Budapest And More

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 Eger. En route stop in the pretty town of Godollo to explore the 250-year-old Royal Palace, the largest Baroque palace in Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy’s ruling couple, Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Queen Elizabeth (known as Sisi) frequently stayed here and most of the building has been restored to its former glory. After lunch, continue on to Eger, a small baroque town surrounded by vineyards. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

This morning enjoy a walking tour of the city including a visit to the Lyceum and its Observatory. Built in 1765 and now part of a local university, the Lyceum contains a priceless historical library on the 1st floor and on the 9th floor is the astonishing camera obscura, the ‘eye of Eger’, designed in 1776 to spy on the city in real time and entertain townspeople. This afternoon have a rehearsal followed by a performance in a local venue. Possible venues include several historic local churches or the University Concert Hall. Tonight enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

This morning, check out of your hotel and depart for Kecskemet, hometown of Zoltan Kodaly who lived and taught here. Kodaly’s internationally acknowledged concept of music education is the basis for general music teaching in Hungary and also plays an important role in the training of professional musicians. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a city tour this afternoon. Tonight have dinner together at a local restaurant.

This morning visit both the local Museum of Music Instruments as well as the Kodaly Institute. Have a rehearsal this afternoon followed by your final concert. Possible venues include the Kecskemet Cathedral or Culture House. This evening celebrate your successful performance tour with a farewell group dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning transfer back to Budapest for your return flight to the U.S.