Hungary

Hungary is one of central Europe’s most beguiling destinations. You’d be hard pressed to find anywhere with as rich and varied history – the 2,000-year-old Roman and 400-year-old Turkish memorials and rich architectural heritage are just the start.

The buildings of Budapest’s riverfront along the Danube, the Citadel on top of Gellért Hill and the magnificent Buda Castle make one of the most impressive skylines of the world.

Outside Budapest, Hungary has beautiful plains and lakes, with many inviting towns and villages. One of these, Pécs, is to be Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010. There’s also the famous Tokaji wine region where the original wine producing traditions have been maintained and followed for over a thousand years.

Hungary has the fifth largest supply of thermal water in the world: 1,300 thermal springs and thermal baths, with thousands of years of spa culture and 400-year-old Turkish baths working to this day.

Hungary also offers a sparkling cultural life, with events including the Budapest Spring Festival – one of Europe’s most important cultural festivals with almost three decades of tradition, and the Sziget Festival – Europe’s largest music and multi-cultural youth event.

For more of an introduction, see this video produced by Channel Five. You can also follow Hungary on the social networking sites below!