Hungary |
| Thursday, 21 February 2008 00:00 |
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Hungary, one of the biggest central-European countries, is commonly divided into two lowlands. In the west you cross the small and the great lowlands, green and hilly countryside mainly used for agriculture.
The great lowlands spread over a large part of Hungary, mostly green, sometimes sandy and rocky, but you will also see some greatly preserved forests and large fields of tobacco, corn, and sun flowers, painting the country yellow in summer. A stark contrast to this is the Bükk mountain range, stretching cross-country from the north-east to the Bakony Forest in the west. Dense, healthy forests, cliffs, and valleys are characteristic of the Bükk Mountains. The thermal springs on the edge of it make for popular day trip. The countryside, as scenic as it is, is not the only reason to go to Hungary. Its cities paint a vivid picture of Hungarian history and culture and are not to be missed. Among them the most important are Debrecen, Miskolc, Szeged, Pécs, and Gyor, each with a population of 130,000 to 225,000, and of course Budapest, the countries capital, pop. 1.69m. Budapest was built on the shores of the Danube River and hosts some stunning sights and fascinating historical sites. A statue of liberty overlooks the city from the Gellérthegy (Gellért Hill). Another hill, Castle Hill, was home to the reigning royal families of Hungary for centuries. The mighty castle still rests above the city and is part of the standard Budapest tourist program. These days its rooms are used as the national museum and a gallery. Other sights include the Matthias Church, the parliament building, the national theatre, and the Palace of the Arts. The city’s most important landmarks are nine bridges of the Danube, linking the two parts of the city (Buda and Pest). Budapest’s biggest shopping street, the Váci Utca, is an old trading route parallel to the Danube. Leaving the city you can go west, back into Hungary’s countryside, set for Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s biggest lake and the local’s most popular recreational area that manages to attract international visitors as well. Stopping for breaks while driving through Hungary you should seize the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine. The famous Gulyás (goulash) tastes all the better when consumed in the original environment, served hot from a traditional cauldron with a side of Hungarian hospitality. So far the new EU member is still a secret tip for travellers, but it won’t long remain so. Once word gets out about the charming towns, historical sites, glowing landscapes, and culinary pleasure you won’t be the only tourist renting a car! |
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