Hungary's location in the centre of Europe along with its hospitable attitude makes it one of the best places from which to embark on an Eastern European journey. It is both European and distinctly Hungarian, incorporating a mixture of history and the present-day. The country proudly upholds its traditions, culture and arts, but is attentive to what is new and fashionable in the outside world.

A small landlocked country sharing its borders with seven neighbouring countries, travellers to Hungary should note that it was originally inhabited by the Magyars, an equestrian nomadic tribe. They were eventually converted to Christianity and in the year 1000 their Prince Stephen was crowned the nation's first ruler. Since then Hungary has seen numerous dynastic changes, from Turkish occupation to the era of Communism, and today quaint little towns, cities and ruins in the countryside bear the marks of this turbulent history with a rich mosaic of architectural styles and fortified hilltop castles. The Hungarian people, neither Slavic nor Germanic, are formal, reserved and intensely proud of their ancient nation and its cosmopolitan capital, Budapest.

Most visitors arrive in Budapest, situated on a lovely stretch of the Danube, the river that invokes feelings of romantic enchantment and musical memories. It is a city of culture and of astounding beauty and grace, and visitors are drawn to its enchanting magnetism. Outside of the capital the plains, rolling hills and rivers, lakes and vineyards hold much to offer the visitor. The Baroque town and fine wines of Eger, historical riverside villages along the Danube Bend, commanding fortresses, castles and palaces, the resort-lined Lake Balaton and the thermal spas and volcanically heated lake at Hévíz are just some of the country's many highlights awaiting discovery.

Royal Palace

Address: 1 Szent, Gyógy tér Budapest

Admission: Budapest History Museum HUF 700 (adult), HUF 300 (child). Hungarian National Gallery guided groups cost HUF 1,000 per head. Ludwig Museum HUF 600 (adult), HUF 300 (child). The Budapest History Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, except on Tuesdays. The Hungarian National Gallery and the Ludwig Museum are open daily from 10am to 6pm, except on Mondays

Telephone: +36 (0)1 375 7533

Fisherman's Bastion

Address: District I, Szentháromság tér Budapest

Matthias Church

Address: H-1250 Budapest, Pf. 22. Budapest

Admission: HUF 600 (adults), HUF 300 (students, pensioners, soldiers), HUF 600 (family ticket, 1 or 2 parents plus children), children under 6 free, audio guide extra HUF 300. Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sunday from 1pm to 5pm

Telephone: +36 (0)1 489 0717

Gellért Hill

Address: District XI, Szent Gellért tér 2-6 Budapest

Admission: HUF 90 (concessions available) Citadella: Monday to Friday 6am-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 6am-4pm.

Telephone: +36 (0)1 385 2200

Chain Bridge

Address: Roosevelt Square or Adam Clark Square Budapest

The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum

Address: Dohány utca 2-8 in VII district. Situated at an angle to Károly körút, between Deák tér and Astoria Budapest

Admission: Synagogue and museum HUF 2,000 (concessions available). Summer: Sunday to Thursday 10am-5:30pm, Friday 10am-3:30pm. Winter: Sunday to Thursday 10am-3:30pm, Friday 10am-1:30pm.

Telephone: +36 (0)1 317 2754

Parliament Buildings

Address: District V, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3 Budapest

Admission: HUF 3,200 (adults), HUF 1,600 (students). Tickets sold at the gate a quarter of an hour before next tour. Monday and Tuesdays 8.00am - 4.30pm; Fridays 8.00am - 2.00pm (closed on national holidays). English tours are available at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.

Telephone: +36 (0)1 441 4904/ 4415/ 4138/ 4412 (for bookings)

Memento Park

Address: District XXII, corner of Balatoni út and Szabadkai út Budapest

Admission: HUF 1500 ; HUF 1,000 (students); A Budapest Card gets you a 30 percent discount. Daily from 10am until sunset

Telephone: +36 (0)1 424 7500

Hévíz

Address: Lake Balaton region Lake Balaton

Admission: Various rates apply for treatments, thermal baths and the medicinal pool, starting at HUF 1,200 for three hours bathing.

Eger Castle

Address: Just outside of Eger town Eger

Admission: For all exhibitions: HUF 1,300 (Adults), HUF 560 (age groups: 6-26 and 62-70). An English guide will cost HUF 800 extra. Walking tickets without entrance to exhibitions are HUF 700 (Adults) HUF 350 (6-26 and 62-70 years). Castle grounds are open from 8am and close anywhere from 5pm to 8pm depending on the season, summer being the longer hours.

Telephone: +36 (0)3 6312 744

Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Pretty Woman)

Address: Just outside Eger Eger

Keszthely

Address: Western shore of Lake Balaton Lake Balaton

Szentendre

Address: The Danube Bend The Danube Bend

Visegrad

Address: The Danube Bend

Esztergom

Address: Esztergom along the Danube Bend The Danube Bend

Great Circus

Address: Állatkerti krt. Budapest

Admission: HKD 900 (adults) and HKD 800 (children over 4 years) Daily shows at 3pm.

Telephone: +36 (0)1 343 8300

Budapest Puppet Theatre

Address: 69 Andrássy út Budapest

Admission: Ticket prices vary show by show. Shows at 10am and 4pm

Telephone: +36 (0)1 321 5200 or +36 (0)1 342 2702

Vidám Park

Address: Állatkerti krt. Budapest

Admission: HUF 4,700 (concessions available). March to April: 12pm-6pm; May to September: 12pm-12am; October to November: 12pm-6pm.

Vác

Address: The Danube Bend

Kecskemét

Address: Budapest

Indigo

Address: Jokai 13 Budapest

Food Type: Indian

Café Vian

Address: Liszt Ferenc tér 9 Budapest

Food Type: Local

Fortuna Restaurant

Address: Hess András tér 4 Budapest

Food Type: Local

Náncsi Néni Vendéglõje

Address: Ordogarok ut 80 Budapest

Food Type: Local

Régi Sípos Halászkert

Address: Lajos utca 46, District 3, Obuda Budapest

Food Type: Local

Comme Chez Soi

Address: Aranykéz u. 2 Budapest

Food Type: Italian

50Bar

Address: Frankel Leó út 48 Budapest

Food Type: Vegetarian