Previous Tours

2023 Experience Transylvania!

Posted on by Liz

Experience Transylvania!
September 16 – 30, 2023
Come! See for yourself!

Space is limited!

Transylvania has amazing landscapes, forest-covered mountains lined with rivers and streams, green hills, pastures, and serene lakes. Hungarian culture and traditions are very much alive in this area. The Hungarians in Romania love to share their cultural heritage through memorable experiences. This is just a brief overview of the tour. Each full day includes breakfast and one main meal, an English-speaking guide, motor coach transportation, transportation to and from the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to your hotel.Entry fees for all sightseeing tours and programs are included.

For more information, a registration form, and brief day-to-day itinerary, email [email protected]

  • 14 nights in comfortable accommodations
  • Nagyvárad Castle
  • Felix Spa
  • Fortified church in Berethalom
  • The Citadel of Kőhalom
  • Blacksmith workshop
  • City tours in Brassó & Segesvár
  • Anna Lake
  • The Mossy Bog
  • Hiking opportunities
  • Folk dance shows
  • Specialty cooking course
  • Overnight in Nagyvárad, Segesvár, Covasna County, and Gyulafehérvár

This tour will start and end in Budapest, Hungary. Please be in Budapest no later than September 16th! If you would like to add days either before or after the tour and need assistance making those arrangements, we are happy to do that and can include it on your invoice.

Tour price is $4900 USD, per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement (private room) is an additional $960.
Deposit: $1500 USD per person
Returning Traveler Discount: $150 USD per person
Check or money order Discount: $150 USD per person (Please note, the entire trip must be paid this way to qualify for this discount.)
All discounts will be factored in during the final invoice.

Take advantage of your airfare and participate in both September tours! Check out the details on our Fall Folk Art & Culinary Tour!

Our tours require moderate physical effort and mental independence. Knowledge of the Hungarian language is useful but not required. Our smaller group size (18-28 people) allows us to visit smaller venues and artisans. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance! If you need help booking tickets and securing travel insurance, email me for a recommendation.

Our tour price does not include: airfare, passport and luggage fees, gratuities, travel insurance, or alcoholic drinks (unless a part of our activity). We are not responsible for any theft, accidents, or insurance-related incidents while traveling.

Previous Tours

2023 Fall Folk Art & Culinary Tour

Posted on by Liz

Fall Folk Art and Culinary Tour

September 2 – 15, 2023

Come! See for yourself!

Space is limited!

We will be exploring Budapest, Kecskemét, Szeged, and the areas in between. We love to visit small folk art creators, take part in local festivals, learn a bit about Hungarian cooking, eat wonderful food, and explore the countryside. This tour will feature folk art and culinary experiences! This is just a brief overview of the tour. Each full day includes breakfast and one main meal, an English-speaking guide, motor coach transportation, transportation to and from the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to your hotel. Entry fees for all sightseeing tours and programs are included.

For a registration form and brief day-to-day itinerary, email [email protected]

  • 13 nights in comfortable accomodations
  • Wine dinners
  • Pálinka Distillery
  • Cooking class
  • Guided tour of St. Stephen’s Basilica
  • Visit to Kalocsa
  • Lace Museum in Kiskunhalas
  • City tour and visit in Szeged
  • Embroidery workshop
  • Blue dye workshop in Bácsalmás
  • Ópusztaszer National Park
  • Coffee and cake in Gerbeaud Cafe

Tour price is $4900 USD, per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement (private room) is an additional $960 USD.
Deposit: $1500 USD per person
Returning Traveler Discount: $150 USD per person
Check or money order Discount: $150 USD per person (Please note, the entire trip must be paid this way to qualify for this discount.)
All discounts will be factored in during the final invoice.

This tour will start and end in Budapest, Hungary. Please be in Budapest no later than September 2nd! If you would like to add days either before or after the tour and need assistance making those arrangements, we can help! If you want to visit a village or town in your family ancestry, we can arrange for a tour guide/translator to help you make the most of your visit. We are happy to do that for you and can include it on your invoice.

Take advantage of your airfare and participate in both September tours! Check out the details on our Explore Transylvania! tour.

Our tours require moderate physical effort and mental independence. Knowledge of the Hungarian language is useful but not required. Our smaller group size (18-28 people) allows us to visit smaller venues and artisans. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance! If you need help booking tickets and securing travel insurance, email me for a referral.

Our tour price does not include: airfare, passport and luggage fees, gratuities, travel insurance, or alcoholic drinks (unless a part of our activity). We are not responsible for any theft, accidents, or insurance-related incidents while traveling.

Previous Tours

2019 Christmas Market Tour

Posted on by Liz

We spent 8 nights in Hungary exploring! Here is a little sampling of what we did!

Christmas Markets were our top priority!

 

The weather was perfect and the mulled wine was amazing!

 

We visited the Opera House in Budapest.

 

There were a lot of Christmas photo opportunities. This trio is not related but they always have a blast traveling together!

 

We saw Budapest at night and the view was beautiful! Of course, it always is!

 

We had a szaloncukor making workshop and learned how fun, and complicated, it can be!

 

We enjoyed our time exploring Sopron!

 

 

We had a mézeskalács decorating workshop!

 

Everyone was so talented and agreed it was a fantastic activity!
Previous Tours

Fall 2019 Wine & Culinary Tour

Posted on by Liz

Day 1: Arrive at Budapest airport. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Morning free for leisure time. In the afternoon travel to Gyöngyös to visit the Mátra Museum. Visit the Winery of Szőke Mátyás.

Day 3: Excursion to Parad to visit a glass manufacturer. Proceed to Recsk to visit internment camp from Communist era. Experience a unique dry carbon-dioxide bath in Matraderecske. The treatment has a 2000 year old history, discovered by the Romans.

Day 4: Travel to Eger and Egerszalok. Visit a Palóc doll museum and then a chocolate manufacturer and coffee shop in Maklár. Free time to enjoy the thermal water.

Day 5:  Morning city tour in Eger with visit to castle and the Basilica. Wine tasting and dinner at the Kovács Nimród Winery.

Day 6: Full day program in the Land of the Matyós, Tard.  We can embroider, make csigateszta, cook local dishes and desserts.

Day 7:  Head to Tokaj. City tour and beer tasting in Miskolc. Dinner with wine tasting at a young winemaker in Erdőbénye.

Day 8: An excursion to Kassa and Eperjes (present day Slovakia). City tours in both towns. Typical lunch. Late afternoon travel back to hotel.

Day 9: Morning visit to the Hélia D Palace, wine tasting, and take part in a cream making workshop using local herbs.

Day 10: A visit to a cooper in Erdőbénye. Late afternoon travel to Mád, visit the Synagogue, ’Treasure hunting’ in the Holdvölgy Winery with wine tasting and dinner.

Day 11: Travel to Budapest. On the way stop in Gödöllő to visit the Royal Palace and view a horse show and have lunch.

Day 12: Buffet breakfast in the hotel and morning city tour in Budapest. Visit the Mátyás Church. Lunch in Urban Betyár Restuarant. Pálinka tasting at the Pálinka Museum. Evening boat ride on the Danube.

Day 13: Buffet breakfast in the hotel. A tour of the Unicum Factory with tasting. Free time. Farewell dinner with folk dance show at the Vadaspark Restaurant.

 

 

 

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Previous Tours

June 2019 Adventure in Transylvania

Posted on by Liz

Adventure in Transylvania 2019

Transylvania is an area where there are a significant number of Hungarians who work hard to maintain their Hungarian heritage even though the borders have changed and they are now residents of Romania. This border change happened in 1920 as a result of the Treaty of Trianon.

This tour will focus on the Hungarian communities in the “outer Hungary” area of Transylvania (Romania) in June 2019 and includes:

  • 14 nights in 4 star hotels or best in region
  • A/C coach services & English speaking guide
  • Two meals each full day
  • Participate in the Csíksomlyó Pilgrimage
  • Relax at the spa in Szováta
  • Visit the artists and shops in Korond
  • Check out Bran Castle!
  • Tour the Vajdahunyad Castle
  • Visit St. Anna’s Lake, the Mossy Bog, Red Lake and Békás Szoros
  • Enjoy the day in Kolosvár
  • Picnic in the Hargita Mountains
  • Explore the salt mine in Torda
  • Spend the day in Torockó and participate in a Transylvanian cooking class
  • And other surprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Tours

Fall 2018 Wine & Culinary Tour

Posted on by Liz

Our Wine and Culinary Tour featurined Szekszárd, Siklós, Harkány, Badacsony, Lake Balaton, and Budapest.

This tour includes:

  • A/C coach services & English speaking guide from arrival till departure
  • Two meals each full day
  • 12 nights in 4 hotels with time to explore each location!
  • A/C coach services & English speaking guide
  • All hotel accommodations (4 star or best in region)
  • Two meals each full day
  • Relax at the spa in Harkány
  • Visit the artists and museums of Tolna County
  • Tour the Búsó Museum in Mohács
  • Explore medieval castle in Siklós
  • Enjoy the shops, sights, and smells of lavender in Tihany and tour the Abbey
  • Wine tastings in the Etyek, Szekszard, South Balaton, North Balaton, and Villány/Siklós regions
  • Explore the Festetics Palace in Keszthely
  • Spend the day in Etyek and enjoy a hands-on Hungarian cooking class as you prepare your own lunch
  • City tour in Budapest and Pécs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Tours

2018 Summertime in Hungary

Posted on by Liz

Featuring Kecskemét, Szeged, Gyula, Budapest, Ópusztaszer, and a day trip into Serbia

This tour includes:

  • 12 nights in 4 hotels with time to explore each location!
  • A/C coach services & English speaking guide
  • All hotel accommodations (4 star or best in region)
  • Two meals each full day
  • Time to relax at the spas in Kecskemét and Gyula
  • A visit the Kodály Zoltán Institute of Music pedagogy
  • A tour in the Pick Sausage Museum
  • The medieval castle in Gyula
  • A traditional Hungarian horse show with gypsy music
  • A wine tasting in Serbia at Maurer Winery and in Hungary at the Bagolyvár Estate
  • Dinner in a typical csárda
  • City tour in Budapest
  • A pálinka distillery tour
  • A tour of the sausage museum in Gyula
  • And several other surprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Cook Hungarian Challenge, Previous Tours

February 2018 Winter Traditions Tour

Posted on by Liz

We explored Lillafüred, Budapest, Miskolc, Mezőkövesd, Tokaj Wine Region, Harkány, Pécs, Mohács and the Búsó festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Tours

Fall 2017 Wine & Culinary Tour

Posted on by Liz

2017 Fall Wine and Culinary Tour

  • Dinner in the Fehérszarvas Restaurant in Eger
  • Wine tasting in the Juhász Winery in the Szépasszony Valley
  • Dinner with Wine Knights inauguration program in the Kulacs Csárda
  • Visit to the Stühmer Chocolate Factory
  • Organ Concert in the Basilica in Eger
  • Trout picnic in Szilvásvárad
  • Hand made cheese tasting
  • A visit to Mezőkövesd
  • Wine tastings and dinners in five award winning wineries
  • Visit with tasting in the Wine Vinegar House in Bodrogkeresztúr
  • Visit to a barrel manufacturer
  • Visit to the Synagogue and the Aszú House in Mád
  • Visit of the Castle in Sárospatak
  • Boat trip on the Bodrog
  • Pálinka tasting in the Pálinka House in Veresegyház
  • Lunch in the Szűcs Fogadója Restaurant
  • Cooking course and wine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Tours

May 2017 Transylvania

Posted on by Liz

May 2017 Transylvania

 Day 1: Arrive in Bucharest and travel to Brasov.

Day 2 : City tour in Council Square or Marktplatz. Fortified churches built by the Germanic Teutonic Knights in the early 1200s for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants of the town from attack by invading forces of the Mongols, Tatars, Ottoman Turks, Cossacks and Moldavians.

Day 3: St. Anna Lake and the mossy bog.

Day 4: Csíksomlyó Pilgrimage – a symbol of solidarity among Hungarians and represents the nation. Pilgrims have been gathering together at Csíksomlyó for 449 years during Pentecost.

Day 5: Lacu Rosu (Red Lake), Bicaz Pass and Gyimesbükk

Day 6: Land of carved gates

Day 7: Szovata, Bear Lake, the Parajd Salt Mine and  Korond

Day 8: Enjoy the wellness facilities!

Day 9: Torocko and Kolozsvár

Day 10: Torockó and a cooking course

Day 11: Festival in Torockó.

Day 12: Travel to Nagyvarad

Day 13  Explore Budapest. Evening Danube cruise with buffet dinner and gypsy music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Tours

Fall 2016 Adventure in Hungary

Posted on by Liz

Fall 2016 — Adventure in Hungary

Day 1: Arrive at Liszt Ferenc airport and travel by first class coach to Kecskemét. Dinner and overnight in Kecskemet.

Day 2: Tour Kecskemét and visit a famous egg painter and the Zwack Distillery. Dinner and overnight in Kecskemét.

Day 3: Travel to Kalocsa and take part in a paprika harvest and enjoy a traditional lunch and folklore show. Overnight in Kecskemét.

Day 4: Travel to Szeged, including a visit to the Pick museum. Lunch in a typical csarda. Visit the Historical Memorial Park in Ópusztaszer. 

Day 5: Visit to the Kiskunmajsa museum commemorating the 1956 revolution, the Lace House in Kishunhalas with a supper and wine tasting. 

Day 6: Visit the Lazar Farm and enjoy their horse show and traditional lunch with gypsy music. Travel to Hollókő, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Overnight in Eger.

Day7: Sightseeing in Eger including the castle, a short organ concert at the Roman CatholicCathedral, etc. Wine and dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Eger.

Day 8: Travel to Szilvasvárad to see the Lippizaner farm and travel by narrow gauge train through the forest for a trout picnic lunch. A visit to the Stühmer Chocolate factory. Overnight in Eger.

Day 9: Travel to Miskolc and Lillafüred. Free time for the wellness facilities and enjoy the beautiful surrounding area. Renaissance dinner and music in the Matthias Restaurant. Overnight in Lillafüred.

Day 10: Travel to Tokaj to enjoy the Wine Festival with street vendors and traditional street food. Visit the neighboring village of Mád and the Aszú museum. Wine tasting and dinner. Overnight in Lillafüred.

Day 11: Excursion to Nyírség and a visit to the pilgrimage site of Mariapocs. Pálinka tasting and dinner at the Elixir Distillery. Overnight in Lillafüred.

Day 12: Visit the baroque Gödöllő Royal Palace and spend some time on the grounds of the favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth (Sisi). Overnight in Budapest.

Day 13: City sightseeing tour of Budapest, including an inside visit of the Mátyás Church. Visit to the Törley Champagne Factory in Budafok. Dinner and folklore show. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 14: A little time in Budapest and the Etyek Wine Region. Wine tasting at and a family run winery. Farewell dinner with a tasting of the local wines. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 15: Travel to Liszt Ferenc Airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Tours

Carnival Tour in Hungary – Winter Traditions

Posted on by Liz

Carnival Tour in Hungary

February 1 – 14, 2024

Come! See for yourself!

Space is limited!

Experience the beauty of Hungary during a slower paced season. Step back in time and visit workshops of folk artists, learn folk dances, and enjoy and learn how to prepare wonderful foods. We will explore the architectural and historical heritage of Hungary in a variety of palaces and castles. We will learn a lot about history and traditions and enjoy excellent gastronomy! This is just a brief overview of the tour. Each full day includes breakfast and one main meal, an English-speaking guide, motor coach transportation, transportation to and from the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to your hotel. Entry fees for all sightseeing tours and programs are included.

For more information, a registration form, and day-to-day brief itinerary, email [email protected]

  • 13 nights in comfortable accommodations
  • Visit the refurbished Castle District in Veszprém
  • Visit the refurbished Ozora Castle
  • Wine dinner in Villány Wine region
  • Folk dance show and folk dance learning
  • A day tour in South Baranya, today in Croatia
  • Visits to folk artist workshops
  • Classical music concert in a special venue
  • Visit the Siklós Castle and Máriagyűd a pilgrimage site
  • Experience the Búsójárás in Mohács
  • Gastronomy workshops in traditional countryside venues
  • Winter at Lake Balaton – Traditional Disznóvágás (pig processing and sausage filling party)

This tour starts and ends in Budapest, Hungary. Please be in Budapest no later than Saturday, February 1st! If you would like to add days either before or after the tour and need assistance making those arrangements, we are happy to do that and can include it on your invoice.

Tour price is $5300 USD, per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement (private room) is an additional $960 USD.
Deposit: $2000 USD per person
Returning Traveler Discount: $150 USD per person
Check or money order Discount: $150 USD per person (Please note, the entire trip must be paid this way to qualify for this discount.)
All discounts will be factored in during the final invoice.

Want to add a visit to an ancestral village before, during, or after the tour? Email [email protected] and let us know that you are interested in this opportunity!

Our tours require moderate physical effort and mental independence. Knowledge of the Hungarian language is useful but not required. Our smaller group size (15-28 people) allows us to visit smaller venues and artisans. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance! If you need help booking tickets and securing travel insurance, email me for a recommendation.

Our tour price does not include: airfare, passport and luggage fees, gratuities, travel insurance, or alcoholic drinks (unless a part of our activity). We are not responsible for any theft, accidents, or insurance-related incidents while traveling.

 

Previous Tours

Folk Art & Culinary Tour May 2024

Posted on by Liz

Folk Art & Culinary Tour

May 2 – May 13th, 2024 — Budapest,  Gyula, Debrecen, and Nyíregyháza (11 nights)

Space is limited!

We will explore the folk art and enjoy excellent gastronomy in eastern and northeastern Hungary. We will learn all about pálinka, the healing waters of several spas, and the wooden churches of the area as well as other architectural highlights.   This is just a brief overview of the tour. Each full day includes breakfast and one main meal, an English-speaking guide, motor coach transportation, transportation to and from the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to your hotel. Entry fees for all sightseeing tours and programs are included.

For more information, a registration form, and day-to-day brief itinerary, email [email protected]

  • Comfortable accommodations
  • Visit the castle of Gyula
  • Visit the town spa of Gyula
  • Pálinka tasting at the Gyulai Pálinka Distillery
  • A visit to the Zwack Unicum Distillery
  • Dinner with folk dance show and gypsy music.
  • A visit to the Great Reformed Church
  • Horse show and lunch at the National Park Hortobágy
  • Visit to the Skanzen in Nyíregyháza
  • Gastronomy workshop
  • A visit in Tard to learn about Matyó embroidery
  • Coffee and cake in Maklár at the Stühmer Café

This tour starts and ends in Budapest, Hungary. Please be in Budapest no later than Thursday, May 2nd, 2024! If you would like to add days either before or after the tour and need assistance making those arrangements, we are happy to do that and can include it on your invoice.

Tour price:
$5300 USD, per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement (private room) is an additional $750 USD.

Deposit: $2000 USD per person
Returning Traveler Discount: $150 USD per person
Check or money order Discount: $150 USD per person (Please note, the entire trip must be paid this way to qualify for this discount.)
All discounts will be factored in during the final invoice.

Want to add a visit to an ancestral village before, during, or after the tour? Email [email protected] and let us know that you are interested in this opportunity!

Our tours require moderate physical effort and mental independence. Knowledge of the Hungarian language is useful but not required. Our smaller group size (18-28 people) allows us to visit smaller venues and artisans. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance! If you need help booking tickets and securing travel insurance, email me for a recommendation. Our tour price does not include: airfare, passport and luggage fees, gratuities, travel insurance, or alcoholic drinks (unless a part of our activity). We are not responsible for any theft, accidents, or insurance-related incidents while traveling.

Come! See for yourself!

 

Previous Tours

Summer 2016 Adventure in Hungary

Posted on by Liz

From start to finish, we had a delightful time with our tour guide and bus driver as well as with one another! We have some videos on YouTube that came from this trip.

The Herend Porcelain Factory

Black Ceramic Folk Art

The Strudel Makers

The Blue Dye Makers