From Budapest to Vienna

As much as I loved Budapest, it was time to go to Vienna. I bought a first-class ticket at the MAV station for the equivalent of 29 euros. The train ride was quiet and tranquil, stopping several times in Hungary and then across the Austrian border.

I think the train stations in Vienna have changed.  Wien Hauptbanhof appears to be closed, or at least this train passes through without stopping. Your two main options from the foreign train are Wien Meidling or Wien Westbahnhof. I chose Wien West, but either one connects to the metro station, where you can easily get just about anywhere,

The Westbahnhof is also a giant shopping mall, like many train stations, where you can buy clothing, groceries, and electronics.

Szeged: on my list for a return trip

I had the great opportunity to spend a lovely evening strolling in Szeged, the 4th largest city in Hungary. It's very close to the Romanian border, and I wasn't familiar with it. But now that I've seen it, I want to go back and spend more time there.

Szeged is a medium-sized city with a good tram system, lots of open spaces in the town center for people to walk in and socialize together, and an outdoor theatre for concerts during the summer. Szeged also has a large research university, where many courses are taught in English.

And... they have some very delicious ice cream, which in Hungary gets elevated to an art form.