Budapest & Hungary
Budapest is two cities in one, Buda and Pest, which has by time fused to be one of Europes most beautiful cities. Budapest lies along the river Danube with the Buda hills to the west and Pest, the beginning of the «Great Plain» to the east. This city is both interesting and exciting with ruins from old castles, Euopes largest parliament and steaming turkish baths. There are also parks filled with attractions, many museums, lots of cultural events and riverboats going up and down the Danube bend. The city is an architectural gem with many buildings in baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and Art Noveau style. Budapest is called the «Paris of Central Europe», referring to the the city’s architecture and busy cultural life. The city is known to be on the UNESCO world heritage list with sites like the Castle Hill, the Margaret Island, the Heroes Square and the Chain Brigde. In Budapest you can experience the historic cafés, the wonderful thermal baths and taste the excellent hungarian cuisine and wines. There are also festivals, concerts and exhibitions to visit the whole year. Welcome to Budapest!
Culture Program
We have made a varied culture program in cooperation with the Hungarian travel agent Vista. The program includes tours around the city to visit the most important sights, exciting day-trips and delicious dinners with Hungarian cuisine and wines. The «Main Program» includes programs which must be signed up for before the journey. In the section «Additional programs» there are programs which can be signed up for during the stay in Budapest.
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Main Program
» Budapest Sightseeing
We will start the sightseeing at the Heroes Square among statues of the most famous Hungarian kings and dukes. This monument was built for the milllenium celebration in 1896. The City Park is situated just behind the Heroes Square and here we will discover the spectacular Vajdahunyad Castle, the zoo, the amusement park and the famous Széchenyi Bath.
As we drive down the Andrassy Avenue we will pass the beautiful State Opera and the St. Stephens Basilica. We will then make a stop at the impressive Parliament which is the largest building in Hungary. On our way to the Castle Area we will discover the Roosevelt Square with the Academy of Sciences and the Gresham Palace.
After having crossed the Chain Bridge we will arrive at the Caslte Area. We can here enjoy the view of romatic streets from the middle ages, the Fisher Bastion and the Matthias Church. We will return to the hotel after a nice walk in this beautiful and historic area.
Duration: 4 hours
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» Margaret Island
On this tour we will show you the wonderful island where we live during our stay in Budapest. With its beautiful park and many attractions, this island is like an oasis in the centre of Budapest. The Margaret Island lies in the Danube river between the Margaret Bridge and the Arpad Bridge. It has Pest and Buda on each of its sides. The island was already inhabited by Roman times. In the Middle Ages monks preferred the island for its calm and kings for its excellent hunting. The island bears the name of Margit (Margaret), daughter of King Béla (the 4 th), who renounced the world and entered the island’s convent after surviving the rampage of the Tatars in the 13th century. The Turkish occupation in the 15th century put an abrupt end to the cloister island’s blossoming. The island is today a 2.5 km long park which is sealed off to most vehicular traffic. The park is very varied; century-old chestnut avenues, English, Japanese and French gardens alternate with ruins of a nunnery, an old water tower and a wide range of sports facilities. The island has the largest open-air swimming complex in Budapest, the Palatinus and a fine outdoor theatre. The tour is held by a Norwegian speaking guide.
Price: The tour is included in the travel package. Duration: 3 hours
You can sign up for this program under Sign up on our website » Danube Bend tour
This is an unforgettable excursion into the Hungarian history and culture. We will experience beautiful nature and the towns Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom
From Budapest we drive 25 minutes to the north where we arrive at the picturesque artists’ village called Szentendre. This is a small baroque city at the gate of the Danube Bend at the meeting place of the river Danube and the Pilis Hills, in a beautiful natural setting. This Mediterranean-like town is the home of Serbs who fled from the Turks and settled here in the 14th-17th century. The small, colourful Baroque buildings, wine cellars, unique museums, art galleries, cafeterias and shops create a unique atmosphere. We will stop at the Caprice Jewellery Manufactory (multimedia presentation, factory visit, jewellery exhibition), wander around the baroque settlement built on medieval ruins, and go along the narrow streets up to the panorama point to see the Danube. We will also visit the Szamos Marzipan Museum and Confectionery where an exhibition displays the art of marzipan making, including key figures of the Hungarian history coming alive from marzipan, embroidered cushions, story characters and famous buildings such as the 160 centimetre tall model of the Parliament building. Here we are invited for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. After some rest there will be an opportunity to go shopping or visit the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum.
The second stop is Visegrad. Visegrád's golden age came at the end of the 15th century, under the reign of King Matthias, when his Italian wife Beatrice helped bringing masters from her country to renew the Royal Palace and the Castle in the renaissance style. We have a real Royal Feast in the Renaissance Restaurant where the food is cooked on the basis of medieval recipes and the drinks are served in special earthenware by waiters wearing Renaissance costumes, and contemporary lute music makes the atmosphere even more enjoyable. After the dinner we visit the Citadel, the formal royal residence and fort, an then we take a walk in the castle museum.
At the end of our tour we travel to Esztergom, near the Slovakian border. The basilica of Esztergom, being the cathedral of the Primate of Hungary, is the first in rank, and also the largest among the churches in the country. The church in the present basilica was founded by King St. Stephen during the first decade of Hungarian statehood. This is the oldest Hungarian royal and ecclesiastical residence, as well as burial place for famous cardinals of Hungary, like primate József Mindszenty. Besides the Cathedral we also explore the treasury. Departure from Esztergom back to the hotel at 18.00
Price: 600 kr. Including: bus transfer, Norwegian speaking tour guide, coffee and cakes in the Szamos Confectionary, Royal Feast in the Renaissance Restaurant with drinks, entry fees to the Marzipan Museum and Caprice Jewellery Manufactory in Szentendre, to the Royal Castle in Visegrád and to the basilica and treasury in Esztergom.
Duration: 10 hours
You can sign up for this program under Sign up on our website
» Hernyak Vineyard
Hernyak Vineyard is located on one of the most beautiful parts of Etyek, the Öreghegy (Old Hill). The 3.6 hectares of land worked by the family are situated around the estate, and therefore visitors can gain first-hand information on the vines, the method of cultivation and the composition of the soil, whilst also basking in the magnificent views of the Buda hills. Lovers of wine are spoiled for choice with the Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, ZöldVeltelini, Chardonnay, Olaszrizling and Pinot Noir on offer. Our wine-tastings conducted in a friendly atmosphere give an insight into our wines, philosophy and our cellar. Our wine presentations await both those who understand and enjoy wines as well as those who are only starting to learn about the wonderful world of wines.
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Additional Programs
» Szechenyi bath
The Szechenyi Bath.
Information about price and dates for this culture program will be given in Budapest
Duration: 3 hours -
» Café and Market Tour
Coffee was introduced in Hungary during the 16th century by the Turks who occupied the country. At the 18th and early 19th century there was an active café culture i the city, where artists, musicians, politicians and other intellectuals met. We will visit the wonderfully decorated, neo-Baroque Café New York which was opened in 1894. It was here the famous poets and playwrights of the city met. Unfortunately, the café was rammed unceremoniously by a Russian tank during the 1956 uprising (it also suffered significant bomb damage during WWII). Until now the resultant structural damage was deemed too costly to repair. All that has changed, however, following the acquisition of the New York Palace (in which the café is housed) by Italian hotel group Boscolo. The café was reopened in May 5, 2006 in its original pomp, as was the whole building.
After the coffebreak we will continue to the Great Market Hall which is the biggest indoor market. The market has a number of exciting stalls for vegetables, fruit, meat and souvenirs. Use the opportunity to buy high quality Hungarian paprika powder and salami! When we have finished shopping we will return to the hotel.
Duration: 3 hours
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» Jewish Budapest
During this sightseeing tour we show you the most important Jewish Monuments of the Hungarian capital and the world's second largest Synagogue. We walk through the former Jewish ghetto and visit the Dohány Street Synagogue with the Jewish Museum (interior visits). Next we show you the famous Tree of Life, Temple of Heroes and the Cemetery in the Jewish Garden. After the short walk you have the possibility to enjoy coffee and cake at a local pastry shop. The tour ends in the Jewish Quarter.
Price: 32 € for adults, 18 € for Children under 12. The price includes free pick-up service 30 minutes before the tour starts
Duration: 3 hoursInformation about price and dates for this culture program will be given in Budapest
Duration: 3 hours -
» Budapest by Night
We drive to the Castle Hill and discover the area of the Royal Palace. We show you the main attractions of the district: Castle Theatre, Palace of the Hungarian President, buildings of the National Library and the National Gallery. During the walking tour you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Budapest. A ride on the Castle Hill Funicular (opened in 1870) takes us to Adam Clark square, from where we walk over to the Pest side by taking the oldest suspension bridge of continental Europe, the Chain Bridge. After this spectacular walk we take a Boat Ride on the Danube (Duration 1 hour / soft drink incl.). The tour ends at the pier / city centre.
Information about price and dates for this culture program will be given in Budapest
Duration: 3 hours -
» Panorama & Boat Ride
Visit the illuminated ‘Paris of the East’ and spend an enjoyable evening in a traditional restaurant in the hills of Buda! We serve you a traditional Hungarian three-course menu accompanied with wine. During the dinner you can enjoy a colourful Folklore Show Programme with dancers - dressed in folk costumes - and Gipsy Music. Next we drive around the illuminated city and stop on top of the Gellért Hill (Citadel), the most spectacular viewpoint of Budapest. The tour ends at your hotel or at Monte Carlo Budapest. (voucher for free admission incl.).
Information about price and dates for this culture program will be given in Budapest
Duration: 4 hours -
» Parliament Tour
The fantastic Hungarian neo-gothic parliament is the 3rd largest parliament in the world. It is also one of the oldest legislative buildings in Europe. The construction of the building started in 1885 and was completed in 1904. All together more than 1000 people worked on the building which in the end consisted of 40 million bricks, half a million precious stones and 40 kg of gold. Today, this is the seat of the National Assembly. During the tour you will see the richly decorated Staircase and the Cupola Room, where the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown can be found. You will also have a look at the Parliament´s board room and the hunting room.
Information about price and dates for this culture program will be given in Budapest
Duration: 1 hour -
» Concert & Cruise with Dinner
Danube Symphony Orchestra
The program of the Danube Concert is made as a visiting card of Hungary. All melodies have a connection with Hungary: either they were composed by Hungarian or by foreign composers but with some relation to Hungary. The Danube Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1961. and since then they have given many performances both in Hungary and abroad. The Orchestra consists of 60 professional musicians. They perform the most famous classical melodies combined with typical Hungarial instrument Cimbalom. It is a unique opportunity to hear most popular masterpieces of classical music interpreteted by cimbalom and symphonic orchestra in a virtouz way which can be enjoyed only in Hungary. Cimbalom (concert hammer dulciner) is played primarily with beaters. It is equipped with a heavy frame for more dynamic power and added many strings courses for an extended range of sounds and a damper pedal to allow more dynamic control. The repertoire covers almost every musical style from the Baroque music to music of the 20th century. Besides their permanent conductor András Deák, they are often conducted by other Hungarian and foreign conductors. Many Hungarian and foreign guest artists have performed with the orchestra, including Giuseppe di Stefano from Italy, James Galway, a flautist from Ireland and Ray Charles, the jazz star from the USA. They have given performances in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.
Their permanent concert hall is the theatre of the Danube Palace,Budapest Duna Palota; ZrÃnyi utca 5.)
The yearly program of the orchestra includes works of Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Beethoven, Gershwin, Tchaikowskij, Berlioz, Strauss, Dvorak, Liszt, Erkel, Bartók, Kálmán, Lehár, Kodály, Monti etc.
Cruise with dinner
After the concert, we would like to invite you to take part in a one-and-a-half-hour cruise program. It is a candle-lit dinner with the ship-cruise through the Budapest area which is protected as UNSECO's World Heritage site. Meeting point is after the concert in the theaters lobby. Hostesses will accompany you to the ship (5 minutes walk). Dinner is prepared by Hungary’s only one Gault Millau rated chef, Klöter Gregor-Grex. In the romantic candlelight atmosphere you can enjoy the wonderful view of the city swimming in lights.
Information about price and dates for this culture program will be given in Budapest
Duration: ca. 5.5 hours
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