Explore ‘the Pearl of the Danube’ – Sample Itinerary
Kick off your program in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, celebrated for its history, architectural beauty and growing economic influence. Delve into the country's transformation since regaining independence in 1989, exploring its vibrant culture and modern development. And of course, no visit to Hungary would be complete without experiencing the thermal baths or enjoying a wine-tasting session!
* Please note that this is only a sample itinerary for a group of full-time MBA students. All of our itineraries are tailor-made and can accommodate any academic level and theme. All itineraries are subject to change.
Day 1: Saturday, July 6Sat July 6Day 1: welcome to the Carpathian Basin
Budapest, Hungary
Hungary, a nation with a rich history and a pivotal location in Central Europe, has undergone significant transformation since the end of the Cold War, transitioning from a socialist economy to an open market system. Hungary’s strategic plan centers on innovation, digitalization, foreign investment, and fostering economic resilience. During this study abroad trip, you will delve into Hungary’s unique political and economic landscape, meeting with industry leaders and visiting major business hubs, technology centers, and historic sites to gain a deeper understanding of Hungary's path to modernization and its vision for future economic growth.
intercity transfersarrive Budapest
Own arrangements
Meet ISP representative at the airport.
own arrangements
afternoon
transportationtransfer to hotel, check-in
bus transfer
free to unpack and relax
ISPer's recommendation: Get out of your hotel room, and let yourself be charmed by the astonishing grand architecture of Budapest. Use this time to familiarize yourself with the area of your hotel, find the closest ATM, and map out the best restaurants and stores in the neighborhood.
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for welcome dinner
bus transfer
evening
mealswelcome dinner in the Hungarian capital
Let's celebrate your arrival and the beginning of an exciting journey into Hungarian culture. Enjoy a traditional meal featuring local dishes, offering a taste of the country's rich culinary heritage. Take this opportunity to bond with your fellow students, and soak in the warm hospitality that Hungary is known for.
restaurant
Day 2: Sunday, July 7Sun July 7Day 2: discovering the treasures of Transdanubia
breakfast
hotel
transportationtransfer to Tihany (duration approx. 2 hours)
bus full day
morning
cultural eventgems of the Hungarian sea - the Tihany peninsula & Balatonfüred
Tihany was created by God when he was happy – or so the story goes among Hungarians. With its enchanting natural beauty and legendary echo, a trip to this peninsula is a must. Wander around Tihany's lovely thatched-roof houses, and check out the view from the Benedictine Abbey raising high above the lake, grab a coffee or a piece of artfully crafted cake from the iconic Rege coffee house. Then take a boat cruise to the Northern shore's largest city and cultural capital, Balatonfüred.
boat/walk
mealsgroup lunch by the vineyards
winery
afternoon
cultural eventfrom aszú to zweigelt - Hungarian wine tasting and winery tour
In 2020, Hungary exported $130 million in wine, making it the 21st largest exporter in the world. The country has 22 largely cool-climate wine regions and 156,000 acres of planted vines. Although the sweet desert wines of Tokaj brought the country to international fame, there are many other lesser known varieties worth the attention that fly under the radar internationally. Visit a winery in the Northern Balaton region, offering breathtaking vistas over Lake Balaton and the adorable medieval villages and small growers lining it. Tour the cellars, and sample some of the local wines, such as olaszrizling, furmint and kadarka, accompanied by a selection of traditional Hungarian snacks.
bus/walk
transportationreturn to Budapest (duration approx. 2 hours)
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Take a visit to the MOL Campus and enjoy panoramic views over the city of Budapest. The 143-metre-tall, futuristic all-glass structure has 28 floors and accommodates 2,500 employees. Once on top, the SkyDeck offers an unusual perspective on the city. Instead of seeing the famous sights such as the Parliament or the Buda Castle, you are welcomed by a different but equally stunning landscape. You can spot the Infopark, the Rákóczi Bridge, the National Theatre, the Ludwig Museum, and the neighborhoods of Újbuda and Csepel.
Day 3: Monday, July 8Mon July 8Day 3: charting the local business landscape
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel conference room for orientation talk
morning
orientation talkby ISP Program Manager and faculty
Get familiar with the upcoming schedule and activities, uncover the secret ingredients for a successful trip, and learn some useful tips from where to find the best exchange rates to what’s happening in the city.
Eversince Hungary regained independence in 1989, the country's leadership focused on creating an open economy where particular emphasis is placed on encouraging foreign direct investment. Over the past 3 decades, 45 of the world’s 80 largest multinational corporations have established a long-term presence in Hungary, benefiting from the country’s advantageous location, highly skilled workforce, access to the EU's single market, and its advanced business infrastructure. Nevertheless, in recent years, Hungary has been struggling with serious budget deficit and corruption, and the country's government resorted to introducing new taxes targeting the banking, energy, retail and telecommunications sectors. What are some of the pros and cons of launching a business in Hungary? How does the country compare to its neighbors in the CEE region?
discussion, networking
hotel conference room
mealsnetworking lunch with panelists
Continue this conversation over lunch! Share a meal with the panelists and discuss with them further their views on Hungary's business landscape and the investment opportunities in the country's growth sectors.
hotel restaurant
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for city tour
bus half day
afternoon
cultural eventhighlights of Budapest - panoramic guided tour
Take a panoramic guided tour of the Hungarian capital, and discover the city's architectural treasures, with enough baroque, neoclassical, Eclectic and art nouveau buildings to satisfy everyone. Start your tour by a drive through Andrássy Avenue, a tree-lined boulevard housing governmental buildings and embassies, then explore the main sites of the Heroes' Square and the City Park. After this, cross the river through the historical Chain Bridge to the hilly Buda side, and close your tour at the Fisherman's Bastion and the Buda Castle, admiring the city down under.
bus/walk
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Grab dinner at the Karaván food court, located in the heart of the Jewish quarter, in a courtyard nestled between some of the city's most famous ruin pubs. Karaván gives home to numerous food trucks and booths serving street food from around the world, offering a wide array of options from Hungarian lángos, to Napolitan pizza, Thai noodles and Mexican tacos.
Day 4: Tuesday, July 9Tue July 9Day 4: fostering a culture of innovation
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visit
bus full day
morning
visitconnecting cities - the role of IoT in shaping smart urban futuresVodafone Hungary
The growth of IoT is transforming smart cities by connecting millions of devices, from traffic lights to energy meters, creating a network of interconnected systems that enhance urban efficiency and sustainability. Telecom providers play a critical role by supplying the infrastructure that enables these devices to communicate seamlessly. However, building and maintaining dense, reliable networks for massive IoT requires significant infrastructure investment, especially in expanding 5G and exploring 6G technologies. How can telecom companies manage the high costs associated with building networks? What are the primary risks associated with cybersecurity for smart cities, and how can these be mitigated?
management presentation, discussion, tour of premises
The Hungarian start-up and technology ecosystem is rapidly growing. With the success of Prezi and other Hungarian-born ventures such as Ustream, GreenGo and LogMeIn, start-ups in the field of fintech and blockchain have shown great development over the last years. Nevertheless many of the most successful local start-ups choose to establish their base in the US, rather than in Hungary. This is due to the lack of international growth prospects, marketing and business competencies, as well as the limited pool of tech talent available locally. Visit a Budapest-based accelerator and learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the Hungarian start-up ecosystem. Meet with the entrepreneurs they support and hear about their projects.
management presentation, discussion, tour of facilities, start-up pitches
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Check out Budapest's newest attraction, the breathtaking Museum of Ethnography. The exterior sports a metal façade and a huge roof garden with a panoramic view over the Andrássy Avenue and the City Park. Inside, an impressive exhibition space displays part of a substantial collection of 250,000 ethnographic items, including artefacts from Africa and the Far East.
Day 5: Wednesday, July 10Wed July 10Day 5: making an impact
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visit
bus full day
morning
visitsustainable solutions - building a robust road freight supply chainWaberer's International
Road freight logistics is essential to Europe's economy, enabling the efficient movement of goods and supporting trade across the continent. However, the sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint amid growing concerns over climate change and air quality. Companies are actively seeking ways to make their operations greener by adopting alternative fuels, and by optimizing routes to improve load efficiency and minimize fuel consumption and waste. Meet with the management team of one of Europe's largest freight companies and hear their insights on how they align their operations with sustainability goals and contribute to a more resilient transportation network.
management presentation, discussion, warehouse tour
The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine has forced people to flee their homes and seek refuge, safety and protection abroad. Millions of refugees from Ukraine have crossed borders into neighboring countries, and many more have been forced to move inside the country. The EU has granted Ukrainians the automatic right to stay and work throughout its 27 member nations for up to three years. Refugees are housed in reception centers if they can't stay with friends or relatives. They are given food and medical care, and information about onward travel. Meet with the representatives of an organization aiding refugees, engage with their volunteer staff and learn about the important work they do.
management presentation, discussion, Hungarian lesson with refugees
rest of the day at leisure
late afternoon
optional cultural eventspa ritual - Széchenyi thermal baths
Decompress after a long day at Széchenyi Baths, one of the largest and most ornate spa complexes in Europe, featuring three outdoor pools and a warren of indoor ones, saunas and steam rooms. In the main pool, the sight of old locals playing chess in the water is one of the classic images of Budapest. Planned from 1868, completed in 1913, the spa is both a neo-Baroque landmark and feat of water engineering.
sts pay individually
Day 6: Thursday, July 11Thu July 11Day 6: manufacturing in the digital age
breakfast
hotel
transportationtransfer to Székesfehérvár (duration approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes)
bus full day
morning
visitnavigating the electronics industry landscape - challenges and opportunitiesVideoton Holding
Electronics and semiconductor manufacturers in Europe are increasingly motivated to localize their operations due to significant supply chain disruptions that have exposed vulnerabilities in relying on overseas production. The ongoing global component shortages have underscored the importance of establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities to ensure reliable access to critical components. Yet, there is a growing scarcity of talent with expertise in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and AI, which are essential for driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness in the industry. Take a site visit to the state-of-the-art plant of the largest electronic manufacturing service provider in Europe and learn about their strategies for talent acquisition and retention in a competitive labor market.
management presentation, discussion, tour of facilities
mealsgroup lunch
restaurant
afternoon
cultural eventdriving innovation - tour of the Audi Győr car plant
Hungary's automotive industry is one of the key pillars of the national economy. Over 800,000 cars are produced annually and there are large production facilities for a number of leading brands such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Opel. Hear from key players in the industry about how these complex operations are managed both operationally and financially, and gain first hand insights into the operations of an automotive production plant.
bus/walk
transportationreturn to Budapest (duration approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes)
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Hopping on tram 2 is one of the most beautiful and cheapest ways of sightseeing in Budapest, as it goes along the Danube riverbank, conveying you past the iconic buildings from Jászai Mari square to the National Theatre. And all of this costs the price of a public transportation ticket – or two if you want to do the return journey.
Day 7: Friday, July 12Fri July 12Day 7: bidding farewell to Hungary
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visit
bus half day
morning
visithistory in a glass - expanding the outreach of a Hungarian heritage brandZwack Unicum Nyrt.
Get to know Zwack, the producer of Hungary’s national drink, the inky amber-tinted stomach bitter, Unicum. Zwack was established in 1840, and has since survived recessions, wars and pandemics. Since the beginning, the company has been active internationally, and today Zwack exports its products to more than 30 countries around the world. Embark on a journey through the company’s fabled and turbulent history, find out more about its current market position and plans for future growth, and sample some of the brand’s flagship products.
management presentation, discussion, tour of facilities, tasting
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
free for sightseeing & shopping
ISPer's recommendation: Spend an afternoon at the picturesque New York Cafe. Considered the most beautiful cafe in the world when it opened in 1894, this neo-Renaissance-style place on the ground floor of the New York Palace Hotel has been the scene of many a literary gathering. If you yearn for a touch of aristocratic atmosphere, drop in for a coffee and immerse yourself in authentic 19th-century surroundings amid gilded and marble surfaces, ornamented with carved wood and crystal. A majestic spot with authentic tradition.
afternoon
optional cultural eventa taste of Budapest - food tour
Discover the heart of Hungarian culinary tradition at the iconic Great Market Hall in Budapest, where history and flavor converge. Join us on an unforgettable food tour and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Hungarian gastronomy. Savor authentic local delicacies, from artisanal sausages to freshly baked chimney cakes and world-renowned Hungarian paprika. Sample hand-crafted cheeses, sip local wines, and experience the robust flavors of hearty stews and pastries as you immerse yourself in the spirit of Budapest's culinary heritage.
sts pay individually
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for farewell dinner cruise
bus transfer
evening
mealsfarewell dinner cruise with live music
Conclude your European adventure with an unforgettable dinner cruise filled with unique views of the UNESCO World Heritage riverbanks of Budapest! Celebrate the end of your week while enjoying a delicious buffet dinner accompanied by a selection local wines and listening to live music.
boat/restaurant
Day 8: Saturday, July 13Sat July 13Day 8: heading home
