The baths in Budapest appear to have the potential to be very
interesting historically and architecturally. There are a couple of
notable ones near to my hotel - the Gellert and the Rudas.

I could imagine it to be fairly pleasant wallowing in a hot tub when
temperatures are sub-zero and it's snowing. However whether the idyll
continues when temperatures are in 20s - 30s I don't know.

Although canvas loincloth is not quite my sartorial image, I would
give it a go (and brave what sounds like the attendants and system
from hell) just for the experience.

I'm not sure what Turkish Baths offer but the pleasures and health
benefits (hazards?) of immersing myself in freezing smelly waters I
could give a miss. Being pummelled to a jelly by a wet massage I
could also give a miss. Steam baths or saunas I would love.

I have been trying to check out reviews but, as with any subjective
comment, they are very confusing. For example, some love the
refurbished Rudas, some hate it.

It would seem to negate the point of visiting to see the unique
architecture if it is all modernised.

Has anyone had a Turkish Bath experience in Budapest? Can you
recommend it or is it something best left to the locals?

Thanks

Derek.

Derek McBryde <[email protected]> wrote:

[]
> Has anyone had a Turkish Bath experience in Budapest? Can you
> recommend it or is it something best left to the locals?

I heartily recommend it- I visited the Széchenyi baths, which is also a
really nice building. (I think all the famous ones probably are.) I've
never had the massage (which is an optional extra) but there are
different degrees (in heat) of saunas and steamrooms, outdoor pools,
indoor pools, all at different temperatures (fairly clearly marked
IIRC.) I think you'd like it, based on what you wrote.

Watch out for the speed racing pools! I wasn't used to them- smallish
pools with a current that has people going rapidly round in circles!

There are definitely a lot of locals use the baths- but a number of
tourists too.

--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007

On Sat, 4 Aug 2007 16:49:29 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne,
_the_ chancellor (*)) wrote:


>
>Watch out for the speed racing pools! I wasn't used to them- smallish
>pools with a current that has people going rapidly round in circles!
>
Thanks David. If these are what I think they are, they can be
great. There was one at the Alpamare centre in Pfaffikon in
Switzerland. There is an inner wall in the pool and they start
jets of water to build up a current. You can swim normally in the
centre of the pool but when you get into this current you race round
the pool. It's great fun!!!

HI Derek,

I think I know which baths your talking about. My work colleague went
to these a few weeks ago and although he jokingly said he felt
'violated' after those big guys gave him the once over, he said he
really enjoyed it and felt great afterwards.

What was your experince? If I remember the name of the place, Ill let
you know.

Cheers

===============================My Travel Forum
http://www.mytravelforum.co.uk/

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 05:07:15 -0700, "MyTravelForum.co.uk"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>HI Derek,
>
>I think I know which baths your talking about. My work colleague went
>to these a few weeks ago and although he jokingly said he felt
>'violated' after those big guys gave him the once over, he said he
>really enjoyed it and felt great afterwards.
>
>What was your experince? If I remember the name of the place, Ill let
>you know.
>

I have never been to Budapest so I have no experience.

I just thought it might be a good way to relax after a day's
sightseeing. The Szechenyi Bath looks like it could even be a good
place to visit on a sunny afternoon.

I am hoping there will be so much to do and see during my trip that I
might not get time to visit a bath. However if people suggest it is
one of the "must dos" I will definitely schedule it in.

Derek.

Derek McBryde <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 05:07:15 -0700, "MyTravelForum.co.uk"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >HI Derek,
> >
> >I think I know which baths your talking about. My work colleague went
> >to these a few weeks ago and although he jokingly said he felt
> >'violated' after those big guys gave him the once over, he said he
> >really enjoyed it and felt great afterwards.
> >
> >What was your experince? If I remember the name of the place, Ill let
> >you know.
> >
>
> I have never been to Budapest so I have no experience.
>
> I just thought it might be a good way to relax after a day's
> sightseeing. The Szechenyi Bath looks like it could even be a good
> place to visit on a sunny afternoon.
>
> I am hoping there will be so much to do and see during my trip that I
> might not get time to visit a bath. However if people suggest it is
> one of the "must dos" I will definitely schedule it in.

I would say it is a "must do" though you'll still enjoy yourself if you
don't do it- and I'm sure plenty of people love Budapest and have never
done it. I can't compare others, as I've only been to the Szechenyi
baths, but they're huge, and it was very enjoyable. It was sunny, but
not awfully hot when we were there a few Julys ago. Even if it was very
hot, I don't think that would be a problem. We dipped in and out of the
variously heated pools inside and out, with no particular scientific or
health reasoning, just because it was fun!

And while it's a bit of a cliché, you really do see locals playing chess
in the pool! Or at least, we did!

--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007

On Aug 5, 6:41 pm, Derek McBryde <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 05:07:15 -0700, "MyTravelForum.co.uk"
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >HI Derek,
>
> >I think I know which baths your talking about. My work colleague went
> >to these a few weeks ago and although he jokingly said he felt
> >'violated' after those big guys gave him the once over, he said he
> >really enjoyed it and felt great afterwards.
>
> >What was your experince? If I remember the name of the place, Ill let
> >you know.
>
> I have never been to Budapest so I have no experience.
>
> I just thought it might be a good way to relax after a day's
> sightseeing. The Szechenyi Bath looks like it could even be a good
> place to visit on a sunny afternoon.
>
> I am hoping there will be so much to do and see during my trip that I
> might not get time to visit a bath. However if people suggest it is
> one of the "must dos" I will definitely schedule it in.

I'd have thought it was a "must" from the point of view that the
reason the springs are there is that it is the boundary between 2
geological regimes, one being the Buda side, with complex fracture
pathways and a huge hydrological network, and the other being the Pest
side which is impermeable, so the joining of Buda+Pest is intimately
related to the springs.

If you see what I mean ... :-)

B;

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 10:06:50 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>
>I'd have thought it was a "must" from the point of view that the
>reason the springs are there is that it is the boundary between 2
>geological regimes, one being the Buda side, with complex fracture
>pathways and a huge hydrological network, and the other being the Pest
>side which is impermeable, so the joining of Buda+Pest is intimately
>related to the springs.
>
>If you see what I mean ... :-)
>

Yep! It's on the list. Thanks

Derek.

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 18:02:11 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne,
_the_ chancellor (*)) wrote:


>
>I would say it is a "must do" though you'll still enjoy yourself if you
>don't do it- and I'm sure plenty of people love Budapest and have never
>done it. I can't compare others, as I've only been to the Szechenyi
>baths, but they're huge, and it was very enjoyable. It was sunny, but
>not awfully hot when we were there a few Julys ago. Even if it was very
>hot, I don't think that would be a problem. We dipped in and out of the
>variously heated pools inside and out, with no particular scientific or
>health reasoning, just because it was fun!
>
>And while it's a bit of a cliché, you really do see locals playing chess
>in the pool! Or at least, we did!

Ok I'm now convinced ) Thanks

Derek