Page 289 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

SHOPPING IN HUNGAR Y  287

Szentendre. Other local goods
worth looking out for include
carpets (especially rugs with
plain, naive designs), and
wooden toys (especially toy
soldiers in Habsburg-era
uniforms). Hungary is also
renowned for its wonderful,
handmade teddy bears, which
– although expensive – make
superb presents.

Delicacies
Hungary exports more foie gras
than any other country in the
world with the exception of
Typical goods for sale at the Central Market Hall in Budapest France. It is available from
delicatessens all over the country,
Handicrafts and Folk art
called plazas, within walking and prices are far lower than
distance of the city centre. Open Hungary has a long tradition abroad. Look out for the distinctive
until late, and with a vast variety of producing high-quality black and gold labels and
of food outlets, as well as multi- porcelain and pottery, with packaging of the Rex Ciborum
screen cinemas, these all-purpose the Herend and Zsolnay brand: a guarantee of quality.
malls are very popular. In all, names carrying a worldwide Paprika – as a condiment –
there are more than 110 plazas reputation. Herend porcelain can be bought in all colours,
in towns around the country. is famous for its decorative shapes, varieties and degrees
There are also 115 popular and highly colourful designs, of heat in Hungary. Alterna tively
Tesco hypermarkets, selling a and the factory shop in there are many products
wide range of food and non-food the small town of Herend containing paprika as
items. With a few exceptions, (see p207), north of an ingredient, from
however, they are on the Lake Balaton, stocks paprika pastes to spicy
outskirts of cities, and difficult a small selection of Hungarian salamis or
to reach without a car. recent productions. sausages (try gyulai
The Zsolnay porce lain kolbász or Debreceni, for
factory in Pécs (see example). Most cheeses
Markets p190) also has a shop. are mild; the pungent
Markets of all sorts are an Bright colours are also Pálpusztai is a glorious
essential part of everyday life characteristic of Ajka Paste made from exception, if something
all over Hungary. Apart from crystal, which has Hungarian paprika of a liability in one’s
good, fresh produce, they been recognized as luggage. Markets all
offer a delightfully traditional Hungary’s finest for over the country will also sell
shopping experience to visitors. more than 150 years. It is their own regional specialities.
Many cities also organize open- made in the small town
air craft and folk art markets. The of Ajka, close to Veszprém.
best is in Hollókő and, though There are two stores selling Equestrian Goods
some of the wares are kitsch Ajka crystal in the village Given the pedigree of its
by most standards, prices are itself, and many more horsemen, such as the famous
good and souvenir ideas limit- throughout Hungary. Puszta Fivers (see p239), it comes
less. Debrecen city council also For best examples of the as no surprise to discover that
organizes an excellent craft fair finest Hungarian embroidery Hungary is a great place to
during August in Kossuth tér. (found on dresses, tablecloths, purchase tack. Finely crafted
place mats and saddles made from the best
cushion covers), the leather, boots, bridles, crops
village museum of and even polo mallets are made
Hollókő is a great to the highest specifications at
outlet. Prices are high, a great number of workshops
but the quality is through out the country. The
outstanding. Lower- best are those from the Great
priced examples can Plain – Hungary’s pre-eminent
be found in the many equestrian region – and there is
stalls and small shops no shortage of excellent sporting
that line the busy goods shops in Debrecen,
Traditional folk crafts in a Szentendre market pedestrian streets of Hortobágy and Szeged.

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