Riga vs Budapest

[kpc]

It is my wish to visit as many countries as possible, with the aim of visiting 4 new countries every year. This year has been good with the addition of Thailand, Argentina, Uruguay and Canada to that total.

Next year, which is looking very lean at the moment, I can attend a conference in either Riga, Latvia or Budapest, Hungary. As always, I like to take some annual leave in addition and visit the area, including surrounding countries if possible. If you have been before, should I go to Riga (October) or Budapest (September) in 2011? Suggestions, pros and cons please:idea:

 

[Ms Lucy]

I've never been to Riga so can't comment on it but I can say that Budapest is one of my favourite European cities. Very beautiful! I loved it and Berlin so much in the brief days I got there on a round Europe tour that I went back and did a tour of Eastern Europe a few years later.

 

[RB]

Lucky enough to have visited both. Went to Budapest as part of Austria/Poland/Slovakia/Hungary in April/May 2000 and Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania in Sept 2005. Obviously things would have changed in those times. I can say that we were able to get around fairly well both times with public transport, language was Ok & beers were good. I think you might find Riga pretty wet in Oct, plenty to see & enjoy & happy to try & answer any specific questions.

 

[drron]

Will be in Budapest in 2 days time so can let you know there.Have been in Helsinki and Moscow the last 5 days and rained every day with the highest temp 14C.Riga I guess would not have missed this weather.

 

[medhead]

I was in Budapest in 2005 and really enjoyed it. Easy to get around just very relaxing. Plenty to see and do. I also took the hydrofoil that runs between Vienna and Budapest and stops in bratislava.

 

[Flashback]

I was in Budapest in 2005 and really enjoyed it. Easy to get around just very relaxing. Plenty to see and do. I also took the hydrofoil that runs between Vienna and Budapest and stops in bratislava.

That sounds like a good idea and I may just do that next week:!:

 

[RB]

There is a wide choice of night "cruises" on the river that take you up & down through the locks. We also spent some time on a Danube Bend trip where we got the chance to visit old markets with heaps of old Soviet momentos.

 

[drron]

Just 1 picture tells you why Budapest wins-

Taken 2 hours ago in Vaci street on the way to the City Markets.

 

[Flashback]

Just 1 picture tells you why Budapest wins-

Taken 2 hours ago in Vaci street on the way to the City Markets.

Wait till you get to Prague, much the same! 29 Kronor for 500ml, which is about $1.75 AUD!

 

[drron]

Wait till you get to Prague, much the same! 29 Kronor for 500ml, which is about $1.75 AUD!

Though in the markets you could buy 1.5L Chardy for 390HUF($1.95).Wouldn't vouch for the quality!

 

[Keith009]

Not been to Riga, but Budapest was lovely. Great coffee, friendly people (unlike those in Vienna ), delicious and cheap beer, and decent shopping.

 

[drron]

Not been to Riga, but Budapest was lovely. Great coffee, friendly people (unlike those in Vienna ), delicious and cheap beer, and decent shopping.

Fully agree.Yesterday was cold wet and windy so we put off sightseeing until today-nice blue sky this morning.We walked the area around the LM.Really nice and the shopping is good and cheap-even I have a new pair of shoes.Mrsdrron got a pair that she had coveted in Germany last year-they were $250-but here on sale $55.
City market was interesting and last night dinner was fantastic.Just picked a restaurant as we walked around.Both of us had Foie Gras,food was really good,service excellent.Plus a bottle of Sav Blanc and still the bill was less than $100.Gave the young woman a 1000HUF($A5) tip and her eyes lit up-was worth it just for that.
We are already planning our return.

 

[medhead]

One thing I did do in Budapest was the children's railway. Entertaining. Poor little school kids would absolutely no english getting confronted by me trying to buy 3 tickets.

Not that this is a recommendation as it is a bit out of the way to get to the railway, half a day all up. And not something to do unless your really into trains. So just a recollection of my time there along the lines of the people are great.

 

[kpc]

Thanks to all the replies so far....seems more have been to Budapest than Riga...I have only read (very) +ve things about Budapest to date so at this point I'll have to lean towards Budapest (until someone gives a glowing report on Riga:mrgreen. Best way to get to Budapest on Oneworld from Sydney? via Lhr or Fra??

 

[haydensydney]

I lived in Hungary when I was 17/18, so obviously my recommendation is for Budapest. Very cultural & more "authentic".

 

[drron]

Thanks to all the replies so far....seems more have been to Budapest than Riga...I have only read (very) +ve things about Budapest to date so at this point I'll have to lean towards Budapest (until someone gives a glowing report on Riga:mrgreen. Best way to get to Budapest on Oneworld from Sydney? via Lhr or Fra??

Or via HEL and BKK.
After our 2 days in Budapest we definitely like it and will return.

 

[medhead]

A couple of tips on budapest. I found the Budapest card to be good value. Free public transport for a couple of days. Also had a little booklet of attractions which was useful for finding things to do. I found the Budapest Aviation museum. It was very interesting, certainly no edward space center or smithsonian or whatever, very down market. But had some interesting soviet era light aircraft and also maybe an insight into communist hungary. The nearby Szechenyi baths were rather fun as well, just don't go up onto the roof if you do go there. I did to get photos and there were lots of old man working of their tans.

Budapest Tourism Office - Aviation Museum - Museums - Things to see.

Aviation Museum - Google Maps

 

[RB]

I can suggest the red group apartments if looking for an apartment in Riga. They have choices for Tallin, Riga & Vilnius. When we used them for Tallin they were great (already booked with others for Riga & Vilnius by the time we came across them).