HUNGARY

"The Queen of the Danube"

Hungary is one of the most beautiful European countries offering thermal spa’s, beautiful lakes lined with delightful hotels, bustling stylish cities and excellent bird watching. The country offers some stunning scenery with huge mountain ranges, dense green forests and more than 1000 lakes.

The spring months will offer visitors an excellent climate and the summer months are warm & sunny. But try to avoid travelling in the winter, as the months are cold and bleak.

As with most Eastern a European country, Hungary’s is steeped with history and culture, which dates back centuries. This is often reflected in the many excellent museums and monuments.

Worldmark's range of services includes:-

Due to our extensive overseas network we are able to offer any client a full range of services. These can be purchased individually or as part of a package.

* Discounted hotels.
* Discounted fares with British Airways & Malev.
* Private car transfers.
* Sightseeing & Guided Tours
* Theatre Tickets
* Rail & Air tickets
* Chauffeur & Car Hire

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Budapest

Budapest is actually three cities overlapping. Buda, the old town on the banks of the Buda River. Buda on the West bank with it's famous Castle and the vibrant Pest with its excellent shopping and commercial districts. Any visitor to Budapest will find himself or herself surrounded by reminders of Budapest's historical past, with fortresses & buildings dating back to the Romans, operating Turkish Baths, Gothic & Baroque buildings and some incredible Art Nouveau buildings. The city boasts of having 237 monuments, 223 museums & galleries, 35 theatres, 90 cinemas, 2 opera houses and 12 concert halls.

CASTLE HILL is an explorers dream. You can stroll down the cobbled street, where its medieval charm is still retained. UNESCO has designated everything from Margaret Island to Gullet Hill a World Heritage preservation site. The Royal Palace has been sitting at the summit since the 14th century and is home to some of the most popular museums galleries in Budapest. Every visitor should pay a visit to the 700-year-old Matthias Church with its Gothic features. Finally be sure to try to catch the sunset at Fisherman's Bastion, which offers excellent views out over the Chain Bridge with Pest in the horizon.

GELLERT HILL is a protected nature reserve, which rises up to the 150 year old Citadel. This is home to of the cities most famous spas, the Art Nouveau style gellert, and the 400 year old Rudas and Turkish built Rac Baths.

BUDA HILLS are part of the Buda Nature Reserve.

ODUDA is home to the 2,000 year old Roman City of Aquincum. Visitors can sample the excavations of the largest open-air arena in Europe, the amphitheater, mosaic-decorated villas and much more. But the heart of Buda is the main square, with its excellent taverns, fine museums and unique architecture.

PEST is connected to Buda by the oldest bridge in city, the Chain Bridge. Visitors can walk along the Danube Corso or the Vaci utca with its designer shops, fine cafes & restaurants and vibrant bars.

ERZSEBET TOWN is the charming Jewish quarter and is one of the most popular parts of Budapest.

MARGARET ISLAND sits in the middle of the Danube and offers a peaceful green setting from where you can watch the Open-air theatre in the summer or just take a stroll from Margit Bridge to Arpad Bridge.

Hotel Gellert

Sitting at one end of the Liberty Bridge on the Buda side of the River Danube is this world-renowned hotel. It occupies a grand palatial Art Nouveau building that sits in the middle of lush green park of Gellert Hill. The hotel is home to a spa, indoor & outdoor pool, and a Turkish Thermal bath. Some of the guest rooms offer views out over the Danube River and Budapest city centre is only a short stroll away.

We can also offer discounted rates at the following hotels:-

Hotel Gellert, Budapest Hotel,Kempinski Corvinus,Hilton,Marriott and Radisson BEKE.

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Other destination suggestions:-

Visegrad

Superbly situated on the abrupt loop of the Danube beneath steep hills, this was once a Roman stronghold on the border of the Roman Empire and the second home after Buda to Hungary’s royalty in the 14th and 15th centuries. A 13th century Citadel sits high on the hill above the town offering commanding views out over the river bend is home too many historical exhibitions. On the banks of the river are the ruins of the magnificent palace, one of the finest ever built in Hungary, which is now the open air King Matthias Museum. Today this small town has a quiet a laid back atmosphere that belies its past glory and importance and it makes a peaceful change from the hustle and bustle of Budapest.

HORTOBAGY NATIONAL PARK
Offers some of the best bird watching in Europe. This beautiful national park offers excellent hiking,trekking and a range of guided tours.

Eger

A Beautiful town, which has developed a relaxed easy going Mediterranean atmosphere. It sits in the middle of 2 of the area's most beautiful mountain ranges. Here you can sit in the beautiful town square sipping some of the excellent local Bull's Blood wine, while watching the world go past. Visitors should not miss paying the 13th Century Eger Castle a visit for excellent views of this pretty town.

Pecs

One of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Hungary. It is studded with fine museums, excellent art galleries and is famous for it's opera & ballet scene. The city is home to the Mosque Church, which is the largest building in Hungary. This city has become popular with tourists wishing to explore this countries fascinating history.

Lake Balaton

Lying just 100km from Budapest is one of Europe's largest lakes. It is dividing into shores with the South looking like it could be found on any Spanish island, with it's high rise hotels and beaches. But the Northern shore is by far the prettier, with its beautiful historical towns, mountain trails and excellent wine.

Hortobagy National Park

Offers some of the best bird watching in Europe. This beautiful national park offers excellent hiking,trekking and a range of guided tours.

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Travel Warning / Information

Hungary shares with the rest of the world, including the UK, a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. You should therefore be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. You should also take sensible precautions against the sort of risks (such as petty crime) common in Western Europe

Bag snatching and pick pocketing is common in Budapest in particular. Be particularly careful on busy public transport and at markets and other places frequented by tourists.

Leave valuables in a hotel safe. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Do not use street moneychangers. Criminals sometimes pose as police officers; always ask for credentials and/or insist on going to the police station.

There are still occasional incidents of tourists being charged exorbitant prices, sometimes accompanied by threats of violence, in certain bars and restaurants in Budapest.

You should be wary of strangers inviting you to unfamiliar establishments, and of menus, which do not properly display prices.

This information is current as of 13/5/05 we recommend that travellers contact the FCO Travel Advice Unit: 0870 606 0290 for up to date information.

Health Information

You should take with you a completed E111 form. This is available free of charge from most United Kingdom post offices. It will cover part of the cost of state-provided emergency health care in Hungary. However, an E111 does not cover all medical fees, or medical repatriation, or on-going medical treatment of a non-urgent nature. We therefore recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Visitors to forested areas during the summer months should seek advice about immunisation against tick-borne encephalitis.

U.K nationals do not require a visa to enter Budapest.

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WORLDMARK TRAVEL
1st Floor
The Arena
24 Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HF

Tel:- 020 7 922 0670 Fax 020 7 401 2545
E-Mail Worldmark.uk@hrgworldwide.com

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