Whilst the sights and sounds of these two cities differ hugely, the histories of Budapest and Vienna are so intertwined that by visiting them separately you only get half of the story. They were the joint seats of government for one of the great world powers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The empire exceeded that of the British in terms of manufacturing might, and covered the second largest geographical area after that of Russia. It brought great wealth to the ruling Habsburg monarchy, and the legacies of this are visible throughout both capital cities in the form of imposing mansions and grand townhouses.

The empire was dissolved after World War I and the paths of the two cities diverged once again resulting in two wonderful cities with their own distinct flavours. The grandeur of Budapest is a little faded, though the Gothic spires of the parliament and the towering baroque Buda castle still dominate the skyline creating a tremendous sense of atmosphere. On the other hand Vienna’s impressive boulevards and gleaming facades still give it the feel of an Imperial centre, though today the doors of its’ many palaces are now open to the public, and house a dizzying array of museums, galleries and historic collections.

Aided by the efficient inter-city Railjet train service, Vienna and Budapest make the perfect combination.