Showing posts with label Hungary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hungary. Show all posts

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Travel to Hungary

The opportunity to jump on a half-day from the big city, walk along the narrow cobbled streets, drink wine, buy a souvenir and return back to Budapest in Hungary looks very attractive.

A trip to Szentendre, even at barely creeping riverboat on the Danube takes about an hour.

The little town, opposite the island of Szentendre Hungary on the narrow strip of land between the mountains and one of the branches of the Danube, was founded by refugees from the Turkish invasion: Serbs, Dalmatians, Greeks, and God knows who else.

Probably, the national-religious heterogeneity became the main cause of a peculiar architectural appearance of the town in Hungary. Each community has built its temple and settled around it.

The artists' colony formed here since the late 20's gave to the town's appereance another paint.

At the moment about painters, graphic artists, ceramists, etc. live in Szentendre in Hungary. They also opened many galleries and museums. And in part in this way the town became like a museum. The town authorities have banned any adjustment even of private homes without a fairly complicated art-historical agreement.

So, going in Hungary in Budapest - definitely go in Szentendre. It will not take you much time but you will get impressions more than enough.

At the moment about painters, graphic artists, ceramists, etc. live in Szentendre in Hungary. They also opened many galleries and museums. And in part in this way the town became like a museum. The town authorities have banned any adjustment even of private homes without a fairly complicated art-historical agreement.

So, going in Hungary in Budapest - definitely go in Szentendre. It will not take you much time but you will get impressions more than enough.

Hidden Treasures of Eastern Europe Hungary

Hungary is quite simply one of the hidden treasures of Eastern Europe. Formerly part of the old Soviet Bloc until the late 1980s, it has developed into a wonderfully diverse and independent republic.

Although the 1990s brought extremely difficult times with economic problems affecting many aspects of every day life, foreign investment and living standards have rapidly increased and the country is now firmly back on track.

For travellers, Hungary offers a wide range of attractions which beautifully fuse the best of eastern and western Europe together walk the vibrant streets of Budapest, take a dip in a thermal spa, listen to some local music, visit a local vineyard, admire some amazing architecture or simply unwind at the postcard perfect Lake Balaton. The varied highlights of this small countries amazing culture and history will keep you on your toes for weeks.

After the Czech Republic, Hungary is the most visited country in the former Eastern Bloc. Thousands of backpackers are attracted to Budapest, a cosmopolitan European capital on the banks of the Danube.

Visitors who refer to Hungary as a Balkan country risk getting a lecture on how this small, landlocked nation of just over ten million people differs from all those Slavs.

Hungary made the transition to multi party democracy without a shot being fired. The removal of the iron curtain along its border set in motion the events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The end of Communism has hastened the spread of glossy western capitalism and on arrival in Budapest your first impressions will be of a fast developing and prosperous nation.

This is the country which boasts one of the worlds most beautiful capital cities and the World Heritage list.

Hungary is divided in two by its main waterway, the Danube other large rivers include the Tisza and Drava, while Transdanubia contains Lake Balaton, a major body of water. The largest thermal lake in the world, Lake Heviz is located in Hungary. The second largest lake in the Carpathian Basin is the artificial Lake Tisza.

Despite repeated historical disasters which devastated both the people and their heritage, much remains of great value that is worth visiting and getting to know.

Lake Balaton in the west is a popular holiday region, not least because of its sandy beaches and the shallow waters.

Local dishes include fish soup with pasta. Budapest has many nightclubs, discos and bars. During the summer months the popular.

Lake Balaton resort has a very lively nightlife.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Travel tips to European Countries: Hungary

About the county

Also known as the Republic of Hungary or Hungarian Republic, Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Budapest is the largest city and also the Capital of Hungary. One of the key reasons why Hungary is popular is its hospitality to tourists. Also one can find an ideal mix of history and modern day in Hungary. While Hungarians proudly stick to their old Magyar Tradition they also keep them abreast with current fashions across the world. Most visitors flock to see Budapest, a truly world class city situated on River Danube which enchants everyone with love and music. The city is a blend of culture and outstanding beauty making it the right place for tourists. The city has been a paradise for writers, musicians and artists who were greatly influenced by this graceful city. If you travel west in Hungary Lake Balaton is popular with tourists. Local cuisines include halászlé (fish soup) with pasta and goulash (gulyás) soup.

Population & Languages

The population of Hungary is Roughly 10 million and the official language being spoken is Hungarian.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. River Danube and River Tisza divide the country into three large regions. The country is strategically located astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

Climate

The climate of Hungary can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature of Hungary is around 9.6 °C. The maximum temperature in summer can be 43 °C and as low as -30 °C. The summer average is 26 to 36 °C and winter average is 0 to -16 °C.

Local Customs

Like any other country Hungary has its own customs too. It is customary to handshake. It is customary to make the toast and return. It is customary for guests to offer gifts to the host of a meal. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. But travelers can smoke in long distance trains. Casual dress is acceptable in most places and formal for special occasions. Tipping up to 10 to 15 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.

Attractions

Budapest
* Castle Royal Palace
* Fisherman’s Bastion
* Matthias Church
* Gellért Hill
* Chain Bridge
* The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum
* Parliament Buildings
* Statue Park

Eger
* Eger Castle
* Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Pretty Woman)

Lake Balaton
* Hévíz
* Keszthely

The Danube Bend
* Esztergom
* Szentendre
* Visegrad

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Hungary is Malv which operates flights from more than forty cities across the world. Other international airlines operating from Hungary include Aeroflot, Air France, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Lufthansa, Sky Europe, Swiss, United Airlines and Wizz Air. Ferihegy Budapest International Airport (BUD) is the biggest airport which is like ten miles southeast of Budapest.

By River - There is a daily hydrofoil service run by MAHART connecting Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in the months of April to October.

By Rail – The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. Hungary is connected to 16 European cities and there are 47 international trains daily to Budapest by direct rail link.

Duty Free Items
1. 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or1kg smoking tobacco for EU countries.
2. 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco for Non-EU countries.
3. 10 liter of spirits with more than 22% and ethyl alcohol, or 20 liter of beverages less than 22% alcohol content, or 90 liter of wine or 60 liter of sparkling wine, or 110 liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine for Non-EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette
6. Gifts , Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use of value up to €175

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.