Empires have come and gone here: Celtic, Roman, Hun, Avar, Magyar, Ottoman and Habsburg. Each one has left its memorials, its palaces, churches, castles and ruins; but the Danube is the heart of the city, flowing through it for a distance of 28 kilometres, and along its banks the twin cities of Buda and Pest reach out to one another across their bridges. Rich in historic monuments and museums, cafes and restaurants, Budapest is the perfect place to stay whether you want to soak in the culture of the heart of Central Europe or relax and watch the world go by through the shady streets.

Flights to Budapest, which depart from Vilnius for the blue Danube on Tuesdays and Saturdays, began on 28 March. One-way tickets begin at LTL 270 (EUR 78), including airport taxes.