Buda and Pest: two cities in one, with the fabled Danube river flowing majestically between the two. On the west bank is Buda, a verdant, hilly heaven for hikers. On the east is bustling Pest with is Habsburg-style ring roads and historical treasures. There are myriad museums and historic sites to explore, and for the foot-weary a riverboat is an excellent way to see riverbanks which are spectacular at night.

Hungary has a surprisingly rich theatre scene with Budapest at its epicentre. The season runs from mid-September to June and with productions ranging from traditional operas to post-modern performances. The city is also rich in spas, the last vestige of Turkish culture. Each bath is built around a network of thermal springs and are usually complimented with steam baths, saunas and massage services.

The Hungarian approach to food combines pride in their own traditions with a readiness to accept outside influences and as a result Budapest has a vibrant restaurant scene. It is however best to avoid restaurants in touristy areas like Váci utca which can be tourist traps. Budapest also offers plenty of places to drink, from cool and ultra-hip to rowdy and downmarket.