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The Spirit of Budapest & the Danube

5days from

£810^*per person

Overview

A snapshot of the Hungarian capital’s most historic sights, with ample time to explore the lesser-known treasures of the blue Danube.

This short break takes in elegant Budapest, the winding Danube River, and three delightful Hungarian towns. Fly first to the Hungarian capital, where you’ll be welcomed to the country by your friendly tour manager, before heading to your centrally located hotel for a first evening at leisure. The next day will showcase the best of Budapest with a tour of Castle Hill and its striking collection of medieval and Neo-classical landmarks. You’ll also see bustling Pest, the flatter second half of the city, and the world-famous Danube waterfront ahead of an optional folklore evening.

The following day will be free for you to spend the way you want, and if you’d like to delve deeper into the Hungarian countryside, an optional excursion to magnificent Lake Balaton will be available. On this day trip, you’ll experience life on one of Hungary’s most popular holiday hotspots, with a guided tour of a local lavender farm and a scenic lake cruise that will showcase the region’s finest vistas. Next will be an included tour of Hungary’s prettiest riverside cities, and you’ll visit Esztergom, with its magnificent domed Basilica and Viségrad’s medieval citadel. Complete the day in the charming town of Szentendre ahead of a sunset cruise back along the Danube.

Itinerary

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.
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 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.
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.
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.

What's Included

Holiday Highlights

Discover the highlights of Budapest with a tour of the city and the historic Castle Hill district
Explore Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake, idyllic Balaton, on an optional tour and boat cruise
Take in the magnificent domed basilica of Esztergom, Hungary’s former royal capital
Spend time in the artists’ retreat of Szentendre
Embrace traditional Hungarian culture with an optional folklore evening
Learn about Tihany’s famous lavender industries and try some unique regional delicacies at a local farm
Soak up the Danube’s most picturesque vistas from the top of Viségrad’s medieval citadel
Glide along the blue Danube at sunset on an included river cruise

Our Price Includes

Four nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at IntercityHotel Budapest or Mövenpick Hotel Budapest Centre in Budapest
Four breakfasts
Tour of Budapest’s Castle District
Visits to Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre
Return flights to Budapest
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
All local taxes, fees and charges

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Dates and Prices

Accommodation

IntercityHotel, Budapest -

★★★★

Introduction
In a central location, this four-star hotel provides an ideal base from which to explore Budapest.

Facilities and amenities
Guests can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet, while the restaurant offers a mix of regional, national and seasonal specialities for lunch and dinner. The BistroLounge and bar, with its quiet and cosy atmosphere, is the ideal spot to relax at the end of the day.

Rooms
The comfortable and stylish rooms are equipped with free WiFi, tea/coffee making facilities, TVs, safes and air conditioning.

Mövenpick Hotel Budapest Centre, Budapest -

★★★★

Introduction
Located close to the Danube River, this beautifully restored Art Nouveau hotel dates back to 1911.

Facilities and amenities
Amenities at this premium brand hotel include a fitness centre, bar and the Palace Restaurant, which draws on the building's rich history and serves Hungarian and international cuisine.

Rooms
The newly renovated guestrooms blend modern comfort with historic charm and feature free WiFi, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryers, safes and TVs.

Other Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 40 minutes.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Holiday code

N2868

Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for Metro Travel Offers)

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.

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