Hey Budababe! Over here...

[strawberry]

Hi Budababe. We are coming to Budapest next month on holiday with the 2 DS's aged 2 and 5. I saw your recommendation about the boat trip to the island - any other ideas? Also can you recommend some good restaurants?

We are then going to Lake Balaton - have you been there and if so any top tips?

My DH used to live in Budapest but we have never been there with the children

TIA

Bump...

Hellooooo

While you wait for Budababe to truly enlighten you
have a look at this overview of BP.

Hope this helps!

.

A response - hooray! Thanks DaddyJ!

Hi strawberry - found you!

Will have a think and get back to you.

Where are you staying?

(It is REALLY REALLY REALLY hot at the moment - too hot to go out!)

Hello Budababe - I have felt like a crazed stalker trying to get in touch with you! Staying at the Kempinsky (sp?) in Budapest and then going to Siofok. Have been keeping an eye on the weather and seen the soaring temps. TBH weather here so awful it'll be great to get some sun.
TIA

Szivesen / you're welcome!

There are tons of excellent restaurants in BP
and I hope Budababe will recommend some good ones.

Two of my favourites:
If you want to sample true Hungarian cuisine (rich but gorgeous!)
go to Müveszinas (near Elisabeth Square - 'Erzsebet ter') or/and
the Museumsrestaurant next to the National Museum.

ooh Kempinski nice! Robbie stayed there first time he played here and did an impromptu session in bar later apparently. It's also where I usually park when I drive into town but don't tell DH as it's bloody expensive!

Haven't been to Siofok but DH has.

And you won't get much sun if it doesn't cool down as you won't want to go out!

Will do some research/memory refreshing and reply later!

Thanks guys.
DaddyJ - you speak Hungarian? How come?
My DH does too although probably quite rusty as 10 yrs since he lived there. Anymore advice?

Little treat staying at the Kempinski. Dh knows someone who works there so got a great deal.

Two weeks until we go!

You must go to a decent coffee house for coffee and cake. My favourite is Ruszworm which is so mittel-Europa one expects Sigmund Freud to drop in at any moment. When we visited it was October and quiet - August will not be. Children were welcome in the coffee houses I visited - no special menu but they were just accepted as normal customers.

Just a few words, unfortunately.

What a coincidence:
the two restaurants I mentioned are more or less
right next to the Kempinski!

When exactly do you get here Strawberry? There is a great new guide to Budapest called "Benjamin in Budapest" aimed at children. I have a copy and could drop it to the Kempinski for you and then you can leave it at Reception for me to pick up.

How are you getting to Balaton? I can lend you a car seat for your 2yr old and a booster for your 5 yr old if you like?

We have MIL here from 1st to 6th and then are away from 8th to 22nd.

But anyway - things to do.

There is a great outdoor pool complex on Margit Island - haven't been yet this year but some of it has been renovated. You pay an entrance fee and can stay all day.

Another nice thing to do is the Children's Railway which takes you up into Buda Hills.

There is a nice Asian fusion restaurant called Goa on Andrassy ut. No children's items as such but did do a big bowl of plain pasta for my DS.

Will have a further think!.

Oh yes, I second Goa!
And again, it's only 5 minutes on foot from Kempinski.

Andrassi ut itself is fun and there is lots to see.

Our landlord is part owner of Goa (and house built in similar style).

Thanks Budababe for your kind offers. We arrive in Budapest on 6th Aug but go straight to Balaton from the airport. Back in BP on 12th - 16th.

We have hired a car from the airport with car seats so should be ok.

The book sounds great - if it is possible to leave it for us would be much appreciated. Failing that we'll try to get a copy there. Tried Amazon but no joy.
I know you've recently been to Ireland but is there anything we can bring you from the UK??

Activities sound good. Have you been to Transport Museum in 14th district? Sounds like the sort of thing our boys would like.

Hi Strawberry - haven't forgotten you!

I will drop the guide book to Kempinski for you - you will need to give me your name.

Haven't been to Transport museum myself but it is good from what I hear.

Have MIL arriving this evening so will be in town over next few days and will drop book to Kempinski.