Budapest
Budapest, Hungary’s capital known as “the Queen of the Danube” Danube, is composed of two distinct districts, the hilly Buda with its Old Town connected to the flat Pest by the 19th-century Chain Bridge, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Buda’s Castle Hill, with its dominating Royal Palace, can be reached by a funicular railway dating back to 1870. Once you reach the top, there are a maze of alleys to explore full of boutiques and artisan workshops, as well as the Buda Labyrinth, used as an underground hospital during World War 2 which can be explored with a local guide. Pest comprises the majority of the city, and contains the Neo-Gothic indoor Central Market Hall, main shopping boulevards, and due to its abundance of hot springs, a choice of modern, Art Nouveau or Turkish style bath houses where people come to experience its healing waters.
The city in some ways seems to be stuck in time, with most of its architecture being built by the late 19th century, and the city has a wealth of baroque, neoclassical, Eclectic and art nouveau buildings from its often chequered past, and sad reminders of this can be seen in the shrapnel pockmarks and bullet holes left by World War 2 and the major Uprising of 1956 which spelt the end of communism in the city.
Budapest is home to some of the best chefs in Eastern Europe, and now has a reputation as a food capital, where the traditional staples like goulash now sit alongside sophisticated dishes rooted in Hungarian tradition but given a modern twist. Many Michelin-starred restaurants can be found here as well as modern “ruin” bars (bars literally renovated from ruined buildings) serving a variety of Hungary’s excellent wines such as the honey-sweet Tokaj.
For Eurostar services, this will give the choice to travel in either standard or Standard Premier class, and for all other European trains you will have the choice to travel in either standard or 1st class. On arrival in Budapest, choose to stay at either the 3* Ibis Budapest City, 4* Hotel Bristol Budapest or 5* Anantara New York Palace Budapest.
Prices start at £466.00 per person*
*Based on two people staying in a 3 star hotel and travelling in Standard class.
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