Europe

Once the beating heart of the greatest empire the world has ever known, the UK is still, in many ways, the centre of it all. It remains one of the world’s major players in terms of art and culture, finance and business, innovation, creativity and travel bliss. There are countless wonders to discover in the evocative English countryside, the hidden history of Wales’ many castles, Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, and the charm and troubled past of Northern Ireland. And not to forget the metropolis itself, London, a multi-layered and diverse patchwork of cultures, languages and people, and one of the most exciting and influential cities in the world.

Beyond the at once stately and gritty capital of Budapest lie Hungary’s hidden treasures: Lake Balaton (favored by holidaymakers) and the thriving cities of Debrecen and Szeged, along with the enticing wine region of Eger and attractive old towns of Pécs, Sopron, and Kecskemét. There are about 300 natural thermal springs in Hungary, and a number of medicinal resorts and sanatoriums to match. Folk culture lives on in Hungary (embroidery, music, and dance in particular), and traditional food is a matter of national pride. .