The Spirit of Budapest & the Danube

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Fly to Budapest - Touch down in Hungary this morning and meet your friendly, local tour manager at the airport, before heading into the city for check-in at your hotel. After settling in, you’ll be free to head out into Budapest for some initial exploration under your own steam and you can find dinner locally. For a memorable first impression of the city, take a stroll along the Danube waterfront, where you’ll see the elegant Orzágház (Hungarian Parliament Building) and distant Buda Castle lit. 
• Day 2
  Included tour of Budapest and the Castle District with optional folklore evening - Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel this morning and join your tour manager for an included tour of the city’s major sights, starting in cosmopolitan Pest, the flatter second half of the Hungarian capital. Here, you’ll take in the UNESCO-listed Andrássy Avenue, passing St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, and the exquisite Hungarian State Opera House. This spectacular building is a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance design, and you’ll have time to admire it before continuing to Heroes’ Square, which commemorates Hungary’s founding leaders. Heading towards the Danube waterfront, you’ll find the majestic Országház, the seat of the Hungarian parliament, and you’ll have some time to admire the views before heading across the river to historic Buda and the Castle District.   This quiet suburban district, known for its hillside spas and UNESCO-listed heritage sites, offers the ideal introduction to the city’s colourful history. After taking in Buda’s eclectic mix of medieval, baroque and gothic architecture, you’ll climb Castle Hill and can marvel at the intricate exteriors of the Royal Palace. From here, you can enjoy views of the Danube waterfront Bastion from above, before heading down to the Fisherman’s Bastion, with its panoramic terraces. While in Buda, you’ll also see the impressive Zsolnay-tiled roof and Gothic cloisters of Matthias Church, which was used to be the coronation site of Hungary’s kings.  This evening, head back to the hotel or find dinner at leisure in the city. If you’d like to explore the city’s timeless traditions further, you can also enjoy an optional folklore evening at a local restaurant. Over the course of the evening, you’ll enjoy authentic Hungarian dishes, accompanied by live performances and dances from your hosts.  
• Day 3
  Day at leisure or optional Lake Balaton and lavender workshop excursion - Today will be entirely at leisure, and once you’ve had breakfast at the hotel, you can spend it however you see fit. If you haven’t already, why not make the most of the hotel’s amenities. Alternatively, you can venture out to one of Hungary’s most popular holiday destinations, idyllic Lake Balaton. This vast body of water, which is officially the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, is surrounded by volcanic peaks, fertile vineyards and delightful rural towns.   Upon arrival on the lake’s northern shores, you’ll visit the Tihany Peninsula, a volcanic outcrop characterised by colourful lavender fields and ancient geyser cones. Here, you’ll stop at a local lavender farm, where you’ll learn about how these fragrant plants are cultivated and processed into perfumes, oils and other artisanal products.   With a visit to the farm’s museum, you’ll have the chance to taste the regional delicacies that make use of lavender, before heading to the waterfront for a scenic boat ride across Balaton’s clear waters. The lake is known for its gentle currents, and you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of its most picturesque vistas on this laid-back sailing.   After some time on the water, head back to shore for a few hours at leisure to soak up the Hungarian sun, or perhaps find lunch (on your account) at one of the charming nearby towns.   Later, head back to Budapest by coach for the rest of the evening at leisure. 
• Day 4
  Included Danube Bend excursion - It’s your final full day in Hungary, and after breakfast this morning, you’ll take in the most impressive towns of the blue Danube on a guided tour. Your first stop today will be Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest cities and its former royal capital, where you’ll visit the town’s iconic domed basilica. This grand structure is the largest of its kind in Hungary and is a masterpiece of Neoclassical design. Soak up the basilica’s magnificent panorama from its hilltop courtyards, with views stretching all the way to neighbouring Slovakia, before continuing to the town of Viségrad. Home to a sprawl of medieval and Renaissance landmarks, this colourful town is one of the prettiest on the river and you’ll have the chance to explore its vast fortress.   The third and final stop on today’s tour will be Szentendre, a cultural hub known for its world-class museums and trendy boutique galleries. You’ll have some time here to soak up the town’s enticing Baroque architecture and cobbled streets at leisure, and you can find lunch at one of its pavement-side cafés. This afternoon, head back to the riverfront for a scenic cruise back toward Budapest, and enjoy a few final wish-list views of the winding Danube as the sun goes down.   Once you’re back in the city, you’ll be free to spend your final evening at leisure.  
• Day 5
  Return to the UK - End your Hungarian escape with a final hotel breakfast and a short transfer back to the airport for your return flight home.