OPTIONAL TOURS AND EXCURSIONS

We are pleased to offer several exciting optional tours and evening programmes to all participants of the Congress. Please indicate on the Registration Form which tours you wish to subscribe to. Please kindly note that the tours may be cancelled if less than 15 persons have booked.

Half-Day Historical City Tour of Budapest

On this three-hour coach tour you will discover the main attractions of the Hungarian capital. The tour includes a visit to the Heroes' Square with the Millenary Monument, to the St. Stephen Cathedral, to the Opera House and the Parliament to enjoy their spectacular architecture from outside. Continuing on to Buda, you will visit the medieval Castle District, passing by the Fisherman's Bastion and the old Matthias Church, followed by a ride to Gellért Hill, where you enjoy the beautiful panorama of the city featured on the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

Sightseeing by boat (Rendezvous with Buda and Pest)

Story, music and splendid sights (Royal Palace, Parliament) on a Danube cruise with a short walk on Margaret Island, one of the most beautiful parks of the capital. In the 13th century King Béla IV had a Dominican Monastery built on the island (its ruins can still be seen), where his daughter, Princess Margaret lived, hence today’s name of the island. Refreshment included. – No transfer provided to and from the pier.

Half-Day Excursion to Hollókő Village

The village of Hollókő (listed UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site) is a living museum today preserving the culture of "paloc" people famous for their colourful folk art. Hungarian and foreign tourists are coming to see the typical wooden peasant houses, to have a closer look at the paloc national costume, to see and try the art of weaving, spinning, needlework and pottery. Walking along the paved street you can have the feeling to have travelled a century back into the past. Lunch is included in a local restaurant with typical paloc dishes.

Half-Day Visit to the Castle District of Budapest

The Castle District is probably the most beautiful part of the capital, which retained its historic atmosphere and beauty. The tour includes a visit to the National Gallery accommodated in the Royal Palace, hosting precious works of art from the 15th century to the present time. You are also invited to enter the famous Matthias Church, which served as a coronation church for many of our great kings. Experience a unique view of the city from Fishermen's Bastion in the end.

Half-Day Danube Bend Tour

Half-day excursion to the most scenic part of Hungary. The tour includes a visit to Szentendre, the artists' town with its cobbled-stone squares and picturesque old streets and alleys. After a visit to the Kovács Margit Ceramic Museum the tour continues to Visegrád, the former royal residence, which offers a fascinating view on the Danube Valley. Guests are greeted by royal servants with a drink made according to a medieval recipe, followed by a real knights' tournament including a falconer show in the most beautiful restored historical building, the „Solomon Tower”. Demonstration of medieval weapons and a renaissance dance performance will follow. Guests will also enjoy a visit through the rich historical exhibition of the Solomon Tower. Dinner will be served at the authentic Renaissance Restaurant, where you are invited to a feast prepared on the basis of medieval recipes with costumed service and accompanied by live lute music.

Half-Day Royal Tour

The tour includes a visit to the Gödöllő Mansion, the former summer residence of the Habsburg Royal Family in Hungary. The attractive building is the second largest baroque chateau and was recently renovated. Many of the rooms and halls can be visited including Queen Sissi’s apartment. Walking through the gardens of the castle guests can visit the royal stables and the riding school. Upon arrival a welcome cocktail, called “Sissi” cocktail will be served. The tour goes on through the atmospheric, hilly country side to the nicely established „Lázár Park”. This enterprise has been established by the horse-driving world champion Lázár brothers, combining the atmosphere of the Hungarian villages with the flavour of a horse farm of European standards and outstanding Hungarian hospitality. Horse show and typical Hungarian dinner included.

Full-Day Puszta Excursion

Visit to the Great Plain, the “Puszta” in Eastern Hungary. Arriving at the Puszta, guests are greeted by herdsmen and offered the famous Hungarian brandy, the „pálinka” and some tasty typical Hungarian snacks. An impressive Horse Show will bring you close to the wild traditions of the famous Hungarian horsemen the „Csikós” and the „Betyár”, while famous Hungarian horses and different exercises can also be seen. You will also have the opportunity to ride a carriage and go for a short trip through the Puszta, where you can enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of this unique area. Visit to the stall of the Hungarian grey longhorn and the flock of spiral-horned Racka sheep is also part of the tour, while you may also test your skills at riding on horseback or on donkey's back. Lunch will be served in a “Csárda”, a typical Hungarian inn, where authentic Hungarian dishes, like gulyás soup and local wines can be tasted. Spirits will rise high by a large-scale folklore program, gypsy music and much more......

Full-Day Excursion to the Baroque Town of Eger with Wine-Tasting

Eger is one of the oldest towns with a rich historical past and numerous monuments. St. Stephen, the first Hungarian king, founded an Archbishopric here. The fortress, which was constructed in the 13th century, played a great role in the fight against the Turks in the 16th century. Eger's surroundings also display some of the most famous vineyards in Europe, producing such world-renowned brands of wines as the "leanyka" and the Bull's Blood. Wine-tasting and lunch in a local restaurant is also part of the programme.

Hungarian Dinner

The outskirts of Budapest is famous for wine production, which is where we take the guests to experience a traditional Hungarian wine-cellar with its own deluxe restaurant. In the restaurant upon arrival you are greeted by the master of the house, who welcomes everybody with special fruit brandy and fresh salty scones. After going through the "Barrel's Room", where you can see and taste the most famous wines, arrive to the "Theatre Room", you can enjoy a spectacular folklore show with dancers accompanied by a famous gipsy band. Delicious meals including home-made goose liver are served during dinner.

GUARANTEED PROGRAMMES

Available on all indicated days throughout the year. No minimum pax number needed.

Parliament Tour

House of Parliament – Take the opportunity for a visit of the Impressive House of Parliament – After a walk around Hungary's largest building, Interior visit of the magnificent neo-gothic Parliament (home of the Hungarian crown) with guidance through the splendid boardrooms and impressive staircases.

Jewish Budapest

We drive along the Danube to St. Stephens Park (World War II victims Memorial) - New street Synagogue, Leopold Town former Middle Class Jewish district – Visit of the World's second largest Synagogue, the Dohány and The Jewish Museum (interior visit) - Jewish Garden – Tree of Life – Temple of the Heroes – Cake and soft drink in the Kosher Restaurant (possibility for lunch) – tour ends at the restaurant. No tour during holidays and on special occasions.

Red Star Tour

Visit of the outdoor museum – gigantic monuments from the communist dictatorship – a glance behind the iron curtain – welcome drink "MOLOTOV COCKTAIL" – the statues of Lenin, Marx, Engels and of the Soviet Soldier - Tour goes on through the southern part of Budapest – Visit the most famous Flea-Market (Ecseri Piac) – free time for shopping – tour ends at the city centre.

Lake Balaton & Herend Tour

Herend world famous city of porcelain – after a guided tour through the world’s largest Porcelain Manufacture (founded 1826), coffee at the "PORCELANIUM" - possibility for shopping - afterwards we drive to the Peninsula Tihany the famous nature reserve (interior visit of the Abbey, founded 1051) – then lunch in a traditional Csárda (3-course menu with wine) – drive to the oldest SPA, Balatonfüred (Promenade) – Return to Budapest –Tour ends at the hotel.

PRE- AND POST CONFERENCE TOURS I.

At an additional charge, post congress tours are organized for all participants and accompanying persons. The tours may be cancelled if less than 15 persons have booked. In this case ticket holders will receive refund on site at the registration.

“The wine of Kings, the King of wines”- said Louis XV, the French king after tasting the world famous “Aszú” of Tokaj. Tokaj-Hegyalja is the most famous wine region of Hungary, home of the “aszú” wine, the essence made of selected noble rot grapes and also Szamorodni, which is unique both as a kind of aperitif and dessert wine. Addition to the tasty wines guests can enjoy the beautiful landscape, special nature and climate of the region. This two-day long excursion includes a visit to Sárospatak, the famous school town of Hungary and visits to the leading wine-cellars of the region where guests can get acquainted with the taste, history and producing technology of the wines. Accommodation and dinner in a 3-star family pension. Travelling by air-conditioned coach.

Price: EUR 250.-/person including transfer, guidance, full board and accommodation
Departure: 24, 31 August 9:00 a.m. | Return: approx. by 5:00 p.m. next day

PRE- AND POST CONFERENCE TOURS II.

(available within 10-day period before and after the congress)

These optional pre- and post congress tours are available for a 10-day period before and after the congress. You are free to choose the date when you wish to arrive to any of the hotels below and when you wish to depart. Please indicate these dates on the Registration Form.

No transfer is included in the price, so please feel free to contact the Congress Secretariat if you need any kind of transportation.

Sopron, the „Hungarian Treasure Box”

Sopron is one of the cities with the highest number of monuments in Hungary. It is located along the Austrian-Hungarian border at the foot of the Alps, 220 Kilometres away from Budapest, 60 Kilometres away from Vienna. There are a lot of attractions in this beautiful city: quiet little streets of the historical city centre, unique buildings and monuments of the Middle Ages. As a result of the natural surroundings of the city, the mountainsides with woods, the lookout towers, springs and the air of the Alps make Sopron an ideal place to visit when looking for both mental and physical recreation. The area is also particularly famous for its wine.

Accommodation at Best Western Pannonia Med****
This unique hotel is called a "Window to Town," combining the international standard of services and Hungarian hospitality

The hotel prices include buffet breakfast, swimming pool, sauna, tennis, fitness room and VAT.

Lake Balaton

Spend a Few Relaxing Days at the Shore of the „Hungarian See” Only 100 kilometres from Budapest, Lake Balaton is one of the most precious natural treasures of Hungary. It is the largest fresh-water lake of Central Europe, its length is 77 kilometres and its width ranges from 4 to 14 kilometres. On the sunlit slopes running towards the lake there has been grape and wine production going on for centuries. The beauty and the thousand appearances of Balaton captivate both the curious tourists and the natives. The region holds countless unique recreational facilities, secrets and experiences for the guests coming here. Hike in the shadowy woods of the gentle slopes of the hills among ancient castles and ruins of churches! Dip into the summer, refresh your body and mind in its spas, admire the fabulous scenery of the „golden gate” from the board of a ship and relax while listening to the soft sounds of the waves licking your legs or dance with us at a harvest home where you can quench your thirst with excellent, full-bodied wines.

Accommodation at Hotel Panorama****:
Hotel Panoráma is situated in the town of Siófok, the "capital" of the Southern part of the lake. One can find here various high-standard services including restaurants delivering a wide range of flavours, shopping centres, bars, and several clubs with pleasant music. The hotel lies in the holiday and hotel area of the city - called the "Aranypart" (meaning Goldencoast), directly on the lakeside, giving the guests the opportunity both for resting and also for making a bustling holiday filled with entertainments of all kinds.

The hotel prices include the following services: buffet breakfast, swimming pool, sauna, fitness room and VAT.