My neighbor and I had planned this trip for about two years and were not quite sure we would actually be able to go because of the severe flooding that occurred about a month before we were scheduled to leave.
We began our 15-day Grand European Tour with a 2-night pre-cruise stay at the Hilton in Budapest. Viking had done all the travel arrangements from air travel to transfers, and they did a superb job! We were met at the airport in Budapest by a Viking representative who quickly secured a private taxi to take us to the Hilton Hotel in Budapest. Our driver was quite knowledgeable and gave us a wonderful history of the area as we drove to the hotel.
The Hilton Hotel is in the ideal location of Budapest in the old city. Our room overlooked the river and the Fisherman's Bastion. A Viking desk was situated in the lobby of the hotel, and we were given excellent recommendations for sightseeing and dining by the two very accommodating Viking representatives. Budapest is an amazing city, quite beautiful and tourist friendly, and everyone we came in contact with spoke English. Just one caveat--we mailed post cards from the post office in Buda. The clerk took over $30 for postage and said she would apply the stamps. However, none of the post cards has arrived to date. As we left on the Odin from Budapest that first night, we were provided with an extraordinary view of the Castle district and bridge lit up in all its glory.