You are sure to have heard about Budapest, one of the pearls of Europe, the capital of Hungary, set on the banks of the Danube. Perhaps you have even
been here. But how much do you know about the other things to see in Hungary, the scores of beautiful places where you can enjoy a refreshing holiday?
Hungary might not be what you expect from an Eastern European country. Because it opened its borders to the West before many of its neighbors, it also had a
head start on hospitality, welcoming visitors with its rich and varied cuisine, gorgeous wine regions and steamy thermal spas. From the striking capital of
Budapest, curving along the grand Danube, to its remote villages, known for their superb folk art, Hungary's attractions are easy and pleasurable to explore.
been here. But how much do you know about the other things to see in Hungary, the scores of beautiful places where you can enjoy a refreshing holiday?
Hungary might not be what you expect from an Eastern European country. Because it opened its borders to the West before many of its neighbors, it also had a
head start on hospitality, welcoming visitors with its rich and varied cuisine, gorgeous wine regions and steamy thermal spas. From the striking capital of
Budapest, curving along the grand Danube, to its remote villages, known for their superb folk art, Hungary's attractions are easy and pleasurable to explore.
Visitors looking for relaxation are spoiled for choice. There are rolling hills and unending plains, wide rivers and cooling
springs. And of course Lake Balaton, known affectionately by the locals as the Hungarian Sea. Then there is the Őrség
National Park, the river Tisza and Lake Fertő, and Hollókő, a charming village in the north of the country that was the
first place in Hungary to be classified as a
World Heritage Site.
Did you know that Hungary's butterfly population is without parallel anywhere else in Europe, that here it is possible to
walk through a meadow filled with wild cyclamen?
By way of contrast, we can now offer superb golf courses. Hungary is also a land endowed with countless top-rated Spa
resorts, all based on the special healing qualities of the naturally occurring thermal waters. With alternatives as diverse as
these, all can find their favourite mode of relaxation, from equestrian holidays and eco-tourism to water and cycling
holidays. The relaxing holiday of your choice will be made complete by the wonderful Hungarian cuisine and fine
Hungarian wines and beers. And the most important thing? Wherever and however you choose to spend your time in
Hungary, you can be sure that you will receive, along with the excellent wine, a friendly open-hearted welcome.
springs. And of course Lake Balaton, known affectionately by the locals as the Hungarian Sea. Then there is the Őrség
National Park, the river Tisza and Lake Fertő, and Hollókő, a charming village in the north of the country that was the
first place in Hungary to be classified as a
World Heritage Site.
Did you know that Hungary's butterfly population is without parallel anywhere else in Europe, that here it is possible to
walk through a meadow filled with wild cyclamen?
By way of contrast, we can now offer superb golf courses. Hungary is also a land endowed with countless top-rated Spa
resorts, all based on the special healing qualities of the naturally occurring thermal waters. With alternatives as diverse as
these, all can find their favourite mode of relaxation, from equestrian holidays and eco-tourism to water and cycling
holidays. The relaxing holiday of your choice will be made complete by the wonderful Hungarian cuisine and fine
Hungarian wines and beers. And the most important thing? Wherever and however you choose to spend your time in
Hungary, you can be sure that you will receive, along with the excellent wine, a friendly open-hearted welcome.
| Lake Balaton |
They were followed, several centuries later, by the Turks, and th steam baths they left behind are among the
Easting Legacies of the Ottoman occupation.
It is a healthy joy to see aunties and uncles siting out in the thermal water in the depths of
winter or the height of summer, enjoying the sensual delights of the warm, egg-smelling
water on their skin. Some, like Dagály, Gellért, Széchenyi and Lukács, have thermal pools
outside and are best appreciated in the winter as snow or rain gently falls on your head.
The Király, Rác, Rudas, Széchenyi and Gellért also have the small pools indoors.
These are beautiful, dimly lit steam-filled rooms, like Roman temples, with marble columns,
tainted glass roofs, colorful frescoes, mosaics and statues.
Strands are the lido complexes with pools, slides and a host of stalls selling unhealthy but
tasty snacks.
Technically, the Széchenyi, is actually a strand.
Thermal baths are a healthy way of life for old
people and a well established part of society.
Some folk will spend all day in the hot water,
summer and winter. The signs usually advise
that you only stay in the water for a maximum
of half an hour, because of the high mineral
content and, in some cases, radioactivity, but
people take food, drinks, newspapers and stay
until their skin becomes completely prune-like,
There is a great emphasis on water-based
cures in Hungarian medicine, and spa visits are
even be prescribed by doctors in some cases.
And the best of the best? Well, according to the readers of Spa Finder Inc the world's largest
spa marketing and publishing company, based in New York, the Danubius Thermal Hotel
Margitsziget was named the Top Spa in Hungary for 2004.
Easting Legacies of the Ottoman occupation.
It is a healthy joy to see aunties and uncles siting out in the thermal water in the depths of
winter or the height of summer, enjoying the sensual delights of the warm, egg-smelling
water on their skin. Some, like Dagály, Gellért, Széchenyi and Lukács, have thermal pools
outside and are best appreciated in the winter as snow or rain gently falls on your head.
The Király, Rác, Rudas, Széchenyi and Gellért also have the small pools indoors.
These are beautiful, dimly lit steam-filled rooms, like Roman temples, with marble columns,
tainted glass roofs, colorful frescoes, mosaics and statues.
Strands are the lido complexes with pools, slides and a host of stalls selling unhealthy but
tasty snacks.
Technically, the Széchenyi, is actually a strand.
Thermal baths are a healthy way of life for old
people and a well established part of society.
Some folk will spend all day in the hot water,
summer and winter. The signs usually advise
that you only stay in the water for a maximum
of half an hour, because of the high mineral
content and, in some cases, radioactivity, but
people take food, drinks, newspapers and stay
until their skin becomes completely prune-like,
There is a great emphasis on water-based
cures in Hungarian medicine, and spa visits are
even be prescribed by doctors in some cases.
And the best of the best? Well, according to the readers of Spa Finder Inc the world's largest
spa marketing and publishing company, based in New York, the Danubius Thermal Hotel
Margitsziget was named the Top Spa in Hungary for 2004.
| BUDAPEST: CITY OF THE THERMAL BATHS |
GELLÉRT BATH
XI. Kelenhegyi út 2-4.
Phone: 466-6166
Located in the centre of the city
on Budaside of the
Szabadság Bridge
XI. Kelenhegyi út 2-4.
Phone: 466-6166
Located in the centre of the city
on Budaside of the
Szabadság Bridge
SZECHENYI BATH AND
SWIMMING POOL
XIV. Állatkerti körút 11.
Located in the
City Park (Városliget)
SWIMMING POOL
XIV. Állatkerti körút 11.
Located in the
City Park (Városliget)
KIRÁLY BATH
II. Fő utca 82-84.
Phone: 202-3688
Located on the Buda side near
Margaret Bridge
II. Fő utca 82-84.
Phone: 202-3688
Located on the Buda side near
Margaret Bridge
RÁC BATH
Budapest, Hadnagy u. 8-10
Phone: 356-1322
Budapest, Hadnagy u. 8-10
Phone: 356-1322
LUKÁCS BATH
AND SWIMMING POOL
II. Franken Leó u. 25-29
Phone: 326-1695
AND SWIMMING POOL
II. Franken Leó u. 25-29
Phone: 326-1695
RUDAS BATH
AND SWIMMING POOL
I. Döbrentei tér 9.
Phone: 356-1322
AND SWIMMING POOL
I. Döbrentei tér 9.
Phone: 356-1322
This oblong lake, about 100km (62mi) from Budapest, is one of the largest in Europe.
Often called 'the nation's playground,' Balaton is divided into two quite different shores: the south, which is essentially one long resort of high-rise hotels and
minuscule beaches; and the north, where there are more historical towns and sights, mountain trails, better wine, and much less glitz.
Dominating the south is Siófok, the largest of Balaton's resorts.
The dedicated pursuits here are eating, drinking, swimming and sunbathing -
and whatever comes in between. If you get bored with the beach and the crowds,
you can take a trip to nearby Szántódpuszta, a recreational center of perfectly
preserved 18th- and 19th-century farm buildings, barns, workshops,and a Baroque church.
Further west is Keszthely, a pleasant town of grand houses, tree-lined streets
and funky cafés, with unique views of both shores of the lake.
The north's oldest and most popular resort is Balantonfüred.
During the 19th century it was the gathering place for
politicians and cultural leaders, then a writers' colony and,
by 1900, a summer retreat for the country's emerging middle class.
It remains a sophisticated, yet peaceful place, and counts among
its attractions a splendid promenade, a number of artist's museums
and warm-water springs. South of here is the historical village of Tihany,
while east is Badacsony, a region renowned for its scenery, excellent hiking trails
and wine-producing towns. Throughout the 19th Century, the Hungarians were ranked among the world’s best winemakers . . . more.
Often called 'the nation's playground,' Balaton is divided into two quite different shores: the south, which is essentially one long resort of high-rise hotels and
minuscule beaches; and the north, where there are more historical towns and sights, mountain trails, better wine, and much less glitz.
Dominating the south is Siófok, the largest of Balaton's resorts.
The dedicated pursuits here are eating, drinking, swimming and sunbathing -
and whatever comes in between. If you get bored with the beach and the crowds,
you can take a trip to nearby Szántódpuszta, a recreational center of perfectly
preserved 18th- and 19th-century farm buildings, barns, workshops,and a Baroque church.
Further west is Keszthely, a pleasant town of grand houses, tree-lined streets
and funky cafés, with unique views of both shores of the lake.
The north's oldest and most popular resort is Balantonfüred.
During the 19th century it was the gathering place for
politicians and cultural leaders, then a writers' colony and,
by 1900, a summer retreat for the country's emerging middle class.
It remains a sophisticated, yet peaceful place, and counts among
its attractions a splendid promenade, a number of artist's museums
and warm-water springs. South of here is the historical village of Tihany,
while east is Badacsony, a region renowned for its scenery, excellent hiking trails
and wine-producing towns. Throughout the 19th Century, the Hungarians were ranked among the world’s best winemakers . . . more.
| Hungary Magyarország |
l i n k s
Did you know ?
Hungary has the most thermal spring after New Zealand in Europe...? Hungarian spas and Budapest baths was always well-known in Middle-Europe and
nowadays discover the West-European tourists as well. The information of healthy the Hungarian and Budapest spas spread also around the world. Budapest is
the world's only metropolitan city and capital with more than 80 active thermal springs and wells. In the territory of Budapest (a total of 118 different sources)
provide up to 30,000 cubic metres of 21-76 Celsius thermal water every day: mostly dolomitic water ranging from lukewarm karts to thermal hot water. There
are 24 medical spas, public baths, indoor and outdoor swimming pools in the capital today, ten with a special medical capacity and therapeutic value.
Hungary has the most thermal spring after New Zealand in Europe...? Hungarian spas and Budapest baths was always well-known in Middle-Europe and
nowadays discover the West-European tourists as well. The information of healthy the Hungarian and Budapest spas spread also around the world. Budapest is
the world's only metropolitan city and capital with more than 80 active thermal springs and wells. In the territory of Budapest (a total of 118 different sources)
provide up to 30,000 cubic metres of 21-76 Celsius thermal water every day: mostly dolomitic water ranging from lukewarm karts to thermal hot water. There
are 24 medical spas, public baths, indoor and outdoor swimming pools in the capital today, ten with a special medical capacity and therapeutic value.
Király, Rác and Rudas bath built by the Turkish (Ottomans), are equally popular among both the residents of
Budapest and tourists. Recreation and a beautiful atmosphere are also provided by various hot springs and
baths,where you can do something good for your health and leave your everyday life behind. Get the
comfortable feeling after a sauna visit or indulge yourself with steam baths, body peelings and massages at a
bath.
The thermal baths of Budapest are among the best in the world. The region's mineral springs have been
cherished for centuries an what you see now in t e city are nothing less than the foot prints of history. The
Roman, if only by dint of fact they were the first major occupying force/civilization here, built the first bath
houses at Aquincum. Pannonia, the Roman region which included modern Hungary, was even something of a
holiday resort for the Empire's superstars looking for a spot of R&R.
Budapest and tourists. Recreation and a beautiful atmosphere are also provided by various hot springs and
baths,where you can do something good for your health and leave your everyday life behind. Get the
comfortable feeling after a sauna visit or indulge yourself with steam baths, body peelings and massages at a
bath.
The thermal baths of Budapest are among the best in the world. The region's mineral springs have been
cherished for centuries an what you see now in t e city are nothing less than the foot prints of history. The
Roman, if only by dint of fact they were the first major occupying force/civilization here, built the first bath
houses at Aquincum. Pannonia, the Roman region which included modern Hungary, was even something of a
holiday resort for the Empire's superstars looking for a spot of R&R.
| Chew.hu is an English-language website devoted specifically to Hungarian food and wine. It generally publishes three items every weekday - one at each mealtime - for a total of 15 articles per week. |
Budapest, with a population of more than 1.7 million, still has bedraggled and struggling outer
districts. But Nagyvasarcsarnok, the Central Market Hall in Pest, is a bright, dynamic place full
of paprika, aromatic food stalls and sweet Tokaji wine. Sidewalk cafes are alive with thrift-shop
fashionistas, canoodling couples and joyful chatter in a dozen languages. In Buda, tourist buses
cluster like seagulls at Castle Hill, discharging sightseers from all over the world.
Yes, goulash — that old soupy peasant staple of beef stewed with vegetables and paprika — is
still on pretty much every menu, but I also found the world’s cuisines on offer. Where $5 once
bought a brick of foie gras big enough to gorge four adults, a few bites in a small appetizer
serving now run around triple that.
districts. But Nagyvasarcsarnok, the Central Market Hall in Pest, is a bright, dynamic place full
of paprika, aromatic food stalls and sweet Tokaji wine. Sidewalk cafes are alive with thrift-shop
fashionistas, canoodling couples and joyful chatter in a dozen languages. In Buda, tourist buses
cluster like seagulls at Castle Hill, discharging sightseers from all over the world.
Yes, goulash — that old soupy peasant staple of beef stewed with vegetables and paprika — is
still on pretty much every menu, but I also found the world’s cuisines on offer. Where $5 once
bought a brick of foie gras big enough to gorge four adults, a few bites in a small appetizer
serving now run around triple that.
prettiest and most animated - Budapest
The Danube comes to life as a kind of a kind of floating smorgasbord of moored barges: one offers jazz
dinners, another a pulsing disco, yet another a quiet seafood restaurant. Places like Raday utca and Liszt
Ferenc Square, just off the fashionable boulevard of Andrassy, attract crowds that are younger, more chic
and louder. Often, a club catering to 20-somethings on the prowl reveals itself down a dark Pest side
street with a dim glow from a door opening into a hidden warren of lounge rooms and lantern-lit gardens.
For a symbol of how Budapest has changed, an obvious first choice would be Roosevelt Square, at the foot
of the Chain Bridge. Previously dominated by hulking old buildings and the state-operated Forum Hotel
(now an Inter-Continental), it is now overlooked by the Gresham Palace and a gaudy casino, and it is thick
with limos.
If you’re looking for the heart of the city today, I’d make a case for sampling Lizst Ferenc Square. That’s
where we found Café Vian, in which Budapest’s clashing cultures made a particularly sweet sound. The
youthful crowd, hovering over sweet cocktails and yelling to be heard in the din, was flecked with a
handful of older faces, mostly fresh from hearing Stravinsky and Gulda at the venerable Zeneakademia a
few steps away.
dinners, another a pulsing disco, yet another a quiet seafood restaurant. Places like Raday utca and Liszt
Ferenc Square, just off the fashionable boulevard of Andrassy, attract crowds that are younger, more chic
and louder. Often, a club catering to 20-somethings on the prowl reveals itself down a dark Pest side
street with a dim glow from a door opening into a hidden warren of lounge rooms and lantern-lit gardens.
For a symbol of how Budapest has changed, an obvious first choice would be Roosevelt Square, at the foot
of the Chain Bridge. Previously dominated by hulking old buildings and the state-operated Forum Hotel
(now an Inter-Continental), it is now overlooked by the Gresham Palace and a gaudy casino, and it is thick
with limos.
If you’re looking for the heart of the city today, I’d make a case for sampling Lizst Ferenc Square. That’s
where we found Café Vian, in which Budapest’s clashing cultures made a particularly sweet sound. The
youthful crowd, hovering over sweet cocktails and yelling to be heard in the din, was flecked with a
handful of older faces, mostly fresh from hearing Stravinsky and Gulda at the venerable Zeneakademia a
few steps away.
A collision of forces is transforming Budapest into one of the continent’s liveliest, prettiest and
most animated capitals. Attractive prices, especially for housing, have set off a mini-invasion of
foreigners setting up second homes in the stylish 19th-century apartment blocks of central Pest.
Retail chains from around the world have followed, along with the hoteliers and commercial
developers.
most animated capitals. Attractive prices, especially for housing, have set off a mini-invasion of
foreigners setting up second homes in the stylish 19th-century apartment blocks of central Pest.
Retail chains from around the world have followed, along with the hoteliers and commercial
developers.
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