In 1989, Hungary opened its doors to tourism after the collapse of the Soviet Union and hasn't looked back since. Hungary offers the traveller all the delights of Eastern Europe's cultural capital Budapest, on a par with any of its western neighbours. Stunning architecture, arts, and a lively social scene based around cafes, bars, and baths built by the Turks make the capital a great starting point before heading into the countryside. The great expanse of the plains - the Hungarian heartland - offers extraordinary glimpses into Hungary's Magyar heritage, and an abundance of wildlife. Fine wines, folk customs, music, and art, make Hungary a feast for the greediest of culture vultures - at bargain prices.

Romania is one of Europe's best kept secrets. Picturesque castles and citadels are scattered across the forested Transylvanian landscape, where wolves and bears roam in the majestic Carpathian mountains. Historic monasteries, churches and villages contain some of the best medieval sites anywhere in the world; where folk traditions are still strong and seem unchanged for centuries. The capital Bucharest makes for a sobering introduction to Romania's recent history and a great place to begin exploring the wilds. Much of Romania is unexplored and if you want to get off the beaten track in Europe - this is about as wild as it gets.

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Locations The essential info on regions, cities and towns to visit including Budapest and Bucharest >>>> TV Shows Get the lowdown on the tv show Globe Trekker: Hungary and Romania		Nature Romania's forests support the largest concentration of wild carnivores including the 'big three' - brown bears, wolves and lynx
Culture Hungary spawned one of the modern world's most perplexing games: the Rubik's Cube Soak up the atmosphere at one of Budapest's thermal baths, a much-loved Hungarian institution		Historic Sites Despite his cruel and savage reputation, Count Dracula is Romania's national hero Ceaucescu's Palace, an opulent tyrannical mastervision and the 3rd largest building on earth
Food In Hungary, you'll find paprika on the table with the salt & pepper and in classic dishes like Goulash		Treks The Fagaras Massif offer endless opportunities for some of the best hiking in Europe
		Travel Writers Strange Appreciations by Victor J. Emmanuel III How an apparent act of aggression can unite two strangers in Budapest. Letter to America by Andy Trincia A beer run to usher in the New Year in the back of beyond, Transylvania, turns into a quest to deliver an important message back to civilization.