Unique Hungary
By Robert Haru Fisher
If one word could sum up Hungary, it might be "unique," for there is nothing like it elsewhere. Blessed with fertile land, its people exhibit a charming blend of East and West, Hungary is an amalgam of cultures dating back before the Roman Empire, including 150 years of Turkish rule through the richness of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to a lively present. Four different cities have been capitals of the country, and all have contributed to a history that has left its mark for contemporary travelers to see. And everything is up to date here, too. At the crossroads of Europe, Hungary has finally found its proper match on the continent, becoming a full fledged member of the European Union in 2004.
Among the places you should select as targets are eight that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the small medieval village of Holloko, a thousand-year-old monastery at Pannonhalma (still in use today), and an ancient cemetery with painted vaults in Pecs. Best of all, another World Heritage Site is the Tokaj wine region, whose traditions have been preserved for over a thousand years. Say egesszegere ("to your health!"). Add to this some of the best cuisine and wines in Europe, and you have a never-ending recipe for pleasures any visitor can enjoy...(more)
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AT-A-GLANCE:
| • Capital: |
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• Budapest |
| • Population: |
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• 10.04 million |
| • Largest City: |
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• Budapest (population
1.82 million) |
| • Neighboring
Countries: |
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• Bordered by
Austria to the North West, Slovakia to the North, Ukraine and
Romania to the East and South East, Yugoslavia to the South and
Croatia and Slovenia to the South West. |
| • Language: |
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• Hungarian (German and
English are widely understood) |
| • Size: |
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• 93,036 square km |
| • Currency: |
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• Hungarian Forint (HUF)
$1USD = 212Ft. (HUF) |
| • Upcoming
Events: |
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•
Picture in Picture (until March 27, 2006)
The graphics exhibition in the
Museum of Fine Arts shows works of art in which some way or other, another picture appears.
Almost 200 works of art from the 16th to the 20th century will illustrate this concept from December 1st to March 27th 2006.
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Concerts and sightseeing in the Parliament (until May 16, 2006)
One Friday of each month classical concerts will be
organized in the beautiful Parliament building. The concert audience will be invited for a guided tour around the biggest house of the country...(more)
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El Greco, Velázquez, Goya: Five Centuries of Spanish Masterpieces (until April 30, 2006)
Festive exhibitions mark the centenary of the Museum of Fine Arts foundation.
A wide selection of Spanish paintings from public and private collections in Germany, Spain and Hungary will follow the development of painting in Spain from the Gothic to Francisco de Goya.
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| • Fun Fact: |
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| • Tourist Office
(U.S.A.): |
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• Hungarian National Tourist
Office
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7107
New York, NY 10118 Phone:
1-212-695-1221
Fax: 1-212-207-4103
Email: info@gotohungary.com
www.gotohungary.com
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