| Hungary's recent accession to the EU has made travel | | | | an interesting mix of east and west. Closer to |
| to and from the country simpler and more attractive to | | | | Budapest and the Millenarian Benedictine Abbey of |
| travellers from other European countries. The tourism | | | | Pannonhalma is a stunning, yet relatively undiscovered |
| industry is booming in Hungary and its' capital, | | | | tourist treasure. The abbey, built on the Roman |
| Budapest, has established a firm place on the list of | | | | province of Pannonia dates back to the formation of |
| must see city break locations. But as the city attracts | | | | Hungary as a nation itself. The abbey has been built |
| more and more tourists and challenges Barcelona and | | | | and destroyed several times in its history but the |
| Prague for the number one spot in city break | | | | foundation of the monastery originally built be Czech |
| destinations looking outside of the city itself can reveal | | | | and Italian monks and most recently refurbished in a |
| another side to Hungary as a destination. Budapest is a | | | | unique baroque style are truly impressive. Travelling out |
| city rich in culture and history, a city of castles, | | | | side of Budapest can be relatively easy with a range |
| cathedrals, museums and Turkish baths. Although | | | | of organised tours visiting many of Hungary's |
| uniquely Hungarian and not short of attractions, | | | | attractions and the country's rail network is relatively |
| Budapest is typical of the European city break | | | | cheap and reliable. For the more adventurous or |
| destination. But a nation with no less than 8 UNESCO | | | | independent traveller, car rental is available with many |
| World Heritage sites is not short on wider attractions | | | | of the major firms offering car hire in Budapest or at |
| and Hungary is no different. Pecs, some 213 km from | | | | the various airports around the country. Hungary is a |
| Budapest is a stunning early Christian necropolis | | | | welcome addition to the European travel destination |
| founded by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. The | | | | circuit and the merits of Budapest are obvious and |
| first Hungarian king, St Stephen founded an episcopate | | | | abundant. The country itself though is a fascinating |
| in Pecs in 1009 and the architectural monuments of 150 | | | | destination of contrasts, history and culture and it just |
| years of Turkish rule are still evident offering the visitor | | | | might be well worth exploring. |