Hungary

Public baths have long been part of Budapest's cultural tradition. Even the Roman name for the town -... Aquincum - points to the warm, healing springs which gush from the earth in this region. The Turks also contributed to the spread of baths during their reign in the city. After the Turks were driven out in the 17th century, bathing was frowned on for a time, but the thermal baths then experienced a real renaissance at the beginning of the 20th century. This period also witnessed the building of the wonderful Art Nouveau Gellért hotel and spa. Each of the more than 200 rooms has its own original furniture and individual charm. The indoor swimming pool is particularly beautiful, with a roof that can be opened in summer, a wave and whirl pool and health and fitness facilities. For all its nostalgia and splendor, it also meets the requirements of the modern holidaymaker. more

Budapest's largest church, St. Stephen's Basilica, lies not far from Chain Bridge and the Parliament.... Its enormous interior can hold 8,500 worshippers. Three important architects (Josef Hild, Miklós Ybl, Josef Kauser) were involved in its construction between 1851 and 1905; two artistic periods, Classicism and Neo-Renaissance, define its style. The balustrade of the 96 m (315 ft) high dome offers a fantastic panoramic view of the city (Apr-Oct, 370 stairs or lift). The church was dedicated to Saint Stephen, Hungary's first king whose most important relic, the "Holy Right Hand", is housed in a side chapel. On 20th August, the national holiday and birthday of the founder of Hungary and of the church, the hand is carried in a procession through the streets of Budapest. more

What the Eiffel Tower is to the French, the Nyugati Pályaudvar is to the people of Budapest. Built between... 1874 and 1877, this once ultra-modern station building with its bold transparent glass and cast iron construction was designed by Gustave Eiffel's Parisian architecture office. The name "West Station" is initially confusing for visitors since it is located in the East of the city on the Pest side of the river. The answer to the puzzle is that the cardinal points after which the three Budapest stations have been named (Déli, Keleti, Nyugati Pályaudvar = South, East and West Stations) do not describe their location but the direction of the trains. The station restaurant is run by none other than McDonald's. This fast food chain enabled the dilapidated industrial memorial to be renovated in the 1980s with a huge cash injection. One of the largest shopping centres in Budapest, the Westend City Center, is located right next to the West Station, and behind it stands the "Bahnhof Budapest" disco. more