Hungary's Castle Walk
Day 1:
Budapest — The tour will start with arrival in Budapest. After the arrival transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon 3 hours sightseeing tour of this beautiful city as a facultative program. Budapest is divided by Danube River with Buda on one side and Pest on the other. During our tour we will see the neo-gothic Matthias Church, which also founded over 700 years ago much of the present structure is from the late 19th century. Behind is the amusing Fishermen’s Bastion. Built at the turn of this century, its seven turrets commemorate the seven Magyar tribes that founded Hungary in 896 AD. A spectacular panorama of Budapest can be seen from here. (Especially in the evening.) A walk through the area's charming streets such as Tancsics Mihály utca and Tarnok utca will show you lovely restored Baroques houses. Foe a glimpse of medieval Buda, peek in entryways on the Uri utca. We will see the Royal Palace. Seven centuries of history make up the palaces foundations four museums are within including the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery, both with works dating back to the Middle Ages. For a different point of view, head to Pest. Whether by foot or by bus, venture across the landmark of the Danube. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2:
Danube Bend's historical walking day — After breakfast you will be driven to Visegrád, which was royal residence for centuries. During the walk you will see the royal palace and the upper and lower castle. Visegrád played an important roll during the Middle Ages. In 1483 the legate of the pope reported to Rome from "Visegrád, the earthly paradise". The paths go through the Danube-Ipoly National Park.
Day 3:
Budapest / Lillafüred — After the breakfast travel by coach to Lillafüred. (190 Km 2.5 –3 hours) The group will take a walk in the Matra Mountains, Sástó for approx 2.5 hours 5 Km. On route you will stop for lunch at a Hungarian Csarda, with typical Hungarian dishes, in Eger, a very nice town famous for its wine.
 Gellert Hotel
Continuing the group will reach the Palota Castle Hotel for check-in. The Hotel Palota is located in a picturesque environment, by the Hamor Lake artificially dammed up from the water of Garadna Stream. The Castle built in the Baroque style is surrounded by a terraced hanging garden and a large park. The view overlooking the Valley of Szinva stream situated in the immediate vicinity of the building. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4:
Szeleta / Lillafüred — After the breakfast walking tour. The one of the most important stations of the tour Szeleta cave. Remains and the tools of the Bükk prehistoric man were found here and is Hungary’s most important palaeontology quarry. Other stops Kecskés cave (150 metre long) Lencsés Hill and Hamori Lake. The tour will take approx 3.5 hours and 9 Km. After the tour return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5:
Aggtelek / Lillafüred — After breakfast departure to Aggtelek. (1.5 hours from the hotel) Visit the Aggtelek National Park. The territory of the National Park is continuous Limestone Mountains, with a much diversified natural habitat. The name of Aggtelek was made famous, both in Hungary and abroad, by one of the most extensive cave systems in Europe. Most of the Aggtelek cave system is located within Hungary, but its western branch extends to the Slovakian Republic, continuing in the cave systems of Domica and the Gömör-Torna karstland. (The border station 1 km away from the entrance to Baradla Cave makes it possible to go and have a look at the Slovakian Domica Cave as well.)The karst hills were formed about 500 million years ago Baradla Cave. There are several side branches and corridors starting from the 7 km long main branch of the cave. The main branch starts from the entrance near Baradla Hotel, and ends at Jósvafõ, beside Tengerszem Hotel. The average width of cave corridors is about 10 m; their average height is about 7 to 8 m; some sections, however, are much higher than that. You will take the Medium tour of about two hours start from the Vörös-tó entrance, passing along the main branch of the cave, presenting the Observatory and the Giants' Hall, and ending at the Jósvafõ entrance. The tour of the cave is 2.3 Km. Lunch at Tengerszem Restaurant near the cave. After lunch you will take a 3 hour long route of walk in Jósvafõ, which is situated in a narrow, forested valley. Its natural and cultural properties, traditional architecture creates a special atmosphere. Return to Lillafüred. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6:
Garadna / Lillafüred — After breakfast you leave the hotel for Lillafüred station. The tour starts with a short trip by a small forest train from Lillafüred to Garadna station. From here you walk through Örvénykõ and Szentlélek. After the tour back to Garadna station to take the train or the bus back to the hotel. Lunch at a small mountain restaurant. The walk will take approx. 4.5 hours 10-12 Km. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7:
Szilvásvárad / visiting the Lipizzaner stud, trout roasting, travelling by couch — A day of walking with the experience of traveling by Lipizzaner couch and trout roasting. After breakfast you will be driven to Szilvásvárad, home of Lipizzaner breeding. The walk will take approx. 10 Km. The path goes through the highest point of the Bükk Mountain, called Istállóskõ, where once cavemen lived. With the walk you arrive to Gloriett Meadow, where you will roast trout for lunch. After having some rest, you continue the walk in the Szalajka Valley. There are a number of artificial ponds in the Valley, all used for breeding trout. You will also see the Fátyol Waterfall (Veil Waterfall) and the Szikla Spring (Rock Spring). After an approx. 4 km long walk you arrive to the parking place of the Valley, where Lipizzaner couches wait for you to carry you to visit the stallions and the stud (mares and foals born this year).
Day 8:
Lillafüred / Budapest — After breakfast departure for Budapest airport.
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