DAY 1 – BUDAPEST
A city filled with energy and culture – you begin your Eastern European story in grand Budapest. You could spend a couple of days getting acquainted with this bustling city, before meeting your small group of fellow explorers for a welcome dinner at our hotel.
You have the opportunity to discover one of the city’s historic thermal baths and unwind in their famous, mineral-rich waters. (Don’t miss the Gellért Bath’s beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, or the sunny yellow Neo-Baroque facade of Széchenyi Thermal Bath). Then, a relaxing cruise along the mighty Danube River is the perfect way to soak in the city’s iconic sights – Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, we’re looking at you!
Or, for a slice of adventure, you could pack a picnic and hike up leafy Gellért Hill for panoramic views of the city below. As another option, why not weave your way to the buzzing Jewish Quarter for a dose of pálinka (fruit brandy) at a quirky, character-filled ‘ruin bar’? There are twisting mazes of neon-lit, graffiti-filled rooms just waiting to be explored here.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Danubius Hotel Astoria (or similar)
DAY 2 – EGER
Get ready to step back in time at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hollókő – a village that’s been lovingly preserved to showcase traditional rural life in Hungary from centuries past. You will get to know the friendly locals as we enjoy a guided tour: marvel at the residents’ vibrant, hand-embroidered folk costumes, uncover the centuries-old secrets of blacksmithing, and even learn a traditional dance step or two! To wrap up this morning steeped in culture, you’ll tuck into a hearty homemade lunch, where classic Palóc soup (crafted with pork, vegetables and fragrant spices) is on the menu. Be sure to save room for dessert – there’s a golden apple strudel with your name on it.
Then, it’s on to enchanting Eger – where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to meander through its cobblestone streets. You might soak up the cosy hum of conversation and enjoy a spot of people-watching from one of the many cafés spilling out onto historic Dobó István Square – Presszókávé (espresso) in hand, of course. Gaze up at the gilded, frescoed ceiling of the Minorite Church, a real Baroque beauty. Or, feel the cool, timeworn stone under your fingertips as you trace the walls of the 13th-century Eger Castle.
Experience: Folk performance and traditional lunch in Hollókő World Heritage Site.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Korona (or similar)
DAY 3 – HIGH TATRAS
Lush vineyards line the landscape like rows of green thread, neatly stitched into the sun-drenched earth – you are stepping into our luxury minicoach and travelling on to World Heritage-listed Tokaj, a wine region in north-eastern Hungary.
Here, it’s time to channel your inner sommelier, as you’ll be sampling not one, but five distinctive white wines at a family-run winery. The jewel in the crown? Tokaji Aszú, the region’s renowned golden dessert wine. You’ll soon see why it’s a firm favourite.
Fairytale castles, soaring mountain peaks, time-honoured folk traditions – it’s all waiting for you as you cross the border into Slovakia. After a spot of lunch and an orientation tour of Košice, you have venture into mountain territory – the magnificent High Tatras region beckons! Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of the majestic Spiš Castle ruins, perched high on a hilltop like a stone crown, as you follow the scenic route to our thoughtfully selected mountain retreat. you’re free to relax and unwind tonight.
Experience: Wine tasting in Tokaj with vineyard and cellar visit.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Hviezdoslav (or similar)
DAY 4 – HIGH TATRAS
This morning, you’re stepping into a cable car and soaring high into the sky to the top of Lomnický štít – the secThrill seekers, rejoice! This morning, you’re stepping into a cable car and soaring high into the sky to the top of Lomnický štít – the second tallest peak in the High Tatras. At the summit, take a moment to pause… Inhale the crisp, mountain air as the bracing wind rushes past, and drink in the cinematic panorama of jagged peaks that graze the sky like giant shards of glass.
Tear yourself away and snap those final postcard-perfect pictures on the descent. Then, once on terra firma, you’ll weave along the scenic back roads to a local farm where a delicious cheese tasting and light, rustic lunch awaits. Savour the rich, smoky flavours of Oscypek – the region’s beloved signature cheese, that’s expertly crafted on-site and infused with garlic, paprika and herbs.
Then, it’s back to the hotel for an evening spent at our leisure.
Experiences: Cable car to Lomnický štít in the High Tatras mountains and visit a local farm for cheese tasting and lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Hviezdoslav (or similar)
DAY 5 – KRAKOW
The otherworldly Wieliczka Salt Mine is ours to discover this morning. You’ll descend around 800 steps and unearth a subterranean labyrinth, where vast, chandelier-lit chambers, ornate chapels and larger-than-life sculptures await at every turn. Extraordinarily, all these elements are carved from salt. Dating back to the 13th century, this intricate maze of galleries, passageways and even a lake will transport you to another world.
After emerging back into the daylight, you will journey on to Poland and the country’s former capital, Kraków. The afternoon’s all yours to dive into this charming city. Imagine yourself at a royal audience in Wawel Castle’s State Rooms, where chessboard-patterned floors stretch before you. Uncover your new favourite independent boutique among the cobblestones of the hip and artsy Jewish Quarter. Or, perhaps you’ll seek out one of the dimly lit cellar bars for a tipple of Polish vodka.
Then, settle down for the night in our characterful hotel. Nestled in the heart of the Old Town, you’ll be feeling like a local here in no time.
Experience: Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine with local guide.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Polski pod Białym Orłem (or similar)
