Budapest to host unique horse race in city centre

 Budapest is getting ready to host one of the most unique cultural and sporting events in all of Europe, and one which will attract its fair share of tourists. The Hungarian capital will host a horse race right in the middle of Budapest’s city centre, on May 31^st. The horse race is being held at the historic Heroes’ Square, one of the city’s largest public spaces and also a popular tourist attraction in its own right. The square is flaked on either side by art museums and galleries, as well as a major series of statues commemorating Hungarian heroes.

According to initial media reports, 100 horses will participate in the race, and they will represent different municipalities in Hungary, as well as some local businesses. The race is rather simply entitled the “National Gallop” (http://www.vagta.hu/) and Hungarian officials are pledging to turn this into one of the country’s largest annual events. Although this may offer a great opportunity for Europeans to hop on a discount airline and spend a weekend in the Hungarian capital, the horse racers themselves have plenty to gain. The winners will walk away with as much as €200,000.

Foreign visitors interested in watching this event will be pleased to find that it is completely free of charge. Rows of bleachers will be placed all around Heroes’ Square and these will be available for visitors. The National Gallop’s organizers expect the number of viewers to stand at around 300,000. Visitors will also be invited to watch or participate in a variety of historic war games, or take in a series of colourful parades over the course of the May 31^st weekend.

Wizz Air is offering return air fare from London-Luton to Budapest-Ferihegy for GBP 125 for those interested in flying to Hungary for the National Gallop.