Fodor's Hungary 1970-71 [antikvár]

EDITOR'S FOREWORD Once a popular continental destination, Hungary seemed to lose ground after World War II and, so far as American and British travellers were concerned, was terra incognita for years. Happily, this has all been changed with new government policies designed to encourage tourism—the lure of old is visible again, and visitors are flocking in. Hungary's traditional attitude towards foreign visitors, amounting almost to a cult of hospitality, is winning out over political considerations, some of which have nothing to do with people-to-people contact in any event. A western visitor is fawned over, admired and courted—and not because of his money! Take tipping, for example. Although tipping is permitted (and expected) in more popular tourist areas, people's interest in money is rather peripheral. For, while nobody has much money, everyone is secure—nobody is dependent on the tipping system for a decent income. So consider yoiirself an emissary of another world, the western one (or free one, if you like) you'll be treated well, and may enjoy the experience of bringing a nearly unreachable world within the grasp of your hosts. The grim reminders of recent history—German occupation, the 1945 siege and the 1956 uprising—have now almost disappeared, Hungary showing her more-natural smiling face (just a bit made-up, but for company, of course!). In fact, because of her pretty face, Hungary might be called "the Communist country where the fun is", especially in comparison with other lands in Eastern Europe. There are more good restaurants, lively nightclubs, crowded coffee houses and colourful beaches than in many a "capitalist" country. Hungarians have always had a natural penchant for the good life, and now, with economic conditions nearly back to normal, they appear bent on the pursuit of pleasure and leisure. What are the attractions which draw increasingly large numbers of western visitors to Hungary at the beginning of the 1970's? First of all, Budapest, one of Europe's most attractive cities. A busy administrative and industrial capital of two million people, it nevertheless has the aspect, when the sun is shining and the season is in full swing, of an easygoing holiday