10 | Eastern Europe Destination Guide
THE IRON GATE, SERBIA
Sail through one of Europe's most dramatic natural wonders, the
picturesque stretch famously known as the Iron Gate. Meander
through narrow gorges that slice through the Carpathian Mountains
to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south, and marvel at
the towering white limestone cliffs draped with forest. Be on the
lookout for ancient remains upon the dramatic walls. On the Serbian
side, Trajan's Tablet was laid to mark the construction of a Roman
military road; on the Romanian side, marvel at the enormous rock
sculpture of Dacian king Decebalus.
THERMAL BATHS,
BUDAPEST
Soak up the restorative
powers of Budapest's
thermal baths and join
locals in a centuries-old
tradition. Ancient Romans
discovered the benefits
of bathing in the thermal
waters that flow through
Budapest. As the city
grew, the spouting
springs were treasured
and preserved so highly
that not even the
Communist government
forbade their pleasures.
During your visit, you
might mingle with the
locals taking a soak or
observe some bathers as
they pass the time with
a game of chess in the
pool. So revered have
these waters been that
many have been sheltered
within facilities that exude
a temple-like aura.
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IRON G ATE GORG E
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