DESTINATION OF THE MONTH - HUNGARY

Situated in the heart of Europe, Hungary is a landlocked country, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Although modestly sized and populated, Hungary has impacted greatly on European history throughout the years through the number of pivotal musicians it has produced, the spectacular architecture it boasts and the culture and language it has formed unlike that in any other in European region.

It's capital Budapest, is argued to be the most beautiful in all of central Europe however Hungary's highlights go beyond this splendid city. Visits to the Danube, Lake Balaton, the farm world (tanya világ) of the Southern Plain and the Villâny Hills should also be included if time permits.

Insight Vacations has a number of itineraries which feature a trip to Hungary including the 9-day The Bohemian, the 14-day Highlights of Eastern Europe, the 15-day Country Roads of the Balkans, Dalmatia and Adriatic Riviera and the 9-days Select Imperial Capitals.

>>click here to see our collection of tours featuring Hungary

HUNGARY

CAPITAL: Budapest

POPULATION: 10,276,968

AREA: 93,030 sq kms (35, 919 sq miles)

BANKING

Banks are open 9am - 2pm Monday to Friday.

Foreign cash and Travellers Cheques can be exchanged at hotels, banks, airports, railway stations and travel agencies. You must keep all receipts as it is illegal to change money on the black market. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING

Hungary has four very distinct seasons, a very warm Summer from June to August, a very cold Winter and Spring and Autumn are mild. Rain falls during the whole year with snowfalls in Winter.

CURRENCY

The Hungarian Forint (HUF) = 100 filler.

Notes: HUF 5000, 1000, 500, 100 and 50

Coins: HUF 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Filler 50, 20 and 10.

The import of local currency is limited to HUF 10,000, and you may also export HUF 10,000. You may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, provided the amount is declared. The amount of foreign currency that may be exported is limited to the amount declared on arrival.

ELECTRICITY 230 volts AC.

FOOD AND DRINK

A typical Hungarian menu offers two or three courses at inexpensive rates. Specialities include Halaszle (fish soups), with pasta and Goulash soup. Stuffed vegetables, sweet cakes and pastries are also popular. Espresso coffee bars and Drink bars offer refreshments. A good, local wine to try is Bull's Blood.

GEOGRAPHY

Situated in Central Europe, Hungary has several mountain ranges in the north and west of the country. The Great Plain (Nagyalfold) stretches from the Danube to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in the CIS, to the mountains of Transylvania in Romania and south to the Fruska Gora range in Croatia. Hungary also boasts the largest stretch of unbroken inland water in Central Europe in Lake Balaton.

INTERNET

Internet access is becoming more common in cities but are rare in the provinces.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Hungary is Hungarian (Magyar). German is also spoken, in western Hungary some English and French is spoken.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

Budapest has bus, trolleybus, tramway, suburban railway, a 3-line metro and boat services. The metro has ticket barriers at all stations. The bus-trolley, bus-tramway systems have on-board ticket punchers, for which pre-purchased tickets are required. Day passes are available for all modes of transport. Trams and buses usually operate 4.30am - 11pm. The metro runs from 4.30am - 11.10pm.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS

Normal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is common. Casual wear is acceptable in most place. Smoking is forbidden on public transport in towns and public buildings.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Military areas should never be photographed. Other restrictions may apply and these will be indicated.

POSTAL SERVICES

Post Boxes are decorated with the postal horn and are usually painted red. Post offices are open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am - 4pm on Saturdays. Postage stamps may be obtained from tobacconists as well as post offices.

RELIGION

Although there is no official national religion, 65% are Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant with Eastern Orthodox and Jewish minorities.

SHOPPING

Most large stores are open 10am - 6pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 10am - 8pm Thursday, and 9am - 1pm Saturday. Items to look out for include embroideries, porcelain and national dolls.

TELEPHONE

The international outgoing code is 00 and full IDD services are available. International calls can be made from red phones. Intercity calls - dial 06 then dial area code and number.