Hungary, at the Heart of Europe

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Budapest

   The Paris of Central Europe, Budapest is the Queen of the Danube, a sprawling, regal city split in two halves by the mighty river. The city’s two UNESCO-listed halves, ancient Buda and modern Pest both have their charms and are linked by numerous picturesque bridges. From the Buda Castle to the Danube Embankment and the sprawling Andrassy Avenue, with its impressive architecture, there is plenty to keep you busy here, exploring and discovering this atmospheric city. It’s a little too big to explore only on foot, but the Pest side of the city is well laid out with broad avenues of the Parisian system, so it’s hard to get lost, and the public transportation, including the world's second oldest subway system, works well. Budapest has all the charm of Western Europe at a fraction of the price. Here you can taste excellent wines produced throughout the region, and even enjoy Michelin-star dining in various locations. We can offer you more than enough exciting activities in the city, from a visit to the incredible Parliament building to a boat cruise with dinner, or an exploration of Budapest’s communist past. The city also has a rich Jewish heritage, so you’ll find the perfect balance of history and modern culture here. Voted Best City in Europe in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a regular in their top 3, Budapest really is a special city with activities to cater to every interest.

   When you arrive at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt Airport, a private driver will greet you and take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Evening Sightseeing Group Cruise

   You're invited for a panoramic boat ride at night, when the city will be beautifully lit up for your pleasure. Glass in hand, you will be able to experience how the legends of Budapest come alive. Look behind the walls of the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the bridges, and other splendid sights all bathed in light.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 1 hour

   Included in your vacation package price

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Budapest

   

   Budapest for the First Time

   Your private guide will meet you at your accommodations, then take you on a three-hour walking (and subway) tour to show you the highlights of the city's Pest side, where the majority of its history, landmarks, and hotels are found. You will visit the exterior of the stunning Parliament, get to know the city's 20th century history in Liberty Square, and hop on the subway to the Opera House, Heroes' Square and City Park at the far end of Andrassy Boulevard. Then you will return to the center, where St. Stephen’s Basilica awaits.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Venture Within Budapest’s Signature Sights

   Although a walking tour of the city will show you its highlights, there’s just not enough time to go inside all the buildings it covers. If you have just a few days in Budapest and you want to focus on the must-sees, we recommend exploring the Great Market Hall to try local delicacies and maybe purchase some souvenirs, the Parliament to see the most fabulous building in Budapest with breathtaking interiors, and finish your day with a trip to Budapest's grand Opera House for a performance.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   Walk on the Buda Side

   If you've seen enough of the Pest side of the city, walk across the river and explore the Buda side of Hungary's capital. In hilly Buda, you'll find several amazing baths, such as the famous Gellert Baths or the more hidden and local Kiraly Baths. Visit the Matthias Church, where Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth were coronated and stop at the Royal Palace, the home of Hungarian National Gallery. Don't forget to take a ride on the Buda Castle Funicular!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Budapest

   

   A Gastronomic Heaven

   Today, you will explore outstanding Hungarian cuisine. You will enjoy delicious dishes and learn more about Hungary's traditions and culture through the dishes and excellent products. Your foodie guide will take you to the best local places, including the Great Market Hall, a local chocolate shop, a traditional Hungarian Restaurant, and finally, a coffee house for authentic dessert. You'll taste traditional foods and have a fantastic meal with Hungarian wines.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

   

   Bathe with the Locals

   Is there anything more quintessentially Budapest than a visit to one of the legendary baths? With more hot springs than any other capital, the city lets you take your pick of various styles, from the old school Turkish Rudas Baths to the Art Nouveau Gellert Baths on the Buda side of the city, or even the Neo-Baroque Szechenyi Baths with a large outdoor pool in Pest’s City Park. These are very much for locals, don't expect day-spa luxury! We've written a handy roundup of Budapest's best baths here.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   From Streets to Museums - The Artists of Budapest

   Budapest has the rich art scene you'd expect of a large capital city. Fortunately, you don't have to visit museums to quench your thirst for excellent art. If you walk through the Seventh and parts of the Eighth districts, you'll find that the local street art scene is quite vibrant. If you prefer museums, we recommend the Koller Art Gallery near Buda Castle, or the Deak Erika Gallery, which focuses on the best works of modern and contemporary Hungarian artists.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Traveling to Lake Balaton by Private Transfer / Arrival in Lake Balaton

   

   In the morning our driver will meet you at your accommodation to drive you to Lake Balaton. The drive is only about 2 hours long, but we recommend an early start to avoid the traffic on the highway, especially during summertime.

   Lake Balaton is central Europe's largest lake. It has 120 miles of shoreline, silky green water and a host of activities for young and old. Primarily a summer destination, Balaton is an easy one-hour drive from Budapest. With such a vast shoreline, Balaton offers natural reserves and wetlands, a wine region, sailing, thermal baths, musical performances, and a variety of sport activities. Primarily a summer destination, Balaton is an easy one hour drive from Budapest. With such a vast shoreline, Balaton offers something for everyone with natural reserves and wetlands, a wine region, sailing, thermal baths, musical performances, a variety of sport activities and of course its famous shallow, warm waters to relax in. We recommend staying in Balatonfüred, a charming Baroque town that, with its promenades and tree-lined avenues, is the quieter counterpart to the brash party capital of Siofok across the water. Just down the coast from Balatonfüred, the Tihany Peninsula nearly bisects the lake. Centered around an 11th century abbey that was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century, Tinhany offers some of the best views of the lake, and is a popular destination for the wealthy, who have made it into Hungary's richest village. From the Abbey, be sure to take advantage of Tinhany's famous echo. For travelers in Hungary looking for a few days of fun and sun, or even just a few quiet days by the water, this is the place to be.

   Upon arrival you'll be taken to your accommodation.

   

   I've Checked in, Now What?

   Your first night in Balatonfured is a perfect opportunity to wonder around the picturesque town, see the Tagore Promenade with its lush oak trees and the views of the Tihany Peninsula, visit a local confectionary shop, or have some drinks. The best confectionary shops with traditional cakes (Dear Confectionery and

   Bergmann Confectionery

   ) are located right in the town center. Be sure to check out at least one of the local wine bars. Our recommendation is the Figula Wine Bar, right next to the Tagore Promenade.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Lake Balaton

   

   Tihany Peninsula Private Day Trip from Balatonfured

   Discover Lake Balton's oldest town, and perhaps its most magnificent: Tihany. You'll travel back to the 11th century, and explore the town and its peninsula, from its abbey to its homes with thatched roofs.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Embrace Local Vineyards

   Lake Balaton is surrounded by volcanic hills, covered in wineries taking advantage of their rich soil. Home to vineyards, meandering streams, limestone and lavender, Balaton and its surroundings are idyllic, and have plenty of quiet spots to explore. Take a taxi or bike to Csopak, the wine region closest to Balatonfured and enjoy an excellent dinner with wine pairing at the Szent Donat wine estate or the Petranyi wine terrace.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 Traveling to Pecs by Private Transfer / Arrival in Pecs

   

   Today you'll be traveling to the south of the country, where you'll stay in the lovely city of Pecs, where the beautifully colorful rooftop tiles so popular in Hungarian and Viennese churches come from. The drive without stops takes about 2.5 hours. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon, or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   Pécs is Hungary's hidden gem, an ancient city in the south, near the Croatian border. It originated as a Roman settlement more than 2,000 years ago, but it is most famous for its early Christian Mausoleum (now a UNESCO site) with frescoed tombs and the 11th century cathedral. In the 16th century, while under Turkish rule, Pecs gained the beautiful Mosque of Pasha Qasim, which has since become a church.

   Once in Pecs, your private driver will bring you directly to your pre-booked centrally located accommodation.

   

   First Night in the Countryside

   For your first night in Pecs, we suggest grabbing wine, since Pecs is near two of Hungary's best wine regions, Villany and Szekszard. They're famous for their red and rose wines, so it's hard to go wrong with those colors. We recommend going to the Eleven Wine and Tapas bar. After a couple of glasses, stroll through the old town to see how its magnificent buildings are lit up at night.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Pecs

   

   Explore Pécs on a Private Walking Tour

   This is the perfect way to explore Pecs. You'll have a private guide to show you around and you'll combine a walking tour with a ride on a sightseeing train. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation and you'll set out, first on the train and then for the walking tour. Over two hours you'll see all of the most interesting sites in the city, including the Zsolnay Collection, an amazing exhibition of historical and artistic interest, and much more.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Enjoy Memorable Tunes at The Kodály Center

   The Kodaly Center has been declared one of the best music venues in Hungary, and even Central Europe. The center hosts a variety of musical programs, from opera to pop. It is even possible for the building to host up to three events simultaneously. Visitors can take part in guided tours around the venue, in addition to attending its performances. You can find more information here.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Traveling to Eger by Private Transfer / Arrival in Eger

   

   Today you will travel to Eger. Based on your departure time preference, you will be picked up from your Pecs accommodation to start your journey. On your way to Eger, you will make a 2-hour stop in Villany, a lovely village in the middle of the wine region with the same name. You can stroll around the cellars and have a nice lunch. We can also organize a wine tasting for an extra fee. The entire journey, including the stop, will take around 6 hours. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon, or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

   Eger is a picturesque and wonderfully unique little city, complete with perfectly preserved baroque architecture and a hilltop castle overlooking the Old Town and the surrounding countryside, which is filled with 10,000 acres of bountiful vineyards. This is the perfect destination for feel-good relaxation, as you can readily sample the local vintages and also indulge in the thermal baths that date from the 1600s. You’ll have a wonderful time exploring the city and the gastronomic culture of the surrounding region. Dobo Ter is Eger’s main square, and it is high up on the list of must-see sights. Here you’ll find lovely restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as wine and music festivals, depending on the time of year. A trip to the castle is also highly recommended. Here you can take a tour and explore Eger’s rich past. You’ll definitely want to explore the nearby Valley of the Beautiful Women, which houses numerous vineyards and wine caves carved into the hillside. Here you can sample numerous local vintages and mingle with the friendly locals. Eger is quaint and quiet, the heart of wine country and a wonderful place to enjoy a timeout from the busier cities of Hungary.

   Upon arriving in Eger, you'll be driven directly to your accommodation.

   

   Start with Bull's Blood

   For your first evening in Eger, we recommend heading to the famous "Szépasszonyvölgy", a mouthful that translates to "The Valley of Beautiful Women." The women here may not stand out more than elsewhere, but the wines certainly do. If you're into heavier red wines, seek out the area's specialty, Bull's Blood. After visiting the valley, head back to Eger to see its capital and walk around the old town. We're sure the view and vibes won't disappoint.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Your First Full Day in Eger

   

   Eger Wine and Food Private Walking Tour

   Taste the best wines in town, visit family vineyards and cellars, and wow your taste buds during this exceptional wine and food tour. Your expert local guide will take you to two wineries, where you'll learn more about the prestigious history of Eger's wines, and the winemakers themselves. Enjoy electrifying whites and full-bodied reds, get a glimpse behind the scenes, and get acquainted with different stages of wine making and bottling. The crown on this jewel tour is a degustation menu at one of Eger's finest restaurants.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   The Castle of Eger

   One of our top tips for things to see in Eger, the Castle of Eger has a very long history. The Ottoman Empire's siege in 1552 is one of the most famous events that took place here, since the castle held back the invaders, saving the country. Left severely damaged by this and other battles, the castle has recently been renovated, so it shines in its full glory once more. If you don't have so much time, you can still catch a reenactment of castle's 16th century siege every weekend from March until October. After you are done, you can always enjoy a nice meal at the Macok Bistro, which is right at castle walls.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   

   Visit the Turkish Bath

   If you're looking for an interesting and relaxing activity, you can't beat Eger's Turkish Bath. Built 400 years ago on a natural spring, it's charming for everyone who enjoys lounging at the spa. The building's architecture is unique, and the wellness treatments here are soothing and traditional. If you want a special treat, we highly recommend the Hammam massage. Your Destination Expert will provide more information, or you can visit their website at https://torokfurdo.egertermal.hu/en/wellness/turkish-bath/history/turkish-bath-2.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Your Second Full Day in Eger

    

    Day Trip to Szilvasvarad

    About 15 miles outside of Eger is Szilvasvarad, one of the most impressive natural landscapes in the country. Located in the forested mountains of Bukk National Park, it makes a great day trip. The Szalajka Valley offers many different activities, from hiking or cycling to just relaxing in nature. There's a Children's Railway, an adventure park, a horse farm featuring the famous Lipizzan horses, and even some delicious dining, with smoked trout being one local specialty. You can reach Szilvasvarad by car, train or if you're feeling energetic, rent bikes in Eger.

    Suggestion to explore on your own

11. Day 11 Traveling to Budapest by Private Transfer / Arrival in Budapest

    

    Today you will leave the famous wine region Eger and travel to Budapest to explore the amazing capital of Hungary. Based on your preferred departure time, you will be picked up at your accommodation for the less than two-hour journey to the capital. A short distance outside of Budapest there's a potential stop we can arrange for you: Godollo, a Baroque Royal Palace might just pique your interest. The vehicle used for your transfer will be a standard sedan, station wagon or minivan. We can arrange for an upgrade to a more luxurious class of vehicle for an extra fee.

    The Paris of Central Europe, Budapest is the Queen of the Danube, a sprawling, regal city split in two halves by the mighty river. The city’s two UNESCO-listed halves, ancient Buda and modern Pest both have their charms and are linked by numerous picturesque bridges. From the Buda Castle to the Danube Embankment and the sprawling Andrassy Avenue, with its impressive architecture, there is plenty to keep you busy here, exploring and discovering this atmospheric city. It’s a little too big to explore only on foot, but the Pest side of the city is well laid out with broad avenues of the Parisian system, so it’s hard to get lost, and the public transportation, including the world's second oldest subway system, works well. Budapest has all the charm of Western Europe at a fraction of the price. Here you can taste excellent wines produced throughout the region, and even enjoy Michelin-star dining in various locations. We can offer you more than enough exciting activities in the city, from a visit to the incredible Parliament building to a boat cruise with dinner, or an exploration of Budapest’s communist past. The city also has a rich Jewish heritage, so you’ll find the perfect balance of history and modern culture here. Voted Best City in Europe in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a regular in their top 3, Budapest really is a special city with activities to cater to every interest.

    Upon your arrival the driver will take you to your centrally located accommodation.

12. Day 12 Departure Day

    A driver will meet you at your accommodation to take you to the airport for your departing flight.