Lonely Planet Hungary (Hungary, 4th Ed)

Rating:
Summary: A good guide to Hungary
Review: As a Hungarian I was wondering if I'd get any new information from this book and being a curious person I bought it and must admit that it covers mostly everything that is worth seeing in Hungary.

The introductory section is a bit obsolete though this is the most vulnerable part to changes. Anyway I laughed my head off at the description of Hungarian post officers and "toilet aunties". These descriptions are true and prepare the would-be tourist for what can be expected. The section is informative, covering all the important points.

The chapter on Budapest is absolutely OK, the walking tours are managable and they cover the whole city. Once you've completed the 12 walking tours you know what Budapest is like. The other chapters are good, too, though the ones describing the Great Plain and Western Transdanubia could have been a bit more comprehensive.

Considering everything this guide is a good choice if you want to visit Hungary.

Rating:
Summary: Great Resource on Hungary
Review: I lived in Hungary for a while, and this is a great resource for traveling around the country. The author captures the Hungarian spirit and quirkiness quite well, and the reviews of the restaurants, hotels, and attractions are usually accurate.

I do caution people that the information isn't as accurate if you're traveling to any of the minor cities. I lived in Szombathely, and many of the hotels and restaurants don't exist any more, and the attractions are rather... er, not quite as they are portrayed.

Also be aware that the train schedules change every January, so even if the guide says a certain leaves from Keleti or Deli, this may not be the case. Verify everything before you can make travel arrangements.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful, but would have like more about lake Balaton
Review: I used Lonely Planet's HUNGARY travel guide on a trip to Hungary in 1999 and was very pleased by it. It's introductory sections vivdly explain the history of the Magyars and their charming society. The unique food and drink of Hungary is clearly written about (one has to admire a guide that gives a whole paragraph to the wonderful Unicum).

The section on Budapest is impressively complete and made getting around that lovely city very manageable. The maps are clear (as should be expected with Lonely Planet).

Praise goes to the toughness of the book. I've always admired the durability of Lonely Planet's guides, as the double-stiched binding withstands the rough handling that travel guides receive.

I would have liked to have, however, more information on the Lake Balaton region. LP's HUNGARY guide seems to cover only the largest towns (and the most commercial) and leaves out several quaint locales.

But even with that minor fault, the Lonely Planet HUNGARY guide is the best out there.

Rating:
Summary: need prices for everything in book.
Review: other wise it was a very informative book. I am now even more excited about visting my familys home country . Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: I was very impressed with all the great information in your
Review: Please update your book every year. I know I would buy it every time you did an update. I also bought one for a hungarian friend, who was also very pleased with it, and he was born In Hungary.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad...
Review: We're planning a trip to Hungary next year, and using LP's Hungary guide. While it paints the broad strokes of this central European country, and offers an impressive history section despite the guide's slender appearance, it's still missing some key points - which is why we're also using the Eyewitness guide to Budapest and the Rough Guide's Hungary offering. This trio seem to offer the best combination of history, practical advice, upper and lower-end accomodation and a good balance between what to see in Budapest, and what to check out in the rest of the country. (By the way, if you purchase LP's Hungary guide, skip LP's Budapest guide. Aside from a few pictures you won't find in the Hungary edition, you'll essentially have the exact information in the same guide. Save some cash and invest in a Rough Guide.)

Rating:
Summary: Concise (Cultural/Historical/Educational) Complete Guide
Review: While the internet is virtually an (almost) unlimted source for information about any country, it is also an overload of too much information ... that is when you need a guide to help you sort it all out. Lonely Planet does *just* *this* for anyone who is interested in visiting and touring Hungary. I have been to Hungary three times in the past five years and was delighted to discover this wonderful book. While my primary purpose was to visit relatives, the opportunity to visit historical sites and experience the culture is always foremost in my mind. Since most vacations are limited to 2, 3 or 4 weeks - you need to know where to find what interests you and make the most of your European vacation. This is the primary purpose of this book.

Lonely Planet tells you about restaurants, hotels (and their prices), entertainment, folklore events, art galleries, museums, castles, and churches, too -- giving a very good description of *nearly* everything of historical or cultural interest in the major cities and towns of Hungary. There are some very nice photographs,too. I was most impressed by their including information about transportation, buses, the metro and the trains. You are given an indespensible synopsis and outline of "what you need to know" of how to get "where you want to go." Budapest is described in vivid detail - the charm of this old world capital is evident - anyone unfamiliar with its treasures is enticied to visit. I have visited, Szekesfehervar, Veszprem, Sarvar, Szombathely, Gyor, Sumeg, Koszeg, Csesznek, Zirc, Mor, and at Lake Balaton: Siofok, Keszthely, Tihany & Badacsony -- all described beautifully for what they offer the tourist. Of note, there are highlighted boxes which give special information, hard to find elsewhere, for instance, "Herend Porcelain" is featured, giving a brief history of this art and a description of some patterns. "The Victoria pattern of butterflies and wild flwoers of the Bakony was designed for Queen Victora after she admired a display of Herend pieces at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851." (page 228)

Another major plus to this guide, is it gives an accurate, scholarly and well researched brief history of Hungary in about 10 pages. I have read recently published history books about Hungary - Lonely Planet got it right! So if you are looking for a concise, cultural, historical, educational complete guide to visiting Hungary - buy this book. My highest accolades to this guide! Erika Borsos (erikab93)