The focus of my international traveling experience involves exploring Hungary and Transylvania, the area of Romania with a larger concentration of Hungarians. Here is a little bit of what have I learned during my frequent trips over the last several years.
Look Up and Around!
There is so much beauty in the architecture in big cities. I love to notice the colors, shapes, and the intricate details and decorations on buildings. By paying attention to my surroundings, I see the simplicity of the homes in the villages, the stork nests and wildlife, the farms and fields, and color of the sky with the changes in the clouds. There are people and spaces all around that are worthy of observation.
Look Down!
Traveling on cobblestone streets can be a challenge so it is important to pay attention to where I am going. My sense are on high alert as I am absorbing so much information on my surroundings. By looking down, I might even be rewarded by seeing a really cool manhole cover!
Always have your camera ready!
I love taking photographs! I especially like to take the few extra moments framing the subject so I don’t have to edit the picture later. The fun of digital photos is that I can know right away if it is a shot that worked.
Leave your camera behind!
Sometimes I get so caught up capturing a moment that I forget to be in the moment, sans camera. Always being behind the lens means I am not an actual participant and there is a big difference between capturing a moment and being present. Occasionally, it is important for me to leave the camera behind and be immersed in the experience.Travel by foot!
I love to walk the streets of Budapest. It is easier for me to explore the things that catch my eye. I see more closely. I get more connected. I can stop in at a little shop that piqued my interest. The aroma of fresh baked goods can lure me in to a wonderful discovery.
Travel by train, tram, boat, bus, and/or metro!
I didn’t grow up in an area with a lot of public transportation so the thought of traveling around a city or country in anything but a car is a little intimidating. I have to go by the schedule of the mode of transportation so I am not in control. But it can conserve my energy and give me another perspective and an opportunity to observe as I eavesdrop in on conversations and watch interactions. These “people movers” are moving me along with others. I don’t have to stress as much about navigating the narrow streets or finding parking. I can daydream and watch the world go by at a different speed than walking. Some of my observations are from a protected perspective – those being observed often have no idea that I am peeking into their world.Taste the high life!
Having a higher-class meal or dessert is always fun! I dress up! I act fancy! I take in the surroundings and savor the experience.
Savor the simple!
Eat like the locals do! Sometimes I grab something from a food truck or a tiny restaurant or even grab a roll, meat, cheese, and veggies for an impromptu picnic lunch. A part of the fun of vacation is sampling different slices of life!Have a plan!
Knowing some things I don’t want to miss is important. I always do a little homework ahead of time and think about the sights I want to make sure I catch. I schedule them in and use them as anchors for my day.
Be flexible!
While it is nice to have a plan, I always allow myself an opportunity for spontaneity. Having some margin in my day allows you to enjoy one thing completely before rushing off to the next. Savoring and reflecting on my experiences help them be more cemented in my memory. Being flexible means I am open to opportunities that present themselves. Might there be a little extra “down time”? Of course, but extra “space” also means I are available to explore some things that strike my fancy in the moment.
CLICK HERE for more information on our tours to Hungary and Transylvania! Come! See for yourself!
I became interested in Magyar Living Tours because my maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. I also found that if I wanted to tour Hungary, it was very difficult to find a tour that explored more than Budapest. Luckily, I found Magyar Living Tours. They happened to be offering a tour to Western Hungary. My Grandmother Barbara was born in Sopron, my Grandfather Anton in the Lake Balaton area.
After drooling for a few years over Magyar Marketing’s tours, my husband and I joined their Wine & Culinary tour in the autumn of 2019. My father fled during the ’56 Revolution and relocated to America. I was raised in a household filled with Hungarian traditions, food, music, and love. I had previously traveled to Hungary twice under communism and once post communism. Each visit was filled with my extended family’s visits accompanied by homemade food, wine & palinka, and their proud sharing of their town’s tourist sites. Unfortunately, when I was ready to visit again, only one family member remained in Hungary.
Last fall, I traveled to Hungary on a wine and culinary tour with Magyar Living. It was my first trip with this company and a wonderful experience. All my grandparents emigrated from Hungary in the early 1900’s, so I had a keen interest in learning more about the culture and history.
We had an all day village experience in Tard, starting with a pálinka and pogácsa welcome, of course.
I went on the Fall 2019 trip to northeastern Hungary. What a wonderful experience! Each day of the tour brought interesting activities, places to visit, and beautiful countryside scenes from our tour bus. The itinerary is varied and each day brings something new. 
It was a lifetime wish to visit the land my grandfather left over a hundred years ago, a wish I thought would never come true. But circumstances changed and in 2018 we had the opportunity to take the Fall Wine and Culinary Tour operated by Magyar Marketing. Liz Szabo-Vos, the amazing owner of Magyar Marketing, organized and conducted a tour that took us to ancient wineries and fine restaurants, new wineries and beautiful churches, large wineries and palaces, and small wineries and old factories producing cloth and porcelain with time tested methods. It was a smorgasbord of history and culture. Despite a full schedule, the pace was leisurely with ample opportunity to sit in the park or shop in the numerous quaint shops and markets. The transportation was always comfortable, the accommodations were very nice, and the local guides were simply great. It was all so well done.
Our guide, Andrea, was an encyclopedia of information from whom we learned much about Hungarian history, from the time of the Magyars through the years of the Soviet occupation. We even covered some of the recent struggles with the European Union and the plight of displaced refugees from Syria. Our bus driver, Christian, a delight to travel with, gave us a young perspective of Hungarian life today. The small size of our group enabled us to get to know our traveling companions quite well, and the fantastic accommodations added to our enjoyment. We hope to travel with Magyar Marketing again in the future!
Growing up in a first generation Hungarian family, we were exposed to many aspects of Hungarian culture and traditions: hearing the language spoken between siblings and also enjoying the delicious foods on holidays and Sunday dinners. As cousins, we wanted to embrace that heritage and visit the country where our parents were born. This led us to discover Magyar Marketing and a tour planned by Liz’s mother in 2003. Memories of that trip still lingered and when we heard that Liz was planning a tour, we jumped at the chance! We have traveled to many countries with various tour groups. By comparison, Magyar Marketing comes out on top in all areas. The personal attention we received, visits to enjoy local music and food and cultural activities were plentiful — and at no extra charge! Our accommodations were always at unique properties and meals were mostly included and reflected local foods. Liz has a unique perspective on tour planning. She has a vested interest in her tours that brings the focus to learning and appreciating Hungarian history and culture. She has prioritized her personal selection of guides and drivers. Each one brings their own experiences and perspective of Hungary to share with us. We readily embrace them as partners on our trip and enjoy their company. ~ Mary Lou and Val, Minnesota
