Debrecen is Hungary’s second largest city, but it is often known as the Capital of the Great Hungarian Plain. Although it may seem as though it is a little far away from Budapest, it is well worth making the trip to experience a different side of Hungary. The city has also been labelled as the Calvinist Rome, thanks to the city’s strong links with this religious denomination. Whilst you will not encounter as many English speakers as you would in the capital city, you will be sure to feel the warmth and openness of the Debreceni people.

Located just 8 miles from the Hungarian border and spanning both shores of the Crisu Repede River, the elegant city of Oradea is a great starting point for exploring Romania. First documented in 1113, under the Latin name Varadinum, the city was administered at various times by the Principality of Transylvania, the Ottoman Empire, and the Habsburg Monarchy. In 1598, the Oradea fortress was besieged and, on August 27, 1660, it fell to the Ottoman raids, only to be seized in 1692 by the Austrians. Until the construction of flood-banks along the length of the Crisu Repede River, Oradea was facing constant flooding threats. In 1836 a large part of the town was destroyed by fire. The picturesque town of present-day Oradea was rebuilt in the 18th century to the plans of Viennese engineer Franz Anton Hillebrandt following the then-trendy Austrian architectural style called Secession with its richly decorated facades of pale pink, blue, green and white. In addition to the many Baroque buildings, Oradea is remarkable for its particularly rich collection of Art Nouveau architecture.