Day 1: 

Arrive at Budapest Franz Liszt Airport where we will meet our guide who will assist us with all the formalities.  Transfer to our hotel in the center of Budapest.

Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at a typical Hungarian dinner at a local restaurant with a folklore show.

Overnight in Budapest

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Day 2: 

We will start the day at the Budapest Citadel with a magnificent view over the Danube River and the city.  Here, also we will see the Liberation Monument overlooking Budapest.  Continue to the Castle District.  This is the oldest part of Buda and is full of medieval houses and narrow streets.  Strolling among these evokes an atmosphere of a bygone era.  Arriving at the Mathew Church we visit this remarkable neo-gothic edifice.  From the famous “Fishemen’s Bastion” we gaze out on a magnificent view of the city and the Danube.  IN the afternoon we visit The Grand Market, an indoor market house where merchants sell anything from food items, fruits, bakery and souvenirs.  Our next stop is Vaci Street, Budapest’s pedestrian street.

Overnight in Budapest

Day 3: 

In the morning, we explore Andrassy Way, the wide and elegant boulevard.  This street was built during the Austro Hungarian period as the improvement of the city during the country’s millennium celebrations.  We arrive at Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Monument.  This memorial depicts the leaders of the original Magyar tribes that conquered Hungary around 1000 AD.  Continue to City Park, one of the most beautiful in Europe. Here we see buildings such as Vajdahunyad Castle and others.  In the afternoon we visit the old Jewish Quarter and the Dohany Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe.

Overnight in Budapest

        

Day 4: 

Today we drive to Godolo, not far from Budapest.  Here we visit the palace that was a favorite of Queen Sisi, wife of Emperor Franz Josef.  The palace was completely restored and is a stunning museum today.  Continue to Domonyvolgy, a small village.  Here we enjoy a stunning horse riding show that depicts the traditions of the Hungarian horsemen.  We also enjoy a traditional Hungarian meal.

Return to Budapest for overnight 

                                                                     
Day 5: 

In the morning we will drive to Holloko.  This village built in the 13th century and developed further in the 18th century is a typical ethnic village of the Paloc people.  The houses made of wood and clay are so well preserved that the entire village was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue through the beautiful landscapes of the Matra Hills.  Here, among Hungary’s tallest mountains we drive through forests and little villages.  Stop at the Galyateto observatory before arrivind to Parad. This area is known for its medicinal waters.  We visit the magnificent stables built by Count Cifra that, today, host a coach and carriage museum.  Continue to Eger, known for its castle and wines.

Tonight we visit “The Valley of Beautiful Women” – an area of many wine cellars and will have the chance to taste the famous “Bull’s Blood” wine associated with Eger.

Overnight in Eger

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Day 6: 

This morning we will start exploring Eger.  Our first site is the medieval castle.  This castle is famous for its stand against Turkish forces at the siege of 1552.  We also see the 17th century Turkish minaret, the northernmost in Europe.  Stroll along the narrow streets of the old town and see the many baroque buildings, churches and the magnificent Fazola Gate – a wrought iron door.

Continue to Mezokovesd.  This small village is known for its “Matyo” embroidery and design.  This type of embroidery is one of the most famous in Hungarian folk art.  We visit the embroidery museum and stroll in the preserved old core of the village.  Our next station is Hortobagy National Park.  This park preserves the natural and cultural landscape of the early Magyars.  The area is part of the “Great Hungarian Plains” and is considered a typical steppe (“Puszta” in Hungarian) and is a on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  We will explore the area and see the grassy steppe, many T shaped water wells, local houses and buildings, including the 9 hole bridge and if we are lucky, also the famous “Mirage of The Steppe”.

Drive to Debrecen for overnight.

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Day 7: 

Debrecen is Hungary’s second largest city and one of its main cultural centers. We start exploring Debrecen with a visit to The Reformation Church.  This magnificent building has an important role in Hungarian history, as it was here during the 19th century revolution that the Habsburg Dynasty was dethroned.  Walk in the main square and see the many baroque style buildings.

Drive to Gyula, a small town known as the birthplace of Frenc Erkel who wrote the Hungarian national anthem.  Here we visit the famous castle before continuing to Hodmezovasarhely, known for its pottery.  Once there were over 400 potters in town, of which very few remain.  Nevertheless, we will get a good impression of the area’s unique arts and crafts by visiting a potter and the remarkable Tornyai Museum depicting local folklore.  Continue to Szeged for overnight.

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Day 8:  

Szeged is known for its beautiful architecture, Paprika spice and Salami manufacturing.  We will stroll in the city’s main square and see such buildings as the Votive Church, Town Hall and theater.  Visit the Pick Salami Museum where we learn about the way this famous Hungarian delicacy is manufactured.  Drive to Kalocsa.  This small village is known mostly for its Paprika spice and the porcelain.  We first visit the museum that depicts the history of Paprika where we learn about chilly peppers, Paprika and how it is grown and manufactured. On to the Kalocsa porcelain factory to see how artists design, paint and manufacture porcelain with Kalocsa’s famous flowery folk design.

Drive around Lake Balaton to Veszprem.  We will explore the narrow streets of this old town and enjoy the unique atmosphere.

Overnight in Veszprem

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Day 9:

In the morning we will drive to Herend.  One of the world’s most famous porcelain factory is located here.  After a short visit, we will continue to Pannonhalma.  The Benedictine Archabbey is one of the largest territorial abbeys in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We will visit the abbey before returning to Budapest. 

Tonight we enjoy a local farewell ldinner in Budapest

Overnight in Budapest

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Day 10:

Transfer to Budapest Airport for our flight back home