Hungary is not only known for its insane music festivals or selection of exquisite pálinka, but it is also world-renowned when it comes to relaxing. The various spas and baths such as the Széchényi or Gellért Baths have been attracting visitors from all around the world due to their beneficial, healing properties as well their beauty. One bath called Rudas goes one step ahead and even hosts bath parties throughout the year, which are attended by international and local visitors alike. To go the extra mile in terms of chilling out, Hungary boasts with numerous spa facilities where baths, massages and overall TLC is given to all clients.

Amidst the Buda Castle district lies the somewhat mysteries collection of tunnels, caves and cellars stretching over 10 kilometers, called the “Hospital in the Rock”. Serving first as an air shelter following the outbreak of the Second World War, it eventually became an underground emergency hospital facility. Following numerous expansions, the hospital was eventually closed in the late 1960s due to the development of military technology. Since 2008, it has become open to the public. For more information on the “Hospital in the Rock”, visit http://www.sziklakorhaz.hu/szikla_en.html.

Hungary has risen to the A-list when it comes to hosting music festivals in the summer. Amidst the scorching heat, the biggest names in music both in the national and international arena perform at the infamous festivals such as Sziget located in Budapest, as well as Balaton Sound, which also enjoys much popularity as it is situated at the shore of our largest lake. Other festivals include Volt and Hegyalja, which usually take place outside of Budapest and host namely Hungarian artists, but there is no shortage of international musicians there either. Everyone is able to find a festival close to their heart, as the dates, locations and styles of music are quite varied to ensure maximal satisfaction.

Hungary is known for its impeccable line-up of festivals throughout the year. The most well-known and most awaited comprise of the pálinka and sausage festival as well as the beer festival – both are held annually at the lavish Buda Castle are, where tourists and locals gather to taste the essential Hungarian flavours. There is also the infamous Christmas market festival, where one of the most luxurious spots of the city becomes filled with people visiting the numerous little huts offering christmas presents and boiled wine. The chocolate festival is also a thoroughly visited event, but only after one of the most loved foodstuffs of hungarians, goose paté, which also enjoys a festival of its own.

2002 was a big year in Budapest, as it was when it went where no other city did before. Take a dilapidated courtyard, furnish it with antique bathtubs, aged convertibles, pristine chairs and table sets, some lamp heads found from yearly clear-outs, and leave the chipped wallpaper as it was – and Szimplakert (“Simple garden”) was born. Within days, the bar became the new “It” place, followed by a horde of beaten-down pubs waiting to join the new anti-elite movement of nighttime entertainment.

A few years later, the „Ruin pubs” became the official Hungaricum of the nation, frequented by locals and international audiences alike. People were inevitably drawn to the unprecedented, unusual surroundings that made each visit to the pub a unique experience. Close friends, work colleagues and stag parties all found something to love about such places, regardless of nationality or background. Due to rising popularity, the “Romkocsmas” expanded to include several floors, dance areas as well as quaint, private rooms. By the 2010s, a tourist visit to Budapest necessitated an excursion of RuinPub-hopping. If you are a “Romkocsma” virgin, we highly suggest you add it to your to-do list.

What’s common in the following words: Bachelor do, stag party, bull’s night, buck’s party? Let’s clue you in. They all refer to the one and only event that precedes the marriage ceremony between man and woman – except this is devoted solely to the owners of the XY chromosome. All around the world, men have devoted many a weekend to the glorious celebration of their best friends’ last night of freedom, which is best proven by the fact that over 4-5 different expressions have been tongued for it, depending on your roots. The international blockbuster “Hangover”, originating from the States depicts a “Bachelor Party” gone wrong (as they usually do), whilst over on the other side of the pond, the English coin the term as “Stag party”. Alternatively, if you’re from South Africa, your engaged friend will be the “Bull”, or in the case of Australia, “Buck”.

For those not familiar with the usually proceedings of such weekends, here is how the screenplay usually unfolds: groups of men between the numbers of 10-20 gather either in their hometown or pack it up to leave for a specific party destination (the most popular of which has become Eastern Europe), where they book accommodation and programs to last the weekend. Some go off on their own, whilst others are taken care of by local female guides of the area. The programs entail adrenaline-infused activities for the day such as paintball, gokarting or shooting, and nightly entertainment involves pub and club-crawls, strip bars and much more. Whether you are a bachelor, stag, bull or buck, have fun, just remember to get to the alter on time.

On the 16th of October 2010, Michael is getting married. One week prior to this day, however, he is getting his mind blown away (amongst other things).

 

Us, four guys(Michael, Axel, Omer and myself(Retards: my name is Adam)) began our road trip on the Thursday evening, around the seven o'clock mark, at which point we left our dear Cote d'Azur, and made our way towards Geneva, tread stone for pretty much any destination remotely interesting. Nothing especially remarkable happened during this six hour drive, other than getting attacked by orange signalisation cones and leaving a stream of litter behind us. (At this point, I'd like to thank Omer F. H. for this ecologically-friendly way to travel.)

 

So anyway, we reach the Swiss border around 2am, get our wallets dry ass-raped by the Swiss motorway authorities in exchange for a sticker, and get to Geneva! Only to find the place to be as dead as a dodo's dildo this early in the morning. We wandered the empty streets for a couple of hours looking for drink, food, or conversation, but found nothing.

 

The past 2 years have been very harsh on spending, the economic crisis has narrowed down people’s budget for both everyday consumption and luxury products like travel.