Hungary women only tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Accommodations with sustainability measures and renewable energy
Both accommodations on this itinerary hold recognised sustainability certifications and operate with a low-carbon mindset:

Up Hotel Budapest holds the Hungarian Green Hotel certification. The building was constructed with advanced heating, cooling and insulation systems, and thermal-protective window films that significantly reduce energy demand. Ongoing upgrades ensure the hotel maintains a reduced environmental footprint.

Hotel Palota is the first hotel in Hungary certified with the Good Travel Seal and also generates renewable energy on site, further reducing the carbon intensity of guest stays.

Use of shared low-carbon transport
Throughout the Budapest portion of the itinerary (3 days), all programme elements are accessed exclusively by local public transport, significantly lowering per-person emissions compared to private vehicles.

Human-powered transport included in the itinerary
The trip incorporates walking, cycling, and canoeing activities spread over ten days, providing low-impact, experiential ways to explore nature and cultural sites.

Lowest-emission road transport when needed
When public transport is not available, the itinerary uses the lowest-emission minibus option provided by a Hungarian small business, ensuring that unavoidable transfers are handled with the minimum possible carbon footprint.

Plant-based options and food sustainability
Vegetarian meals are available every day, and both hotels can provide vegan options, with Hotel Palota’s kitchen team specifically trained to increase plant-based offerings.
All restaurants selected for the trip work with Hungarian, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, and both hotels have food-waste reduction policies as well as measures to minimise or switch away from uncertified forestry products.


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Our Hungarian itineraries strongly emphasize the protection of natural habitats and the support of national parks, forestry organisations, and conservation-focused accommodations.

Accommodation Environmental Policies:
Both accommodations on this trip actively work to reduce their environmental impact through verified sustainability measures:
- UP Hotel Budapest operates as a smart, energy-saving hotel. Its building uses advanced heating, cooling, and insulation technologies, thermal-protective window films, and ongoing maintenance practices that minimise resource use. The hotel holds the Hungarian “Green Hotel” certification, confirming compliance with national sustainability standards.
- Hotel Palota, certified by the Good Travel Seal, is located in a protected natural area and integrates sustainability into both its operations and landscape design. Its historic hanging gardens and natural cave system support ecological water retention, helping manage rainwater naturally. The hotel also minimises plastic, and applies responsible waste management and energy-saving policies.

Restoring Nature & Protected Areas:
This itinerary includes multiple visits to protected natural areas where entrance fees directly support conservation:
- Aggtelek National Park – Baradla Cave (entrance fee included)
- Lillafüred – Anna Cave (entrance fee included)
- Edible Forest Experience, where participation fees support the local forestry organisation and its regenerative landscape programs.

Hotel Palota collaborates closely with the surrounding protected area and the national park. They guide visitors on responsible use of trails, contribute to the upkeep of hiking paths, and offer nature-focused programs in partnership with conservation professionals.

Nature Recovery & Rewilding Contributions

The itinerary supports nature recovery in several ways:
- Entrance fees to caves and forest areas directly fund national park conservation work.
- The Edible Forest program reinvests visitor income into forest maintenance, education, and landscape regeneration.
- Optional volunteer work in urban garden landscaping (with Budapest’s main public gardening service) provides hands-on support for green public spaces and biodiversity-friendly urban design.

Expert Local Nature Guides:
For all protected area activities—including cave visits, forest programs, and national park experiences—we work exclusively with:
- Local guides employed by the national park and forestry organisations
- Experts trained in geology, ecology, or forest management
- Guides born or based in the region, ensuring that interpretation is rooted in local knowledge and scientific accuracy

These professionals bring not only qualifications but also deep connection to the landscape, offering travellers a meaningful, responsible encounter with Hungary’s natural heritage.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Both accommodations featured on this trip are locally owned Hungarian businesses, ensuring that tourism revenue remains within the country and directly supports local communities.
Hotel Palota, Hungary’s first Good Travel Seal–certified hotel, carries unique historic significance: built in 1930 in the Neo-Renaissance style, it has long been a landmark of the Lillafüred region. Today, it continues to operate as a heritage property, employing local residents and partnering with the surrounding national park.

To maximise positive local economic impact, the itinerary includes a wide range of small, family-owned, or community-based Hungarian enterprises:
- Chemical-free organic farm visit
- Beekeeping workshop
- Small-scale T-shirt workshop
- Family-run biodynamic winery in a UNESCO wine region
- Traditional Hungarian village visit for folk immersion
- Visit to a Roma (Gypsy) community
- Local equestrian park visit
- National park–based nature programs and cave visits

All guides, artisans, food producers, and workshop hosts are Hungarian, and all activities channel revenue to rural regions often overlooked by mainstream tourism.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

100% of the people we and our operating partners employ in Hungary are locals.
All guides, workshop leaders, drivers, artisans, and experience providers come from the regions we visit, ensuring that tourism income stays within the community.

We intentionally create income-generating opportunities for groups who are often marginalised within the tourism sector. This includes:
- Residents of small rural villages
- Roma (Gypsy) communities
- Women-led small businesses
- Family-run agricultural and artisan enterprises

Because Hungarian tourism remains heavily concentrated in the capital, our core objective is to redistribute tourism expenditure more equitably, supporting communities beyond Budapest.

All staff and partners are paid at least the national minimum wage.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion:
The trip is LGBTQ+ friendly — anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome.