Lake Balaton & Budapest

Lake Balaton & Budapest

12 days from only £769

Situated in the very heart of Europe, Hungary abounds with things to see and Optional excursions do. Join us on this Hungarian adventure, combining the capital Budapest, straddling the romantic Danube River, and the most beautiful city in central Europe, with the ‘Hungarian sea’, Lake Balaton, whose shores are home to pretty towns and beautiful scenery.

Holiday highlights
• Beautiful Budapest, a tale of two cities
• Lake Balaton, Hungary's premier holiday destination
• The Danube Bend, Hungary's finest landscape

Optional excursions
• Budapest by night
• Pécs
• Lake Balaton Tour

Holiday itinerary
Day 1 UK to Belgium - We take the ferry from Dover to Calais, and then continue to Belgium for our overnight stay.
Day 2 Belgium to Wiesbaden - We continue our journey into Germany, taking in the River Rhine, making our way to Wiesbaden and the Ramada Hotel (3*) for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3 Wiesbaden to Linz - Journey in to Austria to Linz, a beautiful old city situated on the mighty Danube river. We stay overnight at the Novotel Linz (4*) on the banks of the Danube.
Day 4 Linz to Budapest - Continuing our journey east, today we arrive in the stunning Hungarian capital Budapest. Rival cities until their unification in 1873, Buda and Pest are separated by the waters of the Danube. Admire the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the Matyas Church, which has witnessed the coronation of many Hungarian kings. Enjoy magnificent views over the city from the Fishermans Bastion, a splendid white stone monument built in 1895, or visit the former Royal Palace, built in the 11th century. We stay for two nights at the Mercure Buda Budapest (4*), located close to the castle on the Buda side of the city. This evening why not join our optional Budapest by night excursion?
Day 5 Budapest - Take advantage of our included guided city tour this morning, taking in all the major sights of the city, including the Chain Bridge, and the ornate Parliament Buildings. The afternoon is at leisure – why not revisit your personal highlight, or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Day 6 Budapest to the Danube Bend to Lake Balaton - Leaving Budapest, we head north to the great sweep of the Danube that has carved a path between the Visegrad and Borzsony mountains, and is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube river. We travel via the picturesque town of Szentendre, whose skyline is dominated by seven churches, before continuing to Visegrad, and then Esztergom, the seat of the Cardinal Primate of Hungary, and home to the largest cathedral in the country. From here we make our way to the shores of Lake Balaton, Hungary’s premier holiday destination, for our relaxing four night stay in the lively resort of Balatonfüred at the Hotel Annabella (3*).
Day 7 Lake Balaton - Enjoy a day at leisure in the lakeside resort of Balatonfüred, a lively resort with plenty on offer. Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe, and is Hungary’s most popular holiday area, receiving on average 2000 hours of sunshine each year. Rest and recreation on the shore, historic and cultural heritage, folk traditions, rare natural treasures, gastronomic specialities and healing waters - all of these things are offered by and around the ‘Hungarian sea’.
Day 8 Lake Balaton - Relax on the shores of the lake, or join our optional excursion to discover more of Lake Balaton. We stop in some of the delightful lakeside resorts that are dotted around the shore, including the Tihany peninsula, which is famous for its beautiful abbey, two inner lakes and old village.
Day 9 Lake Balaton - Relax, or join our optional excursion to the historic town of Pécs, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, and now nominated as European capital of culture for 2010.
Day 10 Lake Balaton to Bayreuth, via Sopron - Leaving Balaton behind, we travel northwards to Sopron, one of the most charming medieval cities in Hungary and gateway to the stunning Lover Hills. We continue to Bayreuth in southern Germany to the Ramada Hotel (3*) in time for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 11 Bayreuth to Liege - Northwards through Germany, to Liege in Belgium for our overnight stay.
Day 12 Liege to UK - From Calais to Dover, and then home.

Whats included
• 11 nights room & breakfast, 10 dinners
• Shearings tour driver
• Luxury coach travel