Accompanying Persons’ Program
CAETS/HAE Meetings, June 26 – 28, 2013
There are several travel organizations offering various tours in and around Budapest; arrangements for most may be made on the internet and some as well with the Hotel Gellert reception desk. HAE has selected the following three tours as offering a balanced view of Hungarian culture. You may sign up and pay for one or more of these tours on the CAETS Meeting Registration form.
To begin the tours, busses will pick up at the Hotel Gellert and a few additional hotels; participants on the tours are not limited to the CAETS/Symposium group.
The tours end in the city-centre.
Grand City Tour
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
09:30 – 14:00
Join our Grand City Tour and see the most important attractions in Budapest. Enjoy the panoramic view from the hills of Buda and see the main sights on the Pest side. In the end of the sightseeing tour you have an opportunity to have an interior visit of the Parliament as well.
We start the tour from the Chain Bridge. First, we take the Margaret Bridge and drive over to Buda. We stop in the Castle District and during a short walk we show you the main attractions of the area. We walk to Matthias Church and to the Fishermen’s Bastion (from where you can enjoy the beautiful panorama).Next, we drive to the Gellért Hill (Citadel) and show you the most spectacular view of Budapest. We then take you across the Elisabeth Bridge to Pest and show you the famous Central Market Hall, followed by the largest Synagogue of Europe and the City Park. We pass by Europe’s largest thermal spa, the Budapest Zoo and the Amusement Park, after which stop at the Heroes’ Square (with statues of the most famous Hungarian kings and dukes). We then take the Andrássy Avenue to downtown Pest, pass by the Opera House and the St Stephen’s Basilica. We then get off the bus again and take an interior visit of the impressive neo-gothic House of Parliament (guided tour incl.). During the tour we offer a brief overview of the last 1000 years of Hungarian history. The Tour ends in the city-centre.
Puszta Tour
Thursday, June 27, 2013
08:30 – 18:00
Spend an unforgettable day in the Puszta! Visit the city of Kecskemét to see some nice examples for the Hungarian Art Nuevo. Enjoy the traditional horse show and the carriage ride in the Puszta and have a tasty three-course lunch accompanied by Hungarian gipsy music.
At an hour's drive from Budapest, we stop in the city of Kecskemét. We walk around the beautiful downtown and visit the most important squares and buildings, like the Main Square with the famous City Hall,the Theatre and the churches (guided walk). From Kecskemét, we drive to a traditional Hungarian farm. After receiving the greetings of the horse(-herds)men, you can taste the famous Hungarian welcome drink, “Barack Pálinka” (Apricot Schnapps) and the “Pogácsa” (salty scone). Horsemen will then take you around and through the Puszta by horse-carriage. The program continues with a traditional horse show, which includes several breathtaking field performances. You are then invited for a three-course lunch including the famous Hungarian goulash soup, accompanied by Hungarian gipsy music. The programme offers the possibility to ride the horses. The tour ends in the city centre.
Lake Balaton & Herend
Friday, June 28, 2013
08:30 - 18:30
Visit the Herend Porcelain Manufactory and get to know porcelain making technology. Explore the Lake Balaton and its surroundings with us. Enjoy the view from the Tihany Abbey and walk along the famous promenade at Balatonfüred.
We take you to Herend first, to the world’s largest Porcelain Manufactory (founded 1826). Following a guided tour through the rooms we invite you for a coffee (possibility for shopping). Next, we drive to Lake Balaton (the largest fresh-water lake of Central Europe) and visit the abbey (founded 1055) on the Tihany Peninsula. Following a 3-course lunch in a „csárda” restaurant, we go to Balatonfüred (with the oldest spa in Hungary) and walk along the famous promenade. Finally, we return to Budapest, the tour ends in the city centre.