Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

292  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SPOR T S AND A C TIVITIES IN HUNGAR Y  293

abound. The Hungarian of water in the country, more or the only course in Hungary to
Equestrian Tourism less at any time of year, but they have hosted an international
Association (MLTKSZ) do require a Hungarian National golf tour event.
rates all equine centres Fishing Licence to do so; this is Visitors can find out more
using a five-horseshoe available from the National about golfing in Hungary
system, similar to the Federation of Hungarian at the excellent website
star ratings awarded Anglers (MOHOSZ). The www.golfhungary.hu.
to hotels. As a rule, the licence, valid for up to a year,
wider the range of costs around 2,000 forints (€6) DIRECTORY
activities that are on and also requires the angler to
offer at an equestrian pass a test. Fishing enthusiasts Water Sports
centre, the more horse- may also need to buy a local Balaton Regional
shoes it will have in licence, depending on the Tourist Office
its rating. Many riding stretch of water where they Blaha Lujza utca 2, Balatonfüred.
Steeplechase, a popular equestrian pursuit centres also offer over- plan to fish. Local licences Skating at the ice rink in Varosliget, Budapest Tel (87) 34 28 01.
night accom modation. can usually be bought at the
Horse Riding All offer gentle pony-trekking entrances to major fishing areas. National Chamber of Hunters arriving in Budapest at 5:30pm. Hungarian Water
Hungary and the Hungarians trails for children or beginners, Local tourist offices will have a (OMVK), offers advice on all Drivers should take the M3 Ski and Wakeboard
Association
are invariably linked to horses as well as riding lessons for all list of sales points. hunting matters. motorway from Budapest to 1033 Hajógyári Sziget 108,
and horsemanship, and riding abilities. Some riding centres Gyöngyös, then the H24 passing Budapest. Tel (1) 487 20 41.
is still a popular activity with offer special children’s riding through Mátrafüred, Mátraháza,
people of all backgrounds. camps in summer. Winter Sports Galya tető and Mátraszentlászló. Horse Riding
Basically, if an activity or sport The MLTKSZ is helpful and Hungarians love skiing, but they Although the highest point of
involves horses, you will almost provides information about all the are more likely to ski in Austrian the resort is just 834 m (2,736 ft), Hungarian Equestrian
certainly be able to find it equestrian centres it rates. It also or Slovakian resorts, many of there is usually enough snow Tourism Association
somewhere in Hungary. From has details of shows, races, riding which are no more than a for skiing from November to April. (MLTKSZ)
simple pony-trekking rides to holidays and travelling with Gypsy couple of hours’ drive away. Ice-skating is also popular, Aranyhal utca 4, Budapest.
carriage driving and show- caravans, as well as riding facilities Hungary does have one small and the best place to do this is Tel (1) 215 35 60.
jumping, it is all on offer here. for the disabled. Local tourist downhill ski resort of its own, at the superb outdoor skating Fishing and Hunting
Even polo has made a come- centres also have brochures of however, the Mátraszentistván rink in Városliget in Budapest
back. The sport was popular riding centres in their area. Sípark in the Mátra Mountains. (see pp110–11). Hungarian National
here before World War II – Waiting for river fish to bite in the Danube, It offers pleasant but rather Chamber of Hunters
Hungary had 76 polo clubs near Esztergom tame skiing. In all there are five (OMVK)
competing in 19 leagues in Fishing Hunting ski lifts giving access to seven Golf Medve utca 34–40, Budapest.
1936 – but the Communists Almost half a million Hun garians short ski runs, none of which is A sport gaining in popularity Tel (1) 355 61 80. ∑ omvk.hu
condemned the activity as fish at one time or another during Hungary is a nation of hunters more than 1 km (0.5 mile) in in the country, Hungary has National Federation of
bourgeois. There are now two the year; indeed, after swimming, but hunting is now strictly length. There is, however, a seven full 18-hole golf courses, Hungarian Anglers
polo clubs in Hungary, and fishing is the nation’s favourite controlled. After years of free- good ski school, and children virtually all located in or around (MOHOSZ)
the Hungarian Open Champion- participation sport. Lakes Tisza, for-all shooting, great emphasis and beginners especially will the capital. Golfing remains an Korompai utca 17, Budapest.
ship held each May at the La Balaton and Velence are superb is now placed on conservation love the quiet, gentle slopes expensive and exclusive sport in Tel (1) 248 25 90.
Estancia Polo Club at Etyek, and popular fishing grounds, and sustain ability. Depending here. Floodlit skiing is possible Hungary, however, and green ∑ mohosz.hu
outside Budapest, attracts while a stretch of the Danube on the time of year, the hunter at night. fees at most courses are high:
professional players from as far near Ráckeve is also renowned can shoot stags, fallow deer, Mátraszentistván is 96 km around 17,500 forints (€55) at Winter Sports
away as Brazil and Argentina. for the richness of species and roebuck, wild boar, fox, rabbit (60 miles) away from Buda pest, week ends, slightly less during Hungarian Ski Association
There are more than 1,000 quality of fish. Anglers are able and pheasant. The biggest and can be reached by a daily bus the week. The best course in the (MSSZ)
riding centres in the country, to land carp, pike, pike-perch, prize is a stag, but the season service departing from Stadion country is at the Greenfield 1137 Budapest, Radnóti Miklós
and just as there seems to be bream, razor fish and even eels is short – September and Buszpályaudvar at 8:15am and Hotel Golf and Spa, close utca 29, fsz 1, Budapest.
a thermal spa in every town in in Hungarian waters. Anglers October – and interested arriving at the resort at 10:35am. to Bükfürdő, about 50 km Tel (30) 982 52 52.
Hungary, riding centres also can fish in just about any stretch visitors will need to join an The return bus leaves at 3pm, (31 miles) from Buda pest. It is Mátraszentistván Sípark
organized shoot. Tel (37) 37 66 85.
Anyone wishing to join a
hunt in Hungary must hold a Golf
valid hunting licence, and there
are strict regulations on the Greenfield Hotel Golf
import of firearms for hunting and Spa
purposes. Trophy fees are Golf utca 4, Bükfürdő.
charged for almost all game; Tel (94) 80 16 00.
these are calculated according ∑ greenfieldhotel.net
to the size of the bagged Hungarian Golf Federation
catch. There are a number of (MGSZ)
companies who organize Istvánmezei út 1–3, Budapest.
hunting holidays and tours, Tel (1) 460 68 59.
and who will take care of all ∑ hungolf.hu
Fishing in Lake Balaton, a well-liked sport among locals and visitors the paperwork. The Hungarian Teeing off at the Greenfield Hotel Golf and Spa, Bükfürdő

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