Hungary

Despite being a landlocked country, Hungary is full of dazzling rivers, serene lakes and even its very own inland sea, Lake Balaton. Hungarians and tourists alike travel in droves to these beautiful spots for a day of recreation and relaxation. Hungarian culture also places a huge emphasis on mineral spas as it is home to over 1,000 hot springs running beneath its surface including the thermal Lake Hévíz. The stunning Danube River divides the country in two, flowing directly from the north to the south, bisecting Hungary’s iconic capital city, Budapest.

An absolute treasure trove of landmarks, both sides of Budapest can hold their own in Europe’s most impressive architecture. Buda boasts grandiose neoclassical buildings and the Unesco World Heritage Site, Castle Hill, that holds some of Hungary’s most crucial medieval monuments. Directly across the Danube River, the party district that is Pest contains a large helping of ornamental art nouveau architecture including what is considered to be the most important church in Hungary, the Szent István.

Food also plays a vital role in Hungarian culture, with many arguing that their cuisine contends with some of the best in Europe. The nomadic Magyar people depend on their livestock and thus locally produced meat is a must in Hungarian cuisine. Hungary has held the reputation of a food hub since the late 19th century, with many Magyars even arguing that there were only three important world cuisines: Chinese, French and their own. For those travelling to Hungary, we recommend taking a strong appetite with you as the Hungarians are notorious for their large portion sizes.

A rich folk heritage still thrives throughout the country with many customs being kept alive by small local communities and even modern city residents. From intricate folk paintings within churches and historical buildings to the charming folk music heard at táncházak (a classic Hungarian folk dance event), the exquisite black pottery of Mohács to the embroidery of the women from Hollókő, there are so many fascinating traditions that all have their own stories to tell.

With over 60 unique experiences on offer, Gifting Owl is a one-stop-shop for anyone with a friend or family member travelling to or living in Hungary. If your giftee is Hungary bound, it is without a shadow of a doubt that they will be stopping in at Budapest at some point on the journey. Gifting Owl has a plethora of Budapest options available so you can find a perfectly suitable experience for your special giftee. For the serious foodies, look no further than the four-hour Buda Food Walk Tour. Your giftee will be eating, shopping and drinking like a local as a guide takes them to some incredible off-the-beaten-track spots in Buda. Alternatively, the Budapest Sweet & Coffeehouse Walk Tour has proven to be an excellent tour for the giftee with a sweet tooth. If your giftee happens to be a self-proclaimed wine connoisseur, we highly recommend the Budapest Fine Wines & Ruin Bars Tour. Get your giftee familiarised with some of Hungary’s world-renowned wines as they are guided through Budapest’s stylish wine bars, funky pubs and underground hangouts.

For the architecture lover, try the Budapest's Art Nouveau tour, a three-hour walk with a historian. This tour explores Budapest’s distinctive and elegant take on Art Nouveau by visiting the finest examples of this specific style, including the buildings designed by the founding father of Hungarian Secession Ödön Lechner. Another highly recommended experience would be the slightly faster-paced Budapest City Bike Tour. This adventurous tour will have guests riding through both sides of the Danube city, stopping only for Budapest’s most magnificent sites!

A more relaxing yet equally exciting sightseeing tour would have to be the Budapest City Tour With Gellert Spa Experience. After discovering all of the cities most important landmarks and sites with an informative guide by their side, your giftee will get to unwind at the famous Gellert Thermal Bath. Decorated with mosaic tiles and containing water from Gellert Hill’s mineral hot springs, this is the ultimate way to end your day. To see the extensive range of experiences available, visit GiftingOwl.com.

Gifting Owl has got you covered for unforgettable Hungary experiences no matter what kind of gift recipient you are buying for. All Gifting Owl vouchers are fully interchangeable so your gift can't go wrong. Happy gifting!