List of Excursions
Three days
Two days
One day
Half day
31 August - 2 September
The tour not only features key archaeological sites of Roman Pannonia and medieval hubs of religion and military history, but also caters to gourmet tastes: wine tasting on the sunny hillside above Lake Balaton, Roman inspired dinner in the heart of former Savaria colonia and high cuisine in the shadow of a lakeside Renaissance castle.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: Roman rural villa, Baláca; Benedictine monastery, Tihany; Roman remains of Savaria colonia; Camaldolese Heritage, Majk; Renaissance castle, Tata; Roman town and military fortress, Brigetio
24 - 25 August
The tour concentrates on highlights of the Roman and Árpádian Age heritage of the Balaton region in western Hungary, which also includes some of the most renown wine producing areas of the country and the beautiful Tihany Peninsula.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: Gorsium-Herculia Roman civil town, Tihany Pennisula, monks’ cave lodges, medieval castle of Szigliget
24 - 25 August
The world famous Tokaj wine region and its surroundings indulge visitors with a rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. The tour not only includes visits to key sites of the region’s medieval history and a medieval-themed lunch, but participants can also experience first-hand some of the so-called ’Hungarikums’, Hungarian Values, such as the Tokaj cultural landscape as well as the Hollóházi porcelain.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: World Heritage Site Tokaj; medieval castle and cannon casting foundry, Sárospatak; medieval castles, Füzér and Regéc
24 - 25 August / 31 August - 1 September
One-time centre of Early Christian communities (as Sopianae), medieval university town, home to the world famous Zsolnay Porcelain Factory and capital of the southernmost wine region of Hungary, Pécs offers a rich variety of cultural and gastronomic attractions to its visitors. Participants of the tour will also get firsthand impressions on the surrounding region touched by mediterranean ambience through visiting the medieval castles of Siklós and Máré and tasting Villány wines.
Key archaeological/heritage sites: Early Christian and medieval monuments, Pécs; medieval castles, Siklós and Máré
31 August - 1 September
The Danube Bend attracts visitors not only because of its picturesque natural features but also its rich cultural heritage. Participants of this 2-day tour including a river cruise will get an impression of both: stunning views of the Danube Bend and surroundings from Dobogókő, rustic ambience in the narrow cobbled alleys of Szentendre, as well as medieval centres of power and religion at Visegrád and Esztergom.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: museum town and open-air ethnographical museum, Szentendre; medieval palace and fortress, Pone Navata Roman military fortress, Visegrád; medieval castle complex and Basilica, Esztergom; ruins of medieval monastery, Pilisszentkereszt
25 August / 31 August
The Danube is undoubtedly a characteristic feature of the Budapest cityscape. However, water defines the history and everyday life of the city in many other ways too. Participants of the tour will experience this close relationship in several forms: by visiting the remains of the Roman town Aquincum and still functioning bath from the time of the Turkish occupation, as well as by admiring the city panorama from the top of Gellért Hill and enjoying a Danube cruise with dinner.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park; Várkert Bazár; Gellért Hill and Citadel; Rudas Bath
25 August / 31 August
Eger and its vicinity is not only famous for Eger Castle, key site to the 16-17th century Ottoman-Hungarian wars and the Eger Bull’s Blood, a red wine of characteristic taste which was also preferred by the warriors of the Hungarian frontier during the Ottoman Invasion, but also because of its unique natural treasures such as the ’salt hill’ and thermal spa of Egerszalók.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: medieval castle and Turkish monuments, Eger; 17-18th century cave dwellings, Egerszalók
25 August / 31 August
It feels like time has stopped in the mountain village of Hollókő and its surroundings, where visitors will experience the unique rural architecture and lifestyle of the northern Hungarian countryside in the early Modern age. Guarded by a 13th century castle, the village is not simply an open-air ethnographical museum but a living centre for cultural heritage, recognised by UNESCO. The nearby Somoskő settlement is both famous for the unique volcanic rock formations in the hillside looming over the village and the 13th century castle on top of the hill.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: medieval castles, Hollókő and Somoskő, Eger; UNESCO World Heritage listed village, Hollókő
25 August
The Danube Bend attracts visitors not only because of its picturesque natural features but also its rich cultural heritage. Participants of the tour including a river cruise will get an impression of both: stunning views of the Danube Bend and surroundings from Visegrád, centre of power in medieval times as well as rustic ambience in the narrow cobbled alleys of Szentendre.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: museum town and open-air ethnographical museum, Szentendre; medieval palace and fortress, Pone Navata Roman military fortress, Visegrád
31 August
Several eras from the late Bronze age up to the Socialist era left their unmistakeable marks on Százhalombatta, a small town only some 60 minutes Danube cruise from Budapest. The tour offers a journey through time by highlighting the local late Bronze age/early Iron age heritage and their revival in the framework of the Százhalombatta Archaeological Park, as well as exciting details on everyday life in the Socialist era.
Key archaeological/heritage attractions: Százhalombatta Archaeological Park; late Bronze age hillfort and tumuli, Százhalombatta; Beethoven Museum and Memento Park
25 August / 31 August
Culture and history of several centuries contrentrate along the Andrássy Avenue, often referred to as the Champs Elyssées of eastern Europe. The tour includes such iconic monuments as the St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Heroes’ Square, but also offers a glimpse into the turn-of-the-century splendour represented by palaces of the elite built along the Avenue as well as into the sour periods of 20th century Hungarian history at the Terror Háza Museum.
Key heritage attractions: St. Stephen’s Basilica; Andrássy Avenue; Millennial Underground; Heroes’ Square
25 August / 31 August
An iconic part of Budapest, the Castle District is a centre of art and history. Take a ride with the Buda Castle Funicular, enjoy the views of the city from the Palace terrace, take a pleasant walk along the District’s narrow streets and squares flanked by beautiful buildings and visit one of the exciting museums located in the Castle complex.
Key heritage attractions: Castle District Funicular; Buda Castle & palace complex; Castle District; Hungarian National Gallery OR Budapest History Museum OR Hospital in the Rock/Nuclear Bunker Museum
25 August / 31 August
The Castle District, being a key site the history of Budapest is a subject to continuous archaeological research. The tour offers the unique opportunity to visit a recent excavation site where surprisingly well-preserved remains of the earliest fortifications from the 16th century came to light as well as a small exhibition of the find material. The experience is completed by a visit to the ruins of the medieval Church of Mary Magdalene and a walking tour among the iconic monuments of the Castle District.
Key archeologoheritage attractions: Castle District Funicular; Castle District; ’Erdélyi Bastion’ archaeological site and exhibition; Church of St. Mary Magdalene; Fishermens’ Bastion, St. Matthias Church