The result is the undisputed aesthetic highlight of Europe’s former Eastern bloc that is beginning to attract increasing waves of tourists following the end of the Iron Curtain in 1991 and Hungary’s secession to the European Union in 2004. Also boosting the tourist numbers to Budapest are the increasing number of flights, many of which are operated by budget carriers including EasyJet and Ryanair, among numerous others. Despite superb attractions like the Royal Palace and even after its entry into the EU, Budapest is not always the most tourist accessible city largely due to the language barrier. Hungarian is distinct from any other language in Central Europe, although it has similarities to Finnish; while English is not widely spoken here. Although Budapest has suffered its fair share of hostile invasions and occupation in the past thousand years, the tourists and economic interaction the city now enjoys are unrivalled in its long past. Hungary now attracts one-third of all direct investment in Central Europe with Budapest gaining a huge share of this influx of cash given it is far larger and better set up than any other city in the country. The most obvious sign of this mass investment is seen in the huge number of shopping centers and hypermarkets that have emerged in recent years. Budapest is now home to more shopping centers than any other city in Europe; while also boasting the largest Tesco and Auchan stores, of England and France respectively, in the world. Clearly the city’s penchant for architecture on a grand scale has extended seamlessly into the new capitalist era. If you didn’t get here when it was all quaint and Communist, then you’ve missed out on one interesting era but still have the opportunity to experience an up-and-coming unique city. Gone are the days when an ice cream and a soda cost peanuts – Budapest has since embraced the spoils of capitalism. Thankfully though, it remains as charming as ever. | 
