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Whilst the sights and sounds of these two cities differ hugely, the histories of Budapest and Vienna are so intertwined that by visiting them separately you only get half of the story. They were the joint seats of government for one of the great world powers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The empire exceeded that of the British in terms of manufacturing might, and covered the second largest geographical area after that of Russia. It brought great wealth to the ruling Habsburg monarchy, and the legacies of this are visible throughout both capital cities in the form of imposing mansions and grand townhouses.
The empire was dissolved after World War I and the paths of the two cities diverged once again resulting in two wonderful cities with their own distinct flavours. The grandeur of Budapest is a little faded, though the Gothic spires of the parliament and the towering baroque Buda castle still dominate the skyline creating a tremendous sense of atmosphere. On the other hand Vienna’s impressive boulevards and gleaming facades still give it the feel of an Imperial centre, though today the doors of its’ many palaces are now open to the public, and house a dizzying array of museums, galleries and historic collections.
Aided by the efficient inter-city Railjet train service, Vienna and Budapest make the perfect combination.
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With an expert English-speaking guide you will visit the vast Baroque Buda Castle and Palace which sits imposingly on Castle Hill. Your guide will lead you through the surrounding UNESCO listed castle district of mediaeval, Baroque and 19th century buildings to the famous Fisherman’s Bastion – a fortified terrace with wonderful views towards Pest. In front of the Fisherman’s Bastion you will see the Matthias Church with its oriental inspired interior and ornately tiled roof. You will then head over to Pest to see St. Stephen's Basilica and walk along the grand Andrássy Avenue, lined with palaces, mansion houses and the State Opera House.
This elegant hotel opened in April 2015 and is in Pest, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Chain Bridge. It is housed within a 19th century neo-Classical town house. At the heart of the hotel is an impressive inner courtyard where interior balconies look down onto the spacious lobby on the ground floor.
One of our very favourite hotels in the centre of mediaeval Vienna, just 200 yards from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Dating back to the 17th century, the building has remained unchanged for 300 years.
Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
