Frommer's Budapest & the Best of Hungary (Frommer's Complete Guides) [Paperback]

Ryan James (Author)

Book Description

Series: Frommer's Complete Guides | Publication Date: April 21, 2008

Budapest, awakened in 1989 after its long slumber behind the Iron Curtain, is now one of Europe's hottest destinations. It stands proudly at the center of Eastern Europe's cultural rebirth, and best of all, it still ranks as one of the continent's best bargains.

Frommer's Budapest & the Best of Hungary, 7th Edition has all the practical details and candid advice you need to plan a successful trip. This book has been completely updated to give you the best places to stay and dine, from historic hotels to intimate guesthouses and from grand cafes to atmospheric taverns and pubs. Explore the city's highlights on detailed walking tours and learn about the gorgeous architecture of both the city's famous buildings and hidden treasures. And of course, we've got all the details on Budapest's exciting nightlife, its vibrant arts scene, and its fabulous thermal baths and spas.

Then explore the best of the Hungarian countryside, where you'll discover sunburnt hillside vineyards and deep verdant valleys, lush cherry orchards, the riverside towns along the Danube Bend, the famous caves in Aggletek, and the shores of Lake Balaton. Our book puts it all at your fingertips, with a handy glossary of Hungarian phrases and detailed color maps.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Frommer's. The best trips start here.

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.

• Insider tips on Budapest's secret courtyard parties, Szentendre's best museum finds, Hévíz's thermal lake—and much more.

• Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.

• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.

• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com

About the Author

Dr. Ryan James was born and raised in Long Branch, New Jersey. He earned his doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco, and has taught English at ELTE University in Budapest since 2002. He and his partner own BudaBaB, a bed and breakfast on the Pest side. He welcomes questions and comments about this guide, and his email address is [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Frommers; 7 edition (April 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047022701X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470227015
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #977,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Travel > Europe > Hungary > Budapest

More About the Author

It took sixteen years of California living and a doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco to convince Ryan he needed a year abroad to reassess his life.

After packing it all in, traveling the country to say good-bye to family and friends along the way, preparing for a year abroad, September 11, 2001 delayed those plans. By September 24, a flight to London started the great adventure through Europe. As the weather became colder, being a full-time tourist was not so appealing. Ryan and his partner, Ron returned to Budapest where they have visited in the past and fell in love with the city.

A three month stay has turned into an eight year long stay and counting still. Dr. James and Ron have traveled to 48 countries in six continents.

Feel free to write Dr. James at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you'll need to know before arriving in Budapest, February 20, 2009

By 

Jennifer Norcross (Pawcatuck, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frommer's Budapest & the Best of Hungary (Frommer's Complete Guides) (Paperback)

I was given numerous guidebooks to Budapest and Hungary as I prepared to move to Budapest for the 2002-2003 academic year. I never found any one of them gave me all the information I needed, but together, they helped me to get acclimated to the incredible city I still consider "home." I have returned several times since and hope to do so again this year. Although I have friends in the city, I wanted to purchase a new guide so as to have something in hand which could tell me about changes in the transportation system as well as restaurant updates and other pertinent information.

I perused a number of guides before settling on the Frommer's Budapest and the Best of Hungary 7th edition. The 4th edition was among those I'd been given in 2002, but I find this update to be far superior. Not only did I get the transportation and restaurant updates I was hoping for (and agreed with the reviews for the restaurants I'd already been to, including Alfoldi), I read about a number of smaller museums and interesting sites which I'd somehow missed during my year there. This edition also included more information than the previous edition on one of my favorite activities in Budapest: going to the movies. For the cinephile, it is an exciting city to visit.

The suggested itineraries and walking tours are all really helpful, especially if you only have limited time and want to hit some highlights, and the suggestions for trips out of the city are good, too. I've been to every place described, I think, with the exception of Eger, and they are all worth the trip, depending on your interests. Besides the wonderful sights to be seen, the marked difference between Budapest and everyplace else in Hungary is really worth experiencing.

The writing in this edition is very accessible and comes across as very genuine; knowing that the author is an American who now lives in Budapest gives the reader confidence that their perspective as a foreign visitor is understood and their interests and needs being addressed, no matter how varied they may be.

You're going to struggle with the language, but no fear, in central Budapest you will find lots of English speakers and English signs (many more than when I lived there!), and out of the city you will find a way to manage. Grab your Frommer's 7th edition and enjoy this beautiful and historic city!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough historical/cultural information, August 10, 2009

By 

Jennifer Way (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frommer's Budapest & the Best of Hungary (Frommer's Complete Guides) (Paperback)

This book was a backup choice because the new edition of Lonely Planet Budapest isn't out yet. Aside from a two-page essay about the history of Jews in Budapest, there is not much historical or cultural information. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the Lonely Planet format, but I appreciate the chapters they include on a country's history and culture, as well an etiquette section in the appendix--I find it gives me much-needed context for understanding different cultures. In Frommers, there are some cultural tidbits throughout, but that's not easily searchable when you're on the go. (There were also some fairly useless sections, such as explaining to the American audience how to apply for an American passport or how to navigate an international check-in at an American airport.) I'll likely buy a different Budapest guide before I take off.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SueW, July 6, 2011

By 

SueW - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frommer's Budapest and the Best of Hungary (Frommer's Complete Guides) (Paperback)

This is a very useful book for traveling through Hungary, especially if this is your first time. People who have traveled through Hungary before can still find this a useful tool.