Hungary, Budapest and More

Valentine’s Day in the Wine Cellar On Friday, February 14, starting at 5:00 PM, the Sauska Pezsgőpince wine cellar invites everyone who is in love — whether with sparkling wine, art, their work, or each other. Visitors will learn about Tokaj, Budafok, and the history of the cellar, as well as discover the secrets of producing traditional aged sparkling wines. The tasting program includes four sparkling wines from Sauska: Rose, Extra Dry, and two award-winning sparkling wines that recently won gold at the London Champagne World Championship—Sauska Brut NV and Magnum. The tasting of four wines will be accompanied by appetizers and traditional Hungarian pogácsa. Participation fee: 11,900 HUF Details

A Protected Bike Lane to Be Built on Nagykörút In the coming years, cycling on Nagykörút will become safer and more comfortable. A new project initiated by the Budapest Transport Center (BKK) aims to create a wide cycling corridor between Nyugati Square and Boráros tér. After the renovation, the street will become greener, more pedestrian-friendly, and more attractive for businesses. The bike lane will be physically separated from car traffic, ensuring an uninterrupted and safe passage for cyclists. 🔹 Protected Bike Lanes – A bike path at least 2 meters wide will run between the parking area and the sidewalk, with enough space to prevent accidents caused by car doors opening. 🔹 Organized Parking – The project will introduce bike parking, Bubi stations, designated loading zones, and parking spaces for people with disabilities. 🔹 Safe Intersections – At side street crossings, raised speed bumps will be installed at sidewalk level, forcing vehicles to slow down when turning. 🔹 Greening and Urban Improvements – Pedestrian areas, tree-lined walkways, and new urban elements will be added along the cycling corridor. Meanwhile, tram line 4–6 will maintain its priority status, and the locations of bus stops and night routes will remain unchanged. The design phase will be completed by 2027, with construction planned in stages between 2028 and 2029.

🦔 A winter shelter for hedgehogs has opened in Budapest’s 2nd district with local support. Volunteers have already taken in four hedgehogs: Pufi, Peti, Szotyi, and Bors. The shelter features mini-houses styled after district landmarks, providing a safe winter home. Passersby are asked to stay quiet and not feed the animals, as they are cared for by experts. The shelter’s name, Sün Diego, is a playful nod to San Diego.

70,000 people sought medical help for flu symptoms in the fourth week of January – an 8-year record For the first time in eight years, the number of flu-like illnesses in late January has reached such high levels, according to the latest report from the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK). Monitoring data on respiratory infections shows that between January 20 and 26, a total of 69,900 people visited doctors with flu symptoms—16,000 more than the previous week. Comparable figures for this period were recorded only twice in recent years: in 2019, with 65,000 cases, and in 2017, with 102,700 cases. The highest flu incidence rates were reported in the regions of Heves (1,218 cases per 100,000 people), Veszprém (1,050), and Tolna (1,029). The lowest rates were recorded in Zala (369), Nógrád (471), and Budapest (449). As part of epidemiological surveillance, doctors conducted 333 tests on patients with respiratory infections in the fourth week of January. The flu virus (types A and B) was detected in 171 samples, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in six patients, SARS-CoV-2 in five, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in four. The positivity rate for flu tests stood at 51.4%. During the week, 293 people were hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), 36 of whom required intensive care. Among the hospitalized patients, 128 tested positive for flu, 28 for RSV, and 13 for COVID-19. The report notes that most COVID-19 patients were over 60 years old, while 78.6% of those with severe RSV were children under two. Source

In 2024, MÁV trains were delayed by 6.9 years On Saturday, the Hungarian railway company MÁV published its annual report for 2024, summarizing passenger transport results. Over the year, more than 1.1 million trips were completed, with four out of five trains arriving on time. According to the report, starting in the summer of 2025, the company will begin compensating passengers for delays exceeding 20 minutes. In 2024, approximately 66,000 trains experienced such delays, accounting for 6% of all trips. Overall, MÁV trains spent 95.5 million minutes in transit, equivalent to 181 years. Of these, 3.6 million minutes (or 6.9 years) were due to delays. MÁV acknowledges that this figure is worse than in previous years but attributes the situation to increased passenger traffic following the introduction of regional and national travel passes, as well as a fare reform. The company also notes that the rise in passenger numbers has placed additional strain on aging infrastructure and rolling stock. Meanwhile, suburban HÉV trains achieved a record punctuality rate of 99.6%, which MÁV considers one of the best results in the world.

Busójárás 2025 – Dates, How to Get There The Busójárás festival in Mohács will take place this year from February 27 to March 4, with the main carnival day on Sunday, March 2. The full festival program is available on the official website: [https://www.mohacsibusojaras.hu/](https://www.mohacsibusojaras.hu/) This year, a special Busó Expressz train will run from Budapest. A standard round-trip ticket costs 19,000 HUF. More details https://www.mavrailtours.hu/hu/programs/show/267

Starting in March 2025, the renowned New York Café will extend its hours into the night, operating late from Thursday to Sunday. This development marks a return to its historical roots as a vibrant cultural hub, catering to night owls and connoisseurs of refined late-night experiences. Visitors during the extended hours can expect: - A serene and sophisticated ambiance, ideal for late-night conversations or quiet contemplation. - A carefully curated menu featuring premium beverages, artisanal coffee, light gourmet snacks, and exquisite desserts. - Live piano performances, enhancing the café’s already opulent atmosphere. - A specialized nighttime lighting concept, designed to create an immersive and intimate setting. The precise nighttime operating hours have not yet been finalized. However, during the pilot phase from December 13 to January 6, the café successfully operated between midnight and 4 AM, providing a glimpse into what patrons might expect once the extended hours are fully implemented. This move aligns with global trends in hospitality, where historic establishments adapt to contemporary lifestyles while preserving their timeless charm.

Reconstruction of Buda Castle: New Renderings Published The reconstruction of Buda Castle continues, including the renovation of Hunyadi Courtyard. The area in front of the palace will be enhanced with period-style lanterns, benches, and waste bins, along with newly planted greenery. As part of the project, the northern wing of the palace, originally designed by Hauszmann, will be restored, and St. George Street will regain its historical appearance. The eastern part of the street will be raised by three meters, while the western side will remain at its current level. Instead of rebuilding the lost stable building, which won't be restored due to space constraints, the area will be divided into two levels with a retaining wall made of natural limestone. What will change in Hunyadi Courtyard? - Authentic lanterns, benches, and waste bins will be installed. - Roads and sidewalks will be paved with cobblestones. - Green spaces will be expanded with new trees and shrubs. - Flower beds with an automatic irrigation system will be added. Hunyadi Courtyard was originally developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the reconstruction of Buda Castle under the direction of Alajos Hauszmann. After World War II, the area underwent significant changes, and the stables that once stood there were demolished.

Emilia Clarke is Filming in Budapest and Visited a Beauty Salon "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke, known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen, is in Budapest for the filming of a new project. She has already visited the YomTov nail salon in the 13th district, as shared by the salon staff on Instagram. Clarke is starring in the historical thriller Ponies, which begins production in early February. According to Music Daily, the series is set in 1977 and follows the fate of two CIA agents in Moscow. The story takes place in 1977 and follows two CIA agents in Moscow. Bea (Emilia Clarke) is a Russian-speaking intellectual, while her partner Twila (Haley Lu Richardson) is a bold young woman from a small town. Their husbands die under mysterious circumstances in the Soviet Union, and as they investigate, the women uncover a Cold War-era conspiracy.

Jazz and Visual Projections – A Unique Concert at Lumiere Hall Renowned saxophonist Kristóf Bacsó and virtuoso keyboardist Áron Tálas present Fragments of Light—an evening of jazz improvisation, multilayered compositions, and immersive visual projections. Kristóf Bacsó, the author of four albums, is known for his deep and multifaceted music, blending abstraction with emotional intensity. Áron Tálas, a master of improvisation, captivates audiences with his performances on piano and electronic instruments. Their album Imaginary Faces (2022), created as part of the Kristóf Bacsó Triad project, became a standout event in the jazz world. Join this unique musical journey! When: January 31, 21:00 Where: Lumiere Hall Tickets: from 6,000 HUF