Day 1 | FLIGHT TO BUDAPEST, CITY TOUR, CITY PARK, CRUISE ON THE DANUBE
Meet at the airport. Check-in and direct flight to the capital of Hungary, Budapest. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour at Heroes' Square, the Millennium Monument, the 19th-century Parliament building, and St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in Hungary. We continue to the city's most moving attraction, the "Shoes on the Danube," created by director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer. This monument is located next to the Chain Bridge connecting Pest and Buda, parallel to the river, and is dedicated to the memory of the 550,000 Hungarians who lost their lives in 1944-1945. Thousands of Hungarians were shot on the riverbank by their compatriots who had collaborated with the Nazis. We move on to the Fishermen's Bastion, built in 1905 for decorative purposes and located near St. Matthew's Church in the castle district. This church is also known as the Church of Our Lady. This church is also known as the Church of Kyra. It is located in the heart of the castle district and was built in the 13th century. We will also see the Hill Castle, which rises 48 meters above the Danube. It was built by the Bourbons of Austria between 1850 and 1854 to control the city after the suppression of the Hungarian revolution for independence. The city of Budapest was founded on this hill. We continue with a tour of City Park. City Park is home to Hungary's oldest zoo, which houses 1,072 different species. The Museum of Fine Arts, whose collection consists of international art, including all periods of European art, and includes more than 100,000 pieces. The museum's collection is divided into six sections: Egyptian, ancient, old sculpture gallery, old painting gallery, modern collection, and graphic collection. Vaidhajian Castle, built in 1896 and designed by Ignac Alpar. Today, the castle houses the largest agricultural museum in Europe. The skating rink, which operates on the lake in the park. We transfer to the hotel for check-in and free time. For the evening, we recommend an enchanting night cruise on the Danube, accompanied by our guide and a glass of champagne. It offers an impressive view of the sights of Budapest. The illuminated buildings and bridges reflect in the calm waters of the Danube, offering a sense of serenity and romance. The night view of monuments such as the Fisherman's Bastion is breathtaking as flashes of light reveal their imposing beauty. This cruise allows you to see the city from a different and impressive perspective, combining the tranquility of the river with the liveliness of Budapest, making it an unforgettable experience. Return to the hotel.
Day 2 | BUDAPEST, PARADUNAVIA VILLAGES (OPTIONAL)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a beautiful excursion. Departure for the picturesque route to the Danube Bend. First stop is the artists' village of St. Andrew, with its picturesque alleys and beautiful tourist shops. The area is famous for its fine wines. We continue to Visegrád, the historical attraction of the enchanting Danube Bend. Only a few ruins remain of its once magnificent and famous royal palace, renowned throughout Europe. Only a few ruins remain of the once magnificent and famous royal palace, but the Renaissance-style official reception courtyard has been restored based on the old plans. This is followed by a walk in Hungary's first capital, Esztergom. We will cross the bridge connecting the two banks of the Danube, Hungary and Slovakia, to reach the Slovakian town of Sturovo, where we will enjoy the view offered by the Danube and be impressed by St. Stephen's Cathedral on the opposite hill in Hungary. In the afternoon, we will return to Budapest, filled with memories and images from this unique experience. We recommend visiting the New York Café, located 500 meters from our hotels. The New York Café opened its doors in 1894 and was described as "the most beautiful café in the world" because its baroque décor, with marble, bronze, velvet, and silk, resembled a palace room. From the early 20th century, it was one of the biggest meeting spots in Eastern Europe for artists representing all kinds of art.
Day 3 | WALKING TOUR OF THE JEWISH QUARTER, COVERED MARKET, VACI UTCA PEDESTRIAN STREET, OPTIONAL INTERNAL TOUR OF THE PARLIAMENT AND STATE OPERA
Today's tour begins at Budapest's impressive and historic Great Market Hall, an architectural gem with a distinctive charm and authenticity. Upon entering, you will immediately feel the authentic atmosphere of Hungary with colors and scents filling the air. Our next stop is the Jewish quarter, an area with deep historical significance, which was once home to one of the largest ghettos of World War II. This emotionally charged neighborhood is full of memories and important monuments. The Dohany Synagogue, a stunning and imposing structure, is the largest Jewish place of worship in Europe and the second largest in the world. Here, in the heart of the district, are the inscriptions in memory of the Red Army, which liberated Budapest, leaving behind a feeling of freedom and restoration. The tour will end at the central pedestrian street Vaci utca, one of the most iconic and famous shopping streets in Budapest, which is the heart of the city's commercial and tourist activity. The street is full of fashion and accessory chains, shops selling traditional local products, and offers a huge variety of restaurants and cafes. Vaci utca is not only a shopping street but also a meeting place of cultures, offering the perfect opportunity to combine the pleasure of shopping with exploring the local culture of architecture and lifestyle. For the rest of the day, we recommend an indoor visit with our Greek-speaking guide to the Parliament and the Hungarian State Opera House. At the Parliament, we will see its rich interior decoration, the Holy Crown, the Scepter of Hungary, the Sword of St. Stephen, and the Golden Apple of Power. Our next stop is the State Opera House in Budapest. It has been operating since 1884. It was built with the aim of competing with the opera houses of Paris, Vienna, and Dresden. It was the life's work of the great Hungarian architect Miklós Ibolya. The interior is decorated with works by Hungarian artists such as Strobl and Lacz. From that time until today, the Opera House has hosted some of the most famous composers, such as Erkel, Gustav Mahler, and Otto Klemperer.
Day 4 | VIENNA, DAY TRIP, CITY TOUR, BUDAPEST
After breakfast at the hotel, the optional excursion to Melodic Vienna begins. Upon arrival, we will begin our tour of Vienna, where we will visit one of Europe's most important sights, the famous Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the summer residence of the Habsburgs from the 18th century until 1918. For those who wish, see the imperial apartments, the amazing works of art, the magnificent gardens, and feel what it is like to live as an emperor. Next on the city tour, we see the Kunsthaus, a complex of abstract buildings, and the Baroque palace complex Belvedere of Prince Eugene of Savoy, now an art gallery with works by artists of the modern period and the Modernist movement. We continue to Charles Square, where the Church of St. Charles Borromeo and the Hall of the Society of Friends of Music are located, and enter the famous Ringstrasse (ring road of the historic center). Here we will see the State Opera, the winter imperial palace complex of the Hofburg, the twin Museums of Art History and Natural History, the Museum Quarter, the Parliament, the former Imperial Theater opposite the City Hall, the University, and the Votivkirche (Church of the Votive Offering). Walking through the historic center, with the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral, we will discover the historic Greek neighborhood with the Greek Orthodox churches of St. George and Holy Trinity. In the evening, we will return to our hotel in Budapest.
Day 5 | BUDAPEST, THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel. Some free time until transfer to the airport, where we will board our return flight. Arrival in Thessaloniki with the best impressions and flooded with images and beautiful memories.
