With the Alps to the west and the flat, open Great Plain to the east, Budapest's climate is accented with warm summers and bitterly cold winters, with plenty of rain all year round. Winters are fairly short, the very cold weather arriving in mid-December, usually cloudy and damp with odd bright sunny days and frequent, but light, snow. In summer, from April to September, Budapest has a high proportion of sunny, warm days with relatively high humidity, the sun shining for about 10 hours a day.

The cuisine in Hungary is known around the world and plays a major role in the Hungarian culture. From roadside eateries to stylish gourmet restaurants, the dining options in Budapest are endless and food from almost all nationalities can be found. Hungarian cuisine is something to enjoy though, and visitors should indulge on goulash, soups, desserts, Hortobágyi palacsinta(stuffed pancakes), trout, dumplings, strudels and the iconic and decadent Dobos Cake, a five-layer sponge cake layered with butter cream and topped with caramel slices. Hungarian cuisine is known for using lots of spices, such as paprika and hot chillies, and is arguably some of the spiciest cuisine in Europe. The inner city and Central Pest are the main areas for dining out in Budapest, while Central Buda also boasts some great eateries. It is customary to make reservations at restaurants and waiters usually expect a 10% to 15% tip for good service.

Budapest has an extensive, inexpensive and efficient public transport system that includes the metro, trams, buses, trolley buses and trains. Most transport runs until about 11.30pm after which there is a limited night bus and tram service until about 5am. The metro is clean, safe and frequent, and although there are only three lines it reaches most areas of interest to tourists. Trams are good for travelling around the Great Boulevard or along the embankment; trolleybuses (electric buses) operate in Pest; and although more difficult to use, buses are useful for journeys that can't be made by metro, especially around Buda. There are regular incidents of pick pocketing on buses and metro lines though, particularly when they are crowded. An over ground HÉV train network services the outer suburbs. All forms of public transport require the self-validation of pre-purchased tickets, which can get complicated; it is best to get a travel pass for convenience that will also save money. Day or multi-day passes are inexpensive and hassle-free, although the tourist Budapest Cardcombining three days of travel with discounted attractions isn't all that good value. Budapest's taxis have a reputation for cheating foreigners and visitors are warned not to do business with private, unmarked vehicles that hang around stations. Legal taxis should have a yellow number plate, clearly display their rates and have a meter that is switched on. It is cheaper to order one by phone from reputable companies such as Citytaxi, Fo Taxi or Tele-5-Taxi.

Hungary is a wonderful family destination, particularly Budapest. Not only does the country offer a plethora of sightseeing attractions, but there are also a number of places that kids will enjoy. Vidam amusement park with it's 100-year old merry-go-round, the Great Circus complete with clowns and acrobats and the Budapest Puppet Theatre should all be on your list of things to do in Hungary.

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken, especially in the areas close to the Austrian border. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Even though Hungary is part of the EU it does not use the Euro; the official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Travellers cheques are not widely favoured. Credit cards most accepted in the country are AMEX, Diners Club, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard, JCB and Visa, and these can be used to withdraw cash from banks and ATMs and to pay bills in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Banks usually open between 8am and 4pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturdays. ATMs and currency exchange machines are available in towns and cities throughout the country. It is advisable to retain exchange receipts for proof of legal currency exchange.

Nightlife options in Budapest abound, from music lounges and jazz venues to trendy bars and nightclubs. New clubs open up throughout the city all the time, particularly in the areas around IX Raday utca and VII Liszt Ferenc tér. There are a number of drink and party venues in the city with the busiest areas being districts 5, 6 and 9. There is not usually an entry fee at the door but some places will charge between EUR2 and EUR4 if there is an international DJ or live performance scheduled.

Popular Budapest bars include Becketts, an authentic Irish pub, and Crazy Café, which claims to have the longest drinks menu in Hungary. Other good venues include the Trocadero Café, for Latin music, and the Vera Jazz Café. Fat Mo's Music Club is also a great party place, often hosting live music performances and reminiscent of a 1930s American speakeasy.

For the high rollers in Budapest, there are a number of casinos to enjoy in the luxury hotels between the Elizabeth and Chain bridges on Dunakorzó. Late night partying can also be done at a number of trendy Budapest clubs such as the Barokko Club & Lounge, Livingroom, Wigwam Rock Club and Inside. To find out more about events happening while you are in Budapest check the nightlife listings in the city's English-language paper The Budapest Sun.

Shopping in Budapest is fun and varied experience. Must-buys in Budapest include Hungarian folk-art souvenirs such as embroidered goods, Herend porcelain, Tokaji wine and túró cheese. The main Budapest shopping areas are in the city centre and the lanes surrounding Pest's Váci utca. There are many trendy designer outlets to be found on Andrássy Avenue in Pest, while the Castle District and Gellért Hill are home to some great speciality, souvenir and craft shops.

Herend porcelain can be found in Zsolany, V Kigó utca 4 and Herend, I Szentháromság utca 5, while bargain hunters should head to the three-storey Nagy Vásárcsarnok (Great Market Hall) in IX Fovám tér, which is more than 100 years old. Budapest also has a chain of stores called the BAV stores. These shops are pawn shops, run by the state. The largest BAV store can be found on V Bécsi utca 1 and stocks some great gems and souveniers amoungst all the junk.

Budapest boasts a good selection of shopping malls hosting brand-name and fashion retailers; try West End City Centre and Duna Plaza in Pest for brands like Levis, Kookai and Nike. There are cheaper, high-street shops along Nagykörút (Great Boulevard) and bargains can also be found in the Budapest markets, especially the Central Market, Ecseri flea market and Hunyadi tér market.

Unless there is a national holiday, most shops are open all day during the week, and till lunch on Saturday. Large supermarkets tend to have longer opening hours and are also open on Sunday, while some outlets such as Tesco, and city centre convenience stores, are open 24 hours. VAT is included in the price of most goods; with the correct documents and receipts (reciept of purchase; seperate receipt indicating the VAT amount on the purchase; VAT reclaim form), refunds are available for purchases exceeding EUR200.

Budapest's rich and diverse history makes for some exciting sightseeing opportunities and visitors will enjoy exploring this magnificent city and find locals very hospitable. From monuments to museums and palaces, Budapest has a wide variety of sights to keep any tourist busy. Stroll through Memento Park, one of the city's strangest attractions, which features giant statues which lined the city's streets during the Communist era, or marvel at the Royal Palace, which dates back to the 13th Century. Visit the Parliament Buildings along the banks of the Danube River and walk along the Chain Bride, Budapest's first bridge over the Danube. Visitors will do well to purchase the Budapest Tourist Card, which allows them unlimited travel on public transport, free or discounted entry into 60 museums and special sights, reductions on sightseeing tours, discounts on restaurants, spas and car rentals, and is valid for either 48 or 72 hours. The card can be bought from main metro ticket offices, tourist offices, travel agencies, hotels or the airport for HUF 6, 300 for 48 hours or HUF 7, 500 for 72 hours.