zBudapest

On arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your choice of boutique, deluxe or luxury hotel. All have been handpicked for their attentive service, fine amenities and terrific city-center locations. The rest of this day is yours to relax and explore as you wish.

After breakfast, your private car, driver and guide will be waiting to show you the city they call home, a vibrant capital with a rich architectural heritage and historic legacy.  Your tour begins in Heroes’ Square where our expert guide will offer fascinating insight into Hungary’s storied past. Admire the beautiful Opera House and then go behind the lavish façade and impressive Gothic spires of the Hungarian Parliament for a specially arranged sightseeing tour. Your guided visit inside this architectural landmark reveals its sumptuously decorated interior – including the Grand Staircase and the resplendent Dome Hall where the Hungarian Holy Crown and Coronation Insignia are protected 24 hours-a-day by the Crown Guard of the Hungarian Armed Forces.

Then cross the Danube and ascend into the Buda Hills to visit Matthias Church, built in the 13th century. From the Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll have terrific views of the city spread across both banks of the Danube. Continue to Gellért Hill for a guided stroll around the historic Citadel. From here, you’ll be taken back to your hotel in the heart of the city. Or, if you wish, you can be dropped off at the bustling Central Market to explore on your own; set inside a 19th-century landmark with neo-Gothic flourishes, this is a favorite place to shop for locals and visiting culinary aficionados. 
Meals B

[Note: In the event of an official state function which would preclude a tour inside the Hungarian Parliament, you will instead enjoy a guided visit of the Budapest Opera House. Commissioned by Emperor Franz Josef, this 19th-century architectural treasure is considered to be one of the finest opera houses in the world.]

This day is yours to explore at your own pace. Be sure to stop by one of the city’s many splendid cafes like Gerbeaud, located on Vörösmarty Square for more than a century and beloved for its fine pastries and opulently decorated interior. If you prefer additional guided sightseeing, we offer a variety of other private excursions like:

Szentendre: This half-day tour takes you outside the capital to Szentendre, a charming riverside town known for its beautiful Baroque architecture, centuries-old merchants’ homes, fine museums, galleries and artists’ studios.

Danube Bend: This full-day excursion takes you into the countryside to explore the pastoral beauty of the Danube River and the region’s rich history. You’ll stop in the artists’ town of Szentendre and then visit Visegrád, the erstwhile summer residence of medieval Hungarian kings. In Esztergom, one of the oldest towns in Hungary, you’ll see the country’s largest cathedral – an impressive basilica built in the late 1800’s on the site of an earlier 12th-century church.

Hungarian Plains + Horse Farm: This full-day adventure takes you deep into the fertile and historic lands of the Great Hungarian Plains. Discover the fine Art Nouveau architecture of Kecskemét, a charming town surrounded by vineyards and fruit orchards, and then continue to a nearby horse farm. Sample the local apricot brandy, explore the farm on horse-drawn carriage ride, and enjoy a spectacular horse show featuring skilled local riders. Enjoy traditional Gypsy music and a hearty Hungarian lunch accompanied by fine local wine.
Meals B

Your car and driver await this morning to take you to the airport or rail station for your onward journey.
Meals B