| What makes this Hungarian capital an | | | | eponymous Castle Hill where the 14th century |
| endlessly diverse adventure is the fact that | | | | Baroque Royal Palace presides imperially over |
| in 1873, two towns (yes, Buda and Pest) on | | | | the city. |
| opposite sides of the Danube River united to | | | | |
| become known as the Queen of the Danube and | | | | Grandeur in the City |
| one of the largest cities in the European | | | | |
| Union today. Brace yourself for the most | | | | Cross the historic Sz�chenyi Chain |
| unique experience in Eastern (or all) Europe | | | | Bridge, the oldest of nine, and enter Pest, |
| as Hungary is an outpost of cultural and | | | | the more compact and metropolitan eastern |
| linguistic distinction that stands abruptly | | | | side of the Danube. A walk along the regal |
| apart from its Slavic and Germanic neighbors. | | | | Andr�ssy Boulevard past stunning |
| The Magyar stronghold of Budapest, | | | | mansions will lead to the Hungarian State |
| established around 900 AD by the formidable | | | | Opera House, a true gem of acoustic and |
| clan from Central Asia, became the center of | | | | neo-Renaissance architectural prowess in all |
| the Kingdom of Hungary capable of | | | | of Europe. While in the center of town, visit |
| withstanding the carelessly blundering | | | | the noteworthy Inner City Parish Church, |
| Ottomans, Habsburgs and Nazis. Discover the | | | | which happens to be the first church built in |
| grandeur of one of the oldest and most | | | | the city. On a grander scale, the enchanting |
| established cities in Eastern Europe! | | | | Jewish quarter is home to the largest |
| | | | synagogue in Europe, the Doh�ny Street |
| Take a Bath with the Queen | | | | Synagogue, complete with an extensive Judaic |
| | | | art collection and Holocaust Memorial. |
| A great place to start your Hungarian journey | | | | Another monumental must-see is |
| is on the Western Bank of the river in | | | | Budapest�s neo-Gothic Parliament |
| �buda, the very oldest part of Budapest. | | | | building, Europe�s largest and arguably |
| Two thousand years of human life surround the | | | | most beautiful. Take a peek at King |
| excavated Roman city of Aquincum where | | | | Stephen�s legendary crown jewels that |
| Europe�s largest open-air amphitheater | | | | have been stolen and moved in and out of the |
| remains. Main Square is beyond charming with | | | | country a near comical number of times. |
| taverns and quaint single story houses and | | | | |
| shops. From �buda to neighboring Buda, | | | | Budapest is truly a traveler�s city. The |
| the hilly landscape is sprinkled with ancient | | | | enormous size offers experiences on every |
| Roman and Turkish Baths, fed by some of the | | | | level, from simply local, musical or |
| 100 thermal springs that run through the | | | | explorative to historic, artistic or |
| area. The Art-Nouveau Gell�rt Baths in | | | | commercial. Budapest is particularly |
| Buda are the most famous to relax in, | | | | noteworthy for its exceptional array of |
| although the Rudas and Rac baths, build by | | | | museums and galleries that litter the city, |
| the Turks 400 years ago, are more interesting | | | | particularly the Hungary National Museum on |
| and less crowded. All three are located on | | | | Castle Hill, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the |
| top of scenic Gell�rt Hill inside the | | | | Antique Picture Gallery, with the most |
| Citadel, an old military fortification from | | | | extensive Spanish collection outside of |
| the 1800s. The pinnacle of Buda is the | | | | Spain. |