Budapest

Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is situated on both banks of the Danube River. The city is the political, administrative, industrial, commercial and cultural centre of Hungary. The city consists of two parts, Buda and Pest, which are situated on opposite sides of the river and connected by a series of bridges.

Buda’s hilltops, the Danube, the bridges; Margit Island; and the riverfront of Pest lend a remarkable visual identity to the city. In a central position is Castle Hill, 551 feet above sea level and crowned by the Buda Castle. The spire of the medieval Gothic Church of Our Blessed Lady also thrusts into the skyline above Castle Hill.

To the south of Castle Hill rises the higher Gellert Hill, which provides a panoramic view of the whole city. At the top stands the Citadel, built by the Austrian army in the mid-19^th century in order to keep watch over the town.

The ornate Parliament Building was designed in Neo-Gothic style and influenced by the Houses of Parliament in London.

The city also claims the best libraries, museums, art galleries, orchestras, sports facilities and theatres in Hungary.

Switzerland

Landlocked amid the mountains of central Europe, Switzerland extends for about 135 miles from north to south and 220 miles at its widest extent from west to east. It is bordered on the west by France, on the north by Germany, on the east by Austria and Liechtenstein, and on the south by Italy.

Switzerland is a federal republic of 26 cantons (states) which differ in history, customs, and culture as well as in size and natural setting.

The Swiss are split into four ethnic and linguistic groups – German, French, Italian and Romansh.

The Italian-speaking canton is almost Mediterranean in customs and outlook; the German cantons, serious and law-abiding, the French-speaking cantons, lively and spirited; the Baslers, rustic and jolly.

The topography of this country is as varied as the people. About one-quarter of the country consists of glaciers, rocks, and lakes; another quarter is forests; the rest is divided into mountains and midlands. Rain is common in winter and summer, and snowfalls are frequent in winter. Humidity is high during spring and autumn; winter brings some warm spells and all day fog and cloudy weather.

Bern

The capital is Bern. In addition to being the Swiss federal capital, Bern is the headquarters of the international postal, telegraph, railway and copyright unions.

Its industries include the manufacture of chocolate, machinery, electrical equipment, textiles, and chemical and pharmaceutical products. It is also a market for agricultural produce and a busy rail junction.

Old Bern, connected by several bridges to newer parts of the city on the right bank, preserves more of its medieval appearance than any other Swiss city. It is characterized by 2,3 square mile of covered arcades, towers, and 16 th-century fountains. The Gothic cathedral with its 328-foot spire – the highest in Switzerland – is the dominant landmark.

A favourite decorative motif is the bear, commemorating the legend of the first animal killed by Berthold V in the year the city was founded; this legend is said to be the source of the city’s name. Perhaps the most famous Bern landmark is the bear pit, where bears have been kept on display at the city’s expense since 1480.

Old Bern was designated a UNESKO World Heritage site in 1983.