10th December

We meet our tour leader at the airport to check in for a Ryanair flight to Budapest leaving Malta at 07.05.a.m. On arrival before we drive to the city. Our local guide will be showing us the most beautiful and panoramic views of the city. Check in at our centrally located hotel in Budapest. Afterwards, together with the tour leader we will be having a familiarization walk in these beautiful surroundings and head back to the hotel. After dinner we can visit one of the many Christmas Markets held in the wonderful city.

11th December

After breakfast we will meet our guide and our coach driver to take us for a half day city tour. We will visit the major sights of the city, including Heroes’ Square, the most monumental square of Budapest, the City park, with Széchenyi Spa and Vaidahunyad Castle. Continuing on Andrassy Avenue, belonging to the World Heritage of Unesco, we pass the House of Terror and the Opera House. Reaching downtown Budapest, we pass such monuments as the Gresham Palace, Chain Bridge (currently under renovation) and the Parliament building. Crossing the river Danube on Margaret bridge, we take a glimpse of Margaret Island and the bridges on the Danube. On the Buda side on the city, we take a look at an old Turkish bath, and the Castle district, including the Fishermen’s Bastion and the Royal Palace. We will allow this afternoon time to make some shopping. We will visit the West End Shopping Mall, considered to be the biggest department stores in the city and head back to the hotel. After dinner we will meet to visit the Gran Christmas markets near the riverbank. The locality here is full of very good restaurants were all can enjoy good food for reasonable prices.

12th December

Breakfast, and we start the day by driving to The Danube Bend. This a special geographical area of Hungary, where the Danube takes a 90 degree turn, and continues flowing from north to south. It’s a beautiful hilly area, where we can find historical towns as well as traditional villages. The first stop on the tour is in Esztergom, former royal seat and present centre of the Hungarian Catholic Church. We visit the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, largest church of Hungary. We can also have a view of the river Danube, which is a border river here between Hungary and Slovakia. The second historical town to visit is Visegrád, also former royal seat, where we visit the ruins of a medieval castle, and have a chance to see the panoramic view of the Danube bend area. Last stop on the tour is Szentendre, with its picturesque cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways and Mediterranean atmosphere. The town is also called the town of artists, since many artists settled here and founded art schools. Opportunity to buy some typical Hungarian products and souvenirs. Nine hours of culture, sightseeing and activities will end our day today. Returning late to our hotel from this excursion, we will leave our guests free time to stroll through the decorated streets and trying some different dishes at the popular nearby restaurants to our hotel.

13th December

After breakfast, just a 30-minute drive from Budapest to Domonyvölgy, the horse farm of the horse carriage champions Lazar brothers. On arrival at the park we are welcomed with fresh scones topped with crackling or cheese and seeds, fruit brandy (“Pálinka”) and mineral water. We will later assist for a magnificent Program: – Four-in-hand driving, pony carriage driving – Display of nomad warrior archery – archery on horseback, throwing a spear – Skills of the horsemen – making the horse lie down, cracking the whip, competition between the horsemen n competition involving the guests: knocking a bottle with the whip – Cart pulled by four oxen – Humorous show with trained donkey – Queen Elisabeth’s equestrian show in contemporary costume, riding in a side saddle – ‘Puszta-five’, At the end of the program the guests will have a typical local 3 course lunch with drinks. Weather permitting, we will be invited to take part in a pleasant coach trip through the woods as well as visit the Lázár Equestrian Park. We will return to our hotel, free time here before we meet again at 19:30 for an optional and truly beautiful activity. We will be organizing a Danube night Cruise We will spend a pleasant hour on the board of the boat, sailing among the splendid vision of the following sights; on the boat tour you can see the Parliament building (built between 1884 and 1902), Margaret Island (“lung of the city”), Castle District (including the Mathias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion and Royal Castle), Gellért Hill with the Citadel and Liberation Monument, the National Theatre’s modern and beautiful building and the Palace of Art giving home to numerous cultural programs. The guided sightseeing cruise between the Vigadó Square and Margaret Island includes one welcome drink. With a glass of beer, wine or soft drink in your hand, you will be able to experience how the legends of Budapest come alive. One of the world’s most pleasantly sited cities, Budapest is divided into two distinct parts by the River Danube. Buda and Pest are connected with spectacular bridges. Do not visit Budapest without this guided boat cruise where you can see this beautiful city and also the nicest bridges and monuments from the middle of the river. Ending the most enjoyable night we head to our hotel.

14th December

Today is our final day in Budapest. After breakfast we will be having some free time to enjoy this beautiful vibrant city. For those whom are interested in the history and art of wine making we will be organizing a wine tasting event (optional). The coach will drive us to the wine village of Etyek. This village is around 35 min drive from Budapest. Here we can visit a very ancient wine cellar. The guide will give us some information of how wine is produced, we taste 4 different wines and some nibbles to complement this wine tasting. Others may decide to stay enjoying the last hours in the city centre or join the trip to Eytek and stop in the outskirts of the wine village of Etyek and visit a big Shopping mall until the wine tasters will be returning from this tasting experience. Together we will have the last hours of free time before we meet at the hotel, all luggage ready to start our trip to the airport for a flight departing to Malta at 19.55 hrs.

 PRICE PER PERSON    

Adult in Triple Room	€650
Adult in Twin / Double Room	€660
Adult in Single Room	€830
Children Under 12 sharing a room with 2 adults	€580

What’s included in the price:

• Ryan Air flights Malta/Budapest/Malta
• 10Kg checked in luggage and small bag max 40 x 25 x 20cm
• 4 Nights in Hotel D8. (a 3 minutes walk to the Christmas Markets)
• Daily breakfast
• All excursions and entrance fees as per program
• The Hungarian Puszta Horse show including lunch and drinks
• Services of Kercem A Tours Tour Manager
• Airport Taxes and Service charge
• Insolvency fund certificate
• City Tax

Not included in the price:

• Eytek wine tasting.

Bookings are confirmed on the payment of €400