Ópusztaszer is the cradle of Hungary. There you find the National Heritage Park of Hungarian folklore and equestrian history.

From 18th to 20th of May the 2nd Paddle Parade Horse festival will take place at the park. Event will also host the National Gallop qualifying rounds.

If you like horses, Ópusztaszer is the best place to be this weeend!

More info (click the event tab and roll down): hungary.com/opusztaszer

Events official page (only Hungarian): nyeregszemle.hu

Ópusztaszer's page (with infos in english): www.opusztaszer.hu

Sas Hill has a visitor center and trails in the museum-like nature of Buda's floras and faunas with rare species. Trails has now new resting benches.
Now they finished accessibility for wheelchairs and handed over a new panorama terrace, called the Green Terrace. New parking lot and bus parking places has been built. Heating in the off season solved with new boiler working with invasive plans cut out in the area.
The best new attractions is the petting zoo, where you can see Hungarian animals from close and may curess some of them. Several types of lizards, foxes, birds and badgers await the enquirers.

• professionalism specialized in creativity, thermal spas, unique gastronomy, based on the special know-how of Budapest, the thermal water capital of Europe,
• international global understanding,
• affordable living costs,
• international students’ community from more than 50 nations,
• and Fun!

In the 3rd semester of studies you can choose to either study abroad or obtain one of Cornell University’s “online certificates” (Certificate in Hospitality Management / Certificate in Hospitality Marketing / Certificate in Hotel Revenue Management). Cornell is one of the leading universities in the world in the field of hospitality management.
The most important deadline is that of the
Application: 15th June, 2012

Find information about the program here!
Application, and documentation here!
Have look on our International Studies Program’s (ISP) site!

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Palatinus Strand & Bath's new surf pool with artifical waves is incomperable in Mid-Europe. Margaret Island is in the middle of the capital, so if you arrive on a hot day, it's a good choice to go out to the plage!

On weekdays there are training hours with pro trainers. The pool is open for everybody while the Strand is open.

Click here for more info: Palatinus

The Budapest Amusement Park (Vidámpark) has a 170 year old history. Here’s Europe’s oldest and Europa Nostra awarded marry-go-round. The cave-train is also a protected national monument.

The new family fun Polip (octopus) with 40 seats will be available all through the year. Also new attraction the Gauswheel court, which is a Hungarian invented roller-monocycle-thing.

In the art relix hall of the marry-go-round new exhibitions will taking place.

From June you can enjoy night-rides every Friday and Saturday in extended opening hours until 2 a.m.

There will be a lot of discounts, and you are able to buy tickets online, which not only means you don’t have to stand in line, but you will get extras too.

For details, infos, and contact visit: www.vidampark.hu

Together with the existing Wizz Air service to London (starting as of 18 June 2012 and offering three weekly flights, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) these new routes will deliver approximately 100,000 passengers in the first year. London route has been popular among both business travellers and tourists and the two new services to Eindhoven and Milan will further contribute to the tourism of Eastern Hungary and be an important driver for economic growth in the region.

About Debrecen

With over 200.000 inhabitants, Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary. The city with county rank is the economic, educational, scientific and cultural centre with essential macro regional part in the eastern part of Hungary. It is one of the actual regional centres with complete competence. For long Debrecen has been the stronghold of Protestantism, which is why it is often called the “Calvinist Rome”. Today Debrecen is experiencing dynamic development and a renewing townscape. In the city centre spreading Mediterranean atmosphere and in the pleasant Nagyerdő (Great Forest) cosy cafés, tee-rooms, confectioneries and restaurants offering traditional local dishes and specialities await visitors.

Debrecen offers a wide range of programmes. It is a spot for numerous cultural, sports and gastronomic events such as Debrecen Flower Festival, Debrecen Spring and Autumn Festival, Debrecen Jazz Days, International Military Band Festival, Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, and Debrecen Turkey Days. These eventful festivals schedule concerts of classical music, jazz, pop and rock, exhibitions of fine arts, movies, theatrical performances and dance shows alike. In recent years such world stars have taken the stage in Debrecen as Jean Michel Jarre, George Duke, Lenny Kravitz, Iron Maiden or Branford Marsalis.

Hortobágy

Hortobágy, the largest contiguous protected area of the country became Hungary's first national park and as the only vast, contiguous grassland in Central Europe is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The unique flora and fauna, the living shepherd’s traditions and folk art of Hortobágy are considered as something unrivalled in Europe. Based on these traditions Hortobágy offers such unique programmes as the National Herdsmen’s Contest and Shepherds’ Meeting, the National Shepherd’s Dance Competition, the Hortobágy Equestrian Days with Shepherds’ Festival and the Bridge Fair that attract a great number of tourists from year to year.

Besides the rich cultural heritage and the unique natural environment the other main tourist attraction of the destination is thermal water. Debrecen is among those towns in Hungary that have classified hot medicinal water and as such is classified as a spa resort of high importance. Aquaticum Medical and Bathing Centre, situated in the heart of Great Forest, the leisure-time zone area of Debrecen, offers complex services including thermal baths, indoor swimming pool, outdoor pools, the indoor Mediterranean Pleasure Baths, a medical department, a wellness island, and a Thai massage centre.

Debrecen and Hortobágy have great potentials in cultural, health and eco tourism that make them one of the highly developing tourist destinations of Hungary and Eastern Europe. Due to its geographical situation there are many trip possibilities from Debrecen within an hour drive. Nyíregyháza, Tokaj and Eger are only a few of them.

Nyíregyháza
The cosy town close to the eastern border of Hungary is most well known for its Zooligal Park. The zoo is situated in a distance of 5 km from Nyíregyháza, in the holiday resort of Sóstó, in an area of almost 30 hectares, and as such is the largest one in the country. Visitors can walk around the park and observe nearly 3,500 animals of more than 300 species from all over the world.

Tokaj
The beautiful little town of Tokaj is situated at the foot of the northern mountain range of Hungary. It is the most famous historic wine region of the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique natural endowment and the world famous Tokaji wine.

Eger
A little further west can the historic city of Eger be found, famous partly for the emblematic red wine, the so-called Bull’s Blood of Eger, and partly for the medieval castle that became the symbol of Hungarians’ enduring fight against the Turkish army in the 16th century.

Read more about this region on Hungary.com

For further information about the flights and programmes please turn to TOURINFORM Debrecen (+36 52 412 250, debrecen@tourinform.hu) or visit www.gotodebrecen.com.

5-6 May
Surroundings including the Állatkerti street at the Zoo will of Museum of Fine Arts will be closed. Public transport won't be affected.

6-14 May
In the 5th destrict, Szabadság Square will be closed between Vécsey and Széchenyi street. Zoltán street between Szabadság square and Nádor street will be closed too. Direction of car traffic will turn around on Vécsey street for this time. The entry to the underground garage won'be affected.

8 May from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In the 14th destrict the area bordered with Damjanich street, Dembinszky street and square of '56ers will be the last place for filming. Car parking will be restricted from 7th of May. In the traffic of Dózsa György street tie ups are possible.

Map by: www.bkk.hu

The Gault&Millau tested 329 restaurants, 110 wineries and 407 hotels in Hungary. They found out the best two restaurants in Hungary are the Costes and Onyx (both 17 points = 3 hats) which also have Michelin stars.

The 2 hat restaurants:
Mák Bisztró, Budapest – 2 hats (16 points)
Csalogány 26 Restaurant, Budapest – 2 hats (15 points)
Nobu, Budapest – 2 hats (15 points)

14 points restaurants (1 hat):
Alabárdos étterem, Budapest
Aranyszarvas vendéglő, Budapest
Bock bisztró, Budapest
Borkonyha, Budapest
Boscolo Salon, Budapest
Chateau Visz, Visz
Fausto’s Ristorante, Budapest
Laci! Konyha!, Budapest
Olimpia étterem, Budapest
Ráspi vendéglő, Fertőrákos
Hotel Hertelendy Katély, Kutas
JT Enoteca, Pécs

13,5 points restaurants (1 hat):
Arany Kaviár étterem, Budapest

13 points restaurants (1 hat):
Baraka étterem, Budapest
Brill bisztró, Békéscsaba
Café Pierrot, Budapest
Gresham Hotel, Budapest
Jankovich Kúria Hotel, Rácalmás
Kistücsök étterem, Batalonszemes
La Plaza Iberostar Hotel, Budapest
Mandula étterem, Villány
Villa Medici, Veszprém

Italic type means after the rating the chef's person changed, so the quality may differ in the future.

The Gault&Millau guide awailable in larger bookstores from 27th of April.

Official Guilt&Millau Hungarian page: gaultmillau.hu

1. Visual Art exhibition:

Animation exhibition
Moving pictures made by Ferenc KOVÁCS, designer and programmer. The subjects inspired by the pictures are a mixture of spectacular drawings, animations, design styles and ambiances generated and projected by computerised technology. With the application of visual technology, the projection of the pictures starts already in the entrance, and goes along the stairs and the alleys, as we make our way up to the Water Tower. Visitors can see waterfalls, swimming fish and other water-related motives made visible and enjoyable by the projector.

2. and 3. Exhibition of Mark MERVAI

Budapest 360 degrees view
His Budapest photo exhibition featuring the beautiful works. Both the inside and the outside of the popular and spectacular buildings, as well as the natural values of Budapest can be viewed on the floors of Water Tower, many of Budapest's famous landmarks and attractions, including the Parliament Building, the Budapest Opera House and even the roof of the New York Café. His photos also capture panoramic views of Budapest.

Margaret Island and Water Tower
The way of the photographer sees it! The wonderful Margaret Island and Water Tower!
Mark Mervai’s photos capture the natural beauty of Margaret Island and Water Tower.

4. and 5. Exhibition of Marcell JANKOVICS
The illustrated ensemble of the two widely successful movies of Marcell Jankovics, the masterpieces of Hungarian cycle of legends and Hungarian literature

Az ember tragédiája (The Tragedy of Man) and Ének a csodaszarvasról (Song of the Miraculous Hind)
These two works of him, now can be viewed in the form of projected images.

The Direction is the Margaret Island!

Further information
Opening hours (from May to October): Daily from 11:00 AM to 22:00 PM
During the Budapest Summer Festival, on the days of theatre shows, especially for audience members: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Admission:
Adults: HUF 1,400
Children/Seniors: HUF 800 (free entry for kids under 6)
Groups: HUF 1,200 per person for groups of more than 10 people
Entry for minors under 6 is free of charge.
Free entry for pre-school and elementary school students with a maximum of two accompanying adults. Please call in advance for appointment.

Discounts:
Budapesti Nyári Fesztivál Kedvezménykártya (Budapest Summer Festival Loyalty Card) 20%.
Further information about the loyalty card: www.szabadter.hu
We accept traveller's cheque, SZÉP Card, Budapest Card, culture vouchers.

Ticket purchase:
In the local ticket office (Tel.: 0036-1 / 340-4196)
More information online: www.szabadter.hu

Provisions related to operation and visit:
Entry, walking and taking the stairs in the Water Tower at own risk!
Minors under 12 years of age can only visit the building, if accompanied by an adult.

Getting to the Water Tower:
Take Tram No. 4 or 6 to Margaret Bridge (the stop is in the middle of the bridge, where it branches off to Margaret Island) then take Bus No. 26 to Szabadtéri Színpad‎.
By ship: www.mahart.info

The centre built on 2600 squaremeter involves a 1 million liters freshwater aquarium which is now the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. But it's not just a usual eco park but also a trainingcenter, with interactive programs and a 3D movie room. They wish to cooperate with schools and universities from all over the country to organize learning-trips for students. The complex also has a high-tech, 100 seats conference hall for science meetings and presentations.

Opening hours: every day 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For basic infos click here!

Official page (only Hungarian yet): www.tiszataviokocentrum.hu

The 1.6 km long racetrack will take place between St. Stephen Basilica and Parliament. Button will drive 3 rounds and Hungarian television channel M1 will broadcast the event live on tv. The happening starts at 2 p.m. on Tuesday (1st of May).

Before Button on this weekend organizers awaits visitors from every age, families and children on the Kossuth Square, Erzsébet Square and Fashion Street with interactive cart driving possibility, racing car exhibition, including a real McLaren car in front of the Parliament and more other programs.

Details and map: Vodafone Weekend

Jenson Button official page: www.jensonbutton.com

Photo: © www.fiawtcc.com

The 2012 FIA WTCC will be visiting twelve different countries over four continents, from Europe to Africa before moving to Americas, including the series’ first visit to the USA on November 23 at California’s Infineon Raceway, and finally ending with three events in Asia. On 5-6th of May the race will take place in Hungaroring, Hungary.

The official WTCC applications for smart-phones are free to download and are a must-have for fans who want to catch up with all the latest news from the WTCC.

Address: Hungaroring / Hungary / 2146 Mogyoród

Ticket prices:
to auditorium: 3000 HUF / person / weekend
with access to paddock are: 3000 HUF / person / day

Offical Page: www.fiawtcc.com

Hungaroring's site and tickets: www.hungaroring.hu

Dowload timetable here.

9th National Pottery and Ceramics Festival and Exhibition
at Göcseji Village Museum
Program: works of potters and ceramists from all over Hungary and Transylvania, floklore
More info: Pottery and Ceramics Festival
Entry fee: 600 HUF / adult; 300 HUF / senior; 1200 HUF / family

Photo: www.zmmi.hu

This year jury judged 1120 distillate samples from 10 countries, which is a new record in the history of Gyula's Pálinka Festival. Jury had members from Slovakia, Serbia, Romania and Austria beside the Hugnarian experts.

The overall winner was the Tuzséri Pálinka Manufaktúra distillery's William's Pear Pálinka. This one won the World Cup and became Hungary's Best Pálinka also.

Photo: www.beol.hu

And the Gran Prix winners:
Best Pálinka distilled by rent: Irsai Pomace 2011 by Tibor Lakatos.
Best Pálinka distilled in private: Izabella Grape 2011 by István Gyenesei.
World Cup fo the best Strong Distillate: Sour Cherry - Meteor 2011 by Zsolt Óvári.
Hungary's Best Strong Pálinka: Quince 2011 by Magyar Talléros Pálinkafőzde.
Hungary's Best Traditional, Kisüsti Pálinka: Irsai Pomace 2011 by Tibor Lakatos.
Viewer's Choice Award: Nostalgia Quince by Destilerija Zaric-Kosjeric VUMO doo Beograd.

Click here for the full list of the winners and champions!

Hard Rock Cafe Budapest is located inside the Váci shopping and entertainment center. The building has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO and is a historic, protected monument. The cafe size is 1097 square meter over 4 levels, plus an outdoor dining area in the spring and summer. The famous Rock Shop is located on the ground floor, as you walk into the building.

The main restaurant, bar, kitchen and the performance stage are all on the 1st floor and can accommodate approximately 160 people. The top floor accommodates 60 people and provides stunning views of Vörösmarty Square and Váci street.

Address: 1051 Budapest, V. district, Deák Ferenc street 3-5. (Vörösmarty square)

For opening hours and other informations go to www.hardrock.com!

Open Cellar Days start on 26th of May and finishes on 28th of May. During these 3 days, cellars waiting for visitors from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This is a good chance for winelovers to taste local wines where they’ve been made. Opportunity to talk with the master of the winery, listen to their stories, look behind the scenes and explore traditional wine cellars and properties one after another, all day long.

Wine-tasting accompanied with Hungarian dishes. Lot of wineries have own restaurants or kitchen, where they offer traditional food fits to their wines.

Nevertheless this is mainly a Hungarian event, all the tourist, and foreign winelovers are welcome. Some wineries generally have English guided tours and wine-tastings. But enjoying wine is international, isn’t it!

Here’s the map of the wineries of Open Cellar Days: