ITINERARY : TOUR IHO6: Budapest – Little Paris of Middle Europe
Sundays from April 24 to October 23 , 2011

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Stay-a-while: City Stopover 7 days, 7 nights One stop holiday! One hotel base in the centre of the city.


Situated on the banks of the Danube, Hungary’s capital is home to almost 2 million inhabitants. The city is made up of the hilly area of Buda on the western banks and the much larger section of Pest on the flatter eastern bank. It is a city of elegance and charm with a blend of shady courtyards, cobbled streets, architectural gems now restored to their former glory, and modern, cosmopolitan cityscapes. This “Little Paris of Middle Europe” is renowned for its health baths and pools; historic palaces, museums, galleries, churches and synagogues; all a reflection of its turbulent and sometimes glorious past. The locals are friendly and welcoming to foreign visitors. Throughout the year Budapest plays host to a vast and diverse range of sporting and cultural events of international standards. Just wait until you sample the cuisine and celebrate its musical pride!


DAY 1: Arrival in Budapest: Meet, greet and transfer to your luxury five-star hotel in the city centre. There is time to rest before tonight’s Folklore show and Welcome Dinner at a first class restaurant. Evening: Welcome dinner and Folklore Show  
Meals: Dinner    

 


DAY 2: After breakfast at your hotel your guide will take you on a tour of the city to have an overview of all the major sights. The best view is from the top of Castle Hill reached by the Budapest vertical rail car. Here you will visit the Royal Palace, the National Gallery, Mathias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion. There is time to wander along the cobblestone streets (Make sure you bring your walking shoes.) Next you will explore Gelert Hill before crossing the Danube. On the Pest side of the river you will see Herope’s Square, the Opera House and St. Stephen’s Basilica. Finally you will visit Budapest’s impressive Parliament House to see the Crown Jewels of Hungary, the main staircase and the Great Vaulted Hall. There is time for a leisurely lunch in a tavern amongst the maze of courtyards. The afternoon will give you time to visit and enjoy one of the locals favourite past time at either the Gelert Baths or the Szechenyi Bath complex. Tonight there is a classical performance of opera, ballet or symphony.
Evening: Classical Performance - programme depends on date of travel
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 3: Today there is a choice for you. Option 1 is to take a helicopter flight to Vienna or Salzburg for a special lunch with a wonderful “bird’s eye view” of Budapest. Option 2 is to enjoy a leisurely morning exploring on your own and shopping in Vaci Street. After lunch there is an organized tour to the Hungarian National Gallery with its collection of Hungarian art from medieval times to the 20th century as well as the Habsburg Crypt. Evening: Free.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 4: This morning you will join a Royal Budapest Tour to experience the life of royalty and visit the summer residence of Emperor Frank Joseph and Queen Elizabeth "Sisi" in Gödöllő. This is the second largest baroque chateau in the world. There is a welcome drink, touring of the interior and a walk through the impressive gardens. There is time to enjoy coffee and cake at the palace cafe before returning to Budapest. The afternoon is free for shopping or resting. Evening: at leisure
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5: This morning you will commence a full day’s experience along the Danube Bend as the river breaks through the hills of Pilis and Burzsony. Today you will visit a number of Hungary’s sleepy little towns steeped in the nation’s history. Included in your stops are the former royal residence at Visegrad, the impressive Basilica at Esztergom (Here you have a stop for lunch), and the art and craft centre of Szentendre, with its churches, charming town centre and numerous cafes and a large open-air village museum. You will also visit the Caprice Hungarian Jewellery Centre. Your return to Budapest will be by boat. This evening there is an outing to attend one of Budapest’s famous organ concerts. Evening: Organ concert
Meals: Breakfast and lunch


DAY 6: Today you are back in the city and after breakfast you will begin with a walking tour through the famous shopping district of Vaci Street. In the mornings you will avoid most of the tourist crowds which gather later in the day. Later you will have the opportunity to visit the Jewish Quarter. No visit to Budapest would be complete without exploration of this crucial part of the city’s history. First stop is the World War II Victims’ Memorial, then on to include the Jewish Museum and the world’s second largest synagogue – the Dohany Street Synagogue . Tonight you will enjoy a 3-course dinner with River Cruise. Evening: Dinner and River Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner


DAY 7: Today you will be leaving the city to travel on a full day exploration of Lake Balaton, (the largest freshwater lake in Europe) and the nature reserve of Tihany Peninsula. But in the morning you will visit the world’s largest porcelain factory at Herend. You will visit the workshops and the museum and have time to shop if you wish. A real treat is that lunch will be served on Herend china at the workshop’s Apicius Restaurant. In the afternoon you will travel on to the Lake and explore some of its charming, medieval towns and villages and see their major sights. On the return journey you will pass through the Hungarian countryside. This evening you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner and Symphony Concert to mark your last night in Budapest. Evening: Farewell Dinner and Symphony Concert.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

DAY 8: For those who are flying out your transfer will take you to the Airport or rail station for your onward journey.


Prices: from $5,311 per person, twin share
Single: from $5,833

 

Features of this Holiday

Five-star accommodation in the city centre for 6 full day , 7 nights
Private transport, local guide
All major city sights and two full days on the Danube and in the Hungarian countryside
Optional helicopter flight to Vienna for lunch
Free time for your own personal wishes
A special visit to the Herend Porcelain factory
Five Evening entertainment events as per the itinerary