Hungary

JOURNEY

Budapest

Art, Culture & People

Inspiring Moments

> Admire the view from Fisherman’s Bastion, one of Europe’s grandest panoramas. > Experience the distinct personalities of Budapest’s two cities: quiet, imperial

Buda and chic, buzzing Pest. > Delight in an evening cruise, passing

Budapest’s illuminated fairy-tale treasures. > Explore beyond Budapest to witness

Visegrád,Eger and Szentendre. > Witness the Great Synagogue and moving memorials in Budapest’s Jewish district. > Enjoy a thrilling horse show, featuring world-class Hungarian horsemen. > Savor Hungarian cuisine, from indulgent pastries to hearty goulash. > Experience Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World

Heritage site.

Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial

Spectacularly situated on both sides of the Danube River, Budapest ranks as one of Europe’s most striking cities. Stay for seven nights, immersing yourself in an alluring blend of architectural treasures and Hungarian hospitality. Visits to poignant landmarks will expand your understanding of Hungary’s deeply rooted history. Plus, travel beyond the city’s fringes to visit entrancing towns and flawless countryside.

ACTIVE TRAVEL

Excursions on this program require:

> walking distances of up to 3-5 miles > walking on cobblestones and uneven surfaces > getting on/off motor coaches, boats and trams DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 | In Transit Depart for Budapest, Hungary. Day 2 | Budapest, Hungary Transfer to the Eurostars Budapest Center. Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Reception, followed by a Welcome Dinner tonight. Day 3 | Budapest Enrichment: The History of Budapest. Learn about Budapest’s remarkable saga of wars, invasions, destruction and restoration. Discovery: Highlights of Pest. Launch your adventure in the city’s cosmopolitan Pest side. From the grandiose Heroes’ Square with its statue of the Archangel Gabriel to the neo-renaissance Opera House and the Gothic-style Parliament Building, enjoy an introduction to key landmarks and historical sites. Then hop on a city tram and ride like a local to the Great Market Hall, admiring its cornucopia of traditional delicacies, clothing, textiles and other treats. Sample a few of Budapest’s local foods. Gather with your group and reflect over the day’s highlights over lunch. Day 4 | Budapest Free Time: Enjoy a morning at leisure. Relax at a café or walk along the river, noting the impressive bridges that crisscross the river. You can also use your metro pass for easy travel around the city. Discovery: Highlights of Buda. Your discovery of the Buda side begins in the old Castle District. Visit the 700-year-old St. Matthias Church, a symbol

of Budapest’s rich history, and thrill to sweeping panoramas at the turreted Fisherman's Bastion. Head beneath Buda Castle Hill to the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum and learn about the history of this former secret emergency hospital. Discovery: Danube River Cruise. Feast your eyes on Budapest’s twinkling landmarks and enjoy a fresh perspective of the city during an evening cruise. Day 5 | Visegrád | Szentendre Discovery: The Danube Bend. Cruise by hydrofoil to Visegrád, once the royal seat of Hungary. Draped dramatically over emerald riverbanks, Visegrád claims a scenic perch along the Danube Bend and reveals an inspiring panorama of distant hills. Visit the ruins of the medieval Visegrád Castle, which consists of the Upper Castle and the Lower Castle. Continue to Szentendre, famed for its thriving arts community and picture-perfect, winding streets. Visit the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum to see collections by the Hungarian ceramist and sculptor. Day 6 | Budapest Enrichment: Jewish History in Budapest. Join a local expert to learn about the experience and history of Jews in Hungary’s capital city. Discovery: Budapest’s Jewish Sites. Visit the Great Synagogue, home to the Emanuel Tree Holocaust memorial. Tour the poignant Holocaust Memorial Center, which occupies the renovated Pava Street Synagogue, and witness Shoes on the Danube, a tribute to the Jews who were shot along the Danube by the local militia in the mid-1940s. Free Time: The afternoon is at your leisure. Day 7 | Eger | Gödöllő Discovery: A Look at Eger. Though ravaged through the centuries by Turks, Mongols and Habsburgs, Eger boasts a beautiful collection of baroque churches, neo-classical cathedrals and a towering minaret. During a panoramic tour, see how the Turks and other invaders left their marks on the city; then, enjoy lunch and a tasting of Hungarian wine at a local winery.

AHI Connects: Hungarian Horse Show. Travel through the breathtaking Domony Valley to Lazar Equestrian Park, owned by coach driving champions Vilmos and zoltán Lázár. Watch a horse show, visit the stable and farmyard, and taste traditional Hungarian cuisine. Day 8 | Budapest Enrichment: Contemporary Hungary. Discuss Hungarian society and the country’s current political and economic situation.

PYJ| Choose one of these excursions: •Budapest Organ Tour. Led by an organist of the Liszt Academy, embark on a tour of city churches and learn about the history of Europe’s oldest musical instrument. Plus, enjoy a private pipe organ concert! •Art Nouveau Architecture in Budapest. Gain insight into Budapest’s Art Nouveau-style landmarks and the architects who designed them. Free Time: Craft your own path during leisure time. Raise a toast to your stay in Budapest at a Farewell Reception and Dinner. Day 9 | In Transit Transfer to the airport for the return flight to your gateway city.

Accommodations {with baggage handling} – 7 nights in Budapest, Hungary, at the first-class Eurostars

Budapest Center Hotel. Extensive Meal Program –7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, including Welcome and Farewell Dinners; tea or coffee with all meals, plus wine with dinner. –Opportunities to sample authentic cuisine and local flavors. ACTIVE TRAVEL for CULTURAL EXPLORERS

Your One-of-a-Kind Journey – Small group: Sized just right at 24 guests. – Discovery excursions and Personalize

Your Journey | PYJ choices highlight the local culture, heritage and history. –Expert-led Enrichment programs enhance your insight into the region. – AHI Sustainability Promise: We strive to make a positive, purposeful impact in the communities we visit. – AHI Connects: Local immersion. –Free time to pursue your individual interests. –Welcome and Farewell Receptions to mingle with fellow travelers. –A personal VOX headset to hear your English-speaking guide clearly. –Tipping of guides and drivers. –Complimentary travel mementos.

DEPARTURES & PRICING

September 18-26, 2021

Full Price $3,545 Special Savings $250 Special Price $3,295*

*Special price available for a limited time only. Call for details. VAT is an additional $295 per person. All prices quoted are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy and do not include air transportation costs (unless otherwise stated). Single accommodations are an additional $695 (limited availability).

Program-specific terms and conditions are available on our website under the Pricing & Air Options tab on the trip page. You can also request a copy from our travel experts.

Note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change. Walking is required on many excursions.

Flights and transfers provided for AHI FlexAir participants.