BudgetTravel.com reveals the best value hotspots for the New Year.
By BudgetTravel.com Editors, Monday, January 5, 2009
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Why in 2009: Budapest has become the sort of expat haven that Prague was in the '90s, back before the Czech capital's cafés started charging $4 for an espresso and tour groups suddenly outnumbered locals. Recently, the U.S dollar has surged in hard-hit Hungary, gaining 30 percent against the declining local currency, the forint. In addition to savoring the city's glorious art nouveau architecture, anchored by the imposing Museum of Applied Arts in the center of town, you can shop in the well-preserved Great Market Hall, explore the miles of caves under Castle District (former hideouts for soldiers during wartime), and catch a show at the Hungarian State Opera House, where standing-room tickets go for only $2.
Main events: Budapest's monthly design market WAMP is well on the way to renown as an international fashion destination. The market, which spotlights contemporary handcrafts, jewelry, prints, and other items from Hungarian craftsmen, is held in the summer and fall in Erzsébet Square and in winter at Gödör Klub (wamp.hu/en, free). Hungary's two largest cultural and foodie events are the Budapest Spring Festival, a collection of 200 free and ticketed concert music performances (festivalcity.hu), and fall's 18th Budapest International Wine Festival, which encompasses tastings and workshops at Buda Castle (winefestival.hu, free).
Memorable moment: Take a dip in the therapeutic hot springs of Budapest, which have drawn travelers for nearly 2,000 years. The Gellért Baths and Spa Budapest (H-1118 Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 011-36/1-466-6166, gellertbath.com), an opulent 19th-century spa hotel with mosaic tiles and palm fronds, costs charges roughly $18 for a day in its pool. Browse spasbudapest.com for more options.
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1 comments:
It won’t be wrong to term Hyderabad as one of the most culturally rich places in India. Be it the legacy of the very famous Nawabs, the colorful streets, the exhilarating monuments or the mouthwatering and delicious Hyderabadi food, especially Hyderabadi Biriyani, this south Indian city has always been a hot shot tourist destination. The industrial and infrastructural development in this city in the recent years has only been the icing on the cake. Today the hotels in Hyderabad not only cater to the tourists but also to the business and corporate traveler. There are many business hotels in Hyderabad that are being dished out by the leading names of the Indian hospitality industry. Apart from the budget hotels in Hyderabad, luxury hotels are also abundant in the city. In short be it for work or an existing vacation, hotels catering to each class can be found in the city. With so much happening in this future metro, Hyderabad is actually the place to be!
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