Hungary

Hungary is one of the most popular medical and dental tourism destinations in the world. New clinics are opening all the time, there is no problem with waiting lists and fees are up to 70 per cent lower than the UK, America and other Western European countries. Most of the new facilities are located in Budapest, the capital city and there is plenty for tourists to see and do, including a river cruise on the Danube, Buda Castle, Saint Stephen’s Basilica and Gresham Palace. The most popular treatments include dentistry and cosmetic surgery. Most Hungarian doctors have good English and new facilities are kitted out with the latest equipment and technology.

Gresham Palace, Budapest, Hungary by michael clarke stuff

Turkey

Turkey is emerging as a very popular destination for tourists, particularly travellers from the UK, France, Germany, Holland and Middle Eastern countries. Turkey is not a member of the EU and therefore guidelines are different, but the country has implemented strict standards to ensure that patients are protected and receive the highest standards of care. The main hospitals and clinics are located in Istanbul and patients can expect to save between 20 and 75 per cent compared to fees in Western Europe. Popular treatments include plastic surgery, fertility treatment and weight loss surgery. Tourists can choose from city life in Istanbul or beachside relaxation in the busy tourist resorts of Bodrum and Marmaris.

Istanbul, Turkey by Kıvanç Niş

Poland

Poland is a great destination for tourists from the UK, Germany and Scandinavia thanks to regular, affordable flights, high standards of care and inexpensive fees. Dental treatments and cosmetic surgery are the most popular treatments for medical tourists and visitors from Western Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia can expect to save between 30 and 70 per cent. Poland’s most popular tourist destination is Krakow. Wawel Castle is well worth a visit and the Old Town is an idyllic location to while away hours. The capital city, Warsaw, is home to some of the country’s finest hospitals and a host of new clinics, many of which are aimed at medical tourists.

The Wawel Castle and Cathedral in Krakow, Poland by Corinne Cavallo

Bulgaria

Bulgaria has a reputation for high standards of care, as well as being much cheaper than other European countries. In the last few years medical and dental tourism have really taken off and a number of new clinics have opened. Popular treatments include cosmetic surgery and cosmetic dentistry. The best places for medical tourists are Plovdiv and Sofia. If you have any spare time, Bulgaria is a great place to try your hand at winter sports during the chilly months and to soak up the rays in the summer.

Roman Theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria by Plamen Agov • studiolemontree.com

Romania

Romania has emerged as a popular destination for medical tourists over the last five years and it is growing in stature all the time. Romania is conveniently located for patients from Western and Eastern Europe and prices remain very low. Holistic therapies are very popular in Romania and new treatments, which have already proved popular in Western Europe are becoming more widely available at clinics around the country. Most of the best hospitals and private clinics are located in the capital city, Bucharest, which also has plenty to offer patients in their free time.

The Palace of Justice, Bucharest, Romania by Mihai Petre

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You can find The Great Synagogue in the 7th district of Budapest – on Dohány street. This is why the synagogue is known also as Dohány Street Synagogue. The building is 75 meters long and 27 meters wide and accommodates up to 3,000 seating worshippers. It consists of three chambers and according to Orthodox tradition it has a separate gallery for women and men. Ornate interior of the synagogue is the work of Hungarian architect Frigyes Feszla and some elements are clear ideas of Reform Judaism. One example is the placement of the stage for Torah readers.

The facade of the synagogue is decorated with a large rosette. It is located between two richly decorated octogonal towers, which are typically accompanied by onion-shaped domes. Above the rosette there is the Hebrew inscription of the Second Book of Moses. The facade is composed of strips of white and red bricks.

Austrian Jewish journalist Theodor Herzl was born at The Great Synagogue, who became the most important representative of Zionism, and later became the spiritual father of Israel. There was a museum founded in 1931 at his birthplace house, where is located the extensive collection of historic relics, the Jewish objects of everyday needs. Exhibits date from the periods of ancient Rome to the present. A very valuable book for example is the Burial Society Chevra Kaddisha from 1792. The museum was previously attached to the main building and is now open to the public throughout the whole year. One separate room is dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust.

The Great Synagogue in Budapest is one of the most venerated synagogues in Europe.

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Inside the five-story tall dome, you will find a massive size replica of the Angkor Temple. There are suspension bridges and towers throughout the park that offers some of the most amazing views and access to some of the most popular rides. You will find a number of pools and flowing streams situated throughout the theme park that will provide you with hours of entertainment.

Needless to say, the first moment that you step foot into Aquaworld Budapest, you would realize that you are in for an exciting day. There are swimming pools and streams as well as a number of saunas within the park grounds. You will be able to spend hours relaxing in the water regardless of what the weather is like outside.

You will find the Aquaworld waterpark located along the northern edge of Budapest just off the Megyeri Bridge abutment. It is easily accessible via its own exit on the Budapest M0 ring. There is more than a sufficient amount of parking available at the theme park, with a carpark capable of handling more than 1000 cars throughout the day. It is also extremely close to downtown Budapest which means it is only a couple minutes away from virtually every hotel and motel within the city.

Do not worry if you cannot spend all day at Aquaworld, because it is open up early every single day, and closes late. The park itself opens at six in the morning; but only one of the swimming pools and two saunas is available before 9:30. On most occasions the park stays open until 10 o’clock at night; but there are rare occasions in which it will stay open later.

Splash Night Slide Party

If you wish to enjoy some more fun, then you should plan your visit to aquapark when it is open throughout the night. There is a Night Slide Party with live DJ organized once a month, which is some kind of a dance show. The party starts at 22:00 PM and lasts till 03:00 AM with the water slides and pools opened. But even more you can also enjoy Specialty cocktails, watch the Light show or Salsa dancers.

Splash Night Slide Party in Aquaworld Budapest

To get on the party you can take a free party bus from Nyugati which runs hourly from 21:00 till 24:00 and stops on several other locations on its way to the aquapark. It’s good to check programme of aquapark and plan your visit accordingly.

Adventure Park

If you have already enjoyed lots of water fun and want to try something different, do not look elsewhere. The Aquaworld Budapest does not offer water attractions only, there is also the challenging Adventure Park that is waiting for you and your courage. The Park is located outside and the opening times are depending on the weather.

Adventure Park in Aquaworld Budapest

Sauna World

Sauna World is a part that you also should not miss once you are in the aquapark. Have you ever heard about Russian sauna, bio-sauna or crystal sauna? If not, be aware that you can enjoy these in Budapest along with all other sauna types you can even imagine, including the popular high-temperature Finnish sauna with snow chamber.

Admission to the Aquaworld Budapest

The prices vary and there are lots of discounts for children, students and seniors. The basic adult admission is 4990,-HUF on weekdays and 5690,-HUF on weekends, which is around €16 – €19 (valid on March 2013).

Hungary is a major aquapark and spa leader in Europe and there are countless aquaparks in Hungary that offer high class services including thermal water pools, sauna worlds and spa centres.

For more information visit the official site of Aquaworld Budapest.

Pictures delivered by aqua-world.hu and published with their kind permission.

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But everything else you can even imagine you can experience in Hungary – the cultural and social events, concerts and discos, folklore festivals, good food and drink, especially a great wine, sports (fishing, bathing and swimming, excellent opportunities biking, ballooning, parachuting and hang-gliding, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing on Lake Balaton, beautiful horses with the opportunity to ride on them, craft workshops, nostalgic carriage or old trains rides, boat cruises, live gypsy music, visits to zoos and nature reserves, and last but not least, many wellness activities in famous Hungarian spa.

Hungarian cuisine

Like any other cuisine even Hungarian one is influenced by the cuisine of neighbouring countries – mostly Bulgarian and Slovak. This cuisine is characterized by a variety of tastes and looks. Its main ingredient is the pepper, which grown all around the country. Another important ingredient is sour cream. The most commonly used meat is from oxen, calves, pigs or rams. They can also prepare the turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese as well as different game. The local rivers are excellent providers of freshwater fish such as perch, Danube catfish, sturgeon, pike or carp.

The most famous Hungarian dish is definitely Hungarian goulash or Segedin goulash. Then it is gnocchi with sheep cheese, which is the apparent influence of Slovak cuisine. The most popular spice is the pepper, served in six kinds and gives the meal its right Hungarian flavour. Popular soup is halászlé (fish soup) and bean soup. Another traditional dish is Perkelt prepared from various types of meat in a pot on the fire. Furthermore, it is worth tasting Borsos Tokány – braised beef in red wine sauce with tomatoes or Tordai lacipecsenye – crisp roasted young pork wrapped in flour with hot peppers. Traditional dishes include chicken with mushrooms and pepper, fried liver, Transylvanian layered cabbage or noodles with cabbage. The meals are served with all kinds of vegetable and fruit salads, e.g. such as cucumber salad with sour cream. Very popular deserts are strudels or poppy tubes.

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