Budapest

Before Transition, Budapest was like a Sleeping Beauty hidden from the eyes of Europe. Those who have revisited the city after the return to democracy in 1989/1990, have said that Budapest is now an even better place. She has never stopped changing and developing ever since - the city is no longer the poor cousin of her glamorous Western sister, Vienna, but a more exciting, sexier, younger version of it, if you will.

You can find traces of almost all the empires which have occupied Europe once - in Budapest you'll find Roman ruins, Turkish baths and a great variety of Viennese cafes. Contrary to common belief, at the time the Romans were here, the people who inhabited this area were not Hungarians. During the 150-year long Turkish occupation, however, somewhat to their misfortune, Hungary was already populated by Hungarians. The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was home to almost all nationalities of Hungary's Central-European neighborhood, and it was also during that era that a thriving Jewish community initiated the construction of Europe's biggest synagogue, which you'll have the chance to see as part of our Jewish heritage tour.

The 46-year-long Russian occupation and Communist regime have left their trademarks as well, as demonstrated by the constantly growing number of retro-style bars, cafes and shops.