Storforsen rapids are located at the River Pite. The rapids area is approx. 5 km in length and decreasing by 82 meters. The most interesting point is that at the last 600 m, the water is falling 50 meters down. During the biggest flows in the spring there are 1000 m3 of water passing per second. During the floods in 1995, it was 1200 m3 of water per second.

The history of Storforsen rapids is quite long – several thousands years. Approx. 8500 years ago there was the sea, but it gradually receded and 7000 years ago it grew into massive mouth, which created the Storforsen rapids.

More than 150 000 people visit Storforsen rapids each year.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Kristina D.C. Hoeppner

Vianden castle has been owned by the family of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg until 1977 when it was donated to the state. Since then it has undergone extensive exterior and interior refurbishment. For its scenic beauty it is often visited by huge number of tourists, but also by Hollywood filmmakers. Vianden castle has a beautiful view to the medieval town of Vianden, which was, in the past, very fond of French writer Victor Hugo. Local museum and a copy of a bust by Roden remind writer’s visits on the river Our.

Vianden is the birthplace of King John the Blind (John of Luxembourg). In 1310 he became Count of Luxembourg and after the marriage to Elisabeth of Bohemia (Czech: Eliška Přemyslovna) he became King of Bohemia. John of Luxembourg is today a popular historical figure in Luxembourg and weighed very much like his son Charles IV. in the Czech Republic.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Roger Wollstadt

Vianden castle is accessible through the whole year.

02.01 – 28.02 10.00 – 16.00
01.03 – 31.03 10.00 – 17.00
01.04 – 30.09 10.00 – 18.00
01.10 – 31.10 10.00 – 17.00
01.11 – 31.12 10.00 – 16.00

Basic admission fee is €7,50 (2010). There is also interesting culture programme that includes exhibition, jazz concert etc…

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Budapest is the owner of two World Heritage Sites, which, uniquely in the world, form a single, continuous road; taking tourists along the most beautiful parts of Budapest (Heroes’ Square, villa buildings, Kodály-körönd, Pesti Broadway, Buda Castle Quarter, House of the Hungarian National Ballet, Budapest Opera House, Danube-panorama, Jewish Quarter, Andrássy Road ).

Budapest is home to 1,72 million people (2.06 million in 1980). Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification on 17 November 1873 of right (west)-bank Buda and Óbuda with left (east)-bank Pest.

Photo by Nathan Demeny Photography

Budapest is one of the sophisticated cities in Hungary. Budapest has become a rendezvous of political big brothers, business tycoons and celebrities.

Budapest also welcomes modern technology and you will find a number of IT sectors in this city. It is a vital commercial hub in Central Europe. For this reason, when you plan to go to Budapest on vacation, you must watch closely how the city life in Budapest runs smoothly on its rut. Numerous brick and mortar made skyscrapers, monuments, sophisticated market plazas, malls, storefronts, aerodromes, luxurious hotels, bars and cafes have changed the facelift of this city. At night, streets, lanes and by-lanes are illuminated in gorgeous fluorescent light.

Before visiting Budapest, you must choose some important attractions/sights/tourist spots which are located in different parts of this capital city in Hungary.

Fishermen’s Bastion is one of the major tourist attractions in Budapest, located in Castle Hill in Budapest. This terrace was constructed for better viewing. Fishermen’s Bastion was decorated by a famous architect named Schulek dating back to 1895. You can climb up Bastion terrace to extend your vision over Pest.

Matthias Church belongs to the top sights in Budapest as well. It is beautifully decorated. It is a religious shrine. Matthias was a brave Hungarian king who planned to build this historical building for celebrating his nuptial ceremony. This church came into existence during 13th century. However, eminent architects and designers have modified this heritage establishment several times to make it more attractive.

Before starting your journey to reach Budapest in Hungary, you can contact tourist agencies to take a backup for ensuring trouble free trip to this capital city of Hungary. Guides will escort you to visit exotic places in Budapest to update your mind regarding religion, culture, heritage, science, literature and trading in Budapest.

What to see in Budapest

Panoramic views

• Naphegy panoramic view to Gellért Hill, best near view to south side of Buda Castle, historic district Krisztinaváros
• The Fisherman’s Bastion panoramic view across the Danube to Pest, in the heart of the Castle District.
• Tabán historic site, near panoramic view to Buda Castle, Danube Promenade, Erzsébet Bridge, park and 1956 Hungarian Revolution Memorial
• Gellért Hill best far view to the Danube Bridges, Danube Promenade and Gellért Baths
• Danube Promenade view to Buda Castle, Gellért Hill
• Sashegy impressive, far view from the top of the Natural Reserve Park to: Gellérthegy, Naphegy, Buda Castle, Danube Promenade. End of the Tájék street.
• Széchenyi-hegy, far view to: Gellérthegy, Naphegy, Sashegy, Buda Castle, Danube Promenade

Main sights

• Andrássy Avenue with its several sights including the Hungarian State Opera House, the Pest Broadway and the House of Terror
• Bauhaus in Budapest
• Buda Castle with the Royal Palace, the Funicular, Hungarian National Gallery and National Széchényi Library, Matthias Church, Holy Trinity Column (a plague column) and Fisherman’s Bastion
• City Park with Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Timewheel, the Zoo, the Municipal Grand Circus and the Amusement Park
• Danube Promenade
• Ferenciek tere with Paris Courtyard and Erzsébet Bridge with Inner City Parish Church nearby
• Franz Liszt Academy of Music
• Gellért Baths, Gellért Hill with Gellért Statue, Cave Church and Citadel with Liberty Statue
• Geological Museum
• Great Market Hall and Liberty Bridge
• Heroes’ Square with the Millenary Monument, the Palace of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts
• Margaret Island with the Centennial Memorial, a Japanese garden, a Musical Fountain, several recreation facilities and Franciscan, Dominican and Premonstratensian ruins from the Middle Ages
  Museum of Applied Arts
• National Museum
• Szabadság tér One of the most beautiful squares in downtown Budapest
• Corvin tér Beautifully restored square at the foot of Castle Hill
• Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe with the Holocaust Memorial (weeping willow statue)
• New York Café
• Óbuda
• Palace of Arts and National Theatre
• Parliament Building with the Holy Crown of Hungary and sceptre, Kossuth Memorial, Ethnographical Museum, Attila József statue, Imre Nagy statue
• Saint Stephen’s Basilica
• Sashegy – The largest Natural Reserve Park of Budapest
• Shoes on the Danube Promenade Gyula Pauer – Holocaust Memorial
  Statue Park
• Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Academy of Sciences and Gresham Palace
• Tomb of Gül Baba
• Váczi utca and Vörösmarty Square
• Western Railway Station
• Erzsébetváros District VII, the former Jewish quarter

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Of course the establishment of the nature reserve was not just about protecting the plant and animal life in the region, but it is also about protecting and preserving the rich history of the region. The Ardèche Gorges had been home to men since the days of prehistory. There have been numerous artifacts uncovered throughout the years which date back thousands of years into the past.

Cirque Madeleine, Ardeche Gorges, France by Jean-Christophe BENOIST

There is so much to see and do when you choose to visit the Ardèche Gorges. And while it may be tempting to camp wherever you feel like, camping is limited to the Gournier and Gaud areas of the park. Upon arriving to the area, take the time to pick up the local guidebook which offers a lot of information about the geology, flora, fauna, history as well as climate of the region.

You will find that there are more than 250 kilometers of hiking trails which are prominently marked throughout the Ardèche Gorges Nature Reserve. For those who do not want to make their way into the gorges on their own, there is also a number of different guided walking tours that will take you into some of the most popular destinations as well as the protected regions within the Park.

Archs, Ardeche Gorges, France by Brian Smithson

For those who are looking for adventure, there are no limitations when it comes to climbing or caving within the Ardèche Gorges. However, if you do plan on going caving or exploring any of the cliffs, it is important that you report your itinerary to guide office prior to going out. Not only is this for your own safety, but it is also due to the fact that there are a number of protected species located in certain areas of the park. The park rangers will be able to inform you of whether or not you will be allowed to go climbing or caving within a certain area.

There is also an amazing 20 mile long canoeing descent into the Ardèche Gorges. This descent includes more than 25 different rapids which makes it a very popular and thrilling challenge for just about anyone. However, there is also a shorter descent which will take you down into the gorge in less than five miles. You may also trek on foot along the canoeing paths which can take you as much as 12 hours to complete.

Archs, Ardeche Gorges, France by Stephane Vervalle

Needless to say that the awe-inspiring views afforded to one who visits the Ardèche Gorges are well worth the trip to the region. Every year countless people make their way to the gorges in order to experience nature in its most pristine and picturesque form.

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Several places on the river are popular destinations for recreation and canoeing in the Czech republic. The most recommended part started from Suchdol – Majdalena – Stará řeka (Old river) – Lužnice but there are also other great parts suitable for canoeing.

The river is ideal for beginners and suitable for a family holiday. The river flows slightly, the dangerous can be just silty or fallen trees, which you must outflank, and thus slows down a ride. However if you want to experience a romantic vacation in nature, just go to Lužnice.

We recommend you to start in Suchdol early morning (9:00-10:00am) and then – after a daytrip (11.5km) – stay in a campsite at Majdalena. The following day start again early in the morning and ride down through the most beautiful part of the river (protected areas + large lake) to another campsite in Lužnice (22km). Here you can stay for another night or return your canoes. However if you have more days available, you can continue on the water trip in the morning. Be aware that those two camps are the only here, so do not miss them!

Staying in the camp-sites are very cheap (1Eur/person + 1Eur/tent) but do not expect Italian or Austrian luxury. For the canoeing you could need to rent a canoe, barrel for your wears and personal stuff, safety vest and paddles of course. You can rent it really cheap (approx. 10Eur/day) from one of the following rental services:

Veronica https://www.pujcovna-lodi-raftu.info/luznice/ (in czech only)

Dušan Jakubec https://www.pujcovna-lodi.com/ (in czech only)

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