Hungary

Budapest is two cities joined by the Danube: hilly Buda, with its castle district and the white towers of Fisherman’s Bastion, and flat, busy Pest, with the riverside Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica and grand boulevards. The river views, especially at night when the bridges and Parliament are lit, are some of the finest of any European capital.

The city sits on dozens of hot springs, and soaking in the outdoor pools of a historic bath is a quintessential Budapest experience. Most travellers spend three or four nights here, often as the final leg of a Prague–Vienna–Budapest trip linked by comfortable trains, with an optional day out along the Danube Bend.

Budapest suits couples, families and senior travellers, and is easy to explore with a mix of guided walks, trams and river boats. Indian restaurants are plentiful, and vegetarians can try lángos, a fried flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese, at the markets.