Budapest

Every year, hundreds of new start-ups ponder the idea of moving abroad and setting up shop in an exotic location. If you are one of those brave souls then the place I can recommend higher than any other - as a starting point for your new innovative business - is Hungary. This country truly is a wonderful place to live and work, with low barriers to entry, excellent government support and beautiful surroundings. Budapest is a bustling hub for new, small-time creative businesses and makes for a great base location.

More than a union of two ancient metropolises, Budapest is the meeting point of two intercontinental worlds. This is where the grandeur and sophistication of Western Europe blends with the mystical exoticism of the continent's east, and the outcome presents any new visitor with a unique and colourful experience. However, it would be wrong to assume that Budapest is some kind of awkward juxtaposed combination of Italy and Poland. Budapest and the rest of Hungary is, in fact, remarkably distinct from both its eastern and western neighbours. The Hungarians have their own language, their own currency and their own way of life. Yet regardless of this alienated uniqueness, Budapest still remains incredibly accessible and welcoming to outsiders. For a new start up, my advice would be thus: find the most trustworthy translation agency London can give you and build a strong relationship with them. The language is the only real hurdle in this part of the world, so deal it and you'll be laughing.

The city of Budapest's individuality is best expressed through its architecture. The baroque, gothic and neoclassical masterpieces that pepper the skyline provide exceptional panorama wherever you are in the central districts. The arrays of razor spiked rooftops are a sight to behold and no construction is more impressive than the Hungarian Parliament, one of the largest political buildings in the world. The stonework is almost exclusively beige throughout Budapest which lets the town radiate in the sundrenched summers. With average temperatures usually nearing 30 degrees Celsius, the climate can match many Mediterranean destinations.

The walkways that line the River Danube are full of cafes and bars that lead all the way up to the city's stunning Liberty Bridge. There are literally hundreds of great places to enjoy yourself under the beautiful sunshine. Yet the heat doesn't just come from above. Budapest has over 115 natural thermal springs bubbling beneath the ancient foundations of the Capital. This has prompted the nickname 'Spa City' and no visit to Budapest is complete without a healing submergence in one of the city's famous bathhouse waters.

The nightlife in Budapest is as vibrant as one would expect. The locals mix with cultured visitors, students and backpackers to create an eclectic bar and club scene that doesn't cost the earth to indulge in. Don't be alarmed if the barman asks for 600 Forints in exchange for a cold beer, as that thankfully equates to less than 2 pounds. There is a friendly, unaggressive approach to evening entertainment here that lacks a lot of the seediness found in neighbouring central European cities. Affordable, good-natured fun is all around.