The Hungarian capital is a wonderful marriage of old and new - even its name is a mixture of the old historic city, Buda, and the younger, economically dynamic Pest, where it will probably be easier to find a hotel.  If you are unsure about where to go for accommodation, the Thomas Cook website is a good place to start your search: their package holidays will not only help you to find somewhere to stay, but enable you to compare prices for flights as well.  Once you have settled in, don’t lose any time in getting out into town: there’s plenty to do. 


Visit the baths: Budapest is famous for its baths - a great way to recover after your journey there, or a late night partying in the city.  One of the better known baths is the impressive, Széchenyi Spa, or zéchenyi Fürdő (pronounced: say-chain-ee Fur-dur).  There, you can enjoy a massage, treatment or drinking cure, or even challenge one of the local chess players to a game. Explore the Royal Palace District: the funicular, one of the city’s most enduring and popular attractions, will not only get you to the top of the hill, but offers breathtaking views over the city.  Once you have reached the top you can visit the Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias church, and, if you need a break from sightseeing, enjoy coffee and cake in Cafe Ruszwurm.


See the Millenial Monument in Heroes’ Square: the statue consists of a 35m column topped by the Archangel Gabriel, with huge sculpted horses around it.  The square is also flanked by two museums which art enthusiasts should not miss: the Museum of Fine Arts (with an extensive permanent collection as well as regular visiting exhibitions) and the Hall of Arts. Walk along the Danube: of course, on a sunny day, one of the best ways to take in the city is simply to stroll along the river bank. 


The Danube Promenade, in particular, offers splendid views of the Parliament, or you could rent a bike to explore Margaret Island. Go to a concert: Budapest is famous for its classical music, and there is no place to enjoy it like the majestic opera house.  The Franz Liszt Academy of Classical music also holds concerts, and if you’re looking for something truly unique, you should catch the Budapest Klezmer Band