Danube Bend Tour - Nothern Hungary
8 Hours
This is the most popular excursion for tourists (foreign and Hungarian as well) with interest in Hungarian history. Leaving the capital towards the north, the landscape is changing. Driving about an hour across low, green mountains and small villages, we arrive in Esztergom, former capital of Hungary, centre of the Catholic Church of Hungary and archbishopric seat. The first Hungarian king St. Stephen was born and also crowned here more than thousand years ago. The purpose of our visit here is to get acquainted with the Hungarian history and see the largest basilica of the country built in the middle of the 19th century, furthermore the remains of the mediaeval stone castle and the millennium monument, dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian state founding celebrated in 2000.
The next destination we reach after half an hour driving along the picturesque Danube valley. The town is called Visegrad. The castle from the 13th century is standing right at the top of the hill. After driving up along a steep and adventurous road, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the whole Danube bend. It is here that the Danube makes the biggest turn all along the river. Your guide explains you the history of the castle and shows you the exhibitions. After taking some pretty photos you still follow the river on its western shore crossing atmospheric, gorgeous little holiday resorts.
After half an hour you reach Szentendre (St. Andrew), named after its mediaeval patron saint. Just like in other Mediterranean countries, the town is situated on the slope of a hill, the streets are running down to the Danube where there is a nice promenade with cafés, restaurants, pubs and shops. Your guide takes you to a walk and introduces you to the history of this fairytale place, shows you the Holy Trinity Monument, the oldest Serbian Orthodox Church of Hungary, the baroque main square and other sights. On request, we can organise unforgettable wine-tasting from the finest wines from different historical wine regions of Hungary in the National Wine Museum. Afterwards, you still have the time to do some shopping or enjoy some free time before returning to Budapest either by boat or by your bus/car.