| As the capital city of Hungary, Budapest is fast | | | | and alkalis) believed to be good for your health |
| emerging as one of the world's most vibrant cities | | | | and well being. |
| and in shrugging off its fractured past, has also | | | | Buda Castle, found on the Buda side of the city is |
| become an important cultural centre. | | | | an enjoyable excursion. The castle rests on a |
| In its infancy, Budapest was actually two separate | | | | plateau and you can ascend to the top using the |
| cities - The Roman city of Buda and the | | | | funicular railway, whilst enjoying exhilarating views |
| Bulgarian-ruled city of Pest - which were situated | | | | across the river. For the more energetic there |
| on either side of the River Danube. Until its | | | | are steps but those are best saved for the |
| amalgamation as a single city, both sides were | | | | descent. The castle is also home to the Hungarian |
| subject to many different claims of control. In | | | | National Art Gallery that has 360-degree views of |
| recent times, Budapest had been under | | | | the city which cannot be matched anywhere. |
| communist rule enforced by the Soviet Union | | | | There is a pleasant cafe/bar that sits at the |
| after World War II but with the fall of the Berlin | | | | northern end of the hilltop, which is a good place |
| Wall in 1989, the Third Hungarian Republic was | | | | to stop for refreshments. |
| inaugurated and the city of Budapest was open | | | | No trip to Budapest would be complete without a |
| for exploration by tourists. | | | | stroll down Andrassy Avenue, which is one of the |
| The city has managed to keep some of its | | | | most picturesque streets in the city and was |
| traditions alive through modern times and these | | | | declared a recognised World Heritage Site in 1987. |
| provide much interest and enjoyment for visitors. | | | | The impressive Heroes Square is situated at the |
| In ancient times, Budapest was famous for | | | | end of the Andrassy Avenue and is home to the |
| natural spa baths. This continues today with public | | | | Millennium Memorial which recognises the leaders |
| spa baths to be found across the city. The Gellert | | | | of the seven tribes that founded Hungary. The |
| Baths are some of the most beautiful baths | | | | square is flanked by the Palace of Art on one side |
| found in Budapest, and with references to the | | | | and Museum of Fine Arts on the other, with the |
| healing powers of the spring water found at this | | | | City Park sitting just behind it. |
| location, there are many reasons to visit. The | | | | With all that the city has to offer it is no surprise |
| bath houses throughout Budapest contain natural | | | | that Budapest is fast becoming a popular tourist |
| spring water with minerals such as magnesium | | | | destination, and with regular flights to Budapest |
| and calcium, and other naturally occurring | | | | available from London, it's certainly within easy |
| compounds (for example chloride, hydrocarbonate | | | | reach! |