UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hungary

Before arriving in Sopron and checking in, there will be a stop in Fertőrákos to visit the Roman-era quarry. From the highest slope of the quarry, you can best view the entire Neusiedler See area, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. This designation recognizes the Pannonian steppe and parts of its surroundings as having “outstanding interest and value for all humanity.” The Neusiedler See, a transboundary area, was jointly nominated with Austria as a cultural landscape. The young World Heritage site includes the “Fertő-Hanság” reserve on the Hungarian side. Not only is the geological and geomorphological diversity of this area remarkable, but the landscape also provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals from the Pannonian, Alpine, and Mediterranean regions that come together here. Dinner at the hotel.

Departure for a day tour. The first stop is the Esterházy Palace in Fertőd, also called the “Hungarian Versailles.” The elegantly playful palace complex with its pavilions and 18th-century gardens owes its existence to Prince Nikolaus Esterházy. Prince Nikolaus Esterházy the “Magnificent” commissioned the palace as we see it today. Additionally, Esterházy, who maintained one of Europe’s most splendid courts, built a chapel and pleasure pavilions. He maintained a permanent orchestra, whose court music director was Joseph Haydn. The gardens of Esterházy Palace are today among the most important examples of French garden art from the 18th century in Hungary, evoking the “gallant age” when the court society strolled freely here 250 years ago.
Then continue to Pannonhalma to visit the Benedictine Archabbey, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prince Géza founded the monastery in 896 and invited Benedictine monks to Hungary. The tour includes the early Gothic cloister with its vaults and columns, the Porta Speciosa (ornamental gate), the grand basilica, and the baroque monastic library.
Drive to Budapest, check in, dinner at the hotel.

The elegant world city of Budapest with the Danube flowing through its center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. In 1873, Buda, Pest, and Óbuda (Old Buda) were officially united. The Danube has always separated Buda and Pest, connected by seven bridges. Buda lies on the western bank and is the medieval capital of Hungary. The southern plateau of Castle Hill is dominated by the mighty Royal Palace. In the center of the Castle District rises the slender tower of Matthias Church. Behind the coronation church looms the Fishermen’s Bastion. The flat Pest impresses with its lively grand boulevards and generous buildings: one of the world’s most beautiful parliaments, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the State Opera House, Heroes’ Square, and the Jewish Quarter. The unique panorama from Gellért Hill and the city tour through the Danube metropolis attest to the status of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Hollókő, about 100 km northeast of Budapest. In this small village, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can admire the traditional medieval village structure. Narrow plots lie at right angles on both sides of the single long street. In the middle of the settlement stands the village church on a small “island.” Every house is a museum where traditional crafts are demonstrated: potter’s house, weaving house, etc. Particularly colorful are the traditional costumes of the region; these and other everyday objects are displayed in the village museum.
In the early afternoon, continue to Eger, check in, and have dinner at the hotel.

Depart for a day tour to Tokaj, one of the world’s historic wine regions, honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As early as the 16th century, wines here carried the trademark “Aszú.” The pressing method of Aszú wines, established in 1650, is unique worldwide. Louis XIV praised the late-harvest wine as the “King of Wines and Wine of Kings.” Tokaj wine was also delivered to Russian tsars. Tokaj wine is primarily made from the Furmint grape, whose name is derived from the French word “froment” (wheat) due to its color. Visit and tasting at the István Szepsy winery, tasting late-harvest wines. The conical volcanic Tokaj hill enchants visitors. Return to Eger. Dinner today is served in the Csárda in the “Valley of the Beautiful Women” near Eger: a traditional 3-course menu with wine, mineral water, and coffee.

Day tour to the Hortobágy Puszta: this unique region in the heart of Europe rightfully earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On this grassland, “heaven and earth meet.” Hortobágy National Park features unique geography, folk traditions, and other characteristic peculiarities. The flora specialties include alkaline plants and species living in swamp areas. The rich fauna includes nesting and migratory birds resting in the swamp, as well as animals raised in the open here: horses, grey cattle, racka sheep, etc.
Sightseeing tour on the Puszta by small train and horse-drawn carriage, featuring a herdsmen show. At the tavern on the edge of the Puszta, a tasty herdsmen’s menu is served. The tour continues to Budapest and Győr, check-in, and dinner.