DAY 1: Departure from USA
- Depart the USA to Budapest . Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.
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DAY 2: Arrive in Budapest, Budapest city tour
- Welcome to Hungary - a truly unique country in the centre of Europe. Surprisingly how a migrated people managed to keep its language, mythology and statehood in a foreign environment and constantly changing borders over the millennial history? Several centuries of supremacy of the Ottomans and later of the Danube monarchy did not weaken the proud Magyar spirit at all.
- Today, Hungary is one of the most attractive destinations in Central Europe. Cultural tours, pleasure trips such as wine and culinary ones, spa, wellness and beach recreation, a medical trip or horse riding - everything is possible here. The advantages of Hungary as a destination include relatively short travel routes and excellent service. During this short tour, we are going to try to show you the distinctiveness and impressiveness of Magyarorszag (Hungary" in Hungarian) and its capital.
- At the airport you will be warmly welcomed by our guide. After check-in and a short refreshment break, we will start to explore Budapest, a city with an ancient history, culture and traditions, whose vitality pulsates in every corner. From the birds eye view, Budapest seems like a giant amphitheatre. On both banks of the river, treasures of the World Heritage List are scattered - the Buda Fortress and famous Matthias Church, the scene of many coronation ceremonies and weddings, the Fishermans Bastion with its magnificent view of the Danube, the parliament&rsquos building - and all these are not everything that awaits you in Budapest.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 3: Full Day Budapest
- Today we will continue our acquaintance with Budapest and will explore highlights on the other bank of the Danube river . Our first stop is the spiritual centre of Budapest - St. Stephens Basilica. It is the largest religious building in Budapest, so no wonder that its sonorous bell encourages people to come in and pray. We also see Freedom Square that opens Andrassy avenue. The next stop is Heroes Square with the Millennium Monument - this monument could otherwise have been called the "Avenue of the Stars", because to the left and right it is guarded by the most outstanding figures of Hungarian history. Nearby spans the charming chain bridge, protected by a huge stone lion, which is the oldest and the best known one of nine arteries that unite two halves of the heart of Hungary. You can also see the beautiful fairytale castle Vajdahunyad.
- In the afternoon you will have free time to explore Budapest on your own.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 4: Full Day in Visegrad
- On this day we will explore the most important religious and historical jewels of Hungary. We will drive to Visegrad, a former summer residence of Hungarian kings. The gorgeous Visegrad castle rises on a huge hill by the bend of the river. Here, the Danube changes its direction several times and meanders through the valley. One could enjoy this Danube panorama forever. But we should not neglect another zest of this place - the fortress itself, of course. Within its walls, the forgotten royal knightly times come to life again before our eyes. Next, we will go to Esztergom - the first capital of Hungary. Hungarian statehood was closely linked to Christianity, which is why the countrys bishopric was founded here, and still exists today. Esztergom - being of the same spiritual importance to the country as the Vatican to Rome - is known for the largest church in Hungary, St. Adalbert&rsquos Basilica. With your own eyes you will admire its majesty, as well as the Royal Palace and the Maria Valeria Bridge (connecting the Hungarian and Slovak banks of the Danube). On the way back to Budapest we will come to the cosy town of Szentendre. Enjoy the peculiar fairytale world with winding streets, domes and towers of seven churches, a few dozens of museums and street vernissages. Szentendre is known as an artists&rsquo, masters and craftsmens place. Souvenirs bought here make memories after this trip last long and long.
- In the evening we come back to Budapest.
- An alternative itinerary is possible upon request mentioned below:
- Alternative 1. Full-day tour to Eger (including transfer, guidance, entrance fees and wine tasting). The city of flowers and students, todays Eger is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Hungary. We will admire its famous castle. The minaret in the city center reminds one of the Ottoman rule in the heart of Europe. The tasty chocolates that we will try in the local marzipan museum will add a bit of sweetness to our pastime, and the funny marzipan figures will ensure a good mood. After the tour, comes the time for wine tasting. The "Egri Bikaver" (the blood of Egers bulls) is an elegant blend of red wines, based mainly on the grape Kekfrankos. According to a legend, the name of the wine comes from the time of the invasion of Suleiman the Magnificent (c. 1552). To motivate and support a small group of castle soldiers during the Eger siege, they served delicious food and plenty of red wine. Finally, the enemy gave up. Turkish soldiers could explain the strong and spirited resistance of the city and Eger Castle by nothing except bulls blood in the local red wine. The tasting will give the feeling of warmth and cosiness.
- Alternative 2. Full-day tour to Balaton National Park (including transfer, guidance and entrance fees). Today we will explore the natural wonders of Hungary. To do so, we will have a day trip to the largest lake in Hungary - Balaton. This picturesque natural corner of Hungary, where peace and quiet are in the air, has long been a popular holiday destination for both citizens and guests of Magyarorszag. The nature reserve, which was once an island, offers breathtaking panoramas. This place is also famous for its lavender fields. Here you will have time to immerse yourselves in this atmosphere. We also visit one of the main symbols of Balaton - the oldest in Hungary and one of the largest Catholic abbeys in the world - Tihany abbey, located in a small village on the peninsula of the same name. From there you have the most beautiful panoramic view of the lake. After visiting the abbey, we will make a brief stop here to immortalize this masterpiece of nature in a photo. Then you still have some time to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lake and taste local delicacies. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to take a boat trip on the lake.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Departure from Budapest to USA
- Today our program comes to its end. You take with you unforgettable impressions and a great feeling of having experienced something special. You have spent your time very intensively and eventfully and we hope we have managed to persuade you to come here once more in the future. Here you are always welcome. Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport to board the flight to USA.
- Meal:Breakfast
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