GASTRO PLUS TOUR

Vacation in Hungary is a unique journey to a country where tradition meets modern creativity. During tours in Hungary, you can spend days enjoying the beauty of cities, relaxing in numerous thermal springs, and tasting exquisite wines. Sightseeing tours across Hungary with tour operator GastroPlusTour will allow you not only to admire stunning architecture but also to delve deeper into the historical heritage, cultural customs, and diverse cuisine of this remarkable European country. Looking for a reliable tour operator to book a trip to Hungary? Call now at +36 31 200 7690 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), our managers are ready to assist you!

Vacation in Hungary — Great Resorts and Medieval Architecture
 

Although Hungary is landlocked, it remains a popular destination for vacations year-round. With a temperate continental climate, warm weather prevails most of the year, with January and February being the only months when the average temperature drops to zero degrees. The warm climate is due to the Carpathian and Alpine mountain ranges, which protect the country from cold Atlantic winds. Hungary is also one of the sunniest countries in Europe. Spring arrives early and can be foggy, autumn is long, warm, and dry, and the mild climate makes Hungarian resorts ideal for health retreats.

Hungary is one of the most affordable countries in Central Europe. Although it is part of the Eurozone, Hungary uses its national currency — the Forint, allowing for more attractive prices compared to other countries in the region.

Conveniently located in Central Europe, Hungary is an attractive destination for tourists. This small country has a homely feel, and short distances make it easy to organize excursions from Budapest to other interesting places in Hungary and even visit neighboring countries.

Traveling around Hungary, surrounded by mountains, you can enjoy Europe’s largest freshwater thermal lake — Lake Balaton, the medicinal Lake Hévíz, and the beautiful Danube and Tisza rivers. The wide Danube stretches 410 kilometers through Hungary from north to south, with many tributaries along the way.

Hungary is truly an ideal destination for wellness vacations. The country boasts about 1,500 thermal and mineral water springs, with over 200 confirmed to have healing properties that address various health issues. The thermal waters help with relaxation, stress relief, normalizing blood pressure, speeding up metabolism, and detoxifying the body. They also benefit the joints, enrich the body with essential minerals, and even help produce hyaluronic acid, improving skin quality. Hungarian resorts feature five healing caves, numerous therapeutic muds, around 70 hotels with thermal springs, and 50 hotels offering wellness services, including hot springs, therapeutic mud treatments, and spa procedures, as well as large carbonic baths.

What to See in Hungary?

Hungary is rich in attractions, both natural and historical. GastroPlusTour, a Hungarian tour operator, will gladly help you explore both sides. The beauty of Hungary’s cities will leave you mesmerized.

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is the most popular destination for tourists. This city impresses with its refined atmosphere, unique architecture, and rich history. Especially beloved by tourists are the Parliament building, thermal baths, historical quarters, churches, residential buildings, and squares.

In 2019, Budapest was named the best destination in Europe, and in 2023, it was listed among the safest cities recommended for solo female travelers. The Hungarian capital is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the banks of the Danube on both sides, the panorama of Buda Castle and the Royal Palace, and Andrássy Avenue, which stretches from City Park and Heroes' Square to the city center. Beneath Andrássy Avenue runs the continent’s oldest subway line, second only to London's.

Budapest is a world-class city, rightly considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The Danube River divides it into hilly Buda and commercial Pest. Budapest is known for its elegance, style, and vibrancy. The Pest side of the city includes the country’s symbol — the Parliament building, medieval walls, and stunning 19th-century architectural ensembles. The city is compact, clean, and perfect for walking.

Many tourists choose Budapest for shopping, thanks to over a dozen large shopping centers such as Fashion Street and the pedestrian Váci Street, where you’ll find brands like Zara, H&M, Bershka, luxury boutiques like Michael Kors, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, as well as local brands and Hungarian designers. GastroPlusTour also organizes tours from Budapest to the Parndorf outlet in Vienna. Despite Hungary’s high VAT, prices for these brands are often lower than in France or Italy. It’s especially worthwhile to shop during sales — winter sales from December to late January and summer sales from late June to August, when discounts can reach up to 70%.

Hungarian cuisine is diverse, from traditional to creative and trendy. Everyone will find something to their taste. One of the main symbols of Hungarian cuisine is dried paprika, a favorite spice among locals that enhances the rich flavor of dishes. Hungarian food is known for its heartiness, often centered around meat. The most famous Hungarian dish is undoubtedly goulash — a rich soup with meat and paprika.

Wine is another unique highlight of Hungary, known for its variety of natural conditions, soil compositions, and grape varieties. Here, you can enjoy a wide range of wines, from sparkling and sweet dessert wines to robust reds and dry whites. The impressive wine cellars where wines mature and are stored symbolize the country’s rich winemaking heritage.

Budapest’s culinary scene includes seven Michelin-starred restaurants and fifteen more with Michelin Plate recommendations. Additionally, the restaurant "Platán" in Tata earned two Michelin stars.

A trip to Hungary with GastroPlusTour should undoubtedly include visits to its natural wonders. One of Hungary’s most impressive sights is the magnificent Danube River. Tourists enjoy boat rides along the Danube with a glass of champagne: the city looks stunning by day, but at night, new perspectives of its beauty are revealed from the water. Some boat tours offer dinner and folklore shows, making this experience even more captivating and memorable.

The Danube Bend is a memorable tour with its fascinating blend of history, culture, and architecture. Here, you can learn where Christianity began spreading, visit the place where the Holy Hungarian Crown was kept, and discover the legendary location where Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) was allegedly imprisoned. Join us for a medieval feast in Renaissance style!

Szentendre is an ancient, colorful, and artistic town known for its painters, craftsmen, and artists. Its atmosphere often feels like one big souvenir shop, with its famous marzipan figures and almond-based treats. We offer a separate excursion to this town, including a wine tasting at the Wine Museum, making a visit to Szentendre even more attractive.

Hungary is home to two famous lakes — Balaton and Hévíz, each with unique features and appealing vacation opportunities.

Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, located more than 100 kilometers from Budapest. Its shoreline stretches for 236 kilometers, and the picturesque Tihany Peninsula lies on the lake. The lake is shallow, with an average depth of about 3 meters, and its sandy bottom allows the water to warm up to pleasant temperatures in summer.

Some Interesting Facts About Lake Balaton:

• The deepest point of the lake reaches 11 meters;

• The surface area of the water is 600 km²;

• On hot summer days, the water temperature can reach up to 28 degrees, while in winter, parts of the lake freeze;

• The water in Balaton is of drinking quality, and during warm weather, you can swim as long as you want. Balaton’s mud is popular among children for building sandcastles, while the medicinal mud in Hévíz is a unique mix of salts and minerals used for joint treatment.

Lake Balaton, also known as the "Hungarian Sea," is surrounded by hills and forests, making it a popular resort in Hungary due to its size, its unusual light-green or azure-blue water, moderate climate, and a variety of activities. You can go surfing, rent jet skis, boats, or yachts, enjoy walks along cozy streets with historic buildings, fish, play golf, and experience the local culture through cuisine and wine.

Some Interesting Facts About Hévíz:

• The spring of the lake is located at a depth of 38.5 meters;

• The surface area of the lake is only 0.0475 km², but due to the water flow, the total volume of water changes every 72 hours;

• The water temperature in summer is about 35-36°C, and in winter, it doesn't drop below 24°C, making winter vacations in Hungary enjoyable;

• In Hévíz, you can receive treatments and bathe in the medicinal waters year-round without exception;

• The water in the lake is also suitable for drinking treatments;

• It is recommended to stay in the healing waters for no more than 20 minutes at a time, after which you should rest before re-entering. Lake Hévíz, located 210 kilometers from Budapest, is the largest thermal lake in Europe. Its waters have healing properties, and the surrounding landscape is incredibly beautiful. People are drawn to its unique healing waters, the warm temperatures throughout the year, and the picturesque natural surroundings, making it a popular thermal resort in Hungary for rest and rejuvenation.

Thermal Resorts in Hungary: Treatment in Hungary offers access to thermal waters, effective treatments, and first-class services meeting global standards. The cost of medical tours to Hungary is much lower than in other European countries. Hungarian resorts offer a comprehensive impact on the body, especially valuable for people over 40-50 years old who face issues with the musculoskeletal system.

These problems are often the result of physiological factors and modern lifestyle consequences. Sedentary work, lack of physical activity, and excess weight can overload the spine, causing neck and back pain, herniated discs, osteochondrosis, and gout, as well as related complications. Choosing a thermal spa in Hungary can help alleviate symptoms and improve health through healing waters and specialized medical procedures aimed at restoring the musculoskeletal system's health.

When traveling to Hungarian resorts for joint treatment, it’s useful to bring X-rays and a spa card. During the initial consultation, a therapist will assess the guest's health and take their wishes into account to create a personalized therapy course. This allows the treatments and recommendations to be tailored to each patient's needs and health condition.

One popular and effective treatment is underwater spinal traction, mud applications, and bathing in healing waters. It's important not only to participate in treatments but also to engage in massages, water gymnastics, stay active, and swim to gather strength and energy. Walking is also beneficial for everyone, especially those with a sedentary lifestyle.

Features of Rest in Hungary:

A trip to Hungary can be planned at any time of the year since the country's resorts operate year-round. May holidays and Christmas are peak seasons when tourism in Hungary flourishes. Those dreaming of a vacation in Hungary without overpaying can wait for the end of the high demand season. During this time, Hungarian tour operators often offer last-minute deals with significant discounts.

Thermal Resorts:

• The Hévíz resort is truly one-of-a-kind, with the largest thermal lake in Europe. It is the second-largest lake in the world, covering an area of 4.7 hectares. The lake is an amazing place with a variety of thermal and medicinal springs. It is funnel-shaped, with a depth of 38.5 meters. The warm water from deep underground maintains high temperatures year-round. At the bottom of the lake, in a cave, there are two thermal springs with water temperatures of +42°C and +38°C and one source with water at +17°C. In summer, the surface water temperature of Lake Hévíz does not drop below +33°C – +34°C, making it an ideal place for swimming and therapeutic treatments. In winter, the lake maintains a temperature of +23°C to +26°C, thanks to the influence of the thermal springs at the lake's bottom.
• Hajdúszoboszló is a resort area with over 90 years of history, famous for its thermal springs, which, thanks to the mineral diversity, give the water a brown tint and a unique warmth. It offers a wide range of health and wellness treatments, including mud therapies, which are successfully used in both medicine and cosmetics, and also help with infertility and joint problems. Hungary's thermal resorts are attractive to families with children due to the presence of indoor water parks with slides and pools for the little ones, as well as beach activities. The unique composition of the water promotes improved metabolism, digestion, and circulation. The thermal waters of Hajdúszoboszló contain large amounts of iodine, bromine, and bitumen. These components provide disinfecting, calming, and estrogen-like effects that are beneficial for the skin and general well-being. Tourists come to Hungary’s thermal springs for joint and spine treatments, mud applications, and magnetotherapy. Children can enjoy the indoor aqua palace with pools and slides, a beach with a Mediterranean coast imitation, and a water park with various slides. Rest in Hungary with children is convenient thanks to a variety of hotels with playrooms and specialized services.
• Harkány is known for its unique thermal waters containing carbonyl sulfide, which gives it a grayish tint and specific therapeutic properties. These minerals have a positive effect on reproductive functions and improve skin condition. The Harkány resort complex is surrounded by greenery, offering guests not only healing treatments but also a pleasant natural setting for rest and health restoration. Harkány is a spa resort in Hungary with a rich history, famous for its sulfurous waters, which effectively treat psoriasis and infertility. The water contains sulfides, carbonyl sulfides, and microelements that surface from a depth of 60 meters. The first bath here opened in 1925, and today the resort offers a wide range of treatments, including pools and spa hotels. Nearby, you can visit historical places such as the Mariadud Church and the Danube-Drava National Park, making your stay unforgettable.
• Sárvár, known as the "Royal Resort of Hungary," attracts tourists with its historical fortress, symbolized by towers and gates encircling the area. However, the main attraction is its unique thermal waters, used for inhalations and health treatments. The "Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa 5*" is the most luxurious thermal resort in Hungary, offering 22 pools and jacuzzis, more than 100 health and beauty treatments, musical evenings, and wine tastings. This resort is an ideal place for complete relaxation and harmony of body and soul.
• In Budapest, the capital of thermal baths, there are 123 thermal springs, making it the only capital in the world with the status of a spa city. One of the largest baths, "Széchenyi," located in the Varosliget park, attracts hundreds of tourists daily. Here, you can not only improve your health but also enjoy activities like playing chess in the water. Additionally, visitors can watch charming hippos from the nearby zoo, who also love to bathe in the thermal waters. Budapest’s attractions also include the Gellért Baths, preserving traces of a luxurious past, and Rudas Baths, which maintain Ottoman traditions with gender-separated visiting days. Aquaworld offers great entertainment for children with slides and various water attractions.

Hungary always attracts with its reliable and high-quality service, as confirmed by the positive reviews from satisfied tourists. The hospitality of the locals often exceeds expectations, making tourism in Hungary a pleasant and memorable experience.

Advantages of Traveling with GastroPlusTour:

Traveling with GastroPlusTour opens up a wide range of excursions and tours in Hungary, with visa support and full assistance. Our advantage lies in the presence of representatives in Budapest and at Hungary’s thermal resorts, who meet tourists, organize medical check-ups, help with currency exchange, and offer transportation advice.

Our company has its own licensed guides in Hungary, who are native speakers and passionate about their work. They know exactly where to go in Hungary to make your excursion unforgettable.

GastroPlusTour offers many benefits that make our tours in Hungary particularly attractive to tourists. Here are just a few of them:

• High-level organization. We carefully select reliable partners and hotels, ensuring high quality and safety in our travels.

• Variety of offers. We offer a wide range of tours in Hungary, excursions, hotels, including trips to Budapest, Hévíz, and Hajdúszoboszló.

• Professional guides. Our guides make each tour in Hungary exciting and memorable by sharing their passion for travel with each guest.

• Flexible programs. We are ready to adapt our programs to your wishes: if you want to visit interesting places that are not included in the official program, our guides will be happy to accommodate you.

• Pleasant working atmosphere. Our staff is a close-knit team of professionals who share a passion for travel and strive to make every tour special for our clients.

• Satisfied customers. Our guests appreciate our efforts, as evidenced by positive reviews on Google.