Sopron, Hungary--- 21/2 hours from Budapest, Esterhazy Castle is on the way to the city, Beatuiful Habsburg area with museums. Bike trails. Info from Debbie Samland and Karen Fenz ( maybe). http://www.sopron.hu/sopron/main.php
Podersdorf, Austria-Across the border from Sopron into Austria. Lake, swimming, bike trails, wine tasting, Andeu bridge, Beaches, Pumpkin Festival, Roman ruins, shopping. Info from Debbie Samland.
http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/54671at,en,SCH1/objectId,RGN134314at,sea...
Pecs, Hungary--- Southern Hungary. Maybe 2 hours or so from Budapest. Info from EB Jackson.
http://www.pecs.hu/english/index.php?foid=2&oldal=foto
Hallstatt, Austria---6-7 hours from BP. Beautiful lake and area. Ice cave, salt mines, and shops. Info from Patti Neel and Karen Fenz.
http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/55160at,en,SCH1/objectId,RGN216at,season...
Ebensee, Austria--- 6 hours from BP. Beautiful lake, feed swans, cable ride up to the top of Mt. for hiking, nearby lakes for swimming, boat ride across lake to another small town called Gmunden to shop. Info from Patti Neel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebensee
http://www.ebensee.at/public/index.php (only in German)
Vienna, Austria--- 2 hours or so from BP. Kriskindle Market at Christmas time
http://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture/index.htm
http://info.wien.at/article.asp?IDArticle=10063
Salzburg, Austria--- 7 hours from BP. Sound of Music tour, castle, shops, Mozart's birthplace.
http://www.visit-salzburg.net/
http://www.salzburg.gv.at/en/en-index
Miskolc, Bekes, and Gyula, Hungary --- each about 3-4 hours away? Caves with thermal outdoor and indoor pools , outdoor water parks, fun festivals, plays, shops. Info from Patti Neel.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Miskolc
http://www.miskolctour.com/37-10387.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9k%C3%A9s
http://www.bekesvaros.hu/menu_en.htm?l0=90
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyula
http://www.varfurdo.hu/index_en.html
Debrecen, Hungary--- 2 hours from BP. Big indoor water park, great to go with kids in cold weather. Info from Patti Neel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debrecen
http://wikitravel.org/en/Debrecen
Eger, Hungary,--- 1-11/2 hrs from BP. Castle, wine festival in summer, Christmas market, big outdoor pool, cute town. Info from Patti Neel.
http://www.egeronline.com/guide/?lang=en
Visegrad, Hungary--- 1 hour from BP. Castle, palace, bobsled, on Danube River bend.
http://www.visegrad.hu/?L=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visegr%C3%A1d
Estergom, Hungary--- 1-2 hrs from BP. Huge Basilica.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esztergom
http://www.esztergom.hu/wps/portal/english
Szentendre, Hungary--- 30 min. from BP ( can go by train as well), cute town lots of shopping, on Danube, Open Air Museum that is the best in Europe they say. Castle and walled city area. Many festivals are held here in city and open air museum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szentendre
http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/around_budapest
http://www.skanzen.hu/engn/index2.html
Szepalma, Hungary--- 1 hr from BP. Beatiful Palace you can stay in, nice quiet planning weekend type of place. Info from Patti.
http://www.szepalma.hu/index.php?L=en
Bled, Slovenia--- 8 hours from BP. Beautiful! Info from Debbie Samland
http://www.bled.si/EN/
Martha Maria (was this the name of the place they stayed?) Close to Neuswanstein Castle in Germany. 75 euro per night. Run by nuns and very nice. Info from Helen Vaughn, Karen Fenz.
http://www.martha-maria.de/hsg/index.php (only in German)
Eurocamps-Camping ground type places but very nice and they provide everything you need to stay. Are found in Germany, Austria, Croatia,. Kid friendly, babysitting services, great pools, not cheap. Info from Karen Fenz.
http://www.eurocamp.com/
Youth hostels--- idea for cheap housing and have family rooms.
Weekend skiing close by---2-4 hours from BP. Bratislava, Donovaly Slovakia. Great for families and beginners. Info from Neels, Samlands
http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1017...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava
http://www.carnuntum.co.at/content-en/visiting-carnuntum/hidden-treasures
http://www.bratislavaguide.com/bratislava-slovakia-skiing
http://www.parksnow.sk/donovaly/en/index.php
http://www.slovakia-accommodation.net/donovaly-area/cottage-hotel-pensio...
http://www.slovakia-slovakia.com/accommodation/index.php?pid=189&user=det