The Beauty of Budapest

Often described as The Jewel of the Danube the Hungarian capital of Budapest is a glittering mix of ancient attractions and modern conveniences, combined to form a vibrant and beautiful city. Undoubtedly the brightest jewel on the Danube, present day Budapest was created in 1873 from the separate towns of Buda, Pest and Obuda. With its mountainous region of Buda, the hills drop abruptly into the river to a contrastingly flat Pest sitting on the opposite bank, the majestic Danube flowing between them, a city unspoiled by time. The definitive view of Budapest is that of Castle hill and the First District. Four bridges join Buda and Pest; the Chain Bridge, opened in 1894, and still the most recognizable symbol of the city, Margaret Bridge opened in 1876, giving access from the road to Margrit Island, a two and a half kilometre stretch of Parkland in the middle of the Danbube, Liberty Bridge, built for the Millennium celebrations and opened in 1896, with the Grand Market Hall at one end and the Gellert Hill at the other, and lastly Elizabeth Bridge, a long white cable bridge opened in 1964.

Budapest offers a unique blend of European cultural influences, all presented with a style that is distinctly Hungarian. There are centuries of history to explore through its abundant monuments and architectural sites, from Turkish baths to the turn of the Century architecture. Budapest has one of Europe’s largest Parliaments, the largest functioning synagogue, and the continent’s first underground railway. Visitors will find the remains of fortresses and buildings from Roman times, Gothic and Baroque buildings, incredibly rich Art Nouveau architectural heritage, and still operating Turkish baths. Budapest is richly endowed with natural springs of thermal waters possessing various medical properties, and it is these that supply the city’s many thermal baths. No other capital city in the world can boast at having 100 thermal springs and 12 medicinal baths within its boundaries, where 19 million gallons of thermal water rise to the surface each day. Among its most precious treasures are its sixteenth century Turkish baths, as well as one of the larges bathing complexes anywhere in Europe, with thermal baths so warm that the outdoor pools are popular with bathers even in the depths of winter.

There is a huge range of cultural entertainment to choose from in this incredibly exciting, colourful and varied city of world culture, with 237 monuments, 223 museums and galleries, 35 theatres, 90 cinemas, 2 opera houses, 12 concert halls and nearly 200 places of amusement. There are theatrical performances and concerts of classical and light music every day, with both Hungarian artists and guests from all over the world. The city’s mainstream cultural wedge features Andrasssy ut, Budapest’s most beautiful boulevard lines with café’s, restaurants and many designer shops. Budapest’s very own Broadway crosses it at Nagymezo utca and the Opera House. The Liszt Academy is also comfortably ensconced here among many eclectic buildings.

Despite spectacular development, Budapest has preserved its old charm and magic. It is a city where the pleasing harmony of different architectural styles and superb structures , the care’s, baths, the food and culture, combined with legendary hospitality blend into an unforgettable experience. The people of Budapest now enjoy an ever increasing calendar of festivals and cultural events that take place throughout the city, film festivals, jazz concerts, book fairs, to name but a few. It has a continental climate with cold, humid winters, temperatures between zero to minus fifteen centigrade, the river can freeze and it will often snow, you will find locals ice skating on the frozen boating lake, whilst across the park others enjoying the hot outdoor thermal baths. The summers are warm to hot with temperatures between twenty seven to thirty three degrees centigrade.

Hungary boasts 20 wine producing regions; the most favourable natural conditions make thia country a prime location for the production of premium wines. You can visit the vineyards and wineries in almost all regions of the country. The most beautiful landscapes are to be found where the best wine is produced, Tokaj and Alfold in the sand of the Great Hungarian Plain. Several wine regions are found around Balaton where you will find the larges shallow lake in Europe. On the North, the combination of basalt volcano peaks and the water surface of the lake make these the most spectacular site of Hungary.

Hungary’s unique cuisine has influences from the Central Asian Magyar founders of the nations, Turks, Germans, French Austrians, Czechs, Slovaks, Serbians and Croatians. Sauces rich in cream, delicacies such as goose liver, game such as boar and venison, hot fish soup, paprika stew, known as Hungarian Goulash, roast chicken with cottage cheese noodles. Fabulous deserts and pastries, strudels, tortes and the legendary gundel pancakes with runny chocolate sauce.