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Valleys & Villages Of Hungary (Self-Guided)


Walk through the beautiful villages and countryside of northern Hungary




From Buda and Pest to the beautiful Baroque villages of the Bükk and Mátra Mountains, Hungary radiates Old World charm and character. Stroll Budapest on both banks of the Danube, then travel by train to the historic treasure trove of Eger – enjoy wonderfully preserved buildings, epic views from atop the castle, a glass of world famous Egri Bikavér wine and a walk through the surrounding hills and vines. For further insight into local rural life, ramble amid the dappled light and dark trunks of the Bükk mountain’s namesake beech forest, winding your way past trickling streams and cascades to the small mountain village of Szilvásvárad – an ideal base to explore the tranquil nature of the Szalajka Valley. Over the Bükk plateau, the idyllic resort town of Lillafüred lies amongst a series of caves, lakes and pristine woodlands, affording more beautiful walks and a wonderful glimpse through the heart and soul of Hungary.



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Tour Highlights

  • Bükk National Park
  • The Magyar settlement of Eger
  • UNESCO World Heritage-listed Budapest

Inclusions

  • Luggage transfers, detailed route notes and maps, train tickets from Budapest to Eger and Miskolc to Budapest.

  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners

Valleys & Villages Of Hungary (Self-Guided)

Day 1
Arrive Budapest
Meals Privided:
Your trip starts with your arrival in Budapest. We recommend arriving/departing by train where possible within Europe. It's a great way to travel and produces minimal carbon emissions. Budapest is a major train hub in Europe and is serviced by excellent rail connections from all over Europe. If you do fly in, there are also a number of budget airlines that have services into Budapest from the UK and Europe. Your detailed route notes and maps will be available at your Budapest joining hotel today. If you are starting your trip on a weekday (Mon-Fri) a representative from our local office will meet you at the hotel at 6pm, to hand over your welcome kit which includes your detailed route notes. If starting on a weekend, your welcome kit will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. There are no activities or walking planned for today so you may arrive at any time today, preferably before 6pm. However, if you have not been to Budapest before you should arrive early enough to allow yourself ample time to explore Hungary's capital, as there is much to see. A city full of history, Budapest is the 'Pearl of the Danube' with its grand buildings and impressive bridges. If you have time, you may even be tempted by one of the city's thermal baths. From Buda's hill you can experience wonderful views of the Danube, the impressive Chain Bridge and of course the incredible architecture of Budapest's iconic Parliament building.
Day 2
Budapest - Eger
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning after breakfast you leave Budapest by train bound for Eger in the north of Hungary (2.20 hour train journey). Eger is one of Hungary's loveliest towns and much of this has to do with it's beautifully preserved Baroque architecture. It is one of the oldest Magyar settlements in Hungary and once flourished as Renaissance centre. The Eger castle is the best place to enjoy views of the city and we recommend a visit here. On a wander through the town you will also discover a number of historical buildings including the splendid neo-classical Basilica completed in 1836. You may also wish to go to the open-air thermal baths and enjoy a game of chess whist soaking in the hot waters of the baths. Eger is surrounded by vineyards and the area produces some of Hungary's most famous wines including the acclaimed Egri Bikavér (Eger Bull's Blood).
Day 3
Eger - Felsőtárkány
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you leave the beautiful city of Eger and take a path headed eastward leading you into Hungarian countryside and the Bukk National Park. You will pass vineyards and farming pastures and come to an area famous for its watermelon cultivation. Crossing several rivers along the way you will soon arrive at the charming village of Noszvaj, home to a number of wine cellars and a good spot to take a rest before you head off again in a north-westerly direction, through woods, bound for Felsötarkany, a village with vine-laden gardens and parks and home to the small lake of Szikla. Felsötarkany is your stop for the evening. (Walking time: 5-6 hours)
Day 4
Felsőtárkány - Szilvásvárad
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will embark on your second excursion into the Bükk National park. The national park is home to a number of species of game including stag, wild boar and the more inconspicuous moufflon (a type of wild European sheep) After leaving Fesökartany, you will walk along a river under the cover of beech and oak trees until you reach a peaceful wooded area. You will soon reach a small lake area and from here a path takes you to a prehistoric cave called Istallosko where the remains of a cave bear were found. Along the way you may wish to stop and visit the small nature museum that you will pass. A big highlight of the day will be the spectacular valley of Szalajka with its lakes and cascading waterfalls. Your accommodation tonight is in Szilvásvárad. Szilvásvárad is known for its breeding of the famous Lippizan horse. (Walking time: 5 hours)
Day 5
Szilvásvárad - Répashúta
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You leave the village of Szilvásvárad today on one of Hungary's enchanting narrow gauge railway, which crosses a valley and takes you through bicentennial forests of beeches, by old war tombs and abandoned limestone furnaces. The train ride offers some wonderful vistas and you may see some of the local birdlife, namely eagles and falcons that inhabit the area. In the south of Répashuta, your base for the night, a small pathway leads you to the cave of Balla where the ancient bones of a bear, hyena, buffalo and child as well as stone tools were discovered. (Walking times: 5.5 – 6 hours)
Day 6
Répashúta - Lillafüred
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will walk to the tiny, fairytale village of Lillafüred set in the junction of a wooded valley which was formed by the two streams of Garadna and Szinva. On your walk you will cross an interesting karstic area and will experience panoramic views of a calcareous outcrop. The most striking feature of the village of Lillafüred is a neo-renaissance style castle with an imposing northern facade. The castle has been converted to the Palace hotel and is surrounded by a large park and hanging gardens. The town sits in front of Lake Hámori, an artificial lake created in the 19th century to fuel an iron furnace. Today the lake is a nice spot to relax by and you may even wish to rent a paddle boat here. There are also three natural caves in the vicinity of the town; Anna Cave with plant fossils preserved into its limestone walls, István Cave, a large dripstone cave and Szeleta Cave which houses Paleolithic relics. The caves are several hundred metres long and you can choose to explore them on an optional guided tour. Tonight you will stay in Lillafüred. (Walking time: 6 hours)
Day 7
Lillafüred - Miskolc-Tapolca
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will embark on the last leg of your walk. Leaving the nature of the Bükk mountains behind and heading back into civilisation. As you leave Lillafüred you will follow the peaks southward, and will pass close by Bükkszentkereszt. You will then head eastward and start to descend progressively until you reach the city of Miskolc Tapolca; a residential village which is centered around its renowned thermal baths. The thermal waters of Miskolc-Tapolca have attracted bathers since the Middle Ages and are said to be the most effective in all of Hungary. The bath complex is built inside an interesting cave structure and after a week of walking this is an ideal spot to relax and soak the weary muscles. Tonight you stay in Miskolc-Tapolca. (Walking time: 4-5 hours)
Day 8
End Budapest
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
You will be transferred to the railway station this morning for your return train to Budapest (2 hour train journey). Please do not book onward air travel before 3pm. Additional nights' accommodation can be booked in Budapest - please enquire at time of booking. Alternatively you may wish to book a departure transfer to take you to Budapest airport.

IN A NUTSHELL

8 days
$1,295
2

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
17/07/201224/07/2012 $1,295
06/08/201213/08/2012 $1,295
07/08/201214/08/2012 $1,295
08/08/201215/08/2012 $1,295
09/08/201216/08/2012 $1,295
10/08/201217/08/2012 $1,295
11/08/201218/08/2012 $1,295
12/08/201219/08/2012 $1,295
13/08/201220/08/2012 $1,295
14/08/201221/08/2012 $1,295
15/08/201222/08/2012 $1,295
16/08/201223/08/2012 $1,295
17/08/201224/08/2012 $1,295
18/08/201225/08/2012 $1,295
19/08/201226/08/2012 $1,295
20/08/201227/08/2012 $1,295
21/08/201228/08/2012 $1,295
22/08/201229/08/2012 $1,295
05/08/201212/08/2012 $1,295
04/08/201211/08/2012 $1,295
18/07/201225/07/2012 $1,295
19/07/201226/07/2012 $1,295
20/07/201227/07/2012 $1,295
21/07/201228/07/2012 $1,295
22/07/201229/07/2012 $1,295
23/07/201230/07/2012 $1,295
24/07/201231/07/2012 $1,295
25/07/201201/08/2012 $1,295
26/07/201202/08/2012 $1,295
27/07/201203/08/2012 $1,295
28/07/201204/08/2012 $1,295
29/07/201205/08/2012 $1,295
30/07/201206/08/2012 $1,295
31/07/201207/08/2012 $1,295
01/08/201208/08/2012 $1,295
02/08/201209/08/2012 $1,295
03/08/201210/08/2012 $1,295
23/08/201230/08/2012 $1,295
24/08/201231/08/2012 $1,295
13/09/201220/09/2012 $1,295
14/09/201221/09/2012 $1,295
15/09/201222/09/2012 $1,295
16/09/201223/09/2012 $1,295
17/09/201224/09/2012 $1,295
18/09/201225/09/2012 $1,295
19/09/201226/09/2012 $1,295
20/09/201227/09/2012 $1,295
21/09/201228/09/2012 $1,295
22/09/201229/09/2012 $1,295
23/09/201230/09/2012 $1,295
24/09/201201/10/2012 $1,295
25/09/201202/10/2012 $1,295
26/09/201203/10/2012 $1,295
27/09/201204/10/2012 $1,295
28/09/201205/10/2012 $1,295
29/09/201206/10/2012 $1,295
12/09/201219/09/2012 $1,295
11/09/201218/09/2012 $1,295
25/08/201201/09/2012 $1,295
26/08/201202/09/2012 $1,295
27/08/201203/09/2012 $1,295
28/08/201204/09/2012 $1,295
29/08/201205/09/2012 $1,295
30/08/201206/09/2012 $1,295
31/08/201207/09/2012 $1,295
01/09/201208/09/2012 $1,295
02/09/201209/09/2012 $1,295
03/09/201210/09/2012 $1,295
04/09/201211/09/2012 $1,295
05/09/201212/09/2012 $1,295
06/09/201213/09/2012 $1,295
07/09/201214/09/2012 $1,295
08/09/201215/09/2012 $1,295
09/09/201216/09/2012 $1,295
10/09/201217/09/2012 $1,295
30/09/201207/10/2012 $1,295
16/07/201223/07/2012 $1,295
01/05/201208/05/2012 $1,295
21/05/201228/05/2012 $1,295
22/05/201229/05/2012 $1,295
23/05/201230/05/2012 $1,295
24/05/201231/05/2012 $1,295
25/05/201201/06/2012 $1,295
26/05/201202/06/2012 $1,295
27/05/201203/06/2012 $1,295
28/05/201204/06/2012 $1,295
29/05/201205/06/2012 $1,295
30/05/201206/06/2012 $1,295
31/05/201207/06/2012 $1,295
01/06/201208/06/2012 $1,295
02/06/201209/06/2012 $1,295
03/06/201210/06/2012 $1,295
04/06/201211/06/2012 $1,295
05/06/201212/06/2012 $1,295
06/06/201213/06/2012 $1,295
20/05/201227/05/2012 $1,295
19/05/201226/05/2012 $1,295
02/05/201209/05/2012 $1,295
03/05/201210/05/2012 $1,295
04/05/201211/05/2012 $1,295
05/05/201212/05/2012 $1,295
06/05/201213/05/2012 $1,295
07/05/201214/05/2012 $1,295
08/05/201215/05/2012 $1,295
09/05/201216/05/2012 $1,295
10/05/201217/05/2012 $1,295
11/05/201218/05/2012 $1,295
12/05/201219/05/2012 $1,295
13/05/201220/05/2012 $1,295
14/05/201221/05/2012 $1,295
15/05/201222/05/2012 $1,295
16/05/201223/05/2012 $1,295
17/05/201224/05/2012 $1,295
18/05/201225/05/2012 $1,295
07/06/201214/06/2012 $1,295
08/06/201215/06/2012 $1,295
28/06/201205/07/2012 $1,295
29/06/201206/07/2012 $1,295
30/06/201207/07/2012 $1,295
01/07/201208/07/2012 $1,295
02/07/201209/07/2012 $1,295
03/07/201210/07/2012 $1,295
04/07/201211/07/2012 $1,295
05/07/201212/07/2012 $1,295
06/07/201213/07/2012 $1,295
07/07/201214/07/2012 $1,295
08/07/201215/07/2012 $1,295
09/07/201216/07/2012 $1,295
10/07/201217/07/2012 $1,295
11/07/201218/07/2012 $1,295
12/07/201219/07/2012 $1,295
13/07/201220/07/2012 $1,295
14/07/201221/07/2012 $1,295
27/06/201204/07/2012 $1,295
26/06/201203/07/2012 $1,295
09/06/201216/06/2012 $1,295
10/06/201217/06/2012 $1,295
11/06/201218/06/2012 $1,295
12/06/201219/06/2012 $1,295
13/06/201220/06/2012 $1,295
14/06/201221/06/2012 $1,295
15/06/201222/06/2012 $1,295
16/06/201223/06/2012 $1,295
17/06/201224/06/2012 $1,295
18/06/201225/06/2012 $1,295
19/06/201226/06/2012 $1,295
20/06/201227/06/2012 $1,295
21/06/201228/06/2012 $1,295
22/06/201229/06/2012 $1,295
23/06/201230/06/2012 $1,295
24/06/201201/07/2012 $1,295
25/06/201202/07/2012 $1,295
15/07/201222/07/2012 $1,295
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