Hungary Rhapsody Cycle Tour 2018 Guided 8 days / 7 nights Tasting the best red and white wines of Hungary Biking and hiking at the most amazing places of Hungary Wine tastings at award winning family owned wine cellars Homemade traditional Hungarian dishes Meet the local people and see their everyday life, eat what they eat and drink what they drink The House of Parliament Opera House in Budapest St. Stephan Basilica Dinner and Cruise on the river Danube Visegrád renaissance castle ruins Trout fishing, catch your lunch Cooking school with a master chef Visit the biggest lake in central Europe, the Lake Balaton
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Budapest Our first day starts with a city walk in the heart of Budapest. The hotel itself in the very center is a good starting point for sightseeing. We visit the House of Parliament. After that we walk to the Chain Bridge and be amazed at the beautiful scenery with the castle on the Buda side. We walk again and have lunch at the famous Gerbeaud restaurant. After having lunch the sacral symbol of Budapest, the St. Stephen Basilica is waiting our visit. We have some time for a refreshing shower in the hotel. In the evening we walk to Domus Vinorum Restaurant where we have dinner and winetasting. After dinner we walk back to the hotel. Day 2: Budapest-Visegrád Szentendre We start with a wing boat ride to Visegrád, north of Budapest. After arrival we have a short hike up to Visegrád castle. We visit the renaissance castle. After the visit lunch awaits us in Devils Mill Hungarian Restaurant in the forest. After the demonstration at the local fishing lake you can try to catch your own trout for lunch. A bus takes us to Szentendrei Island (through Tahitótfalu Bridge) to the charming countryside hotel. After checking in you can participate in a Hungarian cooking school and prepare your own dessert. Tonight night we have dinner in the hotel restaurant. Pinterest.com Day 3: Szentendre-Eger/Egerszalók We travel to Eger in the morning. The charming medieval town is located in the north eastern part of Hungary. After arrival to the city centre we visit the Basilica, the Minaret and the castle of Eger which has played an important role in defense during the Turkish occupancy in the 16th century. After the historical experience we take the bus to one of the best wineries of the region for winetasting and lunch. After checking in at the hotel in Eger the time comes for a relaxing and healing bath in Egerszalók spa. The dinner is going to be in the hotel. Telegraph.co.uk Day 4: Eger-Budapest We travel to Budapest in the morning. After the arrival in the city center we walk along Andrássy Street that belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage sights. We visit the Opera House which is one of the most beautiful opera house buildings in Europe. After having lunch in Menza Old School Restaurant we walk to the House of Terror Museum, and visit a special exhibition about the German and soviet occupancy in Hungary. We use the Historical Small Underground (1st in Continental Europe) to get to Heroes square. After visiting Heroes square we are going for a walk in the City Park. The bus takes us back to the hotel and you have some free time. Around dinner time we have a short walk to the pier on Danube River and take a cruise. Enjoy dinner with a beautiful view of Budapest by night.
Panoramio.com Day 5: Budapest-Balatonkenese-Balatonfüred 28 km We leave Budapest in the morning and head for Lake Balaton in the western side of the country. After arriving to at Balatonkenese, the most eastern city at the lake, take the fully equipped bicycles and start the trip around Lake Balaton. Until we reach Balatonalmádi we use the built bicycle road and upon arrival we have a perfect lunch in Liget Restaurant. In the afternoon we change for the old Roman road which goes next to the coastline. The accommodation is in Balatonfüred, the capital of Lake Balaton. The most common words in connection with this city are history, culture, wine, and hospitality. After arriving at the hotel you have free program and wellness facilities make your stay more comfortable. We have dinner at Vígmolnár Csárda, a typical Hungarian style restaurant nearby. Day 6: Balatonfüred-Szentantalfa-Badacsony 25 km This day we use hidden roads, which go through charming little villages. We visit the medieval Castle in Nagyvázsony and have lunch and winetasting in a family owned winery in Szentantalfa. We cycle trough Nivegy valley wine area, which played an important role in wine export in the roman times. After the winetasting the bus takes us to Badacsony; the accommodation will be in a charming hotel at the foot of the vitnessing mountain Badacsony. This wine area is the oldest in Hungary and the wines are excellent with the local meals. Day 7: Badacsony-Tapolca-Badacsony 30 km Today we discover the beauty of Balaton Uplands National Park and the idyllic landscapes with grape fields. We bike to the city of Tapolca, have a nice walk in the city center and visit the lake cave. We bike again to Hegymagas and have a hike on St. George Mountain (optional). Today s lunch and winetasting takes place again in a superb winery. After biking back to Badacsony you can have a refreshing swim in the lake or enjoy the spa at the hotel. We close the program with a nice dinner and winetasting at Istvándy Winery and Restaurant. Day 8: Badacsony-Budapest Bus transfer to Budapest Airport after breakfast. Flight home from Budapest Airport Panoramio.com
Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: Easy. Hungary is a rather flat country with some hilly areas. The highest point is about 1000m. This route is mainly flat with some slightly undulating parts where longer downhills outnumber the short uphills. Travel on bicycle built roads (asphalt) and low traffic bicycle friendly roads (asphalt) as well as some good quality dirt roads. This tour is designed for anyone who can cycle 20 to 50 km per day at a leisurely pace. Distance: 83 km Travel Season: May 19; July 7 and September 22, 2018
Price per Person: Double Occupancy 1275.00 Single Supplement 210.00 Accommodation: All have lovely and comfortable rooms with shower and toilet, towels included. The surroundings are always nice (old town, close to the lake, in a quiet charming village, close to the nature). We spend some nights in four star hotels with wellness and swimming pools, some nights in small towns and tiny villages. All the accommodations have a familiar atmosphere and high quality. Services Included: 1 experienced multilingual guide Welcome drink Bus transfer during the tour 7 nights in superb 4 and 3 star hotels 7 gourmet dinners (3 course) 7 lunches 7 breakfasts 4 wine tastings from the best wines of Hungary Programs and features which are listed in the itinerary Bicycle rental for 3 days All local and other taxes
Bikes High quality hybrid Caprine, Neuzer, Hauser, Merida, Giant, Altrix bikes with 24 Shimano gears, front suspension and light aluminum frame. Bike rentals come with helmets, water bottle, front bag, mud guards, rear rack, panniers, lights, repair kit, pump and extra tube Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848