OVERVIEW OF BUDAPEST
Budapest is made up of three cities: Buda, Pest and �buda. In 1873 they officially merged into Budapest. The city's main attractions and most expensive hotels lie on the banks of the Danube River. Most of the hotels are in Pest (the flat side of the city, also known as the Right Bank). On the other side of the river is Buda, the Left Bank and the hilly side with Castle Hill (regarded as the most beautiful part of the city). �buda is located outside the city center north of Buda, and is not as interesting as the other two. Eight bridges link Buda and Pest -- five of them in the city center. The most famous is Sz�chenyi Chain Bridge. It's called the Chain Bridge because the roadway is suspended from what looks like a huge bicycle chain. It was built in 1849, and rebuilt exactly a hundred years later (after the Nazis blew it up). The Chain Bridge is not even close to as beautiful as the Charles Bridge in Praha, but on summer weekends it shares some of the same excitement when it is closed to automobile traffic. That's the best time to walk across, see beautiful views and sample local music and inexpensive food, in what looks like a small fair on both sides. To better understand Budapest, including its 22 districts (called ker�lets, abbreviated as ker.), check out this link to Frommers.com Budapest review.

FOR THE BEST VIEWS
The ride from the train station (and the airport) made it seem like the city really isn't that nice. However, once we got closer to our hotel, which lay on the banks of the Danube River, the entire feel of the city changed drastically. The view from my room was breathtaking � especially because the sun was setting. A few minutes later, when the sky got dark, lights lit up the city's main attractions and the view became magical. For the best views, head to Gell�rt Hill. Go up once during the day and again at night, to see both perspectives. Don't miss the Citadella (tel. 1-365-6076, also on Gell�rt Hill. It was built by the Habsburgs in the mid-19th century. I didn't go inside to see its museum, budget hotel or restaurant because I was so mesmerized by its exterior. A short walk away is the statue of St. Gell�rt and the Liberation Monument. Both also offer views of the city. For more info visit Citadella.hu. For more click HERE.