my family. I'd love to go back, and to see more than just Budapest. Maybe I'll take my children for a holiday one day.
Milton Keynes Seagull
Active member
Budapest was always the most western of the old soviet bloc countries, with it's roots in the Austro-Hungarian empire. However, I also dislike the way western big business is moving in for the kill. At the moment there are dozens of independent shops, restaurants and bars, but there is a danger Budapest could be like like any high street in Britain eventually.
But they are free of the Communists and that's great. Anyone who doubts that's a good thing should visit the Museum of Terror and see the charming way in which the Communist secret police dealt with "undesirables". A fascinating museum, but I needed a stiff drink after seeing the torture apparatus and dungeons and photos of all the "guests".
I met a wonderful old lady who had lived in Britain after fleeing in 1956 after the abortive anti-red revolution. She is back home in Budapest now and free to go where she wants and say what she likes. That is actually worth all the other downfalls.
But they are free of the Communists and that's great. Anyone who doubts that's a good thing should visit the Museum of Terror and see the charming way in which the Communist secret police dealt with "undesirables". A fascinating museum, but I needed a stiff drink after seeing the torture apparatus and dungeons and photos of all the "guests".
I met a wonderful old lady who had lived in Britain after fleeing in 1956 after the abortive anti-red revolution. She is back home in Budapest now and free to go where she wants and say what she likes. That is actually worth all the other downfalls.
Tallulah Gosh
New member
I went 8 years ago with my girlfriend (now wife) she was a vegatarian when we left England and a full blown carnivore by the time we got back. There is no catering for veggies in Hungary - the sign of a great country.
The highlight of my trip was a visit to the statue park which features giant statues from the communist days. All the usual suspects, Lenin, Marx - that lot - plus some great statues of the workers. Well worth a visit, I think we got a bus there which was a little tricky but well worth the effort.
Also went to see Hungary play a world cup qualifier and there was torrential rain for the whole game. When we went in to the game the where chaps handing out little booklets for free. I assumed it was a programme so we both queued for them to find out they were little booklets of hard core porn.
The highlight of my trip was a visit to the statue park which features giant statues from the communist days. All the usual suspects, Lenin, Marx - that lot - plus some great statues of the workers. Well worth a visit, I think we got a bus there which was a little tricky but well worth the effort.
Also went to see Hungary play a world cup qualifier and there was torrential rain for the whole game. When we went in to the game the where chaps handing out little booklets for free. I assumed it was a programme so we both queued for them to find out they were little booklets of hard core porn.
Tallulah Gosh said:
There are at least three veggie restaurants in Budapest, there seems to be a new one every time I go back. One, however, is comfortably the worst veggie restaurant, I have ever been to.
When I first went, I lived on pizzas, supplemented by a diet of megyesretes (sour cherry strudel) from street stalls. I must have put on half a stone when I was there.
Nobby Nomates
Active member
The best part of our visit a couple of years ago was the children's railway just outside the city. It was in February, so lots of snow, the (steam) trains ran on time and at every station young children dressed up in full uniforms came out and saluted! We got off halfway up the mountain, trekked a mile or so through the snow to a little cafe bar for a beer or six before getting the ski lift back down. Then back to Budapest for a turkish bath and a meal in a 'locals' restaraunt. The Brie on toast starter consisted of a loaf of toast and a whole brie!
And all for under a pound, you know.....
And all for under a pound, you know.....
D
Deleted User X18H
Guest
Yeah but only if I miss breakfast and have a late lunch ......... oh I see been TO hungary