PEARL OF THE DANUBE

When hilly, residential Buda and historic Óbuda on the western bank of the Danube merged with flat, industrial Pest on the eastern side to form the modern city of Budapest in 1873, a beautiful and vibrant hub was formed. If you haven’t yet wandered the meandering cobbled streets of the World-heritage listed Buda Castle district, had a dip in one of the city’s many thermal springs, or feasted on goulash and strudel, there’s a big shiny new reason to go. Housed in a protected historic building near the river, Budapest’s first Ritz-carlton sits a stones throw from the Four Seasons and the Danube River. Its 170 luxurious rooms and 30 suites have picturesque views of the magnificent St Stephen’s Basilica, and the spa, due to open in December, will have a large swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room and three beauty treatment rooms—a true Oasis in the heart of the old town. Did I mention there’s strudel? ritzcarlton.com