According to Lonely Planet, "Hungary is a heart-stealer; it will lure you back again and again to sample its rich wines, lounge in its thermal spas, gaze at its birdlife and make one more attempt to master its hermetic language. It has all the luxury of Western Europe with a Magyar twist and at half the cost."

Budapest, Hungary is known as the "Pearl of the Blue Danube." This capital city offers art, cafés, music, and hosts many festivals. Travel to the countryside to find breathtaking plains, Baroque towns, and quaint villages.

When traveling to Hungary, keep in mind that May and June are pretty wet, but spring time is quite glorious. Summers are usually long, warm, and sunny. The resorts are usually crowded in late July and August. Like Paris and Rome, Budapest comes to a halt in August (called 'the cucumber-growing season' because that's about the only thing happening). Consider visiting Hungary in the fall. The hills around Budapest and in the Northern Uplands come alive with color. During the winter, museums and other tourist sites are often closed.

Major celebrations take place in Budapest. For example, the Budapest Spring Festival, which takes place in March, is a two-week cultural event which includes local and international performances, exhibitions, and conferences. New Hungarian films are premiered at The Budapest Film Festival in February. Sopron Festival Weeks in June and July will entrance those interested in ancient music and dance performances. Hungary’s top jazz festival, Debrecen is in September.

Alas, Hungary is not the bargain basement vacation destination it used to be. The good news is that it is cheaper when compared to Western European destinations.

Hungary is part of the European Union but will retain its own currency until 2010. Most ATMs accept credit cards and cash cards and can be found throughout. Before you leave for Hungary, order some foreign currency to take with you, this way you will have it if you decide to take a cab or purchase a bus pass.

Here’s a tip for you: Hungary is very big on giving tips. Everyone tips waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, petrol-station attendants, and even doctors! Leaving a small tip or not giving one at all is a sign that you were not impressed with the service. Do not leave money on a table in a restaurant; instead inform the waiter how much tip you will leave as you pay the bill. As a person who is half Hungarian, I would like to recommend the Chicken Paprikash!

Hungary is a country that is rich in history and culture. The architecture is stunning and the cathedrals are breathtaking. Before you leave Hungary, sit back and relax on a cruise on the Blue Danube. What better way to see Hungary then from a beautiful cruise ship? Enjoy the fairytale!