Art & History Abroad Tours
Art Nouveau Treasures of Hungary
This new tour for 2027 explores the distinctive expression of Hungarian Art Nouveau, or Szeccesszió, through architecture, interiors and the decorative arts, from the grandeur of Budapest to the southern cities of Pécs and Szeged.
At the turn of the 20th century, Hungarian architects and artists sought a modern style rooted in national identity, drawing on folk motifs, symbolic colour and new materials, most notably innovative ceramics and stained glass. From grand civic monuments and elegant town palaces to villas, synagogues and complete urban ensembles, this tour reveals Art Nouveau not only as an architectural style, but as an artistic vision that shaped whole cities and their cultural life.
what’s included
At A Glance

Meet Your Expert Guide
Professor Anne Anderson
Anne is an author, broadcaster and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, with a first degree in archaeology and a PhD in English. She was a senior lecturer in Art and Design History for fourteen years, specialising in the Aesthetic Movement, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.
An experienced international speaker and published author, Anne has inspired Travel Editions travellers for more than fifteen years with her wit, wisdom and enthusiasm. Her tours reveal the connections between architecture, interiors and design, bringing the artistic revolutions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries vividly to life.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: London Heathrow to Budapest
Depart London Heathrow for Budapest then transfer by coach to our hotel.
Evening welcome drink, dinner with wine and talk by Professor Anne Anderson.

Day 2: Castle Hill, Matthias Church & Gresham Palace
The day begins in Buda on Castle Hill, where a visit to the richly ornamented Matthias Church reveals interior patterns and colour that anticipate the flowering of Art Nouveau. A stroll around the Fisherman’s Bastion follows, its romantic revival architecture offering sweeping views over the Danube and Pest beyond. Continue to the Hungarian National Gallery, where a curated selection of late 19th- and early 20th-century works introduces the artists who shaped a distinct Hungarian visual identity.
After lunch at leisure, cross the river into Pest for a guided exploration of the city’s early Art Nouveau façades. Highlights include the elegant Bedő House and visit to Gresham Palace. The route also takes in the Opera House and the lavishly decorated Paris Department Store, illustrating how the style flourished in both commercial and civic settings.

Day 3: Villa György Ráth, Liszt Academy & Andrássy Avenue
Begin at the Kazinczy Street Synagogue, where early 20th-century decorative innovation meets Jewish architectural tradition. Continue to Villa György Ráth, one of Budapest’s most refined Art Nouveau residences, showcasing furniture, ceramics and interiors connected with the Museum of Applied Arts, and offering a distinctly Hungarian interpretation of the movement.
Following lunch (own expense), visit the Liszt Academy of Music, a masterpiece of Art Nouveau design, rich in stained glass, mosaics and sculptural detail. In the afternoon, a walking tour along Andrássy Avenue and its surrounding streets reveals further architectural highlights, including the Török Bank House and the Postal Savings Bank (viewed externally), alongside a number of lesser-known private villas that reward closer attention.
Day 4: Parliament, Róth Miksa & Onwards to Pécs
This morning is devoted to the Hungarian Parliament Building, whose interiors showcase the craftsmanship of the late 19th century and its close relationship with Art Nouveau decoration.
Continue to the Róth Miksa Memorial House, dedicated to Hungary’s most celebrated stained glass artist, whose work helped define the character of many public interiors of the period. After lunch, travel south to Pécs, a city long associated with ceramic innovation and architectural creativity. The evening includes a talk by Anne, followed by dinner with wine.

Day 5: Pécs and the Zsolnay Ceramic Legacy
A full day in Pécs, guided by a local expert, centres on the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, dedicated to the pioneering ceramic manufactory that played a defining role in Hungarian Art Nouveau.
After lunch at leisure, an afternoon walk explores the presence of Zsolnay ceramics across the city, from fountains and civic buildings to Art Nouveau façades around Széchenyi Square.

Day 6: Szeged’s Art Nouveau Cityscape & Water Tower
Today we travel to Szeged, a city rebuilt after the devastating flood of 1879 and now renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture. Following lunch, a guided walking tour of the city centre reveals an array of elegant town houses, palatial residences and richly detailed commercial façades.
The afternoon includes a private interior visit to the Water Tower, a striking example of functional design elevated by Art Nouveau decoration.

Day 7: Szeged New Synagogue & Reök Palace
Begin with a private guided visit to the New Synagogue, designed by Lipót Baumhorn, one of Europe’s most impressive synagogues, notable for its sensitive use of light, colour and symbolic decoration.
In the afternoon we continue to the Reök Palace, one of Hungary’s finest Art Nouveau buildings, now a regional art centre. A guided visit with the Chief Curator offers an insight into its architecture and artistic programme. This evening we meet for a farewell dinner.
Day 8: Farewell to Hungary
Free time today before our transfer to Budapest airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Alice Hotel, Budapest
This four-star hotel is a stylish boutique property set in a beautifully restored historic villa, blending elegant period charm with contemporary design. Ideally located on prestigious Andrássy Avenue near Heroes’ Square, it offers easy access to the city’s main sights. The hotel features a restaurant, terrace, and modern amenities, while its individually designed bedrooms are comfortable and offer TV, safe, hairdryer, toiletries, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Hotel Website
Palatinus Grand Hotel, Pecs
The Palatinus Grand Hotel in Pécs is an elegant Art Nouveau–style landmark, beautifully set on the city’s main square, offering guests immediate access to the historic centre. Inside, the hotel combines period charm with modern comforts, featuring a restaurant, café, and wellness facilities for a relaxing stay. The bedrooms are tastefully furnished, ranging from classic to contemporary in style, and provide comfortable amenities
Hotel Website
Art Hotel, Szeged
This four-star hotel is a stylish, contemporary property located just steps from the city’s iconic Cathedral Square. Its modern design is complemented by excellent facilities, including a restaurant, wellness area, and sauna, ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. Bedrooms are bright and spacious, thoughtfully furnished in a sleek, minimalist style and equipped with all the comforts needed for a relaxing stay.
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
A fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits and exploration. You can expect more time on your feet, including walking between sites, longer periods of standing and some uneven surfaces, cobbles, steps or gentle inclines.
Some days may include several visits, longer coach journeys or walking from a drop-off point to an attraction. A reasonable level of fitness and the ability to keep pace with the group throughout the day will help you enjoy the experience fully.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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