Beautiful Hungary

Arrive in Budapest, the capital and largest city in Hungary. Meet your Encore Tour Manager at the airport and transfer into the city center. Depart on an afternoon stroll with your tour manager, then enjoy a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant and orientation.

Today, enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour of the city on both the Buda and Pest sides of the Danube River. On the Buda side explore the Castle District including Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion and on the Pest side visit Heroes Square, the State Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Have an afternoon rehearsal in preparation for your first performance this evening and another group dinner.

This morning, check out of your hotel and depart for Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Eastern Europe. The lake is a major holiday destination with beaches, volcanic hills, resort towns and high-rise hotels along its 197km shoreline. Enjoy some leisure time this afternoon to relax on the beach or go for a swim. Tonight have dinner together at your hotel.

This morning have a rehearsal followed by an afternoon concert at the Benedictine Abbey on the Peninsula Tihany (for choirs only) or Festetics Castle in Keszthely (for instrumental and choral ensembles). Have dinner together as a group and return to your Lake Balaton area hotel for the evening.

This morning, check out of your hotel and depart for Sopron. Upon arrival enjoy some free time for lunch followed by a city tour. Located near the Austrian border, Sopron is a popular day-trip destination for Viennese. It is considered the most beautiful town in western Hungary and the cobbled streets of its well-preserved medieval Inner Town (Belváros) are perfect for exploring on foot. Check into your hotel and enjoy another group dinner at a local restaurant.

Have a rehearsal in the morning followed by an afternoon concert at the Liszt Ferenc Cultural Center. For groups touring in July, there may be an opportunity to participate in the annual international festival that takes place here. This evening celebrate your successful performance tour with a farewell group dinner.

This morning make the drive to nearby Vienna for your return flight to the U.S.