Heed DMC Mobility Guide, Ferenciek tere 5, Budapest (2025)

30/06/2025

🏛️🔥 Too Hot to Travel? Let Bourdain Show You Budapest

Europe is frying under a record-breaking heatwave. ☀️🥵 What better way to cool down than curling up indoors with ice cold drinks and discovering Budapest through Bourdain’s lens? 🎥

“If there was such a thing as building p**n, it would be this…” That's Anthony Bourdain, deep in awe of Budapest’s vibe and architecture on ’Parts Unknown’ S5E6. 🌉🇭🇺

Bourdain dives headfirst into Hungary’s soul — stunning Austro-Hungarian facades, a rough-edged past of WWII, communist repression, and the 1956 uprising — and finds beauty in its scars and triumphs. He’s joined by legendary cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond 🎬 👓, whose early camera work chronicled that very revolution, proving how Budapest shapes storytellers and visual geniuses.

Food-wise, Tony indulges in contrasts: café elegance and hole-in-the-wall indulgence. He savours goulash, fisherman’s soup, blood sausage, stuffed cabbage, then tears up over a 1 kg schnitzel and a bone-marrow chicken-liver pancake — gastro memories for life. 🤤🍖🥞 He even toasts nostalgia in the opulent New York Café, bridging lavish beauty with working-class passion.

Travel — like Tony’s storytelling — is about flipping your perspective. 🔄 Our ’Moving People’ mantra lifts guests from ruin-bar basements to Danube rooftops, from bone-marrow pancakes to Michelin stars ⭐🍽️.

While Europe sweats, hit play ▶️, take notes 📝, then let us craft the real-world itinerary: Bourdain-approved bites, cine-tours tracing Zsigmond’s lens-work 📽️, even a private schnitzel-sizing contest (elastic waistbands advised).

🔥 Like what you see? Want to offer clients the same raw, rich, cinematic Budapest experience? Make Your Next Move with us. Reach out and let's create your next show-stopping program in Hungary. 🚀

💬 Slide into our DMs or drop us a line — Budapest is calling. 📞🏙️

📽️ Link to the video: https://lnkd.in/gSafaqzH

27/06/2025

🚂 A Railway Run by Children? 🎟️

Swapping city noise for birdsong doesn’t require a long journey—just hop on the Children’s Railway in the Buda Hills. Since 1948, this 11 km narrow-gauge line has been staffed by conductors, station masters and ticket clerks aged 10-14, working under adult supervision. Think proper uniforms and children doing all the ticketing, signalling, station safety and announcements—only the driver is a grown-up. 👧🧑‍✈️

Depart from Széchenyi-hegy and roll toward Hűvösvölgy at a leisurely 20 km/h (12.4 mph). In 40-50 minutes you glide past lush forests and fresh-air viewpoints, with stops near Normafa’s picnic meadows, the Chairlift, and the Elisabeth Lookout Tower. Clear skies reward travellers with postcard views: the Parliament’s silhouette and the Danube’s bridges framed by treetops. 🌳🌉

Fun fact: Guinness World Records lists this line as the longest railway operated by children on the planet. Trains even run on most public holidays, and some weekends a vintage steam loco makes a cameo—perfect for chasing nostalgia. Planners can book private carriages—or even the entire nostalgia steam train—for corporate groups and MICE events. 🚆🥂

Why we love it so much? Because it’s an effortless half-day escape that pairs history, nature and soft adventure—ideal for incentive groups, exclusive group programs or an ice-breaking pre-conference outing. Add a guided forest walk, chimney-cake stop or sunset aperitivo at Normafa, and suddenly you’re ”Moving People” in every sense of the phrase.

👉 Ready to trade traffic lights for hilltop breezes? Drop us a message and let’s put your group on the right track. ⏩ 💫

(Photo credit: http://gyermekvasut.hu/)

23/06/2025

🥵💧 Budapest Is Boiling—Here’s How We’re Keeping Cool

The first real heatwave of the summer is hitting Budapest this week, with daily highs soaring to 35–37 °C (95–99 °F). It’s not just time to talk hydration—it’s time to plan around it. 💦

🏙️ Why Budapest Is Winning the Water Game?
Because the city is soaked in high-quality water—tap, spring, mineral, thermal

💧 Elite tap water – Sourced from protected karst springs near the Danube, Budapest’s tap is crystal-clear, mineral-rich, and safe
⛲ Public fountains – From ornate 19th-century basins to modern refill points, the BudapestGO app helps you find them all—downtown or in the Buda Hills.
💦 Hungary, the land of mineral treasures – With over 1,300 thermal springs (and around 300 mineral springsused for bottling and bathing), we’re literally surrounded by wellness in every sip—magnesium, calcium, bicarbonates galore.
♨️ Thermal culture – Baths aren’t just leisure—they’re legacy. Budapest is the city of spas, with centuries-old traditions rooted in water. Think: the grand Széchenyi, historic Rudas, art nouveau Gellért, and locals’ fave Lukács.
🏖️ And yes—Budapest has beaches. When the mercury climbs, locals head to urban oases like Kopaszi-gát, with its riverside chill vibes, food trucks, and shaded lawns. Craving something sandier? Lupa Beach, just north of the city, delivers Ibiza-flavored fun—crystal water, paddleboards, sunbeds, and cocktails. Even Római-part on the Danube is staging a retro-cool revival. No sea? No problem.

Why This Matters for DMCs & Tour Operators?
💧 Because hydrated guests are happy guests.
💧 Because hydrated guides don’t melt on walking tours.
💧 Because comfort in the heat = program success.

Our Summer Solutions
✅ We handed out branded reusable bottles to all our guides, drivers, and team members at the season-end party. Less plastic. More preparedness.
✅ Our coaches are stocked with chilled mineral water all summer—especially for partners not supplying reusable bottles to guests.
✅ Our guides are trained to build in shade stops, adjust pacing, and protect guests from the worst of the sun.

What Your Guests Need Right Now?
💦 A refillable bottle + a hydration plan
💦 Access to both tap & mineral water—for health and experience
💦 A deeper narrative: Budapest’s rich water culture—springs, fountains, thermal baths, and centuries of healing heritage

💡Pro tip for your guests - In Hungary, bottled mineral water comes with a color-coded cap system:
💙 Blue = sparkling (with gas)
💚 Green = lightly sparkling (semi-gas)
🩷 Pink = still (no gas)
It’s the little things that make a big difference when your guests are shopping in a local store.

👉 Want to keep your summer programs sharp, safe, and heatwave-proof? DM or e-mail us to create hydration-smart itineraries your guests will thank you for—beyond the bottle 💫⏩

20/06/2025

🛳️ Ditch the Ballroom. Board the Coolest Venue on the Danube 💫

Think you’ve seen everything Budapest can offer in MICE? Let us introduce River Diva—a new wave on the Danube, and not just in the literal sense. This striking event boat is a sophisticated, custom-designed space where architecture, atmosphere, and gastronomy collide in the most extraordinary way. ⚡🍾

The River Diva made her grand debut last November, living up to her name with elegance and flair both inside and out. Created by the renowned este’r partners design studio from Szentendre, every inch of the vessel reflects thoughtful storytelling—with hidden nods to the Danube, expansive glass walls offering cinematic city views, and bespoke furniture that brings both flexibility and style to any gathering. 🛥️🌇

Exuding sophistication and playfulness in every detail—from its sleek design to exceptional catering—this venue is impressively versatile. With custom-designed interiors, it seamlessly adapts to events of all sizes: think intimate dinners for 50–100 guests or large-scale happenings for up to 600 (300 indoors). 🌉🥂

The culinary heart of the ship? None other than Chef Pál Tóth. Michelin-recommended, endlessly creative, and known for pushing the boundaries of what a dish can be. His plates are pure artistry—fueled by punk roots, bold ideas, and a vision that’s rare in Hungary’s culinary scene. 🎨👨‍🍳🔥

At Heed, our MICE team specialises in out-of-the-box, tailor-made events: from gala dinners to immersive sightseeing and creative excursions. These meticulously curated experiences are designed to impress your clients and River Diva’s exclusive energy fits perfectly with the high standards and bold ideas we bring to every project. 🎤🧠✨

👉 Drop us a message or email, and let’s create something unforgettable—for your partners, your clients, or your next big event on the water. 🚀🌊

16/06/2025

🛬 From Airport Transfers to Operations—Anna’s Journey 🛫

Since 2016, Anna Malek has been steadily climbing the ladder of tourism, starting as an airport transfer dispatcher, working as a Hotel Host and evolving into one of our Travel Operations pros. From the busiest cruise days to unexpected twists in the daily grind, she’s the one who stays calm, creative, and ready to rally the team. 💪

For Anna, a little deviation from the script is where real fun and the magic begins. When things shift, creativity kicks in—and that's when teamwork shines. She thrives on the unpredictability, rolling with the curveballs the season throws and turning them into seamless solutions. ⚙️🧠

She’s not just behind the desk, either. Anna loves diving into site inspections, experiencing our programs firsthand, and occasionally jumping in to work with guests directly. She plays an important role in our American cruise programs, groups of our Mandarin-speaking market, and operations of a boutique travel series—all of which she handles with equal dedication and pride. 🌏🚢

And just like she embraces new challenges at work, Anna is about to take on one of life’s biggest ones—she’s preparing to welcome her first child later this year. As always, she’s approaching this new chapter with calm, curiosity, and her signature readiness to face what comes her way. ❤️👣

Until then, she’s fully committed to making the most of every workday, continuing to deliver her best to our guests and partners. ⏩💫

13/06/2025

🥂 Foie Gras: Hungary’s Luxurious Product You Didn’t Know You Needed 🍽️

Goose foie gras — libamáj — is one of Hungary’s most prized culinary gems. Foie gras might scream “France,” but here’s the spicy truth: Hungary ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of goose foie gras, supplying around 9–10% of global production—and often out-exporting France 🇭🇺📉🇫🇷

Its roots run deep. Centuries-old traditions brought by Jewish communities along the Danube, paired with Hungary’s ideal corn-growing lands, helped create a national expertise in producing world-class foie gras.

So, what makes Hungarian foie gras truly special?

🪿 Goose-first: Unlike France (which mostly uses duck), Hungary favors goose, resulting in a smoother, richer liver.

🌽 Terrific terroir: Ducks and geese raised in open pastures develop livers with delicate, buttery flavor.

❄️ Cold-chain pioneer: In 1883, Hungarian foie gras traveled to Western Europe via refrigerated rail on the Orient Express—redefining export standards and elevating Hungary’s place in global gastronomy.

Libamáj is elegant, versatile, and unapologetically indulgent—perfect for elevating any group dining experience.

🥂 Served cold as a terrine with fruit chutney and a glass of Hungarian Tokaji or crisp Furmint.

🔥 Arrive hot and seared, drizzled with goose fat and paired with brioche or red onion jam.

🌟 Star in a festive tasting menu, matched with apricot schnapps or local pálinka for bold contrast.

Partner with us for the full experience. We’ll curate a tasting that pairs foie gras with wine, cheese, and storytelling—or design a menu for your event that delivers Hungary on a plate. ⏩💫

09/06/2025

🎥 “48 Hours in Budapest”: As Seen by Two Brits With No Filter 🇬🇧🍻

💡We love showing Budapest through many lenses. What better way to show Budapest’s irresistible charm than through the eyes of Aisling Bea and Richard Ayoade? In “Travel Man: 48 Hours in… Budapest” (Series 4, Episode 19), they barrel through our capital in a whirlwind of laughs, goulash, cake, ruin bars, spa swims, pub chats—and yes, a cheeky game of thermal bath chess.

🗺️ Here’s what they fell for:
- Thermal baths with a twist — because nothing says Budapest drama like mid‑morning chess in steaming water.
- Street food & nightlife — from spicy local fare to ruin bar culture, they taste and toast Budapest’s pulse.
- Selfie culture — they are that couple capturing our bridges and skyline like true tourists.

Their verdict? Budapest is a mash-up of old-world elegance, streetwise energy, spa culture, and just enough irreverence to keep the pace unpredictable. It’s the kind of place you feel, not just see.

We can go on about Budapest all day — but sometimes, it’s better to let someone else do the talking. Because it’s not just about facts. It’s about vibe.

Enter this two British comedians on a whirlwind 48-hour mission through our capital. Spoiler: they absolutely get it.

🎬 You can watch the full video, laugh out loud, and see what happens when they meet our city: https://youtu.be/G9PtL9cMJ1w?si=flL_OmETFgD8Tkqw

06/06/2025

🎬 From Hungary to Hollywood: Celebrating Tony Curtis at 100

This week marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925), the iconic Hollywood actor with deep Hungarian roots. Born in New York he grew up speaking Hungarian, often translating for his mother in the tough streets of the Bronx 🗽

That deep connection to his heritage stayed with him. He visited Hungary multiple times, funded projects like the restoration of the Dohány Street Synagogue, and even starred in a Hungarian Tourism Board commercial, proudly inviting visitors to experience his ancestral homeland. His Hungarian pride wasn’t for press — it was personal.

🎥 Over the course of his career, Tony Curtis acted alongside Hollywood royalty:

- Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot 👗
- Jack Lemmon, his iconic comedy partner 🎭
- Sidney Poitier in The Defiant Ones (earning him an Oscar nomination) 🏆
- Burt Lancaster, Natalie Wood, Janet Leigh (his first wife), and even Kirk Douglas in Spartacus ⚔️

He brought humor, grit, and charm to more than 100 films — and he made it look effortless.

Beyond the silver screen, he was a passionate advocate for Hungary, starring in tourism commercials to promote the country and contributing to the restoration of Budapest's Great Synagogue in Dohány Street 🕍

🎥 His legacy doesn’t stop with him. In 2022, his daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, visited Mátészalka — her grandparents’ hometown — where she helped support a memorial museum and pledged to restore their old synagogue. A full-circle moment, bridging Hollywood glam with Hungarian roots.

We often mention Tony Curtis on our programs — not just because he was a star, but because he reflects something we love to highlight: that Hungary’s impact stretches far beyond its borders, and its stories live on in the most unexpected places — even under the Hollywood sign.

🎂 Happy 100, Mr. Curtis. Or as we’d say here — Boldog születésnapot, Tony!

02/06/2025

🏛️ Tiles, Tulips & National Pride: Inside Hungarian Art Nouveau

Hungarian Art Nouveau — known locally as Szecesszió — stands apart from its European cousins because it’s not just decorative. It’s nationalistic, folkloric, and unapologetically anti-imperial.

It’s part of a broader European movement known by many names: Art Nouveau in France and Belgium, Jugendstil in Germany, Secession in Austria, Modernisme in Catalonia. But Hungary’s version? It didn’t just borrow the curves and florals — it flipped the script. Szecesszió told stories, carried symbols, and built a cultural identity brick by hand-painted brick.

It’s full of allegory and meaning. Bees (industry), dragons (myth), tulips (folk love), and peacocks (immortality) are woven into façades, stained glass, and rooftop ornamentation. And those rooftops? Glazed in Zsolnay ceramics from Pécs — vibrant, weatherproof, and unmistakably Hungarian. Architect Ödön Lechner believed the nation's cultural DNA traced back to Asia, and you can see it in every dome and floral flourish.

A few masterpieces worth slowing down for:

🐝 Royal Postal Savings Bank

A riot of symbolism — beehives for industry, dragons for protection, and a roof that makes you do a double take. Best viewed from the rooftop bar at Hotel President across the street.

🏨 Gresham Palace

Now the Four Seasons, originally built for an insurance company with serious style. Think ironwork, stained glass, and a mosaic dreamscape that hits you before you even check in.

🎭 Uránia National Film Theatre

Once the Parisiana nightclub, now a cinema — complete with Moorish arches, stained glass, and a ceiling fit for an opera house.

🏠 Thonet House

Hiding in plain sight on Váci utca, this apartment building features flowing wrought-iron balconies and Szecesszió curves that float above the shopping chaos.

🌈 Miksa Róth Memorial House

Step inside the home of Hungary’s stained-glass genius and see some of the finest panels and mosaics ever lit by Budapest sunlight.

🖼️ György Ráth Villa

Less flashy, more soulful. A turn-of-the-century home turned museum that feels like stepping straight into the Art Nouveau imagination.

Budapest’s Art Nouveau isn’t a spin-off of Paris or Vienna. It says: “We’re Hungarian, and we’ll build like it.” That makes it sharper, more layered, and emotionally charged compared to the flowing elegance of its Western cousins. But you really have to come and see it for yourself to understand.

👀 The trick? Slow down and look up. This city wears its history on its façades — tiled, floral, and defiantly Hungarian.

31/05/2025

🌿 Margaret Island: Budapest’s Lavish Garden 🌉

Tucked between Buda and Pest, Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is Budapest’s 2.5 km-long “green lung” — a car-free, history-soaked, and experience-rich escape that’s anything but ordinary.

Why it’s unique?
Once known as the “Island of Rabbits,” this lush Danube oasis was transformed into a royal retreat in the 19th century. It’s named after Saint Margaret, daughter of King Béla IV, who lived and died in the Dominican convent whose ruins still stand today.

What can groups and visitors do here?
🎶 Catch the Musical Fountain: A choreographed water show set to everything from Vivaldi to Queen — best seen at sunset when the lights come on.

🚲 Explore on wheels: Go around on bikes, e-scooters, or quirky pedal cars (Bringóhintó) for a breezy island loop.

🏊‍♂️ Train or splash at Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex — Hungary’s Olympic swimming cathedral, still hosting top-tier competitions and perfect for sporty programs.

🏃Use the Athletic Center for track sessions, team workouts, or just to burn off last night’s pálinka.

🏰 Visit the Water Tower: Climb this Art Nouveau landmark for panoramic views and rotating exhibitions.

🌸 Stroll the Japanese Garden: A serene corner with koi ponds, waterfalls, and bonsai trees.

🎭 Host open-air events: The island’s amphitheater and lawns are perfect for concerts, team-building, picnic or wellness sessions.

There’s something about Margaret Island that slows you down in the best way. Whether you’re here for a program, a paddle, or just a pause, it has a way of making the city feel far away — even when you’re right in the middle of it. Just one of those places Budapest keeps in its back pocket.

Photo credits: margitsziget.com, bringohinto.hu, hovamenjunk.hu, nsu.hu

26/05/2025

💥 She Has Been There. Booked That. Made It Magic. 💥

If there's a venue in Budapest, odds are Tünde Békefi has already turned it into an unforgettable event space—with candles, custom branding, or a grand piano suspended from the ceiling (okay, maybe not that, but close). From gala dinners to conferences, French art-lovers to agri-tech delegations, she’s been the mastermind behind experiences that don’t just work—they wow. 💡✨

Tünde has been a cornerstone of our team for years, orchestrating incentive programs, handling high-level delegations with clockwork precision, and, lately, expertly managing luxury train group operations that glide across borders and expectations 🚆. If you're wondering who knows the best guide for a last-minute political delegation? It’s Tünde. Always.

But don’t let the event-planning cool fool you—she’s also a backstage powerhouse for our controlling and accounting teams, spotting a missing forint from a mile away. 🎯

When she's not rewriting the definition of "flawless logistics," you'll find her hiking the Blue Trail, reading on the terrace, or enjoying a well-earned fröccs as the sun sets over the Danube. 🌅📚🍷

📸 From site inspections to flawless ex*****on, Tünde’s work speaks through the seamless flow of every program she touches—be it luxury, logistics, or last-minute miracles.

23/05/2025

🎡 Budapest for Families: Where Little Explorers Meet Big Adventures 🧸

Think Budapest is just for ruin bars and thermal baths? Think again. This city knows how to charm every age group — and we’ve got the insider scoop on where families can find magic, mischief, and memory-making moments.

🚂 Children’s Railway: All aboard the world’s largest railway run by kids! Staffed by uniformed schoolchildren (with adult supervision), this scenic Buda Hills ride is a Communist-era relic turned family favorite.

🔬 Palace of Wonders: Science meets play at this hands-on museum where kids can explore physics, illusions, and more. It’s a brainy blast for curious minds.

🐘 Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden: Right in the heart of City Park, this historic zoo (est. 1866) is home to over 1,000 species, from Komodo dragons to wombats. It’s not just a zoo — it’s a living museum of Art Nouveau architecture and interactive exhibits.

🌳 City Park: Beyond the zoo, this sprawling park offers playgrounds, a boating lake that transforms into Europe’s largest ice rink in winter, and plenty of green space for picnics and play.

🌼 Margaret Island: A car-free oasis in the Danube, perfect for bike rides, splash parks, and exploring medieval ruins. Don’t miss the musical fountain show!

🗺️ Kolodko Mini-Statue Hunt: Scattered like Easter eggs across Budapest, these quirky, palm-sized bronze statues are a local treasure. Grab a map, turn it into a scavenger hunt, and let the kids lead the way — imagination: engaged. 🕵️‍♀️📍

🎉 Children’s Day in Hungary is held on the last Sunday of May. A weekend when parks burst with free concerts, games, pony rides, and pop-up fun zones. It’s loud, local, and absolutely magical for young visitors.

If you’re out and about in Budapest this weekend, keep your eyes peeled. You might just spot some of our team out there, exploring with their own kids, chasing mini statues, or queuing up for cotton candy. We live this city, and we love sharing it — especially with the next generation. 💛

Heed DMC Mobility Guide