As I adore the collective wisdom found here, thought I’d see if there is any to be shared for these destinations. I will be traveling to visit D and son in law who live in Ukraine. Our time will be mostly spent in Kiev, and Tblisi, with a short few days in Budapest at the end. We like food as well as long walks and botanical gardens. And for me, traditional music and dance.
In Budapest we liked the trip on the Danube, we felt the best one was going all the way to Esztergom and then getting the train back after visiting the town. Also visit the Gelert hotel and spa for swimming.
Lakes, I’ll PM you my itinerary for both!
@“great lakes mom” I am still working on the itinerary. I generally type up a long list, print one to take with me on the trip, and I annotate it as we actually do stuff. I knew I had typed some of the IRL commentary somewhere, and just realized I did so for S2, my niece and her DH when they were in Budapest last December. Now I have three versions of this document, and I am consolidating.
S2 is in Georgia this week and is LOVING it. His pics are spectacular. He says they have more tourist infrastructure than in Ukraine, and expects it would be more crowded in the summer. Highly recommends the Great Synagogue in Tblisi. Spring, on the other hand, is glorious and there’s still snow in the mountains. He walked out of his hostel Sunday am and came across a group of 5-6 men sitting outside a bar drinking homemade wine and singing folk songs in 4-part harmony. He sent me a video; it is goose-bump inducing. One of the men gave S2 a glass of wine as well (this was about 11 am). I also noted from the video that curly, longish hair and a beard help him blend right in to the Georgian culture.
Thanks, Counting Down! Didn’t mean to give you a massive project, but would appreciate details. The more I learn about Georgia, the more excited I become.
Twoin18, thanks for that tip on the baths and Danube trip. Was there a reason you chose that bath? Part of the reason I wanted to go to Budapest is to see if some of my chronic achy hips and feet might be helped. Even for a day or two!
When are you going? We will be in Kiev in the end of May and I can share impressions. DH was born there but hasn’t visited for 30 years.
It’s the most famous, particularly because of the spectacular building. The combination of indoor and outdoor pools makes it a good option on a hot summer day as well.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gellért_Baths
Our most memorable visit in Hungary was to the thermal lake at Heviz, in the middle of winter. It was below zero Fahrenheit and we were swimming outside with the steam freezing on the trees. Then we went ice skating a few miles away on Lake Balaton later in the day. Unfortunately it’s too far for a day trip from Budapest and probably less special in summer anyway (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hév%C3%ADz)