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Andrea Makkay, private tour guide, Budapest

"Travel is like an endless university, you never stop learning." Harvey Lloyd

My name is Andrea Makkay, I am a professional, licensed, private tour guide in Budapest, Hungary. I was born in Budapest and have been working as a licensed, guide since 1995. I have a University educational background (degrees in economics and translation). I love my work and I am very enthusiastic about it, as I think it is so great that I can give people an insight about Budapest & Hungary. I grew up during the communist regime, but by the time I became an adult, it has collapsed almost overnight. This gives me a special view on our recent history as well, but I am also a member of that "new"generation, that already had the chance to travel and see other parts of Europe and the world. Let me be your private guide while in Budapest and discover much more with me, than you would ever be able to do on your own! If you would like to explore Budapest, learn about the history, the culture, the traditions and everyday life of Hungarians, the best is to come with me on a private tour and get a more in depth experience! It is always difficult to get to know a city or a country, especially if you have limited amount of time. The great advantage of hiring a private guide is that you do not have to follow anybody else's itinerary, you may just focus on what you are really interested in! I will shape the tour according to what you would like to see. If you are not really sure what that is, I will make recommendations about what to include. To see the beautiful buildings and sites is one part of the picture, but to learn about the people and about how they really live, will make you understand the culture and the history much more!

I am very proud to be recommended by Rick Steves, as private guide in Budapest, Hungary. I have met Rick for the first time in 2003, when he was gathering material for his guide books on Eastern Europe and Budapest! It was a wonderful experience to personally meet him and help him writing the book and also to work on the proofreading of both books. Ever since we have been keeping in touch and each time he visits Budapest we meet and I help him (as well as Cameron Hewitt – co-author of both books) as much as I can with the updating. Rick is a wonderful inspiration to me, because he is always improving and updating all his guidebooks and materials, so that the information in them would remain relevant and valid to the travelers. He is constantly exploring new parts of the world and brings smart and educational travel alive to so may people. I always keep this in mind, when I guide and I try to live up to the high expectations! It is also a privilege for me to act as local guide for many of his tour groups coming to Hungary. In 2022 I have also started to lead guide Rick Steves' tours in Central Europe. His passion is traveling and letting people know about how to do it well and over the years the very same became by mission too!

Rick Steves, Budapest travel book

Rick Steves and me in Italy

Rick Steves, Eastern Europe travel book

Monday Night Travel Europe's most underrated big city, Budapest is ready to surprise with unique culture and experiences. Join guide Andrea Makkay as we recall Hungary's secret police at the House of Terror and tour Communist VIPs at Memento Park before enjoying Budapest's modern delights — soaking in elegance at the Széchenyi Baths, sampling paprika in the Great Indoor Market Hall, and taking in fine music at the Hungarian State Opera. Along the way, Andrea snacks on a classic chimney cake and sips herbaceous Unicum as together we savor the wonders of the Hungarian capital.

Listen to the Rick Steves radio show with me! Program 769: Asian-American Immigration; Democracy in Europe A Harvard historian discusses how the impact of the Immigration Act of 1965 continues to reverberate in American society, and in particular what the US gained in becoming far more welcoming to Asian immigrants than ever before. And tour guides from Hungary, Poland, and Portugal update us on some of the profound political issues under debate in their countries, and what we Americans might learn from their experiences. Guests Andrea Makkay, tour guide based in Budapest, Hungary Cláudia da Costa, tour guide based in Lisbon, Portugal Erika Lee, author of "The Making of Asian America" (Simon & Schuster) Tomasz Klimek, tour guide based in Krakow, Poland

Travel with Rick Steves · 769 Asian-American Immigration; Democracy in Europe

Budapest is a glamorous city, with a fascinating history. Would you like to wander on the cobblestoned streets of the old castle district, enjoy breath-taking views from the Fishermen's Bastion, cross the blue Danube on the beautiful Chain Bridge, visit the incredible halls of the Parliament building or the State Opera House, feel tiny while standing on gigantic Heroes' Square, relax in Gellért Spa or sit in a coffee house to watch how the sun goes down behind the majestic Royal Palace? You will find all of these and much more in a city that is full of life - BUDAPEST! Budapest - this truly beautiful city - is often referred to as the "Paris of the East" or the "Pearl of the Danube". The city has a fantastic location, as it is divided into two different parts by the river Danube (Buda & Pest). The Buda side is the smaller side, which has some hills and slopes and has older historical buildings in the castle district area, dating back to the 17th - 18th century (the reason for not having older monuments is the stormy history of Hungary, full of fights and occupations and the damage of World War II.) The castle district area is under the protection of UNESCO's World Heritage Foundation, comprising such buildings as Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion and the Royal Palace. Buda is also the residential area of the city. The Pest side mainly dates back to the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, when Hungary had a “golden age” and belonged to the great Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The present day look of the Pest side is a reminder of the period, when Hungary was flourishing and was a very powerful European nation. Such splendid and magnificent buildings as the Parliament building, the State Opera House, St. Stephen Basilica, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Great Synagogue and many others date back this time period. After the World War II. Hungary became a communist country and was “forgotten” together with the rest of the other countries of the Eastern block. Nowadays Hungary faces a great revival and prosperity! It is a truly modern and vivid European capital, which provides a great combination of 21st century modern lifestyle and the rich historical background! There are two ways for touring Budapest: tours by minivan or walking tours. The tours which are by minivan are really great ways to explore the city and there is also the possibility for walking tours. Outside of Budapest all tours are conducted by minivan (and driver) plus the guide. Each tour is planned carefully in a way, that you would visit all of those sights and places you are really interested in and have a truly unique experience! If you are not certain what to see, an itinerary will be suggested. You may even change it, during your tour that is why having a private tour is really the best way to discover a new city. You may see, experience and understand far more, than you would do on your own.

MORE ABOUT TOURS

Fat Policeman, Budapest

Stephen's Basilica, Budapest

Liberty Bridge, Budapest

Parisi Courtyard, Budapest

I offer several other services to make it easier for you just to relax and enjoy your visit! Whether you need a reliable transfer service, a cruise reservation, a restaurant recommendation, or help with organizing a complete program for your tour group, you may count on my expertise! Just let me help you!