Straddling the mighty Danube River, Hungary sits at the crossroads of Europe. Medieval villages, ancient castles and Baroque market towns dot the pastoral riverbanks and forested Northern Uplands region. The country's rich folk tradition lives on through its embroidered handicrafts and traditional music festivals. Hungary is a delight for architecture fans, with Roman ruins rubbing shoulders with gilded Art Nouveau cafés. Capital city Budapest exudes old-meets-new charm, divided by the hilly old town in Buda and the buzzy boutiques of flat Pest. Admire the impressive art collection inside Buda Castle and enjoy panoramas of the city from the Neo-Romanesque towers of Fisherman's Bastion or Gellert Hill. When it's time to unwind, why not treat yourself to a spa day in the iconic Széchenyi bathhouse? After a steamy soak in the bubbling thermal waters, indulge in a stress-busting massage treatment. Leisure also comes easily along the pine-fringed shores of Lake Balaton, a hotbed for hiking, water sports and horseback riding.