Destination:
Hungary

Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube', is a magnificent city exuding a cultural sophistication that entices and enchants. Gracing both sides of the legendary river with grand historic buildings, regal bridges and graceful tree-lined boulevards, it is the city's elegant beauty and romantic atmosphere that has given Budapest Parisian status among the Eastern European countries.

Budapest offers the visitor the familiarity of European culture with a distinct Hungarian flavour. It is evident in the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings, sidewalk cafes and Magyar cuisine; classical concerts and Hungarian folk music; the cobbled streets of medieval neighbourhoods and shady parks, and everywhere the sounds of an unfamiliar language. Highlights for visitors include a river cruise on the Danube and a thermal bath in one of the Turkish-era bathhouses.

Budapest was originally two cities built on either side of the Danube, namely Buda and Pest. The two districts are still distinct in their contrasting makeup, with the older and more charming Buda comprising of atmospheric cobbled streets, little picturesque coloured houses and a medieval, neo-Classical mixture of architecture set among the gentle hills of the west bank. It is famous for its historic Castle Hill featuring the Royal Palace, museums and galleries, St Matthias Church and the ramparts of Fisherman's Bastion.

Pest lies on a flat plain and is the commercial core of the city. It bustles with fashionable shopping areas and has characteristically wide, leafy boulevards. Andrássy Boulevard is the Champs-Elysées of Budapest, lined with a typical mosaic of architectural styles and buildings with the enormous Heroes' Square at the end.

A history of numerous wars and invasions, with repeated destruction and rebuilding, has created the Budapest of today, with an amalgamation of styles, created over time during periods of loving restoration by a proud and resilient nation of people; a city of charm and character, both European and singularly Hungarian.

The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga, flowing for 1,771 miles (2,857km) through nine different countries. Before reaching Budapest it is forced through a narrow twisting valley in the pretty Carpathian Basin, known as the Danube Bend, eight miles (13km) from Budapest. The cluster of towns on the bend offers an amazing collection of history, culture and architecture, particularly the small Baroque towns of Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom.

The Danube Bend is an extremely scenic area with green valleys and hills rising up from the river, picturesque little towns with market squares and commanding fortresses with sweeping views. Many visitors choose to do a boat cruise on the Danube from Budapest stopping at the little towns along the way. Because of its close proximity to the capital, many people on a holiday in Hungary choose to use Budapest as their base and take day trips into the Danube Bend. Combined with good facilities and easy accessibility, it is one of the more popular destinations in Hungary.

Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Europe and the most popular vacation region in Hungary. Lining both shores of its 48-mile (77km) stretch are many towns and resorts, and the north and south shores are distinctly different in character offering something for everyone.

The south shore is thronged by a string of characterless holiday resorts and high-rise buildings where crowds of young people congregate for a hedonistic holiday of sun and fun. Besides the pretty beaches and good swimming, there are numerous land and water-based activities, and at night the discos pulse until the early hours. Siófok is the largest and busiest resort that dominates the southern shore during the summer months, but is completely dead in winter.

The southern edges of the lake include the Golden and Silver Shore beaches (Aranypart and Ezüstpart). Breaking away from the beach life tourists can take a walk down either Beszédes and Petõfi promenades. The Lutheran Church in Oulu Park is also a notable attraction. A short day excursion to the nearby town of Zamárdi and a visit to the towns Ethnographic Museum are well worth the effort.

By contrast the northern shore has limited waterfront development due to its deeper, colder waters and reed beds; its attractions are of an historical and cultural nature rather than activity-centred. Although there are resorts here, it is a destination for those travellers looking for less ostentatious showiness, rather more in the way of scenery, interesting towns and sights, and mineral spas, complemented by the fine wines from the nearby hills of Badacsony. Many of the villages on the shores of the lake have a number of medieval ruins and fortresses.

The oldest and most popular spa resort is Balantonfüred, with an easygoing sophistication and relaxed atmosphere. Jutting out into the lake and almost joining the northern and southern shores is the Tihany Peninsula, which has an old Benedictine Abbey in the quaint town and is surrounded by a nature reserve, which many consider to be the most beautiful place on the lake. To the west and marking the end of the northern shore is the interesting town of Keszthely with its Baroque Festetics Palace which was built in 1745 on the foundations of a ruined castle.

Lake Balaton has been a popular recreation area since the Roman times when the aristocracy built villas and set up health spas here. It was also a famous winegrowing region and the graceful rolling hills, cool water and warm sunshine still provide the perfect setting and climate for both vacations and vineyards.

The name of Eger represents, for every Hungarian, the story of determined patriotism, when the outnumbered heroic defenders in the fortress, led by István Dobó, held out against the Turks in their initial attack in 1552.

One of the country's oldest cities, full of Baroque architecture and grand buildings, Eger has over 200 historical monuments, including Eger Castle, the Copf-style Lyceum with a magnificent frescoed library, the 14-sided, 128-foot (40m) minaret, a reminder of almost 100 years of Turkish rule, and the Archbishop's Cathedral containing the country's largest musical organ. The striking pink and white structure on Dobó István Square is the twin-towered Minorite Church, Hungary's most beautiful Baroque building.

The small town centre is a pedestrianised area that features many brightly painted houses with iron balconies lining narrow, twisting streets. Ornate lampposts and hanging baskets of flowers decorate the cobbled lanes and squares and sculptures representing the battle against the Turks are a proud reminder of the victorious saga.

Eger sits at the centre of the wine-growing region of northern Hungary. This enchanting town, along with its famous history, is where the much-publicised Egri Bikavér, or Bull's Blood, has its origins - the strong, fiery and spicy red wine that is characteristic of the area. Wine growing has been part of its history since the 11th century, started by the monks and continued during the Turkish occupation as an important source of income for the Turks. Wines can be tasted in the centuries-old wine cellars of the Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Pretty Woman) on the southern edge of town.

Eger is a colourful town known not only for its history, mellow charm and vineyards, but also for its thermal baths. Visitors looking for a bit of time-out can unwind in the peaceful Archbishop's Garden, a leafy park enclosing swimming pools and hot Turkish baths.