Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

14  INTRODUCING HUNGAR Y DISC OVERING HUNGAR Y  15

Hortobágy National Park Day 12: The Őrség Region
(p256), distinguished by its to Sopron
superb nine-arched stone From Balaton, head west to the
bridge, though the real lush, thickly forested Őrség
highlight will be a breath- Region (p163), dotted with pretty
taking display of horsemanship villages. Turning north, take
by the blue-skirted csikós some time to amble around
cowboys of the Plain. delightfully sleepy Kőszeg
(pp168–9), the most attractive
Day 6: Lake Tisza to town in western Transdanubia.
Kecskemét Continue north to Sopron
The vast Plain extends west (pp172–5), with, arguably,
towards Lake Tisza (pp252–3) – Hungary’s finest medieval old
the country’s second-largest town; climb its Firewatch Tower
lake after Balaton and home for superlative views.
to some stunning birdlife, Festetics Palace, housing a superb library and several unusual museums
including peregrine falcons. Day 13: Győr and
There are watersports available which is distinguished by its northern shore. Disembark at Pannonhalma Abbey
The town of Eger, famous for its robust red wine too, particularly around magnificent blue stained-glass Tihany Peninsula (p206) and Leaving Sopron, visit the
Tiszafüred (p250), the lake’s dome. For a spot of post- walk up to exquisitely pretty Esterházy Palace in Fertőd (p171),
Two Weeks in charms of Hollókő (pp218–9), main resort. Turning south, sightseeing refreshment, Tihany village. After lunch, work a Baroque and Rococo master-
Hungary where you can also learn about Kecskemét (pp240–43) has an seek out Klauzál square and its your way along the shoreline to piece; you may even catch a
the customs of the local Palóc exceptional stock of Baroque buzzing outdoor cafés. Badacsony (p205), where you lunchtime concert in the room
• Arriving Arrive at Budapest people. Spend the afternoon and Secessionist masterpieces; can divide your afternoon where Haydn used to perform.
Liszt Ferenc Airport. It’s perusing the rich and varied don’t miss the wildly colourful, Day 8: Mohács to Pécs between the village itself and The next major town heading
about 50 minutes by public sights of Eger (p220–23), Art Nouveau Cifrapalota palace, Cross the Danube at Mohács Badacsony mountain, a stiff east is Győr (p178–9), stuffed
transport to the centre. especially its fabulous castle housing a wonderful gallery. (pp186–7) for the Memorial Park, climb but well worth it for the with Baroque churches and
• Getting Around A car is (part of which can be explored site of the famous Battle of marvellous lake views. mansions. It’s a short hop south
essential for this trip. underground) and graceful Day 7: Szeged Mohács in 1526. The route west to the sombre elegance of
16th-century minaret. Second only in size to from here takes you along the Day 11: Keszthely and Héviz Pannonhalma Abbey (p180–81),
Trying some of Eger’s famous Hortobágy, the Kiskunság lovely wine road between The lake’s western shore with its awesome 330,000-
Day 1: Budapest “Bulls Blood” wine is a must. National Park (p239) has a Villány (p187)and Siklós (p188), beckons this morning, and first volume Empire-style library.
Pick a day from the city itinerary similarly horsey vibe, thanks where it’d be remiss not to up is Keszthely (pp200–201),
on page 12. Day 1 takes in the Day 4: Bükk National Park to the Bugac stud farm. pause in one or two of the Balaton’s most charming town; Day 14: Tata to Lake Velence
city’s major landmarks, or mix to Tokaj Devote the rest of the day to many cellars along the way. take a guided tour of the stately Begin your last day in Tata
and match to suit your taste. In the morning, make for the sightseeing in Szeged (pp246–7). From here, take a sharp turn Festetics Palace (pp202–3), (p177), a delightful lakeside town
forested heights of the Bükk Start in Dóm square, flanked north to Pécs (pp190–91), as then stroll around its fragrant nestled around a moated castle.
Day 2: Along the hills in the Bükk National Park by handsome arcades and vibrant a city as any in Hungary; rose gardens. A few miles out Then discover how some of the
Danube Bend (p224–5), whose abundant overlooked by the mighty one place not to miss is the of town, while away an hour or finest hand-painted porcelain
Head north out of Budapest attractions include the Votive Church, then cross Csontváry Museum, containing so in Héviz (p204), the world’s in the world is made, touring
to Szentendre (pp142–4), magnificent Lipizzaner horses in town to the New Synagogue, the oeuvre of one of Hungary’s second-largest thermal lake; the Herend factory with its
a former Serbian enclave Szilvásvárad (p228) and the greatest painters. note that hiring a rubber ring tempting shop. From here,
replete with fine ecclesiastical Anna Cave in Lillafüred (p225). is de rigueur. Returning south, strike out for Veszprém (p208–
architecture, artistic treasures There are, though, even more Day 9: Szigetvár to Lake make for the reedy Kis- 9) and its beautifully preserved
and the unmissable Hungarian spectacular caves at Baradla in Balaton Balaton (“Little Balaton”) Castle District. Ornithologists
Open-Air Museum. Further up the Aggtelek National Park Travel north to Szigetvár (p194) nature reserve (p198), where will appreciate a stop at bird
the Danube, Visegrád (p145) (p228) skirting the Slovakian to view the town’s numerous you’ll encounter an impressive haven Lake Velence (p154) on
hoves into view, defined by its border. Round off the day in Turkish relics, before continuing range of migratory birds. the way back to Budapest.
two major historical ruins – the Tokaj (p232), Hungary’s most to Kaposvár (p189), whose
Royal Palace and the citadel. celebrated wine region, with a most important sights revolve
After a riverside lunch, track the glass of Tokaji Aszú. around the work of József
course of the Danube round to Rippl-Rónai, the father of
Esztergom (pp146–9), Hungary’s Day 5: Nyíregyháza to the Hungarian Art Nouveau. Head
most important religious centre; Hortobágy National Park due north again and you’ll
check out the mighty Basilica Moving eastwards onto the eventually reach the clean,
and the spooky crypt below. Great Plain, there’s outstanding shallow waters of Lake Balaton
church architecture on show (pp198–9). Enjoy a sundown
Day 3: Vác to Eger in Nyíregyháza (pp258–9). From stroll before a fish supper at
Having transferred to the here, go south to Debrecen one of the lakeside restaurants.
Danube’s east bank, enjoy the (pp254–5), Hungary’s second
Baroque splendour of Vác city and a Calvinist stronghold; Day 10: Lake Balaton
(p137), and the winsome enjoy, too, the city’s modern If the weather allows, hit the
National Botanical Gardens. thermal baths and fine The Votive Church in Szeged, with its twin beach in Siófok (p198), then
Take some time to explore the restaurants. Next, drive to 100-m (328-ft) towers hop aboard the ferry to the The most famed landmark in Pannonhalma, the Benedictine Pannonhalma Abbey
For practical information on travelling around Hungary, see pp306–9

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