FUN-travel: Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary
October 2, 2013 by Susan Clarke
Day 13 – Saturday, September 28 – Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary – clear blue skies, mild, cool – high 50’s
Parliament
What I LIKE
- 6:30 – wake up
- 7:15 – Americano w/hot milk today
- 8:30 – taxi to train (get more on time bonus pts!)
- only takes 10 minutes (1 hr early makes Chris happy)
- hang out @ station – quite nice w/lots of shops & food options – clean & bright w/big windows
- 9:30 – board
- 9:48 – take off on time
- no crowds – have big table with 4 seats (double facing seats)
- lovely australian couple across from us
- 12:49 – arrive on time
- 1:20 – nice driver – nice Mercedes – takes Euros
- 1:30 – arrive hotel Palazzo Zichy – taxi cost $16 – give him $20 = $27 US
- hotel very nice, newer (4 yrs) w/modern edge
- 1:45 – off to ATM
- 2:00 – beer break – Soproni & Zlaty Bazant pints = 690 ft = $3.30 US
- take afternoon stroll to check out restaurants nearby (most offer outdoor patio tables)
- 3:05 – pizza & beer break @ the pointer pub – salami w/hot chilis, Stella Artois & Guiness = $12 US
- *4:30 – hotel lobby bar
- Chris wonders what took me so long – new travel rule – come looking for me! (oh & he said he thought he heard construction noise too)
- 5:00 – room R & R
- 5:30 – reception knocks on door w/coupon for 2 free drinks @ bar for my bathroom ordeal – validated that it really can’t be opened from the inside & emergency alarm doesn’t work!
- 8:00 – still full from pizza so just snack in room & have some good “Unplugged”
What I DON’T LIKE
- no ATM @ station & bad exchange rate
- total taxi line chaos in Budapest – people not waiting their turn (bad taxi karma awaits them)
- taxi’s not really regulated (anyone can put a sign on their car)
- beer not that good (we think Belgium is the best)
- *get stuck in bathroom on lower level – pocket door won’t open – start banging hoping someone hears – 5 mins & mild panic sets in! – emergency alarm on wall – finally pull it & nothing happens!– continue banging & reception opens door & thinks I’m crazy – reason it takes them so long – they think it’s from construction going on next door – then it dawns on them it’s 5 pm Saturday – (also, think to myself – one reason you don’t want to travel alone as no one will miss you)
FUN-fact – Hotel Palazzo Vichy was completed in 1899 as the Vichy family home. It is 3 stories high and had a basement/cellar and featured a central court yard. Once you enter through the main doors, on the left side is an impressive iron railing staircase leading up the 3 stories, while on the right side there are 6 floors. These were probably for the servants and children. Today the lobby is on the main floor where the central courtyard was and the dining room is downstairs along with some meeting rooms. There is a glass roof just above reception so the rooms get fresh air.
More FF – They offer FREE coffee, espresso, tea, water & snacks in lobby bar all day long until 5 pm when the bartender comes on.
