HUNGARY

93,030 sq km of landlocked expanse sharing borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Slovenia – this is Hungary! Hungary’s history goes back 1100 years – a destiny which combined both repression and self-rule.

Communism is history now and Hungary, like most of the world, is learning the ways of capitalism. The country is at ease with this new identity.

Budapest, the capital, is also the centre stage for social and economic activity; but for the tourist this is not the only offering the country has. To see the rustic countryside, tantalizing beaches and lush vineyards, you will have to course through the length and breadth of the country. And you’ll wish you could do it all over again…and again.

Hungary displays both the laid-back easy going lifestyle of Eastern Europe and the spellbinding cultural and natural bounty typical of the West. The country has been at the top of the economic scale, but at moments in history it has also been at the bottom of the barrel. Today, life is at a halfway point between these two situations. Unemployment is high and salaries are low. That, however, hasn’t taken away from the way the Hungarians will approach you – formal, reserved yet easily befriended. A mosaic of cultures, gorgeous scenery, affordable food and transport and simplicity of lifestyle is sure to make this trip unforgettable for you.

Capital: Budapest

Best Time of Visit:

Though it rains a lot in May and June, spring is just wonderful in Hungary.
Peak season is between July to August.

Min Days Required: 5 days

Places of Interest:

Budapest – Buda Castle, Hungarian Parliament Building, The Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, Chain Bridge, Fisherman’s Bastion, Hungarian State Opera House.
Eger – Torok Furdo, Aggtelek National Park, Eger Castle (Egri Var)
Szentendre- Hungarian Open Air Museum, Blagovestenska Church
Lake Balaton
Szépasszony Valley

Climate:

1.Winters are cold while summers are warm, often hot.

2. Temperatures in Budapest, the capital city, can go up to 28° C in July in summer and come down to -4° C in January.

3. July has an average of 10 hours of sun everyday. In a year, the country has an average 2,000 hours of sunshine – much more than most European countries.

4. Average rainfall is about 635 cm and distribution is uneven. The western part of the country receives more rainfall than the eastern

Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Things to carry:

Depending on the season you are traveling in, pack your bags with clothes, shoes and parkas.
Don’t forget the sunbathing lotion if it is summer.
There is plenty of historical architecture in Hungary, and if this is your passion, do bring your camera along.

How to get there:

Air:

Hungary’s main international airports are Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest (formerly “Budapest Ferihegy International Airport”) and Airport Debrecen in Debrecen.