Driver in Hungary

Based on a reader’s recommendation (March ’05, pg. 87), we hired Gabor Stern to drive us on a Danube Bend trip in Hungary in May ’05. We took the trip at a leisurely pace — nine hours — and spent slightly less than if we had taken a group tour: at $18 per hour, $162 total.

It was wonderful to take our time and not be looking at our watches. For instance, when we visited the Esztergom Basilica, a special Mass was in progress for the 30th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Mindszenty. The bishop was there for the Mass and the basilica was packed, so we took the opportunity to climb to the top of the cupola, all 395 steps. By the time we came down, the Mass had ended and we could walk to the front of the church to look at the magnificent murals. If we had been with a large group, we probably would not have been able to wait for the Mass to end.

Gabor was an excellent choice for a driver. He is not a guide, but he did add quite a bit to our knowledge of the various stops. He can be reached by e-mail at gabor.s@vivamail.hu (a new e-mail address since the March ’05 article), and his telephone number is (36) 20-2238630.

NILI OLAY
New York, NY