Hungary

The Hungarian capital of Budapest is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has attracted a large number of visitors in recent years. Budapest was born as a result of the amalgamation of two individual cities, Buda and Pest, which are separated by the Danube River. Today, a total of seven bridges connect the two halves of the city, with the longest being built in 1950 and having a total length of 973 metres.

One of the most impressive architectural landmarks in Budapest is the towering Hungarian National Parliament building, which was built between 1880 and 1902. The design was based on London’s parliament building and the interiors contain a total of 691 rooms and 12.5 miles of corridors. The building is also home to the Hungarian crown jewels, which are exhibited beneath the cupola.

Located upon Castle Hill is the Royal Palace - another of Budapest’s most popular attractions. The palace has changed many times throughout history, taking a variety of forms following the conquest of respective empires. The building that stands today follows a Neo-Baroque style that has used many of the palace’s original parts. In addition to the palace itself, there are also a number of other landmarks located within this complex including the Lion’s Courtyard, Hunyadi Garden and the Savoyai Terrace.

Budapest makes for a fantastic city break and TravelQuest has a range of options available that can take you to this impressive destination. Additionally, a Danube river cruise offers the opportunity to combine Budapest with visits to various cities throughout Germany and Austria.