Recently updated on September 6th, 2023 at 02:52 pm
Time and time again, our guests say the highlight of their tour is our Be My Guest experiences where they meet the locals and share homegrown and traditional meals. To honor our fantastic Be My Guest hosts and Local Specialists, we’re spotlighting eight locals who bring our Central Europe tours to life and share how you can meet them on your next Trafalgar trip.
The Schieszl family – Budapest, Hungary
We’ll meet the Schieszl family for dinner at their family winery near Budapest. You’ll dig into a hearty meal, enjoying traditional Hungarian food like smoked Mangalica ham and their award-winning wines. You’ll also hear the moving story of how their winery doubled as a hiding place for a Jewish friend who was fleeing Nazi persecution during WWII.
The friend and his family lived in their wine cellar for six months, hiding in one of the giant wine barrels. You’ll see the barrel and hear how their Jewish friend came to the family’s rescue later on. Their friend became a lawyer and helped the Schieszl family return to Hungary and buy back their cherished home and winery after being forced to flee during the war. This is a special Be My Guest experience you won’t soon forget.
What our guests say:
“My wife and I have been together for over 20 years, her heritage is Hungarian. Our imperial Europe trip is the first time I had visited Hungary. We went with our two children and to experience the wonders of Budapest & Szentendre with her was very special. Thank you Trafalgar!”
– Dominic Mammarella, Imperial Europe
EXPERIENCE IT: Bohemian Highlights
RELATED CONTENT: The Moving Story Behind the Schieszl Winery in Hungary
The Conne family – Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Lake Geneva is one of the most spectacular wine-producing regions in the world, and we’ll meet some of the people behind it with this Be My Guest experience. We’ll travel to the wine village of Chexbres above Lake Geneva in Central Europe, and meet Claudine Conne and her daughter at their vineyard. The family have lived and worked here since the 15th century and you’ll learn all about its rich history, including how Claudine was the first woman to run the winery.
There are 12 magical hectares to explore and you’ll get to savor the local wines, cheeses, cured meats, bread, and desserts all while soaking up the spectacular views of the vine-clad hills overlooking Lake Geneva. You couldn’t find a better spot to enjoy Swiss hospitality! As part of this exclusive Be My Guest experience, you’ll also enjoy a tasting of the local wines in the capite (wine hut), used as a place for the wine producer to rest and store the wines.
EXPERIENCE IT: Best of Switzerland
RELATED CONTENT: 6 staggering natural wonders in Switzerland
Jakov and Keti – Hvar Island, Croatia
Hvar Island is one of the most spectacular of all Croatia’s islands. We’ll head to the little village of Humac, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive Be My Guest experience at Konoba Humac. You’ll meet the owners Jakov & wife Keti, and enjoy a meal cooked in a traditional style under an iron bell using ingredients from the family’s farm. Learn how they cook traditional Croatian cuisine in this authentic restaurant with no electricity or running water, and savor the delicious flavors while overlooking the glittering Adriatic Sea in Central Europe.
Start with a local cheese plate, then dig into lamb, chicken, veal, octopus, and vegetables, all cooked using Jakov’s unique technique he created some 32 years ago, combining the traditional ‘Peka’ bell inside two fire fuelled ovens. You’ll also learn more about Jakob and Keti’s life here, and how they also breed horses on this gorgeous farm.
What our guests say:
“Hvar is a serene, long, endlessly scenic island smack dab in the middle of it all. Trafalgar includes a Be My Guest experience with each of its tours. Ours was to a partially restored old stone village in the hills of Hvar, far from any civilization. I say village, but there’s only one couple that lives there with no electricity or neighbors of any kind. Tour Director Jasmina and Trafalgar arranged for them to treat all forty-plus of us to a gourmet meal of veal, lamb, or octopus (our choice), cooked under an iron bell. We dined outside with plenty of wine to go along with the good food. And we topped it all off with homemade grappa.”
– Debbie Horvath, Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia
EXPERIENCE IT: Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia
RELATED CONTENT: Unexpected gems to find in Croatia and Slovenia
The Klaushofer family – Salzburg, Austria
We’ll travel just outside Salzburg to a family farm in Faistenau, where you’ll meet the Klaushofer family and their resident bees. The Klaushofer family have lived here since the end of the 19th century, and this organic farm produces everything from cheese and butter to honey, bread and elderflower products.
Your hosts Simon and Brigitte Klaushofer have worked the farm since the 1990s. They’ll show you around their gorgeous farm and beehives while sharing stories about what it’s like to live in this enchanting corner of Central Europe. You’ll then sit down to a delicious dinner of homemade delights, including a mouthwatering cheese strudel!
EXPERIENCE IT: Sound of Music
RELATED CONTENT: A guide to Austria for anyone who craves the great outdoors
The Nickelig family – Rhine Valley, Germany
As you cruise past the vineyard-clad hills of the Rhine Valley, you’ll stop for a special Be My Guest experience in the medieval Castle Liebenstein, perched high above the Rhine. You’ll meet Klaus Nickelig and his sister Anita who run the castle and sit down to a banquet lunch. As you indulge in traditional German fare, you’ll hear stories of feuding lords and ladies in this fairytale setting.
You’ll also learn how Castle Liebenstein is the ‘hostile brother’ castle of its neighbor Sterrenberg, and discover the history of the knights who lived there. As you explore the castle, and admire the stunning views over Rudesheim and Bingen, you’ll know you’re walking in the footsteps of kings and queens.
What our guests say:
My daughter Suzannah and I both traveled together on our first ever trip to Europe. In Dresden, we had an amazing lunch on the outdoor patio of an Italian restaurant where we toasted with Limoncellos. It was such an amazing and fun trip and I was very happy to be able to share this moment with my daughter who is always so busy taking care of everyone else in her life. The day was perfect, the food was fantastic and very authentic.
– Laura Hunnibell, The Best of Germany
EXPERIENCE IT: Best of Germany
RELATED CONTENT: Step inside Castle Liebenstein in the Rhine Valley
Monika, Gregor and family – Lake Bled, Slovenia
While Lake Bled is breathtaking in itself, the real highlight of your trip here is our exclusive Be My Guest experience with Monika, Gregor and their five children. You’ll meet the family on their Slibar farm and learn how the farm has been in their family for six generations. The family has been living sustainably off the farm and forest in Central Europe, all while producing organic beer, bread and pasta.
Take a walk with Monika, Gregor and their children and meet the resident farm animals. You’ll then tuck into a traditional Slovenian meal made with local ingredients, including seasonal vegetables plucked straight from the farm. Everything is served on big sharing plates and you’ll embrace the real Slovenian hospitality.
EXPERIENCE IT: Best of Croatia and Slovenia
RELATED CONTENT: 9 super tasty Slovenian foods to try
The sisters of the Monastery of Kloster Wernberg, Austria
Journey to the beautiful Austrian city of Villach, where we’ll meet the Missionary Sisters of the Monastery of Kloster Wernberg. Sister Monika will take us on a tour of the monastery, which was once a castle, and is today home to 60 sisters. See the farms where the nuns grow all their own produce and admire the gorgeous location overlooking the Drava River.
You’ll then sit down to an exclusive Be My Guest Carinthian dinner, with traditional fare and homegrown herbs and vegetables. You’ll chat with the nuns over dinner and they’ll share stories about their life in the convent and their work to uplift marginalised people in their community.
EXPERIENCE IT: Switzerland and Austria
RELATED CONTENT: The Enchanting Kloster Wernberg Monastery
The Knez family – Dubrovnik, Croatia
We’ll journey high into the Dubrovnik Hills, where we’ll meet the Knez family for a special Be My Guest experience in Central Europe. You’ll be welcomed into their traditional tavern overlooking the hills, and spend the evening dining on Dubrovnik specialities. As you savor the delicious flavours and spectacular views, you’ll gain a deep appreciation for your hosts’ warm Croatian hospitality.
EXPERIENCE IT: Balkan Delight
RELATED CONTENT: Beyond Dubrovnik and Sarajevo: 10 off-the-radar Balkan towns to explore with Trafalgar
Are you planning a trip to Central Europe? Let us know in the comments below!