Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Danube,” Budapest is majestically situated astride the Danube River and is a quintessential European capital. We never tire of returning to this gem of a city, so rich in culture and history. There is always something new to discover.
The city of Liszt and Bartók, Budapest showcases classical concerts of the highest quality, with the world’s most talented conductors, singers and musicians performing at acclaimed venues. The Music Academy, founded by Liszt himself, is one of the most important concert venues in the city and is complemented by the recently renovated Hungarian State Opera and the multi-venue Palace of Arts. Budapest is simply overflowing with music, opera and concerts and has an abundance of excellent museums. Added to that are the city’s historically important Jewish Quarter featuring the breathtaking Dohany Street Synagogue, elaborate 19th-century coffee houses, and an enviable heritage of Art Nouveau and Neo-classical architecture. Relax at one of the many thermal baths and spas fed by over 100 natural hot springs throughout the city. And don’t forget to enjoy the delicious Hungarian food and pastries! |
DAILY COACHING BY MEMBERS OF OUR SUPERB FACULTY
Our faculty is comprised of outstanding performing artists who combine concert careers as chamber players with a dedication to teaching. They are passionate about sharing their expertise in an encouraging and supportive manner to help you achieve your individual musical goals.
The program includes a MASTERCLASS focusing on topics to improve your skill level and refine your understanding for playing chamber music.
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You'll also have the opportunity to schedule private lessons
with our faculty members! |
MUSICAL HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
Familiarize yourself with central Budapest on this private guided walking tour that focuses on history, architecture, legends and stories based on Budapest’s classical music heritage. We’ll have a guided tour of the spectacular Art Nouveau interiors at the Liszt Music Academy -- built in 1907 and richly embellished with Zsolnay porcelain and frescoes, this is the heart of musical life in Budapest with its magnificent orchestra and recital halls. We’ll also visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Pesti Vìgadó, another splendid example of 19th-century architecture, where Johann Strauss (both elder and younger) and Ferenc Erkel performed several times. |
VISIT BUDAPEST'S HISTORIC JEWISH QUARTER
This walking tour will take us through the old streets that were the center of vibrant life for the Jewish community in Budapest. The highlight of this tour is the Dohány Synagogue and the National Jewish Museum. Built in 1859, this is the world’s second-largest synagogue (the largest in Europe) and is still in use by Budapest’s Jewish community today. The architecture has striking Byzantine and Moorish elements; the interior is vast and ornate, with two balconies and the unusual presence of an organ. The National Jewish Museum is inside the Synagogue complex – the four-room museum is devoted to the long history of Jews in Hungary. Displays include Sabbath and holiday items (including some gorgeous examples of Herend Passover plates) and ritual and everyday artifacts. We’ll also visit a number of smaller synagogues, including the Rumbach Street Synagogue, and the Orthodox Synagogue in Kazinczy Street. During the tour we’ll have an opportunity to taste the delicious Hungarian Jewish cake called flódni of 3 or 4 layers filled with walnut, apple and poppyseed – sometimes supplemented with plum jam. |
TOUR AND TASTINGS AT BUDAPEST'S CENTRAL MARKET HALL
This two-hour market and food tour at Budapest’s largest and oldest market is a guided stroll through all three levels of the Central Market Hall and includes sampling the gastronomic delights of Hungary. Taste a mouth-watering array of foods such as lángos, Hungarian stew, potato paprikash, chocolate, and strudel. We'll also visit the section of the market which showcases the rich Hungarian heritage and culture through embroidery, porcelain, clothing and artisan crafts. This tour feels like a pleasant walk with local friends, tasting delicious local foods and learning about the local culture from our professional guide. |
PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR OF THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING
The Hungarian Parliament Building took 20 years to build and has 691 rooms; not to be missed are the great and ornate meetings halls, a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantine architecture. Standing proudly on the banks of the Danube and visible from almost any riverside vantage point, the Parliament has been, from its beginnings in 1902, one of Budapest’s most prominent buildings. Built at a time of extreme optimism and national purpose, the building was intended to be one of the world’s great houses of parliament, and it remains one of the largest state buildings in Europe. We’ll finish the afternoon at the Szamos Café for pastry and coffee; there is also a Chocolate Museum on the first floor of the café. |
RELAX AND RECHARGE AT THE FAMOUS SZECHENYI THERMAL SPA, a breathtakingly beautiful and historic thermal spa complex, built between 1909 and 1913. With 18 thermal pools (15 indoor and 3 outdoor; all at different temperatures) plus saunas and steam baths, it is one of the largest spas in Hungary. It's quite a sight to watch the locals playing chess on floating boards! The warm medicinal water comes from a natural source and is known for its healthy and healing effects.
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Visit to Gödöllő Royal Castle
Considered the Hungarian equivalent of the Palace of Versailles, Gödöllő Royal Castle was built in the 1760s and then enlarged for Emperor Franz Joseph, soon becoming the favorite summer residence of the royal family, especially of Empress Elizabeth (“Sisi”) who loved spending her time here. The palace has a double U-shape and it is surrounded by a huge park; it also includes a fascinating Baroque theater that was built between 1782 and 1785. |
Guided Visit at the Museum of Fine Arts with Private Chamber Music Concert
The origins of the museum’s collection date from 1870 when the Hungarian state bought a magnificent collection of paintings from the Esterházy family, an enormously wealthy noble family which had spent centuries amassing works of art. It is one of the great collections of Central Europe and contains Italian paintings from the 14th century up to the Baroque period, including works by Titian, Correggio, Tiepolo and Tintoretto. There are also works by Goya, El Greco and Raphael. In addition, there is an extensive collection of 19th and 20th-century French paintings. Our visit will also include a private chamber music performance. |
Visit to the Herend Porcelain Factory with Porcelain Painting Workshop
At the center of artistic porcelain production in Hungary, Herend Porcelain operates today as the world’s largest porcelain manufactory. Balancing tradition and innovation, the craftsman and artists pass on its 19th-century traditions into the 21st century. We’ll learn about the specific elements of porcelain production then learn from master instructors and artists about artistic decoration and the stages in the porcelain painting process. |
Guided Tour of the Roman Aquincum Site
Aquincum was a major Roman city situated in the Pannonia province, within the current city limits of Budapest. It was founded after the Romans conquered the land from a Celtic tribe that had lived in the area since 400 B.C. The largest part of Aquincum was built between the second and third century. Visitors can stroll through the city’s streets and observe the city’s temples, shops, houses and thermal baths. The ruins include certain surprises like a stone tile with a sewer grate built into it, an underground central heating system, mosaic-covered thermal baths and a market-place. The Aquincum Museum features historic Celtic and Roman artifacts, including some excellent examples of statues and mosaics. |