Budapest is a vibrant city with its own particular hum often equated with Paris. Standing at the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe, the city remains an unstoppable force straddling the River Danube. Therma springs provide therapeutic waters, boutique shops demonstrate a mix of contemporary high-end clothing and traditional artisan goods. 

When you arrive at the airport, your Workation representative will meet you and take you to your accommodations, where you can find the modern amenities you need for a successful Hungary Workation. You can take a walk along the Inner City for an introduction to Budapest, where shops offer window displays showcasing upscale and opulent clothes, and restaurants, as well as elegant cafes fill the night with the smells of sweet paprika or celery sweet. 

Focus: When you arrive in your new accommodations, get settled by taking five slow deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body.

Suggestion: You can get acquainted with Budapest’s culinary charisma in the Inner City district by visiting one of the Michelin-starred restaurants, which can give you an incredible experience for a fraction the cost if visited back home.  

With a full day to explore and experience Budapest, you can tour with a guide to learn the spirit of the city and true significance of the particular monuments. You can start by exploring Pest, one of the two larger divisions of the city eventually reaching the unmissable Parliament Building. The stunning example of eclectic architectural styles offers a grand edifice featuring 691 rooms. 

The main staircase can make the first impressive impression with gilded and marbled features before you reach Dome Hall. The Crown of St Stephen remains on display as one of the most important national icons, featuring Byzantine art among the golden adornments. For a fantastic view of Pest and the hills, you can climb to the top of St Stephen’s Basilica watching the city from the rooftops. 

Focus: During your tour of the city, focus on mindful walking by paying attention to the sensation of your feet touching the ground and the movement of your body.

Suggestion: In St Stephen’s Basilica, don’t miss the beautiful artifacts inside the treasury or the mummified hand of the saint. 

Your first day of work in Budapest will give you the opportunity to create your own ritual. The right ritual for you will combine routine and intention, to help focus your mind on the work at hand wherever you are in the world. You can also create a routine to help you disconnect from work at the end of the day. 

Once you have completed your projects, you can visit Buda and the iconic castle. The historic neighborhood emerges from the edge of Liberty Bridge and the banks of the Danube River. Buda Castle crowns the hillside as the central court where Hungarian kings ruled over their kingdom. View the neo-Gothic fountain and visit the tended gardens to feel as though you’ve entered an oasis outside of the city. The castle foundations date back to the 13th century but feature more neo-Baroque design with an interior hosting over 200 rooms. The massive dome stands more than 200 feet tall, looming high above the grounds as you visit the south wall to see the medieval fortifications and remains of Turkish tombstones. 

Focus: As you visit Buda, take a moment to really listen to sounds around you without thinking about where they are coming from or what they mean.

Suggestion: For a great view of the river and some of Budapest’s history, you can walk along the Fisherman’s Bastion. 

With another day of work, you can practice your ritual once more to become familiar with the tradition you are putting in place to start and end the workday. You did not get lost in the maze of grottoes, fountains, and columns known as Buda Labyrinth the previous day, which gives you plenty of time and opportunity to stroll Andrassy Avenue. 

Start your walk along the long stretch of street passing over the world’s second-oldest subway. Renaissance buildings and palaces frame the wide and elegant street passing Deschler Palace and the opera house as you make your way to Heroes Square. The Millennium Monument crowns the plaza with statues featuring the seven Magyar chiefs. 

Focus: Take a two-minute break from your work to stretch your body, focusing on the sensation of each stretch.

Suggestion: If you have not yet tried the goulash, your Workation representative can tell you the best places in the city to enjoy the traditional dish known for its flavorful combination of onions, chopped beef, and paprika. 

Budapest is an incredibly charismatic city with endless monuments and sites to see. After a day of work, you can enjoy the beauty beyond Budapest with a visit to the nearby castle town of Visegrád. The Danube River edges the foothills supporting the 13th-century citadel. The peak reaches nearly 1,100 feet above sea level. 

Walk along the winding trails and reach the medieval castle where period performances often take place, traditional weaponry is on display, and the old jousting tournament may fill the air with pulses of excitement. When visiting the Palinka Museum, you can learn about the history and traditions of the liqueur before sampling the spirit to find hints of plum in every sip. 

Focus: When you return from visiting Visegrád, write down your thoughts and feelings, without judgment or criticism.

Suggestion: If you haven’t yet tried Kurotskalacs, you should definitely taste the customary and iconic “chimney cake” that has flavors of cinnamon, melted butter, and yeasty dough.

After a full day of work, you can perform your ritual for stepping away from your computer and focusing on the joys of your day outside of your career by visiting Szentendre. The town acts as the southern gateway to the Danube, featuring an incredible artistic atmosphere among the museums, galleries, and churches, and cobblestone streets. 

The 18th-century tower of Glabovestenska Church hovers in the skyline among the red and yellow houses leading to views of the stoic countryside. Enjoy an immersion into the local art scene that speaks to the greater autistic history of the city and nation when visiting the Art Mill. Cutting-edge photography exhibits or light and sound installations push the envelope of immersive art for a renewed sense of community and commitment to what serious art can accomplish. 

Focus: Start your day by writing down three things you are grateful for, and take a moment to reflect on why they are meaningful to you.

Suggestion: Try to avoid Szentendre in summer when the tourist crowds hop off the Danube River cruises for a short time to overrun the charming streets of town. 

To end the day and bring the essential broader Hungarian experience to life, you can head to the city of Eger after work to enjoy the jewelry box-like design of the streets overflowing with Baroque architecture and a skyline soaring with the local castle and Ottoman minarets. The range of hills and valleys near Egar results in fabulous wines celebrated across the world, especially in Europe, and trails perfect for exploring during the warmer months of the year. 

You can take your time wandering the 13th-century walls and halls of Eger Castle to see the Dark Gate made of solid rock or travel directly into the countryside to visit the welcoming vintners in the classic wine region. As you find new varieties and flavors to try, you may smell oak in the cellars from the barrels and discover the aromas of peach, apple, and apricot.

Focus: Take a few minutes to fully appreciate the taste, texture and smell of your wine and any food you eat during your tour.

Suggestion:  Joining a wine tour around Egar can introduce you to more wineries and give you the transfers between vineyards and Budapest for a fun and safe experience.

On your final morning in Budapest, you can visit the famous Cafe Gerbeaud, which opened its doors in the late 19th century and revolutionized Hungarian confections with new and surprising  pastries coupled with delicious coffee. Specialty coffees exude strong flavors highlighting the various notes of the bean and roasting properties for a fantastic introduction to balancing your coffee with sweets. 

Your Workation representative will meet you at your accommodations and take you to the airport for your departure flight. Instead of returning home, you could extend your Workation with more time in Hungary or by visiting another country where you can succeed in balancing your work and life.  

Focus:  Mindful Reflection: Take a few minutes to reflect on your day or a specific event, and think about how you could have approached it mindfully.

Suggestion: Before heading to the airport, check your flight status to ensure it’s on time, and that there have not been any delays or cancellations. Knowing your flight status can help you plan your time at the airport and avoid any unnecessary stress or inconvenience.