What to do in Hungary

Hungarian art and science meld at this unique cafe. A must for literary and history lovers, it was the place to see and be seen in Budapest during the late 19th century. Nestled between a library and a printing press, the intellectual elite, including big-name Hungarian artists, authors, poets, and scientists, gathered here while waiting for their works to be pressed and printed, killing time by engaging in esoteric debates for nearly 50 years from 1887 through 1944. Shuttered by war, it required significant reconstruction but was eventually restored to its original glory, complete with the original furniture, a grand piano, and a marble bar.

Located in the ancient city of Pecs near the Croatian border, Pecs Cathedral was built on the foundations of a 4th-century early Christian basilica. It features a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and neo-Romanesque architecture, as well as vestiges from Ottoman times. The façade was primarily from a neo-Romanesque restoration in the 1880s, based on the 11th-century plans. It flourished during the mid-11th century reign of Peter Orseolo, but 500 years later Turkish conquerors converted it into a mosque. After regaining control of the city in 1686, it was reinstated as a church. Be sure to step inside the chapels to see haunting frescoes.

The village of Tihany lies along the northern shore of Lake Balaton, famous for its lavender garden, a stunning sight when it blooms in August, covering a 100-hectare plot. Visitors can also see the remains of an old castle fort, built between the Bronze and Iron Age. Lake Balaton which is known as the “Hungarian Sea,” offers swimming, water sports, and lovely lakeside cafes and restaurants. It’s the largest lake in Central Europe and a popular vacation destination with beaches and pretty bars and cafes lining the shore. Along the hilly north shore is a beautiful wine-growing region, and also offers hiking trails in Balaton Uplands National Park.