Whenever people ask me what’s the best part about working on LaIsla Magazine, I always tell them about the bliss of visiting different countries and writing about them.

It gives me so much satisfaction to provide vacation ideas to individuals who love to travel and discover different places around the globe.

Nine years have passed and numerous stories have passed my desk. While some are a humdrum that needs to be rejected, others have that certain “Smash” that eventually makes it to the final output. We have come a long way in providing our readers with on-the-go recommendations they can use when planning their perfect getaways. However, nine years is still a short period of time as we still aim to update everyone about interminable places to visit and explore.

Take this month’s cover story as a case in point. Located in Central Europe, Hungary is a landlocked country once known during the Roman Empire as Pannonia. Although not the first inhabitants of the country, Hungarians came into the area in the 9th century under the leadership of Prince Árpád. The state’s first king is Stephen I, also known as Saint Stephen.

Learn Hungary’s rich history by visiting the Royal Palace and the Vajdahunyad Castle. While the Royal Palace is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vajdahunyad Castle also has its own allure that captures the country’s past. Roam around the Heroes Square and familiarize yourself in the area’s symbolic statue. However, the most important sculpture every tourist should see is the Statue of Imre Nagy, a two-time Prime Minister of Hungary.

Moreover, take the chance to drop by the St. Stephen’s Basilica, an edifice named in honor of Stephen I. Visit the Kaposvár City and walk through its many landmarks and iconic attractions. A short distance from the Heroes Square, the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath and the Városliget Lake beckons you to sit by or take a dip in its pristine waters. And last but not the least, tread through the Hungarian Parliament Building or also called as the Parliament of Budapest. The edifice remains today as the top tourist attraction of the country.

Anniversaries are meant to be spent together. It is a time when we can reminisce and rekindle our love towards someone or something. So in our anniversary, join us in celebrating nine fruitful years of seeing various countries around the globe.