Excursion day

September 5, 2003 (Friday) 9.00-22.00     Full day guided excursion by coach. Route: Budapest-Szentendre-Visegrád-Esztergom-Budapest     The excursion will include a visit to the medieval castle and the Royal Palace of Visegrád. Visegrád is a small historic town, approx. 50 km north of Budapest. The castle of Visegrád, perched on a hilltop, overlooks the beautiful landscape at the Danube Bend. The castle was one of the strongholds of King Matthias, a legendary personality in Hungarian history. At the foot of the Castle Hill, the once lavish Renaissance palace of King Matthias is being systematically rebuilt from the ruins, with complete sections of the palace being restored, evoking its past splendor.     In the afternoon, the excursion will continue in the town of Esztergom, also overlooking the river Danube. Esztergom is most famous for its basilica, the largest of its kind in Hungary. Esztergom is the seat of the Hungarian Cardinal, the highest position of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary.     Time and weather permitting, a short stroll in the picturesque small town of Szentendre will be also included, with a visit to a local arts museum.     The day will close with a sumptuous dinner, including a folklore dance performance, and the participants will return to the hotels in the late evening hours.