2008 is the Year of Renaissance in Hungary celebrating that King Matthias stepped on to the throne of Hungary 550 years ago. During Matthias’s rule (1458-1490) Hungary developed into a cultural centre renowned in throughout Europe.

Matthias Corvinus was inspired by Renaissance flourishing in Italy thus he invited artists, scientists, scholars (Galeotto Marzio, Bonfini) to help establish the roots of Renaissance culture in Hungary. His second wife Beatrice was also from Naples, Italy. King Matthias developed the court in Buda into a stunning royal residence that attracted visitors from foreign countries.

No Comments »

Easter is approaching and Budapest hails the arrival of spring with numerous programs.

A romantic cruise on the Danube is the most romantic way of seeing the sights of Budapest

and the captivating cityscape on the riverbanks.

Find more information and book your place for the Easter on the Millennium Boat cruise.

What’s more, musical and other performances provide festive atmosphere on the Millennium boat. Kodály’s and the Rajkó Orchestra ’s music will add a nice musical background to the boat tour.

You’ll be introduced to the skills of traditional egg painting and you can paint your own easter egg.

Among other specilaities traditional Easter dishes will be offered at the three-course buffet dinner like ham with horseraddish and mustard, stuffed chicken, leg of roast lamb, various garnishes and vegetarian meals and a selection of desserts and fresh fruits.

Find out more details about the Easter on the Millennium Boat crusie and book your place.

No Comments »

The first Mangalica Festival will take place in Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park on the 2nd weekend of February.

Mangalica is a pig with curly hair indigenouous to Hungary and its breeding has been revived in recent years.
Though mangalica meat is sligthly fatter than that of ordinary pig’s its fat contains higher portion of unsaturated fats than saturated fats which is good news for the health-conscious ones.

Apart from that mangalica meat is healthier it’s much more tasty, too. Nowadays more and more retailers recognise the marketing potential of mangalica products’ health benefits and consequently mangalica sausage, salami and other meat stuff cost much more than products made from ordinary pork meat, even though breeding of mangalica cost less due to its undemanding nature.

So visit the Mangalica Festival to have a taste of fried sausages, black pudding, pickles, Hungarian wines and pálinka, homemade jams and honey.

Sausage stuffing competition, cooking contest, craft fair and folk music are a few selections from the two-day program.

Admission is free. Find more info on the organiser’s website (though it’s only in Hungarian but the photos will surely whet your appetite).

No Comments »

As of 1st January 2008 you have to pay an entry fee to visit the permanent exhibitions of state owned museums in Hungary.

Before only the temporary exhibitions weren’t free. Larger museums however are going to offer certain discounts to keep up the enthusiasm of museum visitors experienced in the previous couple of years.

For example entry to the Museum of Fine Arts costs 1200 HUF but on every 3rd Saturday visitors under 26 and those who accompany someone under 18 can visit the museum for free.

Another good news is that by buying a ticket to one of the temporary exhibitions you’re entitled to see the permanent exhibitions of the museum.

Admission to other Budapest Museums:

• Hungarian National Gallery: 800 HUF and the museum offers the same discounts as the Museum of Fine Arts

• Hungarian National Museum: 1000 HUF

• Museum of Applied Arts: 800 HUF

Further discounts to museums: those between the age of 62 and 70 pay half of the entry fee, above the age of 70 admission is free

Admission is also free for children up to the age of 6, for the disabled and their escorts.

No Comments »

Hungarians are great at partying and the last day of the year is a good opportunity to wind out in the capital. Many cafes, pubs offer buffet dinner and live music or disco.

New Year’s Eve Party on the Vénhajó (Kossuth Museum Ship).

No doubt the most romantic way of New Years celebration is on a ship on the Danube.

A 3 course dinner offering mouthwatering selection of Hungarian culinary delights by candlelight, unlimited consumption of drinks (beer, wines, soft drinks, tea and coffee) and a spectacular music and dance show guarantee a memorable New Year’s Eve party in Budapest.

Though the places in the main room (restaurant) have already been sold out there are a limited number of places left in the pub and the saloon, where after watching the performaces in the restaurant you can have just as wonderful time as you would have in the main room (by the way if you prefer less crowd then these two rooms are perfect for you to celebrate New Year’s Eve).

Click to read more about New Year’s Eve Party on the Vénhajó (Kossuth Museum Ship).

Program: starts at 19.00 at the Kossuth Museum Ship on Belgrád rakpart.

Welcome drinks warm up the guests.

Then at 20.00 starts the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner.

At midnight champagne is served and you can enjoy more delicious food from the buffet.

Live Music Show, folklore program, and belly dancing provide for entertainment.

Price: 26 500 HUF/person

Book your New Year’s Eve Party on the Vénhajó here.

No Comments »