Budapest, capital of Hungary, is a beautiful city which is unfairly dismissed in the minds of families planning holidays due to its reputation as a destination for stag weekends. While it's true that the beer is very cheap indeed, the fact is that Budapest is a World Heritage Site, and frequently regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, if not the world! And having been the focus of armed uprisings and invasions as recently as 1956, its history is lively and exciting right up to the present day. English is not widely spoken, and it's not a particularly 'touristy' city, so it is a destination which might appeal more to families with slightly older children, but the wealth of beautiful architecture and historic sites mean everyone should visit Budapest at least once. And with holiday rental properties almost as cheap as the beer, you've no reason not to go as soon as possible!

You'll be packing attractions in on any visit to Budapest. The Hungarian Parliament Building, with its spectacular neo-Gothic architecture and the Hungarian crown jewels, should be one of your first ports of call, and take a good few hours to explore. If the weather's pleasant, the best way to see the outside of this building is to take an amphibious bus tour - the Hungarian equivalent of the London Duck Tours. The bright yellow amphibious vehicles are great for kids, and combine sightseeing with genuine entertainment. Once you've finished there, you definitely need to go to Heroes' Square, with the Millenary Monument in the middle (think Nelson's Column, but it looks higher!), and then the Museum of Fine Arts and the City Park among the attractions surrounding the square. Another park worth checking out is the Statue Park, a theme park with a difference. Full of Communist era statues and sculptures it looks like the title sequence to Goldeneye! Plenty of opportunities for great holiday photos posing with Soviet heroes!

There is a huge variety of family accommodation in Budapest, and something to suit almost every budget. With apartments for a family of four available from as little as £300 for a full week, you'll have plenty of shopping cash left over for the markets and shopping districts of this remarkable city. Further out from the centre of the city, you can also find houses and villas to rent, and although these tend to be a little more expensive, you'll have a lot more space to enjoy your Hungarian getaway, and quite possibly an outdoor swimming pool as well. There are a large number of golf courses out in the countryside, and you'll also have greater freedom to explore local restaurants with lots of tasty and spicy Hungarian cuisine (try the Chicken Paprikash for a milder local speciality). Whichever option you choose, a trip to Budapest will be a holiday to remember.