Hotels in Hungary:

Country information Hungary:

The Hungarian people do not need to make a special effort to wet the appetite of visitors from all over the world for their country with its vast planes, mild climate, thermal springs, lake Balaton and Budapest … but some paprika might help sometimes.

Hungary is located in the Carpathian basin, almost three quarters of the territory is low plain, one fifth is hilly and only 5% is mountainous. Hungary has the largest surface thermal water supply after Iceland. The healing water from hundreds of thermal springs, is used in many well-known thermal spas to increase well being and cure numerous diseases.

A peculiarity of the Hungarian people is their language – it is spoken nowhere else in the world. Hungarian folk songs are not similar to those of any other nation – yet the Hungarians have been living in the middle of Europe for over 1100 years and are – despite the numerous disastrous turns of their history and repeated foreign rule – a proud and self confident nation. Since May 2004 Hungary is a member of the European Union.

Holiday in Budapest

The capital Budapest, the “gem of the Danube”, is included in the World Heritage list of UNESCO, because of its wonderful panorama. The city is divided in two by the River Danube, its major constituents (Buda and Pest) once were considered separate towns. But in 1873 the two parts were united, together with the town of Óbuda. Buda is hilly, Pest is flat. A contiguous cavern system lies beneath the hills of Buda, with medicinal waters welling up from thermal springs, feeding three spas – the elegant Gellért bath as well as two Turkish baths.

The name Buda Castle covers more than a castle or the Royal Palace; it extends to a whole historical quarter full of sites. The Royal Palace is situated on the southern part of Castle Hill. The Palace itself was gutted during the Second World War. Unfortunately there is no place in the Palace today that would allow the visitor a glimpse of the lavish suites and interiors of past royals. Today, it functions as home to important cultural institutions and museums, like the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Library and the Budapest History Museum.

The Castle District resembles a medieval little town, inviting for romantic walks. Its centre is the Matthias church, where its biggest Maecenas, King Matthias, was married twice. The famous Fishermen’s Bastion has never served a defensive purpose, and today it is an excellent lookout place. Using the funicular one descends to the Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge over the Danube and a symbol of Budapest city.

Its uniform cityscape - reminding many of Paris or Vienna - is based largely on elegant mansions, built in eclectic styles in the early 20th century. Europe's largest parliament building - a neo-gothic palace housing 691 rooms and large halls with gold-leaf ornaments - dominates the Danube's banks on the Pest side.

All 5 Best Western Hotels in Budapest are perfectly suitable to explore the city.


Holiday in Sopron

Sopron is situated very close to the Austrian border and only 60 km from Vienna. No wonder Austrians like to come here, be it for shopping, to spend a relaxed weekend in this charming small town or often even to go to the dentist. Not far away is the palace of the family Prince Esterházy, the “Hungarian Versailles” in Fertöd.

Sopron is best known as the city of monuments. What is apparent is the Fire Tower, a symbol of Sopron, which includes the Gate of Faithfulness, erected in memory of the 1921 referendum about belonging to Austria or Hungary. From the oriel of the Fire Tower you have a picturesque view of the city. On the atmospheric baroque main square there is the Trinity Column and the Benedictine church, called popularly “Goatling church”. The most visited museum is the “Storno House”, where three generations of the Storno family have collected masterpieces of fine art and of handicrafts.

The Best Western Pannonia M. Hotel in Spopron, Hungary is a property steeped in tradition in the center of the town, which offers, apart from an elegant restaurant, also several medical services as well as massage, pool and beauty treatments.

Holiday at Lake Balaton

A very special attraction for guests and locals alike is Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, often called “The Hungarian Sea”. The generally mild Hungarian climate is here additionally subject to a Mediterranean influence. The legendary silky water is often warmer than the air in the morning and the evening. The shallow waters of the southern shore is ideal for families with small children. On the northern side the sunny Balaton highlands stretch out. Its volcanic ground is the origin of many Hungarian vines, well known for centuries. On the Tihany peninsula the abbey church with the tomb of its founder, King Andrew I., invites to a visit.

Holiday in Siófok

Siófok, the largest settlement and the most popular holiday resort at Lake Balaton spans over 17 km along the waterfront. Manifold water sports, a rich choice of gastronomic offers, well-kept promenades and a vivid nightlife gladden the holidaymaker’s heart.

A famous son of the city is composer Imre Kálmán, to whom a memorial museum was dedicated. The Museum of Minerals is also worth a visit, as well as the opening of the season every year at Whit sun and the Folklore Festival.

The Best Western Janus Atrium Hotel in Siófok, Hungary has been built by the famous Hungarian architect Imre Makovecz, as well as the Lutheran church of Siófok. The hotel is situated on the main street, away from the bustle of the shore promenade but still only a few minutes walk away from the beach. Various beauty, cosmetic and wellness treatments make an enjoyable stay out of high season, at a time when there is the peace and quiet to discover the less well-known charm of the lake and the whole region in Autumn, Winter and Spring.

Debrecen

Debrecen, Hungary's second largest city is a cultural, scientific and economic center of East-Hungary. It is also rich in cultural events, like International Choir Competition, Jazz Festival and Flower Festival.
Best Western Hotel Kálvin

The city is a perfect choice to visit during a round trip in Hungary. However, it is also a place from where perfect excursions can be made to the Hortobágy Puszta (part of the World Heritage, a paradise for ornithologists), Romania (40 km away from the border), Tokaj’s wine region and the thermal resort, Hajdúszoboszló. Nevertheless, Debrecen offers numberless possibilities to spend more days for spa and wellness cure as thermal water is also available. Families with kids will find many attractions, like Aquaticum-water paradise, amusement park and the zoo.

Facts Hungary:

Capital: Budapest
Area: 93.030 km2
Inh.: aprox. 10,5 mio
Int. Dialing Code: +36

Daylight savings time (CET + 1hr): 28. 3. – 31. 10. 2010

Currency:
Hungarian Forint (HUF) divided into 100 filler

Rate of Exchange:
1 US$ ~ 193 HUF 1 HUF ~ 0,0042 US$
1 € ~ 232 HUF 1 HUF ~ 0,0035 €

All rates are quoted in Euro (€).
Invoices will be in HUF at the applicable exchange rate at that time.

Roads subject to toll: on highways and expressways a toll sticker is obligatory (available for 4 or 10 days, 1 month or 1 year)

Helpful links:

• International Airports in Hungary: Budapest (25 km from city center, www.bud-airport.hu), Debrecen (www.airportdebrecen.hu)
• Automobile club: www.autoklub.hu
• Train timetables: www.mav.hu
• Cruises on the Danube: www.mahartpassnave.hu
• Rental cars: www.hertz.hu