1st Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS)

BUDAPEST

With its population of over 2 million, Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It was not until 1873 that the twin cities BUDA and PEST

united with a third, Óbuda to finally be named Budapest. However its history goes back to the Roman times when in the 1st century AD, the land was a province of the powerful Roman Empire, and Aquincum (on the site of present-day Óbuda) was its capital. The Danube River formed an important natural boundary for the empire. With the Hungarian

conquest before 1000 AD and the founding of the state, Buda Castle soon became the residence of the Hungarian kings. The city survived the attacks and invasions of the Mongols in the 12th century, the occupation by the Turks and the bombings during World War II.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries the growing metropolis gained its present image. The charming hills of Buda with its old and elegant residential districts, the beautiful waterfronts of the majestic Danube together with the flat side, Pest, the dynamic administrative and business centre end an unsurpassable location to the "Pearl of the Danube”. Being at the cross-roads of East and West, the city has gained in importance with the collapse of the communist regime. Cultural events (Spring Festival, the opera and concert season) compete with attractive shopping (china, crystal, embroideries, art objects, refined food and spirits). The city has retained the inimitable folksy flavour of old Budapest. Beside the central market halls each district has similar farmers' markets, street markets on the weekends. The extensive flea market of Budapest at the edge of the city, is a real treasure throve for 'scavengers' and for antiquity collectors.

The twin cities of Buda and Pest, divided by the Danube, contain homogenous parts of different building periods such as vestiges of the Roman occupation, the prestigious Castle District preserved in Romanesque and Gothic style, the rigour of the Habsburg Citadel, the eclecticism of the turn-of-thecentury buildings boasting the richness of the new citizens. From the Romanesque lookout tower, the Fishermen's Bastion there is a superb view over the city and the Danube. Next door is the 13th-century coronation church named Matthias Church. From here stroll towards the buildings of the ancient Royal Palace, now home of various museums and libraries. From the Castle Hill, ride up to Gellért Hill which also offers a marvellous view of the whole capital. On top, walk around the Habsburg Citadel before continuing to Pest, the bustling downtown with its imposing hotels along the banks of the Danube. This area was rebuilt after the World War II bombardments. Banquet ships, "water buses" make the riverside more colourful. Drive past St.

Stephen's Basilica, Budapest's largest church, dating back to 1845 and decorated by the most famous artists of the century, the Parliament building with a strong resemblance to the British Parliament; Heroes' Square, the finest open space of the capital, with monuments that commemorate the millennium of the conquest of Hungary. The country's history is presented here. A little further on, on the side of the City Park Lake you glimpse the romantic Vajdahunyad Castle complex.

Budapest Public Transport Company

The BKV (Budapest Public Transport Company) operates metro lines (M1-yellow, M2-red, M3-blue), blue local buses, red trolley buses and yellow trams. The Public Transport network is made up of more than 180 busses, 14 trolley bus, 29 trams and 3 metro lines

Services generally operate from 4:30 until approximately 23:30 hrs.

All three metro lines connect at Deák tér Station, and service frequencies range from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes at peak times.On the main routes buses and trams run as well during the night with the same fares.

Uniform tickets should be bought in advance and purchased on buses, trams, trolley buses, metro lines, castle bus, cogwheel rail and suburban trains (HÉV) within the city borders. Tickets are available at the ticket offices in metro stations, newsstands and ticket-machines.

Hungarian citizens as well as citizens of other Member States of the European Union over the age of 65 years can travel free of charge on BKV Budapest public transport services. You may be required to present personal identity documents to certify your citizenship.

The Budapest Card offers its holder more than a hundred services, such as unlimited travel on public transport, free or discounted entry to 60 museums and to several sights, discounts in restaurants and spas, and much more. The Card can be purchased in main metro ticket offices, tourist information bureaus, travel agencies, hotels and the airport, and abroad at major tour operators.

TAXI SERVICES

Budapest taxis have yellow number plates and a taxi sign in yellow. (Any vehicle without these features is operating illegally.)

The larger taxi companies work with rate far lower than the maximum charges listed above. It is well worth noting down their telephone numbers, and then calling them because a taxi ordered by phone is cheaper than one called on the street. Tipping in general is 10% of the fare.

Főtaxi: 222-2222 Budataxi: 233-3333 Citytaxi: 211-1111 Taxi 2000: 200-0000

Tele 5: 355-5555 Rádiótaxi: 377-7777 6x6 taxi: 266-6666

Currency

The official national currency is the Forint (HUF). You can take unlimited foreign currency in and out of Hungary.

Exchange facilities are offered to participants at the airport, in hotels and at the banks.

Prices are often set in Euros (EUR) or US dollars (USD). Banking hours from Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Currency exchange machines and ATMs operate after hours in Budapest and other major cities. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Visas

Entry visas are not required for citizens of USA, Canada and most of the European countries.

Citizens of some countries need only their identity cards to travel to Hungary.

After Hungary’s accession to the European Union in 2004, the agreements on Visa requirements will meet the EU regulation. However those participants, who need a visa to enter Hungary, should contact the Hungarian Consulate in their country and apply to the Congress Bureau if an official invitation to Budapest is required to obtain the visa. Hungexpo can be also at your help, if needed. Please consider the duration of the administration.

Gastronomy

When you visit Budapest do not forget to taste some tasty Hungarian dishes. Hungarian cuisine surely has some delights for you including hearty soups, stews and game dishes, simple but tasty casseroles and luscious cakes and pastries.

Several special ingredients are account for the distinctive flavour of Hungarian meals:

Hungarian paprika
lard
onion an garlic
sour cream
cottage cheese, walnut and poppy seed in sweet courses

Some basic ingredients and cooking techniques make Hungarian dishes hearty and spicy. Hungarian paprika powder gives a unique taste and fiery colour to typical Hungarian meals.

Hungary is a soup-eating nation. A complete three-course meal always starts with a soup. It can be a hearty meat soup like the world-famous goulash or a sweetish fruit soup.

Soup is usually followed by some kind of meat dish with potato, pasta or rice garnishing. Pickles or salad made from seasonal vegetables accompany meat dishes.

Pörkölts and paprikás are the most popular meat dishes. Pörkölt is a ragout made from pork, beef or mutton or chicken with onions and Hungarian paprika powder as the main spice.

If you have a sweet tooth you do not want to miss luscious Hungarian cakes, scrumptious pastries.

Attractions

The Buda castle district: Royal Palace, Matthias Church and Danube Bridges

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has listed the view of the Danube embankments and the Buda Castle District - which is one of the most beautiful and romantic parts of the city of Budapest - as a World Heritage site