You see nothing from the outside, just a battered façade, a mysterious dark gateway, and a heavy gate. As soon as you cross the threshold, however, you find yourself in a magical fairy tale-like world. You see tall, centuries-old trees, flowers casting their fragrance, walking paths winding through gardens, and statues and stone benches – all quietly hidden in the midst of the concrete jungle that is Budapest. Each downtown oasis guards the secrets of the former inhabitants, and reminds you of the efforts made to bring nature into the big city. These secret spaces confirm that humans and nature have managed to live in harmony. Here, you are invited to rest from the rush of the metropolis. During our 3-hour tours, we gain access to the gardens of private houses that are usually closed to the public. We glimpse the residential spaces in the heart of the city (that are usually overlooked), and we learn more about the flora and fauna that have adapted to the urban environment. Finally, we share with you stories of human fortune and destiny: love and romance, tragedy, and promises that can be traced back to these very spaces.

Did you know that as you walk the streets of Budapest you are constantly being watched by atlases and caryatids? Or that cherubs are smiling down upon you? Or than ancient Roman gods await your bow? It�s all true! High above eye level, the walls of many houses are adorned with flowers and vines, Hungarian folk motifs, domestic animals and beasts, and even men, women and ancient gods, all painstakingly-carved into the stone. While these decorations are certainly pleasing to the eye, most of them carry a hidden message as well. Be deciphering the secret codes, we can shed light on the personality, profession, interests, and marital status of the builder or occupant of the house. On our 2-hour walking tour, we use the tools of art historians to bring to life the intricately-carved facades, staircases and gates, and through them to become acquainted with the long-deceased inhabitants of the areas. As you develop an appreciation of a faded era, your new -language skills- will make the otherwise mute buildings confess the secrets and stories of their past.

Itinerary: Iparművészeti Múzeum - Mária utca - Csepreghy utca - József körút - Rökk Szilárd utca - Gutenberg tér

In our everyday rush, sometimes we do not realize that as we stare at the pavement in front of us we are actually passing through hallowed grounds. An amazing number of churches and synagogues of various denominations dot the map of Budapest. Many of them are significant not only for religious reasons, but also for aesthetic, artistic, and historical reasons as well. These buildings shed light on the original town and its inhabitants, and on how the religious life and church influence shaped the development of the growing metropolis from the second half of the 19th century onward. During our 2 hour tour, we visit four churches representing four different denominations. During our time together, you will learn about the basic tenets of the different religions, the formation of the buildings, and the significance of the various parts of the city. Last but not least, we will share with you colorful stories about the long-ago city and its legendary inhabitants.

Itinerary: Rumbach Sebestyén utcai zsinagóga (Synagogue of Sebestyén Rumback street)-Szent István Bazilika, Szent István tér (Saint Stephen - Basilique, Saint Stephen square) -Hazatérés református templom, Szabadság tér (Homecoming Calvinist Church, Liberty square)- Nagy Ignác utcai unitárius templom (Unitarian Church of Ingnatius the Great square)