The DO on the DANUBE! (budapest) - 7/8 July
May 17, 2007, 6:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: BA
Posts: 3,890
The DO on the DANUBE! (budapest) - 7/8 July
Hello Folks!
Following on from the success of Edinburgh, and in light of the pending fun in Islay, may I suggest a fun weekend in Budapest?
WHAT:
The DO on the Danube!
WHERE:
Budapest
WHEN:
7 - 8 July
WHY:
A fun weekend on the Danube, with plenty and plenty of alcohol
HOTELS:
The official DO hotel will be the Intercontinental Budapest, which has rooms from just €84!!! BARGAIN!! Furtehrmore, we already have at least six IC Royal Ambassadors attending, so that's 6 free minibars and club lounge access for everybody!!
Alternatively there is the 5* Four Seasons, the Kempinski, or for alternative point-earning options: SPG Le Meridien or either of the two Hiltons: Castle District or the West End. NB: If you are going to go for a Hilton, I strongly recommend the West End one as it is far closer to the IC (DO base location).
FLIGHTS:
Unfortunately, this appears not to be the cheapest of weekends, so I'm going to suggest that there are no absolutley 'official' DO flights, especially as people are coming from many different cities.
Budapest is served by many differnet airlines, inclduing direct from the UK: British Airways, Malev, jet2 and Wizz Air. Alternatively there are some very good value indirect fligths with KLM, Lufthansa, Alitalia and SWISS to name a few. It's worth also checking expedia as they have some excellent flight + hotel deals.
DO SCHEDULE:
Saturday 7 July:
Sunday 8 July:
ATTENDEES:
CONFIRMED: (11)
MAYBES: (4)
Lis
Please post below if you're interested or ideally if you're coming! The DO is of course open to all FTers, young and old, BA and others! It would be particularly nice if we could get some local BUD FTers to come along, or perhaps FTers from other European countries!!
Following on from the success of Edinburgh, and in light of the pending fun in Islay, may I suggest a fun weekend in Budapest?
WHAT:
The DO on the Danube!
WHERE:
Budapest
WHEN:
7 - 8 July
WHY:
A fun weekend on the Danube, with plenty and plenty of alcohol
HOTELS:
The official DO hotel will be the Intercontinental Budapest, which has rooms from just €84!!! BARGAIN!! Furtehrmore, we already have at least six IC Royal Ambassadors attending, so that's 6 free minibars and club lounge access for everybody!!
Alternatively there is the 5* Four Seasons, the Kempinski, or for alternative point-earning options: SPG Le Meridien or either of the two Hiltons: Castle District or the West End. NB: If you are going to go for a Hilton, I strongly recommend the West End one as it is far closer to the IC (DO base location).
FLIGHTS:
Unfortunately, this appears not to be the cheapest of weekends, so I'm going to suggest that there are no absolutley 'official' DO flights, especially as people are coming from many different cities.
Budapest is served by many differnet airlines, inclduing direct from the UK: British Airways, Malev, jet2 and Wizz Air. Alternatively there are some very good value indirect fligths with KLM, Lufthansa, Alitalia and SWISS to name a few. It's worth also checking expedia as they have some excellent flight + hotel deals.
DO SCHEDULE:
Saturday 7 July:
- 11:00 onwards - People start to arrive in BUD
- 14:45 meet at IC, for short walk to cable-cars up to the Castle
- 15:15 Walk around the Castle Hill, taking in spectacular views
- 15:45 House of Hungarian Wines - an opportunity to taste over FIFTY different Hungarian wines
- 18:00-18:15 Arrive back to hotels, allow time to change/shower before cocktails and dinner.
- 19:00 Pre-dinner Champagne cocktails at the Four Seasons bar
- 20:30 Dinner at Spoon Restaurant - a perfectly located moored boat on the Danube! Weather permitting we will be on the outside top deck!
- 00:00 Local Budapest bars!!
- 02:00 IC Minibars!!!
Sunday 8 July:
- 09:45 Meet at IC for journey to Baths...
- 10:30-11:00 [B]Meet in IC Club lounge for laid back champagne breakfast, before taxis to...
- 12:00 Brunch at the locally-renowned and highly recommended Gundel restaurant (conveniently located very close to the Baths)
- 14:00 Back to IC area
- 14:15 onwards - Budapest bars and/or back to airport
ATTENDEES:
CONFIRMED: (11)
Code:
Name Arrival Departure Hotel ____________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ alex0683de Sat 11:40 MA565 Sun 18:15 MA566 Intercontinental Boddingtons Sat 13:15 LX2232 Sun 18:40 LH3447 Intercontinental flyclub Sat 13:15 LX2232 Sun 14:55 BD3665 Intercontinental* Heathrow 777 Sat 11:15 BA866 Sun 08:25 BA865 Intercontinental* jhm Sat 13:00 BA4451 Sun 16:30 BA4452 SPG Le Meridien krug Sat 11:15 BA866 Mon 12:45 BA869 Intercontinental More Champagne Sir? Sat 13:15 LX2232 Sun 16:55 LX2233 Intercontinental* PhilH Sat 13:15 LX2232 Sun 16:55 LX2233 Intercontinental* Pyeinthesky (+1.5) Sat 13:00 BA4451 Sun 18:50 BA869 Intercontinental* railways xx xx (local) SZG Sat 16:30 LH3460 Sun 19:00 LH3463 Intercontinental* ____________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ * IC Royal Ambassador :)
Lis
Please post below if you're interested or ideally if you're coming! The DO is of course open to all FTers, young and old, BA and others! It would be particularly nice if we could get some local BUD FTers to come along, or perhaps FTers from other European countries!!
SO LETS CELEBRATE THE START OF THE SUMMER IN STYLE, AND HAVE A CRACKING WEEKEND AT THE:
DO on the DANUBE!!
DO on the DANUBE!!
Last edited by More Champagne Sir?; Jul 6, 2007 at 5:29 am Reason: Saturday Night Dinner Details
May 17, 2007, 6:26 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: BA
Posts: 3,890
To start it off, I'm flying with SWISS* on the following flights, and staying at the IC (free minibar... woohoo!!):
07/07/07
LX 485 London (LCY) - Basel 07:40 - 10:15
LX 2232 Basel - Budapest 11:25 - 13:15
08/07/07
LX 2233 Budapest - Basel 16:55 - 18:45
LX 486 Basel - London (LCY) 19:20 - 20:00
*thinking of the bmi miles
07/07/07
LX 485 London (LCY) - Basel 07:40 - 10:15
LX 2232 Basel - Budapest 11:25 - 13:15
08/07/07
LX 2233 Budapest - Basel 16:55 - 18:45
LX 486 Basel - London (LCY) 19:20 - 20:00
*thinking of the bmi miles
May 17, 2007, 7:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arrecife
Programs: BA Silver, TK Silver, HH Diamond, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 2,441
Grrrrrrrrrrr! £400 for one night in Budapest! I'm either going mad or my Dad's going soft
The flight's are already booked, so put me down on the list! I've booked a room at each of the Hilton properties and one at the Intercontinental as I'm undecided on where to stay yet
Flights are same as your outbound MCS?. Fly back into MAN on Sunday afternoon/evening.
The flight's are already booked, so put me down on the list! I've booked a room at each of the Hilton properties and one at the Intercontinental as I'm undecided on where to stay yet
Flights are same as your outbound MCS?. Fly back into MAN on Sunday afternoon/evening.
Last edited by Boddingtons; May 17, 2007 at 7:17 pm
May 17, 2007, 7:07 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Posts: 2,809
I thought I was going to have a quiet weekend in BUD but now ... !I'm booked on:
Flight: BA4451
From: Gatwick (London) Terminal N
To: Budapest Terminal 2A
Depart: Sat 7 Jul 2007, 09:30
Arrive: Sat 7 Jul 2007, 13:00
Flight: BA4452
From: Budapest Terminal 2A
To: Gatwick (London) Terminal N
Depart: Sun 8 Jul 2007, 16:30
Arrive: Sun 8 Jul 2007, 18:05
Prices have shot up somewhat since I booked so that it's now £300 in Y and £438 in J! I'm staying at the LM.
May 17, 2007, 8:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arrecife
Programs: BA Silver, TK Silver, HH Diamond, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 2,441
07/07/07
LX 485 London (LCY) - Basel 07:40 - 10:15
LX 2232 Basel - Budapest 11:25 - 13:15
SWISS
08/07/07
LH 3447 Budapest - Frankfurt 18:40 - 20:20
LH 4858 Frankfurt - Manchester 21:35 - 20:20
Lufthwaffe
Fare: £103.00
Tax: £95.45
Total: £198.45
That 'tax' figure is scandalous
!
LX 485 London (LCY) - Basel 07:40 - 10:15
LX 2232 Basel - Budapest 11:25 - 13:15
SWISS
08/07/07
LH 3447 Budapest - Frankfurt 18:40 - 20:20
LH 4858 Frankfurt - Manchester 21:35 - 20:20
Lufthwaffe
Fare: £103.00
Tax: £95.45
Total: £198.45
That 'tax' figure is scandalous
!
May 17, 2007, 9:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
Don't know if I can attend the DO on the DANUBE, but now I feel tempted...
I am scheduled as follows (if not going to the DANUBE):
5JUL EWR-FRA LH
6JUL FRA-LHR LH (arrive late afternoon)
9JUL LON-PARIS (via Eurostar)
Maybe somebody should try to persuade me to switch my trip around and do:
6JUL FRA-BUD LH
and 9JUL BUD-CDG
:-)
I am scheduled as follows (if not going to the DANUBE):
5JUL EWR-FRA LH
6JUL FRA-LHR LH (arrive late afternoon)
9JUL LON-PARIS (via Eurostar)
Maybe somebody should try to persuade me to switch my trip around and do:
6JUL FRA-BUD LH
and 9JUL BUD-CDG
:-)
May 18, 2007, 12:39 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Near London, UK
Programs: A Gold, BD Silver, BA Club Platinum Royal Ambassador, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 119
Don't know if I can attend the DO on the DANUBE, but now I feel tempted...
I am scheduled as follows (if not going to the DANUBE):
5JUL EWR-FRA LH
6JUL FRA-LHR LH (arrive late afternoon)
9JUL LON-PARIS (via Eurostar)
Maybe somebody should try to persuade me to switch my trip around and do:
6JUL FRA-BUD LH
and 9JUL BUD-CDG
:-)
I am scheduled as follows (if not going to the DANUBE):
5JUL EWR-FRA LH
6JUL FRA-LHR LH (arrive late afternoon)
9JUL LON-PARIS (via Eurostar)
Maybe somebody should try to persuade me to switch my trip around and do:
6JUL FRA-BUD LH
and 9JUL BUD-CDG
:-)
Go on, you know you want to
May 18, 2007, 12:44 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Near London, UK
Programs: A Gold, BD Silver, BA Club Platinum Royal Ambassador, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 119
Wonderful idea MCS?^
Flights are booked:
07/07 BA866 LHR-BUD (07.50 - 11.15) Club Europe
08/07 BA865 BUD-LHR (08.25 - 10.05) Club Europe
Early return due to Metallica gig at Wembley Stadium in the afternoon - yeah baby
Booked the IC (will the minibar be empty by the time everyone else arrives? )
Flights are booked:
07/07 BA866 LHR-BUD (07.50 - 11.15) Club Europe
08/07 BA865 BUD-LHR (08.25 - 10.05) Club Europe
Early return due to Metallica gig at Wembley Stadium in the afternoon - yeah baby
Booked the IC (will the minibar be empty by the time everyone else arrives?
)
May 18, 2007, 1:08 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: RBKC
Programs: MUCCI Diamante- that's all that matters
Posts: 546
May I suggest lunch at Gundel, near BUD Zoo. It's one of the best restaurants in town and te buffet lunch is impressive. Sunday buffet lunch is £15.00 pp. However, booking is a MUST. It's full every Sunday.
I'll try to make it, after all I'm half Hungarian.
I'll try to make it, after all I'm half Hungarian.
May 18, 2007, 1:18 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: England, though not on purpose.
Posts: 3,563
For a traditional Hungarian meal experience Saturday night dinner in the Matyas Pince restaurant is probably the best bet. Charming basement retaurant with good food and traditional live music, and a short stroll up Vaci Ut from the IC.
Would recommend a stroll in the castle district on Sunday to blow away the cobwebs, and if possible try to find time for a swim in the hot baths.
Gundel is always nice, we would get away with it for Sunday lunch I should think but a load of rowdy FTers wouldn't last 5 minutes on a Sat evening (plus they'd run out of jackets to lend out!).
I will definitely be there with my resident translator, have booked the IC, don't kow abot flights yet as will be en famille and combining with trip to inlaws.
Would recommend a stroll in the castle district on Sunday to blow away the cobwebs, and if possible try to find time for a swim in the hot baths.
Gundel is always nice, we would get away with it for Sunday lunch I should think but a load of rowdy FTers wouldn't last 5 minutes on a Sat evening (plus they'd run out of jackets to lend out!).
I will definitely be there with my resident translator, have booked the IC, don't kow abot flights yet as will be en famille and combining with trip to inlaws.
May 18, 2007, 1:52 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: On the X26 bus to and from LHR
Programs: BA Blue. 19695 Lifetime TPs
Posts: 2,316
Unless the Intercontinental has upped its Budapest game in the last year or three 84 Euros is all the tiny, poorly decorated, shabby rooms are worth. Though the location is good.
You guys should make sure you don't miss out on a visit to a Bath (Gellert or similar), a tour of Parliament (?Saturday morning tour in English from memory); the architecture at the Zoo (yes, the Zoo); the covered market (value caviar, paprika and ceps - if you can work out a way of getting the latter home fresh); and the Tomb of Gul Baba. A visit to Gundel would be endorsed here. Or the New York Cafe (no it's not a burger joint) if it's finally re-opened. Or the Russian place on the Buda side. Cocktails at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace are a bit of a must, too.
If flights look expensive, get a low-cost to Bratislava and take the train.
Enjoy!
You guys should make sure you don't miss out on a visit to a Bath (Gellert or similar), a tour of Parliament (?Saturday morning tour in English from memory); the architecture at the Zoo (yes, the Zoo); the covered market (value caviar, paprika and ceps - if you can work out a way of getting the latter home fresh); and the Tomb of Gul Baba. A visit to Gundel would be endorsed here. Or the New York Cafe (no it's not a burger joint) if it's finally re-opened. Or the Russian place on the Buda side. Cocktails at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace are a bit of a must, too.
If flights look expensive, get a low-cost to Bratislava and take the train.
Enjoy!
May 18, 2007, 1:55 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: England, though not on purpose.
Posts: 3,563
You are right in what you say in general about the IC, however as there is a high percentage of PC RAs amongst us we can hope for the Bridge view rooms, which have the best views in town, bar none.
May 18, 2007, 2:01 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I STRONGLY recommend looking at Expedia's 'flight and hotel' packages. Expedia is offering the Swiss flight that MCS? is on for £151, but if you book 'flight and hotel' the total only goes up to £160 for their cheapest hotel.
Book through quidco.com and you'll get a further 3% back on a package, so the hotel will be costing you about £5!
There is also a decent chance that the 'flight and hotel' flight will be in a higher ticket bucket that should qualify for 750 LH status miles each way - at least, thats what happened when I booked Swiss flights to Zurich this way. You may even want to book the 'flight and hotel' package purely for the extra miles, even if you are staying elsewhere.
(PS. Also worth noting that Miles & More Gold card holders get a £4 catering voucher to spend at London City Airport when they check-in, to make up for the lack of lounge.)
Book through quidco.com and you'll get a further 3% back on a package, so the hotel will be costing you about £5!
There is also a decent chance that the 'flight and hotel' flight will be in a higher ticket bucket that should qualify for 750 LH status miles each way - at least, thats what happened when I booked Swiss flights to Zurich this way. You may even want to book the 'flight and hotel' package purely for the extra miles, even if you are staying elsewhere.
(PS. Also worth noting that Miles & More Gold card holders get a £4 catering voucher to spend at London City Airport when they check-in, to make up for the lack of lounge.)
May 18, 2007, 2:19 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA LTG + GGL, SPG LTP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 12,695
Nice idea, MCS?. Not one to normally miss out on an excuse for a jolly like this...except when another jolly is already arranged that clashes Unfortunately I can't make this one as I'll be on holiday already. I'm sure you'll all have a fantastic time - and the IC BUD was very nice last time I was there ^ Enjoy*
* and behave
Unfortunately I can't make this one as I'll be on holiday already. I'm sure you'll all have a fantastic time - and the IC BUD was very nice last time I was there ^ Enjoy* * and behave