Escape the hustle and bustle of Budapest on a full-day tour of Lake Balaton’s northern shores. Following a pick-up from your hotel in the city center, transfer to the historic city of Veszprém, home of Hungarian queens and the famous Herend Porcelain Manufactury. Since its founding in 1826, the luxury, hand painted porcelain producer has served aristocratic customers throughout Europe, including Queen Victoria and Princess Kate. Next, stroll around the popular yachting town of Balatonfüred. See 19th-century villas, such as Horváth House, Jókai, Vaszary, and Blaha Villa. Take a walk along the Tagore Sétány promenade, named in honor of Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali polymath who was treated in Lake Balaton in 1926. Go to the Kossuth Thermal Spring at the State Hospital of Cardiology that put Balatonfüred on the map. Visit a wine museum to learn about wine’s new frontier, and see the handsome mansion of Széchenyi Castle in nearby Nagycenk. Discover the scenic beauty of the Tihany Peninsula (now on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites), and see the 11th-century Benedictine Abbey on a steep winding road.

Marvel at the beauty of the lake on a scenic, 10-minute ferry ride to Tihany peninsula. Upon arrival, experience the beauty of the peninsula up close. Thanks to the special attributes of its landscape, its geological idiosyncrasies, its diverse flora and fauna, it was the first designated protected area in Hungary. On its smaller hill, a church and a monastery were founded as early as nine centuries ago. The tour includes a visit to the most famous abbey of Hungary, as well as to Balatonfüred, the capital of the northern shore. Balatonfüred was always beloved by artists and writers and for good reason; the pretty promenade and beautiful villas and mansions will very likely steal your heart. While there, your guide will show you one or two totally off-the-beaten-track treasures of the region. At the end of the day, you will be driven back to your hotel in Budapest.

Enjoy a lovely day trip from Budapest to the beautiful Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in all of Europe. Continue the tour to the famous Herend Porcelain manufacturer, where the renowned, hand-painted porcelain is produced. Enjoy an interior tour and get acquainted with the  production process before enjoying some free time and a memorable coffee break using the original Herend porcelain cups. Continue the tour with a short drive to the Tihany Peninsula, the first Hungarian nature reservation area. Pay a visit to the stunning 1000-year-old Benedictine Abbey and enjoy the fantastic panoramic views from the promenade, before making your way to a nearby restaurant to enjoy your lunch under the grape vines (optional). On the way, stop briefly at folk art shops to admire some hand-made arts and crafts products. On your return journey to Budapest, stop in at the very first Spa and Holiday Resort of Hungary in Balatonfüred.