Overview: Hungary's location in the centre of Europe along with its
hospitable attitude makes it one of the best places from which to
embark on an Eastern European journey. It is both European and
distinctly Hungarian, incorporating a mixture of history and the
present-day. The country proudly upholds its traditions, culture
and arts, but is attentive to what is new and fashionable in the
outside world. A small landlocked country sharing its borders with seven
neighbouring countries, travellers to Hungary should note that it
was originally inhabited by the Magyars, an equestrian nomadic
tribe. They were eventually converted to Christianity and in the
year 1000 their Prince Stephen was crowned the nation's first
ruler. Since then Hungary has seen numerous dynastic changes, from
Turkish occupation to the era of Communism, and today quaint little
towns, cities and ruins in the countryside bear the marks of this
turbulent history with a rich mosaic of architectural styles and
fortified hilltop castles. The Hungarian people, neither Slavic nor
Germanic, are formal, reserved and intensely proud of their ancient
nation and its cosmopolitan capital, Budapest. Most visitors arrive in Budapest, situated on a lovely stretch
of the Danube, the river that invokes feelings of romantic
enchantment and musical memories. It is a city of culture and of
astounding beauty and grace, and visitors are drawn to its
enchanting magnetism. Outside of the capital the plains, rolling
hills and rivers, lakes and vineyards hold much to offer the
visitor. The Baroque town and fine wines of Eger, historical
riverside villages along the Danube Bend, commanding fortresses,
castles and palaces, the resort-lined Lake Balaton and the thermal
spas and volcanically heated lake at HévÃz are just some of the
country's many highlights awaiting discovery.
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