PLACES TO SEE
There are so many attractions to see in Budapest, and each could have a book written about them � but I can't do that. I'll just briefly list and describe the ones I visited -- and I highly recommend a good guidebook. I used Frommer's Budapest & the Best of Hungary, but there are plenty others to choose from.

CASTLE HILL
Don't miss Castle Hill, the city's most noticeable landmark. The easiest way to get there is to walk across the Chain Bridge and take the funicular (650 HUF = $3). Castle Hill is in a cool medieval neighborhood. It comprises the royal palace and numerous museums, including the Hungarian National Gallery (free) and Budapest History Museum (800 HUF = $3.70). There's also the Gothic Matthias Church (600 HUF = $2.75), which operates as a museum during the day and has walls painted like Turkish carpets. TIP: If you plan to visit a lot of sights, save some money with a Budapest Card. An adult and one child up to 14 years of age get unlimited travel on public transportation, free or discounted entry to 60 museums and several sights, a sightseeing tour for half price, and more. They are valid for either 48 hours (5.200 HUF =$24 ) or 72 hours (6.500 = $30).

CENTRAL MARKET HALL
The city's largest indoor market is Central Market Hall (Nagy Vasarcsarnok). It was built in 1873, and the place is huge. You can find all kinds of fresh produce, meat and flowers there. We bought 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) of raspberries for $3! Go early in the morning when everything is fresh. On the second floor you can buy typical souvenirs, and hot food at a cafe. Central Market Hall (Nagy Vasarcsarnok): Monday: 6 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday: 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday: 6 a.m.- 2 p.m.; closed Sunday. Central Market Hall, 1093 Budapest, Vamhaz k�r�t 1-3;tel.: 36-1-366-3300.

THERMAL BATHS
Budapest is known throughout the world for its incredible thermal baths. The two most popular are Gellert Baths and Szechenyi Baths.

GELLERT BATH
The Gellert's opened in 1918. It's located inside the Danubius Hotel Gellert, and boasts two effervescent baths, three outdoor pools and eight thermal baths. The indoor pool is famous for its marble columns, tiles and stone lion-head fountains. Its image is reproduced often, including the cover of the Frommer's guidebook. Admission: 2200 HUF ($10). Danubius Hotel Gellert, 1111 Budapest, Szent Gellert ter 1; tel.: 36-1-889-5500.

SZECHENYI BATH
Szechenyi spa is the largest medicinal bath complex in Europe. Built in 1913, it recently had a makeover. The bright yellow building looks very nice and the Szechenyi Baths are supposedly the hottest and deepest baths in Budapest. The water is filled with rich minerals, and the spa's special healing capabilities are recommended for treating rheumatism and disorders of the nervous system, joints and muscles. Admission: 1700 HUF ($8). Szechenyi spa, allatkerti k�r�t 11; tel.: 36-1-363-3210.

STATUE PARK (SZOBORPARK MUSEUM)
A bunch of people who actually never visited Statue Park told me it wasn't worth the 20-minute drive. But I wanted to see for myself. I'm glad I went, because as a history major I found the museum park quite interesting. You don't need a lot of time to look around the place, which was nearly empty of tourists. I saw only two or three, checking out the old Communist-era huge statues that used to be located in the city. They were moved here in 1989, and the park opened three years later. The statues are memorials to figures of Hungarian and international communism, including Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, Frederick Engels, the Red Army and a bunch more. None of these guys need to be idolized, but it's important to some people to keep the historical objects on display. If you don't have a private car I'm not sure it's worth the visit, because it's out of the way in the southern part of Buda. Admission: 600 HUF ($2.75). The park is open every day, from 10 a.m. to sunset. Szoborpark Museum, 1223 Budapest, Balatoni Road - Szabadkai Street; tel.: 36-1-424-7500. HERE.