Social & Optional Program
Official Social Programs
Icebreaker
Tuesday, 23 September 2014, 18:00-21:00
Included in registration/accompanying partner fee (Additional tickets available for 40 EUR)
Come together with your colleagues at the historical Castle Hill district and enjoy the view of illuminated Budapest. Refresh yourself after travelling with drinks and buffet dinner, and try to keep step with the Hungarian folk dancers!
Official Zoo Visit
Thursday, 25 September 2014, 15:30-19:30
Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden (H-1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6-12.)
Included in registration/accompanying partner fee (Additional tickets available for 40 EUR)
Departure: 15:00 from Hilton Budapest by bus
This afternoon gives you the opportunity to meet the staff of the host zoo and see the collection of over 1000 animal species as well as the botanical garden. Refreshments and light dinner will be served in various places in the zoo.
Farewell Party
Saturday, 27 September 2014, 19.00-23.00
Lázár Equestrian Park (2182 Domonyvölgy, Fenyő u. 47.)
Included in registration/accompanying partner fee (Additional tickets available for 65 EUR)
Departure: 18.00 from Hilton Budapest by bus
This evening excursion will take us to the picturesque Domony Valley, which is a developing agricultural and entertainment site approximately 35 km from Budapest. This valley features the neighbourhood of Gödöllő, an area of environmental protection. The nine hectares of this beautifully maintained farm is owned by the 12 time horse coach driving World Champion Lázár brothers, and features Hungarian heritage breeds such as the wooly racka sheep and the puli, the corded coated sheepdog. The welcoming atmosphere will feature horses, live music and the best of Hungarian hospitality, dishes and wine. A coach trip through the woods, a visit to the Lázár Equestrian Park and a horse show are all included.
Optional Tours
Budapest Bath Tour – Széchenyi Bath
Wednesday, 24 September 2014, 09.00-13.00
Price: 35 Euro/person (Minimum number of participants: 15 persons)
This tour is included in accompanies’ program!
Enjoy the Széchenyi Bath, the largest thermal bath in Europe, which is located in the city park of Budapest. The Széchenyi bath is supplied by two thermal water sources with a temperature of 23°C to 38°C. The bath was built in 1913 in Neo-baroque style and is named after István Széchenyi, a 19th century Hungarian politician, theorist and writer. The baths are accessible by foot and by public transportation. An English-speaking guide and entrance fees are included, please bring appropriate swim wear.
Departure: 09.00 from Hilton Budapest Hotel (conference venue)
Evening Danube Cruise & Dinner
Wednesday, 24 September 2014, 19.00-21.30
Price: 75 Euro/person (Minimum number of participants: 35 persons)
During this evening sightseeing tour on the River Danube, you will be welcomed with a drink and enjoy a light dinner served on the boat. During dinner a Hungarian jazz band plays the classics. The boat travels from Margaret Bridge, past the National Theatre and along the Palace of Arts, a truly unique way to enjoy the glittering sites of illuminated Budapest.
Departure: at 19.00 from Vigadó Square (Downtown-port)
Sightseeing tour with lunch at Grand Market Hall
Friday, 26 September 2014, 9:00-13.30
Price: 35 Euro/person (Minimum number of participants 15)
This tour is included in accompanies’ program!
A half-day sightseeing tour highlights the most attractive features of the capital city. The participants can visit the impressive House of Parliament where the Coronation Regalia can be seen, or the Hungarian State Opera House. The Central Market is a must see for anyone who enjoys the sights, sounds and smells of markets. There are almost 200 stalls on 3 levels, with cafes and restaurants on the top floor. There are stalls with fruit and vegetables, meats and sausages and plenty of souvenirs. In the basement is a supermarket for everyday needs. The 19th century architecture is worth the visit even if you are not a shopper. Transportation is by bus, English-speaking guide, entrance fees and lunch are included.
Departure: at 9.00 from Hilton Budapest Hotel (conference venue)
Pub Crawl
Friday, 26 September 2014, 20.00-23.00
Price: 30 EUR/person (Minimum number of participants: 20)
Join us for one of the most unique Budapest experiences, a visit to the famous ‘ruin pubs’ full of retro decor, strange furniture, and looping art house cinema. Regularly rated as some of the top bars in the world, these former tenements and disused public buildings have been turned into squatter’s pubs and entertainment spaces of the new wave. English-speaking guide, public transportation and limited drinks are included. Departure: at 20.00 from Hilton Budapest Hotel (conference venue)
Sign up for this tour during the conference at the registration desk until 15.00 on Friday, 26 September.
PRE/POST Conference Tours
Hungarian Meadow Viper Tour (Kiskunság National Park)
Tuesday, 23 September 2014, 8:30-16:30
Price: 50 EUR/person (Minimum number of participants: 10)
The Hungarian meadow viper Conservation Centre is the core of this EU Best Practice conservation project. The natural population of Hungarian meadow viper has decreased dramatically in recent years, painting a grim picture for the survival of this unique species. The captive breeding programme began with 10 animals in 2004, and after a decade of great success, the current population at the centre is 700 vipers; an incredible result when compared with the 500 adult vipers still living in the wild. Budapest Zoo is a proud partner of the Meadow Viper project. Read more on the official website www.rakosivipera.hu. Transportation by bus, English-speaking guide, entrance fee and lunch are included.
Departure: at 8:30 from Hilton Budapest Hotel (conference venue)
Lake Tisza Ecocenter Tour
Sunday, 28 September 2014, 8:00-18:00
Price: 55 EUR/person (Minimum number of participants: 15)
The new tourist complex by Lake Tisza was erected to collect and display the amazing nature and wildlife of the River Tisza valley and Lake Tisza, the second largest lake in Hungary. It offers a whole day programme with both permanent and temporary exhibitions, a 3D cinema, "A night in the forest" exhibition of reptiles and amphibians in terrariums, and a children's playroom themed to "enchanted water world". The eco-center’s lookout tower has the breathtaking panoramic view from its terrace in one direction to the lake and to Matra and Bukk mountains to the other. Without a doubt the greatest attraction is the largest freshwater aquarium facility in Europe, with a giant aquarium of 535 000 litres and an underwater tunnel of 7 metres long and weighing more than 4.5 tons. The main building is surrounded by a leisure park of 7 hectares featuring a zoo with indigenous animals such as golden jackals, traditional Hungarian sheep types, storks, cormorants and pelicans and an opportunity for fun rafting on wooden boats. Transportation by bus, English-speaking guide, refreshments and lunch are included.
Departure: at 8:00 from Hilton Budapest Hotel
Cancellation Policy of the Social & Optional Programs
and Tours
All the cancellations and changes must be sent to Conference Office (CongressLine Ltd) in written form. All refunds will be processed within 2 weeks (if all relevant data and information received in time). Please send your exact bank account details in the written cancellation.
Refund of the optional tours will be made as follows:
- 100% refund (minus an administrative fee of 15 Euro) - in case of cancellation received, before 15 July, 2014.
- No refund - in case of cancellation received, after 15 July, 2014.
- If the tour is not completed, the entire fee will be refunded.