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July 20, Monday – Budapest

We arouse your taste buds, eyes and ears.

• Arrival of Participants at the Hostel
• Some Hungarian specialties
• City view from Peak Citadella
• Welcome Party
  

July 21, Tuesday – Budapest

Get ready for a crazy rally on the top of Budapest!

• Visiting Normafa
• Ice-breaking games
• City rally in the Buda Castle
• Party at Szimplakert; Romkert

July 22, Wednesday - Budapest

Understand and pronounce: “Egy meggy mag meg még egy meggy mag.”

• Guided tour on Andrássy Street (Opera, St. Stephen's Basilica, Heroes’ Square, ,,Little Underground”)
• Picnic at City Park
• Hungarian language lesson
• Party at Cha Cha Cha

July 23, Thursday - Optional Program: Szentendre

Smells like than Hungarian spirit

• Trip to Szentendre
• Free time
• Riverside-games
• Party at Morrison’s.

July 24, Friday – Budapest

Has Franz Ferdinand also relaxed in a Hungarian spa?

• Games and relaxing at Margaret Island
• Visit to the Parliament
• Visit to Budapest Market Hall
• Free time and shopping in the Váci street
• Night bath at Rudas fürdő – spa

July 25, Saturday- Balaton, Siófok

The Hungarian Sea isn’t salty

• Travelling to Siófok, the capital of Lake Balaton
• Beach activities, relaxing
• Grill at the beach
• Beach Party

July 26, Sunday – Balaton, Tihany

In search of Tihany-echo

• Boat trip to Tihany
• Sightseeing in Tihany
• Returning to Siófok
• European Night I., beach party

July 27, Monday – Balaton→Austria

Nothing changes until something changes

• Breakfast
• Travelling to Wien, Austria

FAQs

1. How to organize my travel to Hungary?
If you are planning to fly here is the list of all companies, which operates flights to Budapest: http://www.bud.hu/english/flights/airlines
If you would like to come by train, the following site could help you to find the best option (unfortunately without information of the prices): Deutsche Bahn
And the link for buses: www.eurolines.com

2. How can I get from the airport the center?

You have 2 ways:
You can take the bus number 200, get off at the terminal Kőbánya Kispest. There, take the metro, which will take you to the center (in this case you will need 2 tickets).
You can take a taxi: we have now fix rates for a ride from the airport to the center, and it will cost you about 4500 HUF, 18 EURs to go anywhere in the city. Taxis you will find them in front of the airport.
3. How is the transportation? How much is a ticket?

We have metros, buses, trams. One ticket is 290 Forints, and be careful: this is only valid for one ride on any kind of transportation! If you need to change, you have to use another ticket! There are quite a lot of controllers, especially in metro stops, so we would advise you to buy a ticket.

heck the following website:http://www.bkv.hu/english/jegyinfo2009/index.html
4. Where can I buy a ticket?

You can buy a ticket at metro stations or at some kiosks, and you will find some machines too- but they are not so reliable. You can also buy them on the airport bus from the bus driver.

5.What is the currency?

We pay with Hungarian Forint, and 1 EUR costs about 280 Forints (check: www.xe.com). Be careful where you change your money, always check the rate! There are lots of changing offices and ATMs everywhere, and you can pay by card in almost every shop, but not in pubs!
6. What are the prices like?

Some examples, so you can see:
one beer in a shop: 300 HUF

one beer in a disco: 500 HUF

one pizza: 1100 HUF

normal meal/menu in a restaurant: 800-1200 HUF
half a liter of juice: 250 HUF

7. Anything else?....

feel free to ask us!

A little taste

A film we made to set the mood. Enjoy :)

First impressions

Just to get some senses of this beautiful country, Hungary... Here we go!

Introduction

Dear AEGEE people,

this is the official blog of Summer University 2009, Budapest-Vienna, called Retro Monarchy: Rewrite history!

Just to recall the most important information:
SU Date: 20 July - 03 Aug 2009

Places you want to know more about:
Budapest: We'll meet you first in Budapest, a city blessed with vibrant cultural heritage, unforgettable Hungarian dishes (and girls), and a fascinating riverbank! Budapest, the capital of Hungary, lies in the centre of the Carpathian Basin, divided by the river Danube into the hilly Buda and the flat Pest. A visit in Budapest is a must for everybody as it is fun, cultural education and excitement in one trip. During its long history it was destroyed and rebuilt innumerable times and it still renews and transforms itself from day to day, greeting visitors with ever more to see. Each era has left behind its mark, but the city has managed to maintain its magic and charm. The past and the present live together in this exciting, bustling city, a mood equally amazing to visitors and those who live here.

Balaton:Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, is the place where many generations spent their vacation and almost every family has a weekend house on its shore. Many towns, such as Siófok, Keszthely, Tihany, Hévíz... are famous for their night -and cultural- life. On a summer night, the streets fill with the fever of the partying youth, who head towards the shore in lines to join the craziness of the grooves on the Beach House, the various concerts and party places. To sum up, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary that you can enjoy for 2 days. The water is smooth and warm, ideal for swimming or just lie on the beach to get a nice tan– so bring your swimming suits! Moreover, you can enjoy the famous Hungarian cuisine and you can try yourself as a chef, as well!

Vienna:Vienna is different – that´s the cities official slogan … the Austrian capital was 2oo8 rated as the city with the 2nd best living quality of 218 cities worldwide. Reaching from classical to modern architecture, Vienna is most of all famous for its long tradition of art and music: dancing the Viennese waltz, visiting operas and the yearly opera ball, theaters, classical music and many impressive museums as in the museum quarter - where a great number of people enjoy long summernights in an artistic open-air atmosphere. Truly, Vienna deserves it´s classified name: the “city of music”. To mention, last but not least, another adorable fact: one of Vienna´s partner cities is Budapest!:)

Krems:Another lovely pearl along the Danube river is the city of Krems, situated approximately 70 km west of Vienna. In former times Krems was inhabited by almost as many people as Vienna, while today it is mostly attracting visitors for a walk through the charismatic old town and enjoying some relaxing moments with a glass of local wine in the idyllical nature. More and more the city is established as a cultural attraction, hosting famous events such as the danube festival and furthermore offers an exceptional range of museums.

Travel Information:
Coming to Budapest:
* If you are planning to fly here is the list of all companies, which operates flights to Budapest: http://www.bud.hu/english/flights/airlines
* If you would like to come by train, the following site could help you to find the best option (unfortunately without information of the prices): Deutsche Bahn
* And the link for buses: http://www.eurolines.com
Going home:
* After the TSU you can also leave from Vienna airport.

Have a nice day!