HUNGARY
Photo location: Eger from the college
Magyarország,
Currency: Hungarian Forint, Ft
Official Language: Hungarian
Scenic Drive• Day 6, Fri
Itinerary for May 2 7:00 Breakfast in hotel 8:00 Leave for Eger 10:00 Rest stop 12:15 Arrive Stratena, lunch together 2:00 Rest stop 5:45 Arrive in Eger 7:00 Hungarian family style dinner together Hotel: Hotel Ködmön Eger Our step count: 5,372
Helpful Phrases
Hello: Jó napot 🗣️ YO NAH‑pot Thank you: Köszönöm 🗣️KØ‑seh‑nœm Please: Kérem 🗣️ KEH‑rem CheersEgészségére 🗣️EH‑ge‑shay‑geh‑REH
Toasting Slovakia's Tatra-tastic Views
May 2
Tracing roots through the Tatras🗻
Today’s drive has us more than a little excited. We’re driving from Krakow into
Slovakia—retracing the footsteps of family history. Mark’s grandmother, Helen
(née Gildein), grew up in what was then L’ubica, Hungary—now in Slovakia’s
Kežmarok District. She often spoke of the Tatra Mountains, and today, we finally get to see them with our own eyes. Skimming so close to her hometown is a quiet, powerful connection to the past.
Our lunch stop at Ranch under Ostrá Skala brings an unexpected twist: a Western-themed ranch complete with teepees and cowboy décor. It may look like Texas, but the buffet is decidedly Central European—savory soup, assorted meats and cheeses, fresh fruits, and plenty of dessert to keep the journey sweet.
On to Hungary, where we settle into Hotel Ködmön on the outskirts of Eger—with time for a short stroll to explore the area’s unique wine caves carved right into the hillside. That evening, we gathered across the street at Ködmön Csárda for a hearty Hungarian family-style dinner with our merry band—kicking things off with a cheerful toast of local Eger wine.
On the trail of Tatras and family ties—Mark & Becky 🍷
Photo Mailbag
Our Day Delivered in Pixels
Kežmarok -
Helen's beloved Tatras
Helen Gildein,
of L'ubica, Slovakia.
The Tatra Mountains in the distance behind us.
Share Our Story
Eger’s “Share Our Story” is an open-ended invitation—
not just to see, but to taste history, feel its warmth,
and carry it forward in your own story.
Wine caves
Ködmön Csárda
served up more than dinner—it gave us a taste of Hungary’s heart.
Eger • Day 7
Itinerary for Sat., May 3 7:00 Breakfast 8:45 Bus to Eger Old Town 12:00 Visit local school 1:00 School canteen lunch 1:45 Depart Eger 2:00 Wine tasting 2:45 Depart for Budapest 5:45 Arrive in Budapest 6:45 Orientation walk 7:25 Dinner together Hotel: Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Our step count: 17,263
Helpful Phrases
Hello: Jó napot 🗣️ YO NAH‑pot Thank you: Köszönöm 🗣️KØ‑seh‑nœm Please: Kérem 🗣️ KEH‑rem CheersEgészségére 🗣️EH‑ge‑shay‑geh‑REH
Timeless Beauty of Eger
Morning of May 3—
Moved by the rhythm of tradition
This morning, we hopped on our coach and into Eger’s town center for a couple hours of
independent exploring. We began at the Basilica of St. John the Apostle, its grandeur
quiet at this early hour. Just across the square is the Catholic college, Eszterházy Károly, where were drawn
in by a surprise highlight: the stunning library, rich in both history and visual appeal. We soaked in the views from the roof-top, and then—to Mark’s delight—stepped inside the camera obscura, a curious old-world optical device. The engineer in him is fascinated. I, on the other hand, can’t help but imagine how many unsuspecting townspeople may have been spied on through this clever contraption! After our time of fascination, we wandered down a sunny pedestrian street and rewarded ourselves with a sweet pause—a scoop of gelato.
We rejoined the group for a short walk to a school, where we were warmly welcomed by Anita—a teacher who promised no tests today—and two students eager to practice their impressive English. To complete the school experience we enjoyed freshly made lunch in the school cafeteria—wholesome, homemade, and full of local flavor. Then the students treated us to a spirited Hungarian folk dance, a physically engaging tradition that clearly brought them joy. Though it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to our next destination—a wine tasting in the Eger region—we hopped on the bus and left the dancing to the students.
Today’s lessons: history is fascinating, gelato is essential, and Hungarian folk dancing is best enjoyed from a safe distance.
With a gelato in one hand and a camera in the other—Mark and Becky 🍦 📷
Photo Mailbag
Our Day Delivered in Pixels
St John the Apostle
Sacred. Silent. Stunning.
Eszterházy Károly Lyceum, history echoes through marble halls & frescoed ceilings
Through mirrors and magic, we watched Eger unfold in real-time, projected through the ingenious eye of the Camera Obscura.
Hmm,
there must be
a gelato shop somewhere!
A sample of
folk dancing
Soaking up stories at the local school.
Afternoon of May 3
Keeping spirits high & glasses higher
Our afternoon unfolded at the Juhász Winery in Hungary’s historic wine region.
Greeted by Etelka—a local ray of sunshine & spirited guide—we were introduced to
the rich heritage of Hungarian wine making. Among the many varieties from sweet to dry, we sampled the renowned Egri Bikavér, or “Bull’s Blood” a robust red blend steeped in legend. During the 1552 Siege of Eger, defenders fortified by red wine were rumored to have red stained beards, leading Ottoman forces to believe they were empowered by the blood of a bull. This legend inspired the wine’s name and symbolizes Hungarian resilience.
Beyond the wine, Etelka led us in a fun time of song and dance. The experience culminated in a tour of the cellars, where we tasted wines directly from the barrel—a true sensory delight. Then it was on the road again, with one rest stop, before arriving in Budapest to cap our day off with dinner together at Urban Betyár in the city center.
With a glass of Egri Bikavér in hand—
Mark and Becky 🍷
A Taste of Eger
Photo Mailbag
Our Day Delivered in Pixels
