June 2024 Group Tour Travelogue (3) Hungary – “Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria in 12 Days”

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Continued from “June 2024 Group Tour Travelogue (2) Czech Republic, Slovakia – Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria in 12 Days”

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - Overlooking the Danube River and Both Sides

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Germany - Würzburg - Church

Czech Republic - Prague - Vltava River - Riverside Scenery

Czech Republic - Prague - Charles Bridge

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town) - Observation Deck - Overlooking CK Town

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town)

Slovakia - Bratislava - Street View

In June 2024, I followed a group tour to five countries in Central and Eastern Europe: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. The specific dates were from June 23 to July 4. The brief itinerary was: fly from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport to Frankfurt Airport in Germany, then travel by bus between various cities and towns in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, covering nearly 2,600 kilometers by road. According to the group tour schedule, we visited related cities, towns, and attractions one by one, and finally returned to Frankfurt Airport to fly back to Shenzhen, successfully concluding the 12-day trip.

Although the trip was not long, we visited many cities across five countries and saw numerous famous attractions and World Heritage sites. Particularly notable were the capitals: Prague (Czech Republic), Budapest (Hungary), and Vienna (Austria). These renowned cities are world-class historical cities and tourist destinations, with countless famous sites and breathtaking scenery. While wandering through them, one often feels a profound impact and unique experiences; many places offer a constantly changing view that captivates the eyes. Some make you feel as if you have time-traveled to the Middle Ages, experiencing Europe's long history and court anecdotes. Fortunate to have visited, anyone would carry unforgettable beautiful memories!

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside Town

Hungary - Lake Balaton

Austria - Vienna - Heroes' Square

Austria - Vienna - St. Stephen's Cathedral

Austria - Vienna - Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Austria - Hallstatt Town

Germany - Munich - Marienplatz

Stop 3: Hungary (Days 5 & 6)

Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe, bordered by Romania and Ukraine to the east, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to the south, Austria to the west, and Slovakia to the north. The famous Danube River flows from southern Slovakia into Hungary, dividing the country into two parts: the western part includes the Alps, while the northeast contains the Carpathian Mountains. It has a continental climate, cool and humid. Hungary covers an area of 93,000 square kilometers, with a population of 9.7 million, and its capital is Budapest.

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery - Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery - Chain Bridge

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery

Budapest, also known as the Heart of Europe and the Pearl of the Danube, is a famous medieval city in Europe. It has a long history, beautiful scenery, and a rich ancient atmosphere. It lies on the banks of the picturesque Danube, stretching 30 km from north to south and 29 km from east to west. The Danube flows through the city, with Buda on the west side and Pest on the east. The Buda Castle District became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery - Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Danube River Cruise - Danube Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Scenery along the way

Day 5: Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was also one of the main destinations of this “Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe Tour.” Today's itinerary was rich and varied, including a Danube River cruise (optional), Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Heroes' Square, etc. It was truly a full-day tour of Budapest.

Buda Castle is the historic palace of Hungary, located at the southern end of Buda Castle Hill in Budapest. It is a group of Neo-Baroque old buildings. Buda Castle stands majestically on Castle Hill, one of Budapest's landmarks. It was once the residence of the Hungarian royal family. Today, the central part of the palace houses the Budapest History Museum, the National Library, and the National Gallery. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. During World War II, it suffered damage from war and was later rebuilt. The palace now occupies one-third of the Castle District, with splendid architecture showcasing Hungary's long history and architectural features. Buda Castle and its district are the best places to enjoy a panoramic view of Budapest. Be sure to visit the observation terrace in front of the main gate of Buda Castle; it offers a great view of the Hungarian Parliament Building, Chain Bridge, and the beautiful Danube.

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Complex

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube and Chain Bridge

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Complex

Hungary - Budapest - Matthias Church

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Hungary - Budapest - Heroes' Square

Fisherman's Bastion stands on the banks of the Danube, adjacent to Matthias Church. Its construction began in 1895 and took six years to complete. Originally, this area was a fish market, and later fishermen built this bastion to protect their interests and for defense. This two-story, grayish-white structure with Neo-Romanesque white spires as the center, together with several surrounding round towers, represents the ancient tribes of Hungary. The towers are connected by corridors like a labyrinth, and from a distance, it resembles the castle in the Disney logo. The several bronze statues on Fisherman's Bastion are also striking. One notable one is an equestrian statue of a Hungarian king, erected in 1906, located between Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. The reliefs on its base depict the king's life story. The surroundings of Fisherman's Bastion are beautiful and scenic. From here, you can get a bird's-eye view of the entire city of Budapest. Today, Fisherman's Bastion has become a tourist attraction and also an important place for Budapest residents to take a leisurely stroll after dinner.

Hungary - Budapest - Street View

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Complex - Presidential Palace

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Buda Castle Complex

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - Distant View of Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Matthias Church

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - Overlooking Danube Riverside Scenery

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Day 6: Today's itinerary was relatively simple, mainly visiting the scenic Lake Balaton, known as the “Hungarian Sea,” and the lakeside town. Additionally, when passing through Hévíz, known as the spa town, we had a brief exterior view of the world's second largest thermal lake, Hévíz Lake.

Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe. Hungarians proudly call it the “Hungarian Sea.” It covers an area of 952 square kilometers, with an average depth of only 3.3 meters and a maximum depth of 11 meters. With its attractive lake and mountain scenery, Lake Balaton has become a world-famous tourist destination in Hungary.

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lake Balaton Scenery

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Pier

Hungary - Lake Balaton

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside Town

1. For such a European trip, the round-trip flight takes about 12 hours each way; the bus ride covers nearly 2,600 kilometers, with three days each exceeding 400 kilometers. The travel and jet lag can be tiring, so be mentally prepared.

2. Although the bus rides sometimes take a long time, the vehicles are in good condition and the roads are smooth, so there is hardly any bumpiness. Moreover, the scenery along the way is stunning and pleasant to the eyes, which effectively alleviates fatigue. Overall, it wasn't too boring or exhausting.

3. During this season, it gets light around 4 or 5 in the morning, and it doesn't get dark until 8 or 9 in the evening. This gives ample time for sightseeing during the day.

4. Since Europeans are not accustomed to drinking boiled water, most hotels do not have electric kettles. Among the nine hotels we stayed at, only two had electric kettles. If you like to drink tea or hot water, be sure to bring your own electric kettle.

5. The power sockets in Europe are the European standard small two-pin sockets, different from those in China. Be sure to bring a European standard power adapter.

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Lakeside Town

Hungary - Hévíz - Hévíz Thermal Lake

Hungary - Hévíz - Large Supermarket

Hungary - Hévíz - Scenery along the way

Continued in “June 2024 Group Tour Travelogue (4) Austria – Drunken Beauty Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria in 12 Days”