Only in Hungary

Only in Hungary

one would experience the over 1000 years of culture and

history of its towns.

     Budapest is the busting cosmopolitan capital of Hungary with its 2 million inhabitants. The city has well deserved the title “the Paris of the east”, the beauty of its nature and architecture with the pleasant laid back atmosphere gives a unique combination for your senses.

     Szentendre is the artist town just a short ride away from the capital. It is the place for a pleasant retreat in a special setting with 18th century merchant houses, cafés, restaurants and folk-art shops.

     The village of Holloko is one of the most charming spots in Hungary. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a perfectly preserved, but still vibrant Palóc village with only 300 residents. Due to the isolated location in the Northern Mountain Range, the Paloc could preserve their old customs and traditions from the 13th century.

Only in Hungary

one would enjoy the atmosphere of the splendid palaces and

castles of its history.

     Gödöllõ Palace is one of the most important monuments of Hungarian Palace architecture. Its builder, Count Antal Grassalkovich I (1694-1771) was a typical figure of the regrouping Hungarian aristocracy of the 18th century. It was Empress Elisabeth (1837-1898) who specially loved staying in Gödöllõ, where the Hungarian personnel and neighborhood of the Palace always warmly welcomed her.

     The Buda Castle is mainly used as a museum complex for Hungarian history and art. The appearance of the huge palace, dominates above the river Danube, reminds us of the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

     Visegrad was once the seat of the Hungarian kings and remained for a long while the main hunting resort for the royals. A first stone castle of Hungary was built here in the 1200s, which was later on extended to a palace complex dating back to the renaissance era of King Matthias (1450-1490).

Only in Hungary

one would be charmed by the old traditions.

     One of the oldest folk-art is the pottery. Pottery is not used in the everyday-life, but almost everyone have some for decoration. Native motives are different in different parts of the country. Gingerbread must be there in every market. Children like the colorful heart-shaped honey-cake which usually has a mirror in the middle to keep bad spirits away. Embroidery on all kind of material is a spectacular folk-art in Hungary. Styles, colors and motives refer to the different parts of the country. Leader works are connected to horse breeding, but decorative pieces such as hand bags, whips, purses and horse riding equipment can be find at all craft’s markets.

Only in Hungary

one would have the taste of the real flavors of paprika.

     The traditional Hungarian dishes are cooked from the ground, using a wide variety of fresh, unpreserved, high quality ingredients, including meats, seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh bread, cheeses and honey, based on centuries old traditions in spicing and preparation methods. The Hungarian cuisine abounds in piquant flavors and aromas. Dishes are flavorful, spicy and often rather heavy. The exquisite ingredients are produced by local agriculture and husbandry. Paprika and garlic is to be found everywhere. In the autumn, a fascinating view is the strings of red paprika (ingrained red pepper) hung on the white walls of the houses in the neighborhood of Kalocsa, an agricultural town along the Danube. Hungarian Paprika is great for not only adding vibrant color, but rich pleasing flavor to traditional dishes like Hungarian Goulash.

Only in Hungary

one would drink the “Wine of the kings, and the king of the .

wines” the Tokaj wine.

     Tokaj wines have long been the favorites of the rich, beautiful and powerful. Grapes were found growing in the 27 square miles of the Tokaj-Hegyalja district at the time of the Hungarian Conquest. Perhaps it is not so surprising, as the volcanic soil of Kopasz Hill and the sunny south-facing slopes in general make ideal conditions for viticulture. The extra ripening of the grape on the stem, the unique handling of the wine and the noble rot which develops in the cellars all contribute to the production of the special liquid. Its admirers have included the Sun King Louis XIV, the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, the Tsar Peter the Great and Tsarina Catherine. It is recorded of Pope Pius I that he took a sip daily on doctor's orders for the preservation of his health, and it is known also that Beethoven, Schubert, Voltaire and Goethe were all fond of the Tokay nectar. 2002 was another milestone in the life of Tokaj and its region, when the historic wine growing area was added by UNESCO to its list of protected World Heritage sites.

Only in Hungary

one would be spoiled in the hot curative bath and spas.

     Hungary is best known for its waters, currently over 1300 natural springs gushes up to the surface on the territory of Hungary, 123 are in Budapest alone, supplying thermal baths, spas, swimming pools and spa hotels allover the place. Most of the mineral and medicinal waters contain dissolved minerals, providing medicinal and curative powers, and making them suitable for bathing and drinking cures. Among the 150 hot water spa baths of the country there are 36 special medicinal baths in which the water contains radioactivity, sulphurous acid, salt bromine carbonate or iodine. Europe's only cave-spa is in Northeast Hungary, in Tapolca, while Hévíz Lake near Lake Balaton is the best-known hot water (33 °C) medicinal-water lake in Europe. For decades, Budapest has been enjoying the name "the world's spa capital". Some of its baths had already been operating during the Turkish occupation (16th-17th centuries).

Only in Hungary

one would be able to enjoy sports, relaxation and culture at the

largest sweet-water lake of Central Europe, called Balaton.

     Lake Balaton is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Hungary. During the summer season the lake lives a vivid life, offering a natural beauty in its location with hills on the North and plain on the South, busting towns with cultural events and festivals. The elegant town of Balatonfüred, with its Baroque high street, was one of the first tourist towns on Balaton and maintains an air of elegance and superiority even today. Tihany the rocky peninsula that almost splits Balaton a third of the way along is the religious center of the lake with its beautiful Abbey Church and the Benedictine Monastery located above lake with a splendid view.

Only in Hungary

one would be enchanted by the beauty of nature.

     The country is surrounded by rolling hills on the North and West and flat plains on the East. Two main rivers the Danube and the Tisza with all their tributaries turn the landscape into a never ending paradise for thousands of birds, cattle, sheep and horses.Horse riding is an ancient tradition of the Hungarians, going way back in history to the routs of the nation in Asia. Horse breeding though started in the 18th century and became a tradition ever since. The most popular breed is the Arabian half breed, but Hungary also declares part of the Lipizaner horses as their own. To get more acquainted with the horses come and enjoy a typical Hungarian horse show on one of the many farms of the country.