54ab212d11068 budapest2015 1 5 by Go Real Europe

An Adventure in Europe Specially created for Jane Example and John Example Itinerary Preview Budapest September 01 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 05, 2015

ITINERARY OVERVIEW Members of the Travel Group: Jane Example and John Example 1. This is only a summary of your trip! Full-length itineraries include destination information, travel directions, maps, pictures, tips, and other details. 2. Select “Hotels” on your client dashboard to see hotel pictures and descriptions.

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities: • Best of Budapest: Half-Day Walking Tour of Highlights & Hidden Finds

Pre-Paid Transportation: • Public Transport Tickets for Budapest

• Private Transfer from the Budapest Airport to your Hotel

Pre-Paid Hotels, including Daily Breakfast: • 4 nights in the (Hotel T.B.D.) in Budapest

Travel Information included in your itinerary: • City Maps of Budapest • Point to point travel directions

• Free Skype calling to landlines worldwide, and to mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada

• Destination information & travel advice

Total Trip Cost for All Travelers:

N/A e

Please see payment details and travel conditions here.

ITINERARY CONTENTS 1 September 01, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arrival in Budapest and Transfer by Private Car to Hotel . Váci street and the Central Market (Vásárcsarnok) . . . . Self Guided Visit to Central Pest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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2 September 02, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best of Budapest: Half-Day Walking Tour of Highlights & Hidden Finds . Self Guided Tour of the Castle District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evening City-Lights River Cruise on the Danube . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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3 September 03, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building and its Surroundings . Self Guided Visit to the Jewish Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self Guided Visit to the National Museum and Radáy Street . . . .

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4 September 04, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Visit to the Széchenyi Baths, Városliget Park, the Budapest Zoo, & Heroes’ Square . . . . . 10 Self Guided Excursion to Szentendre (St. Andrew) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 5 September 05, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Visit to Gellért and Rudas Baths and Optional Hike to Gellért Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to the Budapest Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

DAY 1 Arrive Budapest

September 01, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Arrival in Budapest and Transfer by Private Car to Hotel To Be Determined We will schedule a pick up for your ﬂight’s arrival time. You will be met in the terminal by a driver holding a sign with your name on it. The ride is for your party only - you will not be sharing a vehicle. The cost of the ride is included in your package, and you will not have to pay the driver. Included: Private Transfer to your hotel. Information on passport control, customs, and other arrival info.

Váci street and the Central Market (Vásárcsarnok) Afternoon TOP SITES: CENTRAL MARKET HALL, VÁCI STREET The Vásárcsarnok Market, or Central Market Hall, is a mezzanine shopping arcade first opened in 1897. Today the Central Market teems with activity, as small shops and stands offer a remarkable assortment of goods, including fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, fish, flowers, and Hungarian specialties. There are also many (mostly kitschy) souvenirs available on the second floor of the market. The market is both a visitor attraction and a true city market, bringing a constant stream of locals to its shops as well as visitors. The Market stands at the southern end of Váci street, which is home to Budapest’s most expensive commercial real estate. You will find an assortment of big name brand stores and cute boutiques, as well as stores selling Hungarian crafts and artwork. The area surrounding Váci street contains many of Pest’s most interesting architectural monuments, as well as several historic churches. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area, Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

Self Guided Visit to Central Pest Late Afternoon TOP SITES: ST. STEPHEN’S BASILICA, GRESHAM PALACE, CHAIN BRIDGE In the year 1800, Pest was a sleepy little town of a few thousand people, still unconnected to the Buda side of the river by a permanent bridge. 100 years later, Buda and Pest had merged to become Budapest, and the majority of the city’s nearly one million residents 4

DAY 1 Arrive Budapest

September 01, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

could be found in Pest. This period of rapid growth endowed Pest with a tremendous architectural legacy. Exploring central Pest today you will encounter grand apartment houses, Secession-style architectural gems, and imposing monumental buildings. Two of the focal points you will see are the neo-classical St. Stephen’s Basilica, which dramatically rises above the surrounding city, and the nearby Chain Bridge, which regally spans the Danube. You can also make a stop in the famous Café Gerbeaud, which may be the best spot in Budapest to relive the elegant café culture of the old days. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

DAY 2 Budapest

September 02, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Best of Budapest: Half-Day Walking Tour of Highlights & Hidden Finds 9:30-1:30 PM Budapest is a city of nearly two million people, the capital of Hungary, a cultural and architectural Mecca, and the possessor of a long and storied history. Considering all this, it would be diﬃcult for even the most seasoned traveler to successfully discover all of Budapest’s top highlights without the help of a knowledgeable local. On this half-day guided walking tour the challenge is overcome, as your guide takes you to Budapest’s best destinations and provides the perfect introduction to the city. During your tour you will take in a gorgeous vista of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, explore the winding streets of the Castle District, gaze in awe at the striking interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica, travel along the city’s most elegant avenue with the help of Europe’s oldest subway, and more. Along the way you will experience the city as a local does, stopping to check out intimate courtyards, enjoying a pastry (or two), and soaking in the ambience of Budapest’s most elegant cafes. Included: Private Guided Walking Tour.

Self Guided Tour of the Castle District Afternoon TOP SITES: MATTHIAS CHURCH, FISHERMAN’S BASTION, ROYAL PALACE, NATIONAL GALLERY The historic Renaissance and Baroque architecture of Buda’s hilltop Castle District makes it feel like a quaint step back in time. Indeed, in the little squares and narrow lanes of the Castle District you will ﬁnd the heart of historic Hungary. Numerous points in the Castle District also provide breathtaking views over the Danube and the Pest side of the city. Especially breathtaking is the view from the neo-Gothic Fishermans’ Bastion. The historic Buda old town shares the hill with a castle which has been home to the Hungarian Royal Palace since the late Middle Ages. The most glorious period of the castle’s history was the reign of King Mátyás (1458-1490), who rebuilt the palace in the Renaissance style and made it a center of European learning and culture. A stroll through the castle reveals imposing courtyards and delightful statues and fountains. Also worthwhile is a visit to the superb Hungarian National Gallery. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area.

DAY 2 Budapest

September 02, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Evening City-Lights River Cruise on the Danube Evening In many ways, the Danube River defines Budapest. It divides the metropolis into two distinct city environments - Buda and Pest. It is also spanned by a succession of beautiful bridges which are some of the city’s most well known landmarks. On the Pest side, a mix of 19th and 20th century buildings line the river bank, providing you with a sense of the vibrancy lying beyond. The river also offers a perfect view of the neo-Gothic Parliament Building’s massive dome and flamboyant spires and towers. On the Buda side, the dramatic Castle Hill looms above, creating the perfect romantic backdrop to the waters of the river. An evening river cruise is a relaxing way to take in these sights, as the brightly lit buildings cast their reflections on the water and stately bridges pass overhead. A simple walk along the river promenade where the cruises depart also provides beautiful views, and without the cost of a boat ticket. Included: Cruise schedules and information on purchasing tickets, Travel directions to the boat docks. Cruise tickets are not included tickets average about 10-20 EUR.

DAY 3

September 03, 2015

Budapest

(Hotel T.B.D.)

Tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building and its Surroundings 10:00 AM TOP SITES: HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT, ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM The Hungarian Parliament building is a magniﬁcent sight as it rises above the waters of the Danube, and the interior is also quite jawdropping. As a visitor you may even feel a bit overwhelmed by the sumptuous décor and attention-to-detail. You could be forgiven for expecting a queen to arrive or an aristocratic ball to break out at any moment. Visits to the interior can be made on a guided tour, where you will see a spectacular grand staircase, the historic Holy Crown of Hungary, an imposing debating chamber, and much more. Included: Background information on the Parliament and tips on purchasing tickets, a map of the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. Not Included: Entry into the Parliament - tours cost 4,000 Hungarian Forints (about $20 USD).

Self Guided Visit to the Jewish Quarter Afternoon TOP SITES: GREAT SYNAGOGUE & HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL Budapest was once the site of one of Europe’s largest and most vibrant Jewish communities and contains the world’s second largest synagogue – the Dohány Street Synagogue (also known as the Grand or Great Synagogue). In the late 19th century the city became known for its relative tolerance, and as the result Budapest’s Jews become highly assimilated into the city’s population, making tremendous contributions in literature, science, and other fields. Tragically, in the unsettled times of the 20th century conflict and prejudice reemerged in horrible fashion. In the Jewish Quarter, you can explore the contrasting legacies of Jewish achievement and tragedy in Budapest. A visit to the Grand Synagogue is an impressive reminder of the wealth and influence the Jewish community in Hungary once possessed. Although many Jews emigrated after World War II, a small but vibrant Jewish population still inhabits the Jewish Quarter today. Included:Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. Not Included: Entry into the Great Synagogue

DAY 3 Budapest

September 03, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Self Guided Visit to the National Museum and Radáy Street Late Afternoon TOP SITES: NATIONAL MUSEUM, MUSEUM OF APPLIED ART, RÁDAY STREET The National Museum is Hungary’s largest museum and relates Hungary’s long and very turbulent history. Renovated in the 1990’s, it is a modern and highly accessible museum, and showcases a wide range of artwork and artifacts from Hungary’s past, such as crowns, jewels, clothes and weapons. Nearby the Budapest Public Library is housed in a gorgeous neo-Baroque palace. Once one of Budapest’s most luxurious residences, it has been transformed into an enchanting labyrinth of books. The nearby Museum of Applied Arts is also housed in a stunning building. If you need to relax after the serious affairs of visiting the museum and library, or if you just want to skip straight to the relaxing, Budapest’s favorite locale for the young and the young at heart to socialize is only steps away. Ráday street, also known as Budapest Soho, is lined by hip cafes, galleries, restaurants, and pubs. It is an ideal place to people watch and enjoy the atmosphere. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. Not Included: Museum entry.

DAY 4 Budapest

September 04, 2015 (Hotel T.B.D.)

Visit to the Széchenyi Baths, Városliget Park, the Budapest Zoo, & Heroes’ Square Morning TOP SITES: SZÉCHENYI BATHS, FINE ARTS MUSEUM, HEROES’ SQUARE, ZOO, VA JDAHUNYAD CASTLE Budapest is famous for its thermal baths fed by the city’s abundant supply of thermal springs and underground water. The Széchenyi Baths are the largest and the most popular of all the city’s baths. With eighteen indoor and outdoor pools and impressive neo-Baroque architecture, the baths make for an unforgettable visit. You can even get a massage. The baths are located within the pleasant Városliget Park, which makes a wonderful location for a stroll after your bath. Within the park you will ﬁnd the fascinating Vajdahunyad Castle, a complex of buildings created to represent Hungary’s historic architectural styles. Also within the park is Budapest’s delightful city zoo. Where the park meets Andrássy Avenue, you will discover Heroes’ Square, where a dramatic group of monuments tells a 1,000-year tale of Hungarian history in the form of towering statues of national heroes. Included: Detailed step-by-step instructions for visiting the baths. Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. Not Included: Cost of entry into the baths (about $20 a person).

Self Guided Excursion to Szentendre (St. Andrew) Afternoon On this self-guided excursion you will travel by train to the little, cobblestoned town of Szentendre, charmingly nestled alongside the Danube River. Szentendre means St. Andrew in English, and the town is located only about ten miles north of Budapest, but with its idyllic village atmosphere it could not be more different. Nearly every building in the town dates back to the period of Baroque architecture, including churches, burgher townhouses, and pleasant courtyard homes typical of the Hungarian countryside. The twisting lanes and riverbank promenade make Szentendre a perfectly pleasant locale to wander and soak in the ambiance. If you have the time, you can also visit a fascinating open air museum where you will see re-created traditional peasant villages, providing an authentic opportunity to see and experience how the Hungarian people once lived in the countryside. Included: Detailed travel directions and background information for a stress-free independent excursion to Szentendre. Not Included: Transportation (only about 5 EUR a person roundtrip by train), Optional Entry into Sights

DAY 5

September 05, 2015

Depart Budapest

Visit to Gellért and Rudas Baths and Optional Hike to Gellért Hill Time Allowing TOP SITES: THE CITADEL & LIBERTY MONUMENT, GELLÉRT BATHS, RUDAS BATHS Those with the energy to make the rigorous walk up to the top of Gellért Hill are rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of Budapest, including the castle and both sides of the river. There’s plenty to do in the area without needing to walk up the hill though. At the base of the hill you can ﬁnd two of the city’s best thermal baths – the Rudas Baths and the Gellért Baths. Housed within the Art-Nouveau-style Gellért Hotel, the Gellért baths offer a true variety of experiences such as swimming in the elegant colonnaded main pool, exploring the thermal baths, and swimming in an outdoor wave pool. The nearly 500 year old Rudas Baths are one of several baths built by the Turks when they ruled Hungary. Relaxing in the waters beneath the Rudas Baths’ ancient stone cupoloa, where thin strands of dim light ﬁlter through colored stain glass, is truly an unforgettable experience. Included: Travel directions, tips, and information on the area. Map marked with attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest in the area. Not Included: Cost of entry into the baths (about $25 USD) Note: Gellert baths are always mixed-sex, but the Rudas baths are men only on Mon & Wed-Fri, women only on Tue, and mixed sex on the weekends.

Self-Arranged Taxi Transfer to the Budapest Airport To Be Determined Your hotel will be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you and can give you an estimate of the price and contact information for the official airport taxi line so you can avoid overpaying. If you are picked up three hours prior to departure, you should have plenty of time to catch your flight. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes or so. If you prefer for us to book a private transfer, you can request this service, however it is about twice as expensive as taking the official airport taxi service. Included: Explanation of how to take the official airport taxi carrier using fixed rates. Not Included: Cost of the taxi fare