Things To Do
Pécs
Pécs is a 2000-year-old town dating back to the Roman Empire with lots of history, architecture, museums, and a rich cultural life: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g274905-Activities-Pecs_Baranya_County_Southern_Transdanubia.html What not to miss while in town: Cella Septichora https://www.vilagoroksegpecs.hu/ Proto-Christian catacombs from the 4th century (one of the few known outsides of Rome) Zsolnay Negyed (Zsolnay Quarter): https://www.zsolnaynegyed.hu/en. A museum complex located in the former homes and factories of a fine ceramic manufacturing dynasty. Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kassim (today used as a Catholic Church): https://pecsiegyhazmegye.hu/en/attractions/mosque-of-pasha-gazi-kassim
Budapest (sights)
For the first time here, we recommend staying 2-3 days Thermal Baths (Gellert is the fanciest and most beautiful one with mosaic covered interiors; Szechenyi Bath, Rudas Bath and Lukacs Bath are all old public bath houses, some dating back to the Ottoman occupation (1541 to 1699). They all have their individual character and mineral content. This is a pretty comprehensive site for them: https://bathsbudapest.com/ Ruin bars/pubs Architecture: just walk around the inner city and enjoy the Beaux-Arts architecture from the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867-1918) Castle District: home of the Royal Palace and The Hungarian National Gallery: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/hungary/budapest/castle-district Museums: Hungarian National Gallery (in the Castle District); Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Ethnography are both near Heroes Square. The Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art is a bit off the beaten track, but it is worth a visit
Budapest (Food)
Hungarians are historically good at this. For true Hungarian flavors try some of these places: Menza https://www.menzaetterem.hu/ (one of Ani’s old hang out spots) Ket Szerecsen Bisztro https://www.ketszerecsen.hu/en (another one of Ani’s old hang out spots) Babel https://babel-budapest.hu/en/ (fine, modern central European cuisine, 1 Micheline star) Vendiak https://www.vendiaketterem.hu/menu (we had some great dinners here in recent years) Paprika Vendeglo (for the real traditional feel and tastes – bit of a time travel): https://paprikavendeglo.hu/ (near the Museum of Ethnography) Szép Ilona Bisztro https://www.szepilonabisztro.com/ on the Buda side, but only a 10 min cab ride from anywhere downtown. Good, old, tried, and trusted place serving Hungarian dishes with contemporary notes Gerlóczy Cafe https://gerloczy.hu/, near Astoria, but a bit hidden from main tourist routes. This is where the locals go…from breakfast to dinner
Budapest (Cafe Houses)
Their tradition dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire times. Cafe Houses where the places where the intelligentsia (artists, writers, thinkers, newspaper editors) would gather and discuss matters (revolutions started at Cafe Houses!). Here are some of the most notable ones: New York Cafe https://newyorkcafe.hu/en/ the oldest still in operation and by far the most spectacular architecture Centrál Kávéház https://centralgrandcafe.hu/ taste of the old Budapest (great breakfast) Mai Manó Cafe, near Oktogon and the Opera building, this one belongs to the House of Photography (good place to spot local artists) Művész Kávéház (Artist Cafe) Nowadays not so much for artists but has the old charms https://www.muveszkavehaz.com/en/home/
Budapest ("Cukrászdák")
Confectioneries... There are many! You may find a brand new one that no one even knows about just walking down the street as this is another old tradition that is very much alive in Budapest: eating fine dessert with fine coffee and discussing the news of the world (small and large). Here are some good old, tried-and-true ones: Cafe Gerbeaud https://gerbeaud.hu/ Auguszt Cukrászda https://auguszt.hu/auguszt-belvaros/ one of the oldest… Szamos Gourmet Ház, Budapest, Váci u 1, 1052 Hungary (if you like marzipan, this place is for you!) In the center of downtown there is a new bakery that was recommended to us recently: Vaj Birodalom. If staying nearby, this is s great breakfast location: https://www.vajbirodalom.hu/sas
Hungary (Wine regions)
Hungary is a wine country (don’t let the beer drinkers tell you otherwise!) with several notable wine regions: Tokaj region: A royal decree pronounced Tokaj-Hegyalja the first closed wine region in the world in 1737. It is where the world famous Aszú is grown and made into the delicious liquid gold substance. Tokaj is a 2.5-3-hour train ride /drive from Budapest. If driving, Eger, another wine region known for its red wine (especially the Bull’s Blood or Egri Bikavėr) can be added as a stop on a day trip. (*important to keep in mind though: Hungary has a zero-tolerance protocol for drivers, so no alcohol is allowed at all when driving vehicles) Villány/ Siklós is another old wine region that is very close to Pécs (about 30 min drive, 1 hour bus ride away) and it is known primarily for its reds https://villanyiborvidek.hu/
Hungary (Wellness and Water)
WELLNESS CASTLES Many old aristocratic countryside castles were converted to Wellness or Spa centers. Just google them and find the one that might fit your plans. Hungary is located in a geographical basin (Carpathian basin) with lots of thermal water in the ground. Just like the bathhouses in Budapest, these country destinations take advantage of the medicinal properties of the mineral rich thermal waters. LAKE BALATON The largest lake in Europe, the lake is the classic summer holiday destination for most Hungarians (although it became pricey for locals in recent years). Like many Hungarians growing up, as a child, Ani also used to spend time in summer camps around the lake. The North Shore is hugged by a beautiful mountain range, so the water gets deep fast and as such it is the quieter shore of the lake, while the South Shore has shallow and warmer waters making it ideal for families with children.