Historic Hungary
Connect with a rich history
We begin this adventure in the ancient town of Budapest, Hungary, a beautiful city where history is evident at every turn. The Danube River splits the city in two with traditional Buda and stylish Pest on opposite banks. The Buda Hills make this cosmopolitan capital one of the most fascinating cities in Europe, earning it the honor as one of the top picks for therapeutic spas.
Our guided cycling tour combines varied terrain that ensures an authentic experience of the unspoiled land. Medieval Castles, beautiful stretches of wooded countryside, lovely villages, healing thermal spas, wineries, and museums will fill your days. One of the best features of this trip is our accommodations: a combination of beautiful old castles, mansions, and pleasant country inns. Plenty of local Hungarian cuisine and wine tastings are also on the menu, featuring gourmet dinners in the most perfect settings—on occasion, inside actual wine cellars.
This cycling tour should be considered easy to moderate with mostly flat terrain and averaging between 10–35 miles daily.
Read notes from our travel journal and view highlights from our most recent Hungary trip!
Itinerary:
A typical Hungary trip schedule:
Arriving in Budapest, Friday
Departing from Vienna, Wednesday
Optional Vienna add-on: Departing from Vienna, Saturday
Arrival Day 1 — Sunday through Day 4 —Wednesday: Complimentary transportation will be arranged for you from the airport to the hotel, located along the Danube River with beautiful views of Budapest. If you’re more excited than you are tired on arrival day we will plan a short excursion before dinner. For the next three days of this adventure we will explore all that this incredible city has to offer. On the evening of Day 4, we’ll gather for a complimentary dinner at the hotel with our cycling guides who will provide information and answer any questions about our upcoming tour of Northwest Hungary.
Day 5 — Thursday: After a complimentary breakfast, we’ll cycle across the Danube River to Margaret Island located in the middle of the turquoise waters. We’ll experience Old Buda via ancient streets and beautiful bike paths, passing popular resort areas as well as quaint Baroque homes. We’ll stop along the way and visit a 13th century convent, the 3rd century Roman town of Aquincum, a very unique Marzipan Museum and a Serbian Orthodox church. We’ll stop to visit some souvenir shops on our way to the site of King Matthias’ Renaissance Royal Palace from the 15th century. Our accommodations tonight offer exceptional views of the Danube and picturesque sunsets. Dinner will be a unique Hungarian specialty.
Day 6 — Friday: After a complimentary breakfast, we’ll begin with a “walk back in time” as we pass through the towering walls of the Citadel of Visegrád, the summer palace of legendary King Matthias Corvinus. While there, we’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Danube Bend considered to be one of the most magnificent areas of Hungary. Next we’ll visit the small town of Esztergom where the largest church and the tallest building in Hungary is located. Esztergom is currently the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary. Exquisite statuary depicting the first King St. Stephen being crowned, dating back to the year 1000, still remains. Next we’ll cycle through lush forests on undulating terrain on our way to Tata, where our accommodations for the night will be in a beautifully restored hotel once belonging to a famous composer. Tonight we’ll be served a gourmet dinner in a setting with beautiful views of the lake and castle.
Day 7 — Saturday: After a complimentary breakfast, we’ll begin our bike ride through a beautiful lush forest and continue around the picturesque lakes of Tata. Today is especially pleasing as we cycling through a variety of landscapes that include a medieval castle, exquisite views of the Danube, Baroque homes, and enchanting villages. A highlight of today’s adventure includes a refreshing swim at one of the best thermal spas in Hungary. From there, we’ll travel on to the confluence of the Danube and enjoy the area of Györ, showcasing a 400 year old Renaissance castle, and home to some of the most opulent historical monuments in Hungary. We’ll continue with a walking tour of delightful Baroque homes in this charming little area on our way to the Cathedral on the Chapter Hill featuring a golden reliquary of the acclaimed 11th century Hungarian King St. Stephen. Tonight we will enjoy a very special evening meal and accommodations in a winery near a Hungarian Benedictine Monastery.
Day 8 — Sunday: After a complimentary breakfast, today’s journey begins with traveling through time to a 13th century Romanesque church featuring significant and meaningful monuments of Hungarian history. The scenery from our bikes includes unspoiled wetlands of Fertö-Hanság National Park, rich in flora and fauna, as well as home to purple herons, black storks, and white-tailed eagles. Our next stop is in Fertöd, where we’ll visit an 18th century Baroque palace set in a Versailles style park setting. For the next two nights our accommodations are in a unique castle hotel that combines ambience from the 15th century with modern conveniences of the 21st. Tonight we’ll enjoy a gourmet dinner in their 18th century dining room.
Day 9 — Monday: Today we’ll visit the town of Sopron, often referred to as the “jewel box” of Hungary, situated at the base of the Austrian Alps. We’ll view original Roman city walls, the infamous Fire Tower, and walk amongst some of the most impressive architectural monuments known to Hungary. Our bike ride today will take us back into the forest on our way to Lake Fertö, a UNESCO World Heritage site that features natural labyrinths of salt water canals and many rare birds and wildlife. The lake is also a popular spot for fishing, wind-surfing and other water activities as well. We’ll enjoy a short boat trip, then cycle through a beautiful vineyard on our way back to the hotel. Tonight we’ll enjoy fine wine from the Sopron region and a very special traditional Hungarian gourmet dinner.
Day 10 — Tuesday: After a complimentary breakfast, we’ll cycle into the Fertö-Hanság National Park. We’ll travel along the Fertö Lake and enjoy beautiful vineyards on our way to the picturesque town of Rust, famous for it’s stork nests. In the afternoon we’ll travel via motor coach to a quaint area of Vienna where we will stay for the night. Tonight, we say goodbye to our tour guides and new friends with a farewell dinner.
Day 11 — Wednesday: Unless you decide to extend your adventure with us for an optional four days in Vienna, today, it’s time to say goodbye. We’ll provide transportation to the airport for your journey back home.
Optional
Day 11 — Wednesday through
Day 14 — Saturday: This add-on adventure includes a four day/three night stay in a centrally-located hotel in Vienna, one of the most incredible cities in the world; the Vienna Pass that allows you free entry into most of top attractions; and free access to the hop on, hop off bus with a full itinerary of stops to help you plan your own adventure if you choose to explore this amazing city on your own.
Fees:
ALL PRICING UPDATED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE!
Tour Pricing:
Single Supplement:
e-Bike:
Pricing with Vienna Option:
Single Supplement:
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: 13 nights accommodations in castles, hotels (Budapest & Vienna), mansions or small inns. Each room has a private bathroom; 13 buffet breakfasts, 7 gourmet dinners (2 to 4 courses each), beverages and wine with dinner; 2 wine tastings in some of the best wineries in Hungary; English speaking cycling guide and driver. Our support van will transport our luggage and will always be close by at all times should you need a break from cycling; All bus transfers, private guided sightseeing tours, and visits mentioned in the itinerary; All museums, castles, Vienna Pass as mentioned in itinerary; Rental fees for a quality hybrid bike with 24 gears; Transport in Budapest and Vienna between the airport and hotel.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: Travel to and from Budapest, activities and or accommodations before and after the tour, travel and health insurance.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE OPTIONAL VIENNA ADD-ON PRICE: Extra nights in Budapest, spa services, extra/private costs, souvenirs, gifts, telephone, minibar, etc.