Hungary

A week in Hungary, done properly as a road trip, with one day trip across the border into Bratislava. Hungary doesn’t get talked about as much as its neighbours, which honestly works in its favour.

Budapest is one of the most underrated capitals in Europe, and the moment you drive an hour outside it, the crowds disappear and you’re into caves, vineyards, and lake towns that barely register on most people’s radar.

Having a car for this one made all the difference. Public transport between Budapest, Miskolc, and Lake Balaton is doable, but a road trip let me stop wherever looked interesting and skip the timetable stress entirely.