Atop the Esztergom Basilica, as the breeze of a thousand years cools your face, looking out at the hills in the distance and the domed bridge that whisks travelers effortlessly across the border into Slovakia, you might feel a bit light-headed. The city of Esztergom produces a kind of ethereal haze, giving it a glow that extends far beyond its historical significance as the birthplace of King St. Stephen. It’s the perfect “city upon a hill,” nestled in the Danube Bend, where the awe-struck traveler will be surprised when he or she runs into locals who live day-to-day in the magical land; many will scramble to share their town and the stories of their great past.