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Final program

Budapest - Pearl of the Danube and Pécs - European Capital of Culture

20th May 2010 - Thursday

During the day Guests’ arrival at Budapest Ferihegy airport
Please look for the FICB 2010 Hungary signage. Hostesses are available to assist with the transfer arrangements.

Individual transfers to Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Our recommendation: Zóna - Taxi (the official cab company at the airport)
Approx. fare from the airport to the downtown: EUR 24.—per transfer

Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge *****
- Address: 1051 Budapest Roosevelt tér 2.
- Telephone number: (00 36) 1 266 1234 / Fax number: (00 36) 1 266 9101

Check-in: at the hotel reception, rooms available from 02:00 PM
Welcome and registration at the hospitality corner in the hotel

FICB 2010 Hospitality desk - located at the hotel lobby – registration (handing out conference materials, badges, useful information about the program)

Hospitality suite with refreshments – located at the hotel lobby, open between 12:00 PM – 04:00 PM
03:15 PM Meet in the lobby of Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Please wear your name badge and bring your passport, as it might be checked at the Parliament building.
03:30 PM - 05:30 PM Departure for your orientation walking tour through the downtown
Guided tour around the Parliament building, including the Hungarian crown jewels
05:30 PM - Leisure time until dinner
Congress hostesses will be available at the FICB 2010 hospitality desk until 06:30 PM. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact them.
06:15 PM Meet at the hotel lobby, 5-minute walk to the Danube pier where the boat docks
Please wear your name badge and bring your confrerie medal.
Confrerie regalia is recommended for those who are presenting the wines during the “Wines of the World” program.
06:30 PM - 10:30 PM Welcome candlelit dinner on Boat Europa
06:30 PM - 07:00 PM Welcome reception and the official opening ceremony of the 46th FICB Congress
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM „Wines of the World” program - taking place in the private function rooms located on the 1st floor
08:30 PM - 10:30 PM Dinner in the Europa Hall
During dinner St. Martin and Oláh Jenő’s gypsy band will entertain guests
10:30 PM End of dinner program, short walk back to the downtown hotel
Night in Budapest at Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Dress code: Casual during the day with comfortable walking shoes recommended
Evening: Smart (Suit for gentlemen, cocktail dress for ladies), Medal

21st May 2010 - Friday

06:30 AM - Breakfast at the hotel, Terrase Restaurant
08:30 AM Meet in the hotel lobby
Please bring your Confrerie regalia and medal for the Congress.
Coaches are indicated with numbers and also the language spoken by the guide is noted. (English, German, French). Please get on the coach according to the number given to you at the registration.
08:45 AM - 11:15 AM Transfer by coach to Esztergom
En route a visit to the Citadel with Budapest Panoramic view, and the UNESCO World heritage site - Castle District on the Buda side
11:15 AM Arrival in Esztergom at the conference venue, the St. Adalbert Centre
Please change into Confrerie regalia in the cloak room

Knights of the local wine brotherhoods (Vinum Ister-Granum Regionis from Esztergom and Zsigmond Király from Tata) greet guests
Refreshments, savory and sweet snacks are offered in the inner courtyard
Local wine makers will also be presenting their wines here
12:00 PM 46th FICB Congress at St. Adalbert Centre - with the patronage of Cardinal Dr. Péter Erdő
Program – welcome speeches, presentations
  • on behalf of Cardinal Péter Erdő, Father Dr. Imre Varjú
  • Mr. Tamás Meggyes, Mayor of Esztergom
  • Dr. András Terts, president of the Federation of the Hungarian Wine Brotherhoods
  • Mr. Claude Josse, president of FICB
  • “Past, present and future of the Hungarian grape and wine producing” by Dr. Miklós Kállay, professor, senior lecturer, president of the Hungarian Wine Academy
  • "Wine and Music" by Dr. András Lakatos
  • Awards
Presentations are translated into English, French, German and Hungarian. Please take a headset.
01:15 PM Confrerie robes to be taken back onto coaches
01:30 PM - 03:00 PM Lunch at „Prímás Cellar”
Wines for the menu are provided by the local wine brotherhoods.
03:00 PM Meet at the entrance of the “Prímás Cellar” with the tour guides
03:15 PM - 04:15 PM Orientation walking tour of Esztergom – tour of the largest cathedral in Hungary, the Esztergom Cathedral
04:15 PM - 05:45 PM Coach transfer back to Budapest – on the way to the downtown hotel further sights will be included such as Heroes’ Square, the Hungarian State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral
05:45 PM Arrival at the hotel, leisure time until dinner
08:00 PM - 11:00 PM Gala dinner at the Ballroom of Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge (-1 level) During dinner Budapest Ragtime Band provides soft backround music and then change to live dance music
Surprise program and dancing
Night in Budapest at Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Dress code: Casual during the day with comfortable walking shoes
Confrerie regalia with medal is requested for the Congress.
Evening: Elegant – Dark suit for gentlemen (no tuxedo required), evening dress for ladies

22nd May 2010 - Saturday

06:30 AM - Breakfast at the hotel Terrase Restaurant
Individual check out from the hotel. Please settle your bill with any extra consumption.
09:15 AM Meet at the lobby of Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Please bring your confrerie regalia for the 2-day program taking place in the countryside. Secured luggage room is provided if you do not want to carry all your belongings on the Pécs-Villány program.
Please get on the coach according to the number given to you at the registration..
09:30 AM Departure for Kecskemét by coach
10:30 AM Arrival in Kecskemét at Protestant College, where the representatives of the 13 Wine brotherhoods of the Hungarian Great Plain dressed in Confrerie Regalia greet guests
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Program at the Protestant College
Dr. Gábor Zombor, Mayor of Kecskemét welcomes guests
Short performance of the Miraculum children choir
Light sandwich lunch with refreshments
Tasting of the greatest wines of the Hungarian Great Plain
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Short walking tour in Kecskemét town centre
12:30 PM Meet at the coaches parked outside the theatre building
Please stay with the group and follow your guide as the coaches depart from a different spot.
12:45 PM - 02:45 PM Transfer to Szekszárd by coach
Please wear your confrerie robe and medal during the intronization ceremony.
02:45 PM Short walk to the Wine Fount where refreshments and savoury snacks are served by the members of the local Alisca Wine Brotherhood
03:30 PM Mayor of Szekszárd, Mr. István Horváth greets guests and provides information about the city and its surroundings
03:45 PM Mr. Ernő Módos, Grand Master of Alisca Wine Brotherhood, conducts the intronization ceremony
04:15 PM - 05:00 PM Entertainment by local artists
05:00 PM Short walk to the coaches, transfer to the local vineries for dinner
05:30 PM Arrival at the wine cellars
05:30 PM - 07:30 PM Dine and wine around at Szekszárd wine cellars where specialties for the region are provided by the wine makers complimented by their best wines
Cellar visits, informal talks with the local wine producers
(Takler, Heimann, Mészáros, Bodri, Vesztergombi Wineries)
07:30 PM - 08:30 PM Coach transfer to Pécs, the European Capital of Culture
Check-in to the Hotel Palatinus and the Hotel Pátria
  • Hotel Palatinus ***
    - address: 7621 Pécs Király utca 5
    - telephone number: (00 36) 72 889 400, Fax number: (00 36) 72 889 438
  • Hotel Pária ***
    - address: 7621 Pécs Rákóczi utca 3
    - telephone number: (00 36) 72 889 500, Fax number: (00 36) 72 889 506
Check-in: at the hotel reception
Night in Pécs
Dress code: Casual during the day and evening with comfortable walking shoes
Confrerie robe and medal recommended for the intronization.
Please bring a jacket or pullover for the cellar visit in Szekszárd. It might be chilly in the cellars.

23rd May 2010 - Sunday

06:45 AM - Breakfast at the hotel restaurants – Restaurant Palatinus, Restaurant Pátria
09:30 AM Meet in the hotels’ lobby
Please wear your confrerie regalia for the special service and the procession.
09:00 AM Short walk to the church
09:30 AM Special service at the Inner-city Parish Church, Mosque of Gázi Kaszim pasha (Széchenyi square)
Delivery of donations
10:15 AM Gather for the procession
Please look for the signage with your country written on, which will be held by school children.
The procession goes in alphabetical order, starting with the presidency of FICB followed by the presidency of MBOSZ, then the foreign wine brotherhoods according to county. The hosting Hungarian Wine Brotherhoods close the queue.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Procession to the Pécs Cathedral
Performance of the Pannon Volán Zrt. Gents’ choir at the Szepessy statue
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM A glass of champagne offered by the Dom Perignon Champagne Brotherhood
Time for strolling around at the Handicraft market
11:45 AM Meet in front of the Ballroom at Hotel Palatinus.
Please leave your confrerie regalia here.
12:00 PM Welcoming by local representatives - Dr. Zsolt Páva (Mayor of Pécs), grand masters of the 2 local wine brotherhoods – Mrs. Ibolya Háber (Hungarian Ladies) and , Mr. Zoltán Nagy (Dom Perignon Champagne Order)
Performance of Vivat Bacchus choir
12:15 PM - 01:45 PM Lunch at the Bartók Ballroom of Hotel Palatinus
Wines are provided and presented by the Wine brotherhood of the Hungarian ladies
After lunch guests, accommodated in the Hotel Patria, have the opportunity to return their hotel to freshen up.
02:00 PM - 03:15 PM Leisure time or time for visiting the most interesting museums of Pécs
Guests accommodated in the Hotel Patria will be escorted back to their hotel.
03:45 PM Meet in the hotels lobby.
Please bring your confrerie regalia and medal.
04:00 PM - 04:45 PM Coach transfer to Villány
05:00 PM Welcome speech of Mr. Gyula Takáts, Grand Master of Custodes Vinorum Wine Brotherhood and Mayor of Villány
05:15 PM - 06:00 PM Walk through the wine cellars located on the main street with free tastings at the indicated cellars
Upon arrival all guests receive a special tasting glass. Please look for the „FICB 2010” signage. Wine makers of the local wine brotherhood offer wines for tasting at the indicated cellars.
06:00 PM Meet at the end of the main street – in front of the Roth cellar. Short walk to the Gere Vinery led by the local Brass Band.
06:30 PM Arrival at the dinner venue, the „Mulatság” begins. Local musicans and artists on stage.
06:45 PM - 07:15 PM Intronization ceremony by the Custodes Vinorum Wine Brotherhood Villány
07:30 PM - 09:30 PM Seated buffet dinner complemented by excellent Villány wines. During dinner local artists entertain guests with performances on stage.
Local vineries are presented, wine tasting
09:45 PM Coaches lined up at the Gere Vinery, transfer to Pécs
Please get back on the same coach you came on.
about 10:30 PM Arrival back at the hotels
Night in Pécs
Dress code: Casual clothes with comfortable walking shoes during the day and evening program
Confrerie regalia for special service and procession
Confrerie robe and medal recommended for the intronization ceremony

24th May 2010 - Monday

Kogart

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07:00 AM - Breakfast at the hotel restaurants
Individual check out from the hotel. Please settle your bill regarding the extra consumption.
08:45 AM Meet in the hotel lobby
Those guests leaving for the airport right after lunch, should put their luggage on the coaches last, so it can be taken out easily.
Those guests, who had left some of their luggage at Hotel Sofitel, should contact the organizers.
09:45 AM - 12:15 PM Coach transfer to Budapest
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch at the KOGART House
After lunch you can visit the private art collection of the owner, Mr. Gábor Kovács
During the day Individual departures
Transfer time from the downtown to the airport is approx. 35-40 minutes (depending on traffic). Check-in counters open 2-hour prior the flight departure. We suggest arranging the airport transfers to pick you up 2 hours prior to the actual flight departures to European countries and 2,5-hour for oversea flights.
Zóna taxi – HUF 4,800.— (EUR 22.-- / cab)
Dress code: Casual clothes with comfortable walking shoes during the day

Final extension program schedule

Budapest - Tokaj - Eger - Budapest

24th May 2010 - Monday

György Villa

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02:00 PM Should you participate at the extension program, you will be transferred back to Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge right after lunch.
After the quick check-in, leisure time until dinner so you can explore the city at will.
(Our recommendation: visiting the covered Market Hall, having a coffee and cake at Gerbeaud Coffee House as both are easily accessible on foot)
06:30 PM Meet at the hotel lobby, coach transfer to Budafok
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM Champaign dinner in György Villa, the excellent Hungarian sparkling wines for the dinner menu are provided by the Törley Vinery
Night in Budapest at Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Dress code: Casual clothes with comfortable walking shoes during the day
Evening: Smart casual


25th May 2010 - Tuesday

06:30 AM - Breakfast at the hotel Terrasse Restaurant
Individual check out from the hotel. Please settle your bill regarding any extra consumption.
For the 2-day extension program we would not recommend taking all your belongings but travelling only with a smaller bag. Secured storage room will be available in Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge.
Please get on the coach according to the number given to you at the registration.
08:45 AM Meet at the hotel lobby
09:00 AM - 11:30 AM Coach transfer to Tokaj
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Visiting Disznókő winery combined with cellar visit.
General introduction of the Tokaj grape growing and wine producing. Tasting of a 5 butts Tokaj Aszu
Coach transfer to Tokaj
01:00 PM Dr. Péter Molnár, president of Tokaj Reneszánsz greets guests on behalf of the local winemakers in the refurbished Synagogue building
01:15 PM - 03:15 PM Tokaj Reneszánsz walking wine tasting taking place at the ground floor parallel with a standing buffet lunch served on the 1st floor gallery
03:15 PM Leave for the Intronization ceremony on foot
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM Intronization at Rákóczi Cellar (Main Square)
04:45 PM - 05:00 PM Transfer to Tarcal, check-in to the Hotel Andrassy and the Castle Hotel Degenfeld
Check-in: at the hotel reception
  • Hotel Andrássy
    - Address: 3915 Tarcal, Fő u. 94.
    - Telephone number: (00 36) 47 580-015 / Fax number: (00 36) 47 580-016
  • Castle Hotel Degenfeld
    - Address: 3915 Tarcal, Terézia kert 9.
    - Telephone number: (00 36) 47 580-400 / Fax number: (00 36) 47 580-401
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM Leisure time until dinner – Wine Spa facilities of Andrassy Hotel are strongly recommended
Guests, accommodated in Degenfeld Castle Hotel, also have the possibility to use the Andrassy Hotel Wine Spa facilities free of charge. If you are interested, please contact the organizers.
06:45 PM Meet at the lobby of Castle Hotel Degenfeld – guests accommodated here – coach transfer to Hotel Andrassy
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM Wine dinner at the restaurant of the Hotel Andrassy
Night in Tarcal, guests are accommodated in 2 castle hotels – the Hotel Andrássy and the Castle Hotel Degenfeld
Dress code: Casual clothes with comfortable walking shoes during the day
Confrerie robe and medal is recommended for the intronization ceremony
Evening: Smart casual

26th May 2010 - Wednesday

07:00 AM - Breakfast at the hotel
Individual check out from the hotel. Please settle your bill regarding any extra consumption.
09:45 AM Meet at the lobby of the hotels (Andrassy and Degenfeld Hotel)
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Coach transfer to Eger
Please note that we will be walking between the venues in the downtown, only returning to the coaches in the afternoon. Please take your Confrerie robe and medal with you.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Visit the Eger Cathedral with exclusive organ concert
12:30 PM - 12:45 PM Short walk to the City Hall, where Mr. László Habis, Mayor of Eger greets guests
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Lunch at the Ornamental Hall of the City Hall, followed by a short presentation of the Eger wine region and local wine makers whose wine can be tasted free of charge during lunch
03:00 PM - 03:45 PM Orientation walking tour in the downtown – visiting Dobó Square and the historical parts of the Eger Palace
(For those who have walked enough for one day, minivan transfer is available. Please contact your guides or the organizers.)
03:45 PM - 05:00 PM Intronization of the local wine brotherhoods at the garden of the Castle Museum – Wine brotherhood of the Eger Bulls blood, Confrerie of Winefriend ladies, István Nádor Wine brotherhood from Lillafüred
(Bad weather back up: Renaissance Exhibition Hall of the Castle Museum)
05:00 PM - 05:30 PM Coach transfer to Noszvaj
Coaches will be waiting at the parking lot nearby. Please stay with your group and follow your guide.
05:30 PM - 06:00 PM Cellar visit at the Thummerer Vinery, led by Ms. Eva Thummerer
06:00 PM - 07:30 PM Lavish “Wine dinner” complimented by the hosts’ wines
07:30 PM - 09:30 PM Coach transfer back to Budapest, accommodation in Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Check-in: hotel reception
Night in Budapest at Hotel Sofitel Chain Bridge
Dress code: Casual clothes with comfortable walking shoes during the day
Confrerie robe and medal is recommended for the intronization ceremony
Please bring a jacket or pullover for the cellar visit.

27th May 2010 - Thursday

06:30 AM - Breakfast at the hotel Terrasse Restaurant
Individual check out from the hotel. Please settle your bill regarding any extra consumption.
Official check out time: 10:00 AM
During the day Individual departures
Transfer time from the downtown to the airport is approx. 35-40 minutes (depending on traffic). Check-in counters open 2-hour prior the flight departure. We suggest arranging the airport transfers to pick you up 2 hours prior to the actual flight departures to European countries and 2,5-hour for oversea flights.
Zóna taxi approx. fare EUR 24.-- / cab)