Hungary

Populated by the Hungarians since 896 when Magyar tribes swept in to claim the Carpathian Basin, Hungary is a treasure trove of history waiting to be discovered in the heart of Central Europe. Buzzing Budapest bounces to a modern beat in which traces of times past can nevertheless be heard all around. Budapest, one of Europe’s most stunning cities, sits astride the majestic River Danube, and actually marked the division between the cities of Pest and Buda, until they were joined in 1873. Budapest offers all the big city comforts for without blowing your budget. Baroque Eger and Pécs, the European City of Culture 2010, are other must-see cities. Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake, offers the chance to unwind in spectacular surroundings.