The focus of the tour is Hungarian history, music, culture and cuisine, along with the country's natural beauty, its castles and architectural gems. We will spend time discovering, playing and relaxing. The first 4 days will be spent in Budapest, the magnificent capital of Hungary; and the next 4 days in the resort of Sumeg, at the foot of a medieval castle surrounded by the stunning countryside with Lake Balaton, before returning to Budapest for an additional day of exploring the city and shopping.
While in Budapest, you will explore the Buda Castle, Heroes Square, Fishermen's Bastion, Margit's Island and other historical highlights of the city: you will experience the traditional thermal spa at Gellert Baths, enjoy the opera, the Gypsy music performance, take a romantic night-time cruise on the Danube, and even learn to cook several Hungarian dishes. During the stay in Budapest, you will also tour the Danube Bend and see the medieval fairytale towns of Esztergom, Visegrad, and Szentendre.
While in Sumeg, you will spend one day hiking in the Bakony Mountains, discovering underground caves and thermal springs and taking a Balaton Lake cruise, another day will be spent exploring the region's wineries and sampling their wines. There will be many opportunities to enjoy the resort's spa services and massage. One spa treatment is included in the tour price. You will not only visit several castles and palaces ranging in style from medieval and Renaissance to baroque and rococo, but you will also participate in medieval knights' tournament at the Castle Sumeg and dine at the medieval feast.
Throughout the tour, you will dine in carefully selected gourmet restaurants, getting to know and appreciate the Hungarian cuisine, especially organic vegetables and exotic spices.
This tour is meant for women of all ages, however there is significant amount of walking (including stairs) involved. The size of the group is limited to 16 people maximum.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at the Budapest Airport. Our company's representative will meet you individually and transfer you to your hotel in the center of Budapest. In the afternoon, we will have a welcome drink in the cafe, followed by a short guided walk around Budapest: Vaci Street, Vorosmarty Square, Danube Promenade from Chain Bridge to Elisabeth Bridge. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Includes: (welcome drink), (D)
Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel. A guided tour of Budapest will include: Heroes Square, Millennium Monument, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrássy Street (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Opera, Basilica, and the Parliament. Free time for lunch. Travel by Funicular up to the Buda Castle for a tour of the Castle District: Trinity Square, Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion with its panoramic view, and the Buda Castle Labyrinth. A short stop at the famous Ruszwurm confectionery to sample its famous pastries. Dinner at a gourmet restaurant with unique decor. Includes: (B), (refreshments at Ruszwurm confectionery), (D)
Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel. Take the cruise around the Danube Bend to Esztergom, the oldest royal and ecclesiastical residence in Hungary. Guided walking tour. Travel to Visegrad. Free time for lunch. Visit to the Visegrad Citadel. Travel to the medieval town of Szentendre. Free time to explore this bohemian town of artists. Return to Budapest. Dinner at a Budapest contemporary restaurant.
Includes: (B), (D)
Day 4: Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Market Hall to shop for food for a Hungarian meal. Attend the cooking class, where you will learn how to cook a Hungarian main dish and taste the dishes other women on the tour have prepared. Afternoon visit to the thermal spa at the Gellért Baths. Optional massage. Meditative walk on the Gellért Hill with panoramic view of the city. Dinner accompanied by a Gypsy dance and song show. Includes: (B), (L), (D)
Day 5: Breakfast and check out from the hotel. Travel to the thousand-year-old royal town of Veszprém, built on seven hills and also known as the "city of queens". In the castle district you will see the Castle Gateway, Fire Lookout Tower, Gizella Chapel, Holy Trinity Square, St Michael's Cathedral, the statue of St. Stephen the King and Queen Gisella. Free time for lunch. A short drive to Balatonfüred at Lake Balaton to walk the Tagore Promenade and visit the oldest spa town in the country known for its spa traditions. We will continue to Tihany Peninsula and its famed nature reserve. The visit to the 11th century Benedictine Abbey will be followed by wine tasting in one of the atmospheric wine cellars. Arrive in Sumeg in late afternoon and check into the resort hotel. Welcome drink and dinner in the hotel restaurant. Includes: (B), (welcome drink), (D)
Day 6: Breakfast at the hotel. Personal time for spa visits, massage or visiting the town of Sumeg and its castle. In the evening there will be the medieval tournament show and the medieval feast at the Castle Sumeg. Includes: (B), (D)
Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Tapolca to take a short but exciting boating trip following the narrow passages of the cave. A short walk around the Mill Lake to admire the organ-pipe basalt formations and an incredible panoramic view of the Balaton Uplands. Transfer by bus to the Szigliget Castle. Free time for lunch. After seeing the ruins of the a fortress in Szigliget, relax on the beach of Szigliget. Transfer to Badacsony Harbor for a cruise on Lake Balaton. Upon return, enjoy a wine tasting with dinner in an gourmet restaurant. Late evening transfer back to Sümeg. Includes: (B), (D)
Day 8: Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the baroque Fastetics Castle in Keszthely and the surrounding botanical gardens. The afternoon will be free for personal time, spa and massage treatments. Evening promenade in a horse drawn carriage before a dinner in a country inn featuring the regional cuisine. Includes: (B), (D)
Day 9: After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Travel back to Budapest and check into the hotel. Free time in the afternoon for last minute shopping or an optional visit to the Hungarian National Gallery. In the evening, take the spectacular Danube River night cruise with pre-dinner champagne, followed by the farewell gala dinner. Includes: (B), (D)
Day 10: Breakfast at the hotel. Individual transfer to the airport according to your flight departure time. Includes: (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The cost includes:
- 5 nights accommodations in a deluxe 4 star hotel in the center of Budapest
- 4 nights accommodation in a 4 star spa resort hotel in Sumeg
- Delicious gourmet meals - traditional Hungarian or vegetarian menu
- Two day-long side trips: the Danube Bend and the Bakony Mountains
-Relaxation package including a complimentary massage or a spa treatment
-All transportation in Hungary
-Cost of a bi-lingual guide, all sightseeing fees
-Cultural activities.
Additional/optional costs may include: travel insurance, single room supplement ($500), additional massage/spa sessions, meals not included in the itinerary, laundry charges, phone calls, personal expenses.
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