Days 3 & 4 - Lots to see and do

DAY 3 - The group traveled from Eger to Nagyrede to Szilvasvarad and back to Eger. Today the group visited Bukk Naytional Park, north of Eger. Established in 1976, it is the largest national park in Hungary and 97% of the area is wooded. Before heading to the park, the group visited the National Lipizzaner Horse Stud Farm to see these magnificent horses up close and personal. The breeding of Lipizzaner horses in Hungary began in the early 1800s. The group was carried around town in carriages pulled by Lipizzaner horses and to the train station for a train ride up in to the forested national park.

A picnic lunch of trout (each group member grilled their own) provided the impetus and energy to walk the 40 to 60 minutes back down the mountain side in the early afternoon. Back to Eger for a free late afternoon and time spent touring on their own, the sites and sounds of Eger, the county seat and archbishop's residence, rich in historical monuments and cultural sights. 

The group wrapped up the day with their last evening dinner in Hungary. Lots to see and do - with very full days.

DAY 4 Eger - Nagyrede - Zsambok - Budapest. Today saw the group take in another winery, associated with an agricultural college program, in a region predominantly known for its white wines. Then on to Zsamboki Biokert, an organic vegetable farm located in Zsambok. This small farm produces organic produce for market in Budapest, the local community and to be sold through their community shared agriculture program.

Lunch at the farm was a starter, salad and vegetable stew, all prepared outside with produce from the farm. Then on to the King's Palace near Budapest for a short stop before arriving at the train station for their overnight (approximately 16 hour) trip to Bucharest, Romania.