Where to stay in Budapest: An insider's guide to the city's best neighborhoods
The third of the three districts whose merger created the city of Budapest in 1873, Óbuda ('Old Buda') is often overlooked after Buda and Pest. Served by the HÉV suburban train that runs from Batthyány tér and Margaret Bridge to Szentendre, District III may seem a trek but it's a swift ten minutes from the main hubs of Buda immediately south. Activity is concentrated around the Római embankment, lined with eateries and the occasional destination bar – most notably, the Fellini Római Kultúrbisztró – close to where Roman centurions would have bathed 2,000 years ago. In more recent times, nearby Óbuda Island has hosted the Sziget Festival, the region's largest annual music event. As well as the locally found Roman remains in the Aquincum Museum, there's art a-plenty around the main square of Fő tér, including a gallery dedicated to Op-Art maestro Victor Vasarely.
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Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Grand Hotel Brioni Pula: Here is why you need to visit the mini-Rome on Croatia's Istrian Coast
Here's why you need to visit Croatia's Istrian coast right now before this mini-Rome becomes a must-visit holiday destination. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With only around 60,000 inhabitants, Pula isn't a sprawling metropolis. But for what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for by being packed with history and culture. The small area in the west of Croatia has punched well above its weight when it comes to the food and drink it produces, but perhaps its crown jewel is the Grand Hotel Brioni. A hotel that just screams class, both in terms of service and design. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Situated around a 10-minute drive from the Pula Arena, the hotel is a sprawling property that has a very much old world feeling about it in some ways. But don't confuse that with it feeling dated. Whilst the hotel is designed to hark back to Pula's Roman routes, modernity still plays a huge role in the amenities offered on-site. It can boast two pools, which can each be filled with salt water, and an absolutely top-class spa. The rooms are designed to demonstrate the hotel's high quality | Matthew Shaw There is a reason that the Grand Hotel Brioni has become a haven for those playing at the Arena. The rooms themselves are stunningly decorated. The breathtaking views from your room across the Adriatic Sea are worth writing home about themselves. You'll find three restaurants at the Grand Hotel Brioni, including the stunningly opulent Sophia. Here you can dine on some of the best food the area has to offer. All accompanied by some of the best wine you're likely to sample, and all produced in the surrounding region. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pula and the Istrian Coast doesn't just produce wine however. For each of the last eight years, it has been named the best in the world for the production of olive oil. No mean feat when you consider Croatia's neighbours across the Adriatic, Italy. The people of the Istria are passionate about their olive oil. On a visit to award-winning extra virgin olive oil producers Chiavalon in Vodnjan our guide tells us that he consumes around 200ml of the stuff every day, such are the health benefits of the olive oil produced locally. And of course you'll find bottles of Chiavalon's carefully produced goods at the Grand Hotel Brioni. Family business Chiavalon produces some of the world's best Olive Oil | NW And it is easy to see why wine and olive oil are so important to the people of Pula. If you were to give the area a catchy nickname, it might be mini-Rome. Just shy of the harbour is the Pula Arena, a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre; the sixth largest in the world and one of the best preserved. From here you can learn the whole ethos and cultural progression of the town. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The town became an outpost for retiring Roman legionnaires and this is where we find the origins of Pula's incredible pantry. Whilst the Arena has progressed from the heady days of gladiatorial combat, although the current crop of gladiators who still perform at the arena can claim to be some of the best in the world, to being a favoured concert spot for people like Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli and Arctic Monkeys among others, below it you'll find the story of local olive oil production going back to those original Roman days. The amphitheatre is one of the best preserved in the world | NW The amphitheatre itself is a marvel, the only to have its four side towers still intact - the particularly strong stone it was built with was eventually exported by the ruling Venetians to build certain areas of Venice. And that raises another interesting element of the town. Whilst the Romans may have left the most obvious mark on the area with the Arena, Pula has had a revolving door of ruling nations and dynasties pass through it stamping their own styles. A walk down any street in Pula will have you examining the Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian, amongst others, architecture. It is a lot to take in, but it is well worth doing so. I was glad to retire back to the hotel afterwards and spend some time sitting at the Brioni's terrace bar looking out over the Adriatic, and if you're lucky like me you'll catch the dolphins putting on a show, watching the sunset in an incredible setting. Doing that allowed me to reflect on a place that just seems to be such an incredible hidden gem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While Dubrovnik and Split might have become bona fide tourism hotspots in recent years, Pula hasn't quite had the same levels. Now is the time to explore a genuinely incredible place at your own leisurely pace. Pula and the Grand Hotel Brioni each in their own way left an incredible impression on me, each for very different reasons. But as I sat in the airport ready to fly home, I was researching how quickly I could get back to them. There is so much more that could be said about this place, a visit via speedboat to a beach bar on a secluded island could probably have sold this place to me on its own, but I believe that it is somewhere you must see yourself to believe.
Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Scotsman
Countryside walks, fish & chips, visits to farm shops, oyster shacks, Sunday roasts in pubs and spotting cows in fields - the most nostalgic things about a British staycation
Eight in ten (77%) of Brits plan to enjoy a staycation this year, with over half (56%) admitting they want to relive the holidays of their youth with their own children. In fact, 87% have fond memories of UK holidays from their childhood, so much so that 78% agree that the UK has some wonderful places for a holiday and a WHOPPING 90% think that a staycation is one of the best holidays ever. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And it's not just children that will be enjoying a family staycation this year – multi-gen holidays are back on the table for millions of families, with 43% planning a trip this summer with their children and parents. The survey, commissioned by the award-winning Coaching Inn Group, also reveals the top 40 things we love about holidays in the UK, with walking through the countryside (52%), fish and chips (52%), marvelling at historic landmarks (48%) and enjoying the sun in a pub garden (46%) coming top. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Next up, was wandering around magnificent castles (34%), windy walks along the beach (32%), exploring market towns (30%), Sunday roasts in the pub (30%) and picnics (28%). One in four (25%) say nothing beats sipping tea in a tea shop, while 23% love trying out the amusement and adventure parks. The Talbot, Oundle When it comes to choosing where to stay, many of us are ditching tents and campervans, and opting for high-quality, affordable accommodation. For example, a monumental 91% of Brits would consider staying in either an historic coaching inn, or a pub with rooms. 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The Forest Park Hotel, Brockenhurst In fact, 64% would like to explore the UK MORE, with Stonehenge (33%), Hadrian's Wall (32%), the Roman baths in Bath (26%), Yorkshire Moors (25%), Jurassic Coast in Dorset (24%) and the Peak District (24%) all on the to-do list, along with the Eden Project (22%), Blackpool Pier (20%), New Forest National Park (19%), and Wells Cathedral (19%). Adam Charity, Chief Operating Officer at Coaching Inn Group, commented: 'It's great to see so many Brits embracing a staycation this year. Holidaying in Britain isn't just a more convenient option than travelling abroad, it's also the best way to create memories that you'll cherish. 'We are proud to have a family of beautiful and historic coaching inns across some of the UK's best market towns and villages. From the Brecon Beacons to the Yorkshire Moors, we are thrilled to be able to curate Great British staycation experiences in stunning locations, where our amazing teams help guests to discover extraordinary history and hospitality from the heart.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For those lucky enough to have been on holiday both abroad and in the UK, more claim to have the most cherished memories from their trips in the UK (50%), compared to abroad (30%). Two thirds (63%) have such fond memories of childhood holidays that they hope their own children will do the same when they are older. The Castle of Brecon Cornwall (40%), Lake District (39%), Scotland (38%), Devon (29%) and Wales (28%) are all considered fantastic locations for a break. 40 BEST TINGS ABOUT HOLIDAYING IN THE UK: Walking through the countryside – 52% Fish and chips – 52% Historic landmarks – 48% Pub gardens – 46% Castles – 34% Windy beach walks – 32% British market towns – 30% Sunday roasts in the pub – 30% Picnics – 28% Ice cream vans – 27% Sunday morning walks – 26% Old fashioned B&Bs – 26% Tea shops – 25% The National Trust – 25% Sea views from your cottage – 24% Cream teas – 24% Amusement and adventure parks – 23% Farm shops – 21% Public footpaths – 20% Piers – 20% The smell of frshly cooked doughnuts – 18% Bird song – 18% Building sandcastles – 18% Crabbing – 15% Horse riding – 15% Menus based on locally sourced produce – 14% Buckets and spades – 14% Ploughman's lunches – 14% Discovering antique shops – 14% Wildflowers on country roads – 13% Stopping at the services for a rest and some food – 13% Second hand book stores – 13% Dogs swimming in the sea – 12% Cows in fields – 11% Seeing baby lambs – 11% Rock pooling – 11% Fishing – 11% Reading plaques in historic places – 10% Oyster shacks on the beach – 10% Bright yellow fields – 10%
Scotsman
11 hours ago
- Scotsman
Countryside walks, fish & chips, visits to farm shops, oyster shacks, Sunday roasts in pubs and spotting cows in fields - the most nostalgic things about a British staycation
Eight in ten (77%) of Brits plan to enjoy a staycation this year, with over half (56%) admitting they want to relive the holidays of their youth with their own children. In fact, 87% have fond memories of UK holidays from their childhood, so much so that 78% agree that the UK has some wonderful places for a holiday and a WHOPPING 90% think that a staycation is one of the best holidays ever. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And it's not just children that will be enjoying a family staycation this year – multi-gen holidays are back on the table for millions of families, with 43% planning a trip this summer with their children and parents. The survey, commissioned by the award-winning Coaching Inn Group, also reveals the top 40 things we love about holidays in the UK, with walking through the countryside (52%), fish and chips (52%), marvelling at historic landmarks (48%) and enjoying the sun in a pub garden (46%) coming top. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Next up, was wandering around magnificent castles (34%), windy walks along the beach (32%), exploring market towns (30%), Sunday roasts in the pub (30%) and picnics (28%). One in four (25%) say nothing beats sipping tea in a tea shop, while 23% love trying out the amusement and adventure parks. The Talbot, Oundle When it comes to choosing where to stay, many of us are ditching tents and campervans, and opting for high-quality, affordable accommodation. For example, a monumental 91% of Brits would consider staying in either an historic coaching inn, or a pub with rooms. When choosing accommodation, our top priority is value for money, with two thirds (66%) of us marking this as our biggest consideration, followed by high quality food (65%), friendly and welcoming service (62%), and comfortable and clean rooms (53%). It's no surprise that half (49%) say they love exploring the British Isles with 44% liking the fact that it is cheaper than going abroad. Less stressful (40%), easier to get around (35%) and the ease of being able to jump in the car and drive (29%) are also reasons why Brits are choosing to holiday at home. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nine in ten (89%) simply think a staycation is easier than flying abroad and believe that moaning about the weather is all part of a Great British holiday (56%). The Forest Park Hotel, Brockenhurst In fact, 64% would like to explore the UK MORE, with Stonehenge (33%), Hadrian's Wall (32%), the Roman baths in Bath (26%), Yorkshire Moors (25%), Jurassic Coast in Dorset (24%) and the Peak District (24%) all on the to-do list, along with the Eden Project (22%), Blackpool Pier (20%), New Forest National Park (19%), and Wells Cathedral (19%). Adam Charity, Chief Operating Officer at Coaching Inn Group, commented: 'It's great to see so many Brits embracing a staycation this year. Holidaying in Britain isn't just a more convenient option than travelling abroad, it's also the best way to create memories that you'll cherish. 'We are proud to have a family of beautiful and historic coaching inns across some of the UK's best market towns and villages. From the Brecon Beacons to the Yorkshire Moors, we are thrilled to be able to curate Great British staycation experiences in stunning locations, where our amazing teams help guests to discover extraordinary history and hospitality from the heart.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For those lucky enough to have been on holiday both abroad and in the UK, more claim to have the most cherished memories from their trips in the UK (50%), compared to abroad (30%). Two thirds (63%) have such fond memories of childhood holidays that they hope their own children will do the same when they are older. The Castle of Brecon Cornwall (40%), Lake District (39%), Scotland (38%), Devon (29%) and Wales (28%) are all considered fantastic locations for a break. 40 BEST TINGS ABOUT HOLIDAYING IN THE UK:
