BUDAPEST & KOSICE 5 DAYS

Many beautiful cities lie on the shores of the scenic blue Danube, but only one of them is called Pearl of the Danube — Budapest. It is a city with an ancient history, culture and traditions which vitality pulsates in every corner. From the bird’s eye view, Budapest seems like a giant amphitheatre. On both banks of the river, the treasures of the World Heritage List are scattered – the Buda castle, famous Matthias Church, the scene of many coronation ceremonies and weddings, the Fisherman’s Bastion with its magnificent view of the Danube, the Parliament building, the Freedom Square, which opens the Andrassy Avenue, the fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle – it is not all that awaits you in Budapest. During the city tour, we also go to the spiritual centre of Budapest – the St. Stephen’s Basilica, stroll along the Heroes’ Square and the charming Chain Bridge, protected by huge stone lions. Wintery Budapest has its special charm, and you will have a chance to witness it! We will definitely visit Christmas market and indulge in this miraculous atmosphere of the city, get to know with Hungarian traditions of Christmas and New Year celebration. Optionally we can have Danube boat cruise.

Today we are going to Kosice, but on the way another interesting place is waiting for us: Eger, which is famous for its wines and medieval architecture. Nowadays, city of flowers and students, Eger is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Hungary. We admire famous castle grounds, the minaret in the city center will remind us of Ottoman rule in heart of Europe. We cannot miss getting to know the culinary landmark of Hungary – marzipans, in thematic museum. Of course, ‘dessert people’ can taste and buy some sweets there. After the sightseeing, we spend time for wine tasting. The ”Egri Bikavér” (the blood of Egerer bulls) is an elegant blend of red wines, based mainly on grape Kékfrankos. Wine tasting will help us to get warm and feel pleasant cozyness during this winter time. According to legend, the name of the wine comes from the time of the invasion of Suleiman the Magnificent (c. 1552). To motivate and support the group of castle soldiers during the Eger siege, they were served delicious food and plenty of red wine. Confused Turkish soldiers explained the strength of city defenders by bull’s blood in red wine. Finally, Ottomans gave up. Closer to the evening we arrive in Kosice, where we accommodate ourselves in the hotel. You can have an evening walk and admire the beauty of the winter city in pre-Christmas lights.

In the morning of this day we offer you a tour through Kosice – the second largest city in Slovakia, that lies on the edge of the Slovakian lowlands. Dreamy Kosice, covered with glittering snow and surrounded by wintery Carpathians, invites us to get to know with it. Along the main street life pulsates and the most important sights of this Slovak city are located here. In the middle is the St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral – an undisputed dominant of the city from 15th century, the easternmost Gothic cathedral. Today this cathedral is the largest church in the country. We also visit St Michael’s Chapel, St Urban Tower and the Singing Fountain. It is not without reason in 2013 the city was awarded the title ‘European Capital of Culture’. Among other sights, we see Kosice State Theatre, town hall, plaque column and Jesuit Church of Holy Trinity. In the afternoon you can have some free time and leisurely walk through this charming city. Also you can have a brief detour to Presov. This city impresses us with its Hungarian noble houses (including the Rakoczi family), two huge parish churches and a synagogue.

On this day ends our program. You will take with you unforgettable impressions as well as the feeling of having experienced something special and the that you want to come back here someday. We hope you have discovered Budapest and Kosice, their culture, traditions and nature, and will keep this emotions for your lifetime!