There is another book that you may find an interesting and compelling read. The title is THE BRIDGE at ANDAU, the author is James A. Michener. If you are unable to get hold of it, you are welcome to borrow the copy we have.

Prague

Its safe to say I'm fairly sure you will be blown away by Prague (historically known as Bohemia) the old town is stunning don't miss the Astronomical clock, the Lennon Wall and if you get a chance go to Cesky Krumlov, wonderful for an avid photographer such as yourself.

Another option Kutná Hora. 75km.

Vienna

Vienna, a favourite of my Mother's and only about 60km from where they lived in Sopron Hungary. Vienna, the city of music, many famous composers you would be familiar with, Brahms, Beethoven, Schubert, and Johann Strauss. My Favourite Strauss piece has to be The Blue Danube Waltz.

Must see in Vienna St Stephens Cathedral (200m away from our flat), State Opera House, Hofburg, The Belvedere, especially if you are a Gustav Klimt or Egon Schiele fan. I am a Klimt fan, and of course Schönbrunn Palace. Vienna also has beautiful parklands and tram travel is easy.

Café Central (opened in 1876) is also worth a look with its links to Freud and Trotsky, the architecture is amazing, the coffee is good and you can sit as long as you like it gets busy so book. There are better places to eat.

If you feel like an amazing Schnitzel, may I suggest Figlmüller Bäckerstrasse

or Figlmüller at Wollzeile, bookings essential for both.

The two Figlmüller restaurants are close to each other and only 600m from our AirBnB.

Our all time favourite for some good homestyle cooking, just like my Grandmothers and flavours of my childhood is Ilona Stüberl Restaurant (Hungarian) in Vienna, booking essential Bráunerstrase 2, 1010 Wien.

500m from our flat.

May I recommend some of the following: the Crumbed mushrooms, Bean Soup, Paprika chicken with gnocchi and Pancakes with jam filling or curd cheese filling.

Spanish Riding School.

Sisi Museum tour.

Hungary

Once in Hungary so many amazing places to see. Did you know that the Hungarian alphabet has 44 letters. I believe it is an extension of the Latin alphabet and the Finnish and Estonian languages are the closest to Hungarian and they believe it belongs to Finno-Ugric language family. In Hungary a person's Surname always comes first so I'm Guise Dianna.

Things to do in Budapest

Don't miss the Hungarian State Opera, its truly beautiful, the Hungarian Parliament Building, you might get lucky and see the changing of the guards, the Fishermans Bastion built in the 19th Century so its relatively new and a fab spot for photos of the Parliament building, Buda castle, The Church of Our Lady of Buda castle, named after King Matthias its a Coronation Church, The roof is decorated in Hungarian Zsolnay tiles (Hungarian Ceramics started in about 1853), St Stephen's Basilica, Heroes Square shows the 7 tribes of the leaders who founded Hungary, the Central Market where you have all kinds of pickled produce down below, delicatessens, fruit and veg on the ground floor, and upstairs souvenirs and food hall to eat. A must try is the Hungarian Langos with sour cream, cheese and garlic (traditional style)

The House of Terror on Andrássy Ave if you are interested in the Fascist Communist era, many were detained interrogated and died in this building. Shoes on the Danube, a memorial to the Hungarian jewish people who were shot on the banks of the Danube in the Winter 1944-45 by the Arrow Cross party. The Dohány Street Synagogue is worth a visit, it was once part of the Jewish Ghetto. I believe it is the second largest in the world.

On a more pleasant note

Budapest is also known for its Thermal baths; try the Széchenyi Baths or the Gellért Baths.

Two cafes worth seeing for their architecture and ambiance is the New York Café, a slice of history a step into the past and elegance. I wouldn't eat here its a bit expensive, but for a coffee and pastry it will take you back to a time of sophistication. Bookings ESSENTIAL.

The other is the Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, part of the Hyatt 1052 Budapest, Petőfi Sándor Utca 2-4, Booking ESSENTIAL.

George you may be interested in the Hospital in the Rock underneath Buda Castle, originally an air raid hospital, later transformed to a Nuclear bunker.

One final suggestion is a Dinner Cruise on the Danube, the city at night is spectacular.

Hungary also produces some really good Wines, the town of EGER produces a red known as Egri Bikavér or Bulls Blood, Kekfrankos (Blue Frankish) a variety planted around Sopron near the Austrian border, more like a Pinot Noir, and according to legend the Sopron Wine growers had to be paid with the more valuable Napoleonic 'blue francs'.

The other is the famous TOKAJI ASZÚ the wine of kings, the king of wines. It's a sweet noble wine best with cheese particularly blue cheese and also good with fine chocolate. Drink it slightly chilled. Also try some UNICUM a hungarian herbal Liqueur you can have it as an apéritif or a Digestive. It's an acquired taste, and was often used for indigestion. It was created in 1790, and made by the Zwack family. One brother lived in exile in the USA, the other went to Italy. They left behind a fake recipe for the Communist Government. During communism the original recipe was entrusted to a family friend outside of Hungary. The factory was destroyed in WW2 and not long after the company was forced to Nationalise. In 1989 after the fall of Communism the Zwacks bought their company back from the State, Nephew Péter reviving the name.

Great Market Hall. Vámház körút 1-3, in District IX, Budapest.

Great Market Hall – by the river Danube on the Pest side of Budapest near the green historical bridge (Liberty Bridge), overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage (the Danube embankment with major sights like the Buda Castle, Gellert Hill, etc.), and more architectural attractions like the green Liberty Bridge or Gellert Spa.