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BUDAPEST - STAY FOR LESS "FORINT (HUF)"

BUDAPEST became the Capital of the Republic of Hungary, on the River Danube, when the hills "Buda" area on West bank merged with "Pest" on the East plains in 1873. It is yet another European City with a unique history of conquest incl. the Romans who settled the town of Aquincum , then the hoards of Attila the Hun & others descended. Later the Magyars led by Prince Arpad, from the Urals, settled around 900AD & are the ancestors of modern Hungarians. GB tells you what's on offer.

ACCOMMODATION

No 1 - Red Bus Hostel at 14 Semmelweiss UTCA, Budapest V (centrally located in the Pest centre, adjacent to the Merlin Theatre & 2mins. walk from Bus Station) tele (061) 266 0136 2400H pn, free breakfast, in dorm rooms. Use of fitted kitchen, lounge area & laundry facilities. There's a UK saying " don't judge a book by the cover" - don't judge this hostel by the outside door, inside the upstairs accommodation, on the 1st floor was new in 2000 & looks over a unique quadrangle.

Reserves - Citadella at Roosevelt ter, 1051 Budapest (situated in a most special position in the Citadell Fortress on one of the 9 Buda hills, Gellert) tele 317 35 55 950H in 5 dorms with 18 beds. No details but great location in Buda - check it out & give GB a report, thanks!

Donati Hostel at 11 Donati UTCA 46 (located 5mins. from Batthyany Terrace in Buda) tele 201 19 71 1200H pn in 44 dorm beds Open in the summer only

FOOD - Various supermarkets are found around the Pest centre, SMATCH being closest to No 1 hostel on Kossuth Lajos ut, also 2x Julius Meini & 1x Rothschild in the locallity - Hungarian treats are red wines from Eger district - Egri Bikaver " Bulls Blood" & the gastronomic "Goulash"

TRAVELLING AROUND - most of the main tourist attractions can easily be reached on foot but the metro & bus systems in Pest & Buda are efficient & cheap. The original Metro yellow M1 line was built in 1894 underground, with red M2 & blue M3 added since 1970. Tickets are bought in advance & need to be franked in m/cs outside platforms before your journey or 1500H fine. BKV tickets are single 1 journey 100H/ 180 transfer or 950H 10 ticket book & others - Metro single fare, 3 stations/ 30 mins 80H. Trams are possibly the best way to sight see around the City with over 30 lines & use the same tickets. There is also a special "Budapest Kartya" composite travel, museums, sightseeing, shops & restaurant discount card - 48hrs 3400H - 72hrs 4000H

"FREE" SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Parliament - the countries largest building, Neo Gothic 1902, based on H of P in London, UK
2. Chain Bridge - built in 1849 it was a major feat of engineering & is the icon sight of the City
3. Margaret Island - once a Turkish harem now thermal spa, gardens, in middle of River Danube.
4. Castle Hill - Fishermans Bastion on Buda with great views over Danube & Pest, caves under
5. Citidella &Gellert Monument - best vantage point, where Bishop killed by pagan Hungs 1046
6. City Park - with Zoo, Baths, Museums, Monuments, Gardens & even a Circus with Big Top
7. St Stephens Basilica - consecrated 1905, has a ceramic roof & Stephen's "right hand" in the Crypt
8. Old Town - stroll along the four medieval streets & poke your head into attractive courtyards
9. Ecseri Flea Market - in the X1X District, one of the biggest & best "jumbles" in Eastern Europe
10. Statue Park 1993 - 40+ Soviet statues from Communist dictatorship past, Marx, Lenin. Not Stalin

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Royal Palace - finally completed in 1980's after being burnt down in 1944/45 WW11 siege
2. National Museum - contains the most cherished object in Hungary - the Crown of St. Stephen