New Years in Budapest

December 26 - January 2





This six night tour to Budapest for New Years includes: A Welcome dinner with music in the Matthias cellar + Farewell dinner with music in the Oroszlas Kút restaurant incl. 2 glasses of wine + coffee/tea, New Years Eve dinner and entertainment on Dec. 31st in the Astoria hotel, Entrances to The Houses of Parliament, National Opera house including musical intermezzo, Museum of Fine Arts, Palace of Culture/Ludig collection, Royal Palace/National gallery, Matthias church, Fishermen Bastion,  Synagoge of Budapest,  Jewish museum and Jewish Cemetary, and a boat trip on the Danube  



We invite you to “ring in the New Year, 2007” with me in one of the world’s most exciting cities, BUDAPEST.  During our weeklong visit you’ll discover the city’s great museums, fabulous architecture, the beautiful Danube and a city rich in history and culture .Celebrate New Year’s Eve at a Gala featuring dinner and dancing! This trip also includes a special New Year’s Day Operetta performance, a concert by the Budapest Festival Orchestra and a private recital at the National Opera House.






1.  Tuesday, December 26     Departure
Depart Newark at 7:30pm on Air France, non stop to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport.



2.  Wednesday, December 27     Arrival
Arrive in Paris at 8:40am.  Connect to flight at 9:45am, and arrive Budapest airport at 11:45am.  Meet your tour escort.  Continue to lunch followed by an optional  guided walk in hotel area. Time to relax and freshen up. Dinner in the Matthias Cellar restaurant which has typical Hungarian atmosphere .   Overnight in the 4* Astoria hotel. The 4-star Hotel Astoria in the heart of Budapest, built on the site of the medieval town walls, is one of the most charming old-style hotels of Hungary's capital. As the slogan of the hotel goes, Astoria offers "Tradition and style..." with its turn-of-the-century atmosphere. (L/D)



3.  Thursday, December 28     Budapest
After breakfast, a visit to The Houses of Parliament for a guided tour. It is the most impressive building of Budapest and it dominates the left bank of the Danube.  The domed neo-Gothic structure was inspired by the British Houses of Parliament and serves as both a vibrant government center and a proud city landmark on the banks of the Danube.  
Visit the National Opera House well known for it’s high standard of opera and ballet performances. As one of the centers of the musical life of the Hungarian capital many world famous artists have performed on its stage. After getting acquainted with the history of the building, we will enjoy a short private concert.  This magnificent new-Renaissance style structure, completed in 1884 and modeled after the Vienna Opera House, is home to both the State Opera and the State Ballet.  A light lunch, featuring typical Hungarian cold dishes will be served at the famous traditional Coffee House Gerbeaud .  Afternoon at leisure to explore Budapest on your own . Tonight you will enjoy a concert performed by the Budapest Festival Orchestra in one of the most modern concert buildings of Mid Europe, The Palace of Culture. (B/L)  



4.  Friday, December 29     Tours
After breakfast  tour the Museum of Fine Arts where non-Hungarian works of art from early times to the present day are on display in a stately neo-Classical gallery at Heroes’ Square. Today, there are Egyptian, Roman and Greek exhibits and a particularly fine collection of Italian art, affording a comprehensive survey of the various schools of painting from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries. The Spanish collection includes no fewer than seven masterpieces by El Greco. Lunch together near the Market Hall and some free time to stroll around. In the afternoon take an afternoon boat trip, reserved exclusively for The Newark Museum on the Danube River to admire the city’s architecture. Dinner on your own. (B/L)



5.  Saturday, December 30     Tours
After breakfast transfer to the Palace of Culture to see the Ludwig collection. Continue for a walking tour in the historical Castle district and visit the former Royal Palace which houses the National Gallery and its collection of art from medieval times to the present. Continue to the Matthias Church and the Fishermen Bastion. This was the coronation church of Hungarian kings since King Matthias. The records of 1247 first mention this church as the main church of Buda Castle.  Free time to stroll around. Dinner on your own.  (B)



6.  Sunday, December 31     New Years Eve
After breakfast transfer to the Jewish quarter to visit the beautifully renovated    
Synagogue of Budapest. The cantor of the Synagogue will be our special guide showing us around. Here we will learn the fascinating history of this wonderful building as well as the history of the Jewish Community in Budapest. Continue to the Jewish Museum for a guided tour. The afternoon takes us to the home of composer Bela Bartok for a visit.  Back to the hotel to freshen up and relax for tonight’s party. Sylvester Party in the Astoria hotel with dinner and music. (B/D)  



7.  Monday, January 1     New Years Day
Morning free to sleep late after the New Year’s Celebration.   Late breakfast.  Special New Year’s Operetta performance in the  Budapester  Redoute Hall. Farewell dinner with music and wine in the Oroszlas Kút restaurant (B/D)



8.  Tuesday, January 2     Farewell
After breakfast depart Budapest ob Air France at 9:35am arriving De Gaulle at 12:00pm where we connect to our non stop flight, and arrive at Newark at 3:40pm. (B)





This engaging experience includes:

  • 6 nights in the 4* Astoria hotel
  • - Private bus according to above mentioned itinerary
  • English speaking Tour Guide
  • - New Years Eve dinner and entertainment in the Astoria hotel
  • - Entrances: Houses of Parliament, National Opera house including musical intermezzo, Museum of Fine Arts, Palace of Culture/Ludwig collection, Royal Palace/National Gallery, Matthias church, Fishermen Bastion, Synagogue of Budapest, Jewish museum, Jewish Cemetery,
  • - (2) Musical Performances: Concert of the Budapest Festival Orchestra & New Year’s Operetta performance in Budapester Redoute Hall
  • Gratuities for guides and bus drivers
PROGRAM PRICES  
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $2999.00  
Single Supplement: $525.00