FIT Packages

Budapest- Paris of the East

(3 Days / 2 Nights)

Budapest, the pulsating capital of Hungary is often referred to as 'Paris of the East'. The city, with its many historical monuments, excellent location, beautiful parks, and romantic and luxury restaurants is worth a visit to anyone.

Itinerary:

1^st Day Arrival - Meeting with our guide at the booked hotel. He will provide you the first information about your stay in Budapest. In the evening, they have the option of going for a two-hour-long boat-cruise on the Danube, including an apperitif, a buffet dinner and a glass of wine or beer. From the boat the main attractions of Budapest can be admired, for example: Gellert Hill, Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Parliament and Margaret Island. Your Guide will be also available during the boat-cruise and can inform you about the historical monuments.

2^nd Day After the abundant buffet-breakfast the guide will be waiting for you at the reception. During the city tour we will see the famous sights of the two parts: Buda and Pest. We will cross the Margaret Bridge (Margaret Island) and then travel near the Parliament. After we will going to visit the castle district to see the main sights of Budapest, the Fishermen's Bastion and the Matthias Church. Continueing our way we will go onto the high Gellert-Hill (photo stop).On our way back to Pest side we will go over the Elizabeth bridge approaching towards the Heroes' Square (tour). We will see the Opera, St Stephen's Basilica, and the city center as well.

Of course, there will be enough time to have lunch, and to stroll in the city or to make a small shopping tour.
You will also have the opportunity for an interior tour of the Opera House.

In the evening at your hotel restaurant a three-course dinner will be waiting for you. After dinner, you can see a performance in the opera or in the operetta theater.

3^rd Day Breakfast - Departure

The package includes:

2 x BB in the booked 3 * or 4 * Hotel

1 x Dinner in Hotel (Three-course menu)

4 hr guided tour with the guide, entrance fees

Check-in assistant

Budapest and its surroundings

(4 Days/ 3 Nights)

Budapest is the capital and also the largest city in Hungary. Thanks to its history, it was playing the role of the country’s centrum for decades, and because of this, the country’s most important historical events attach to the name of this city. Most of the monuments are in this city, and Budapest is also the city of Muesums. Lovers of architecture can find lots of gems in the whole city, like The Parliament, the Opera House or the building of the Redoute.

1^st Day Arrival - Meeting with our guide at the booked hotel. He will provide you the first information about your stay in Budapest.

Dinner in the restaurant of the hotel.

2^nd Day After the buffet-breakfast the guide will wait for you at the reception. Guided city tour in Budapest, tour consists of visiting the most beautiful places in the capital: the Matthias Church, the Fishermen's Bastion and the former Royal Palace in the castle district, Hero’s Square with the Millennium Monument, travel through the Andrassy út where you can see numerous public buildings, the Opera House and the Stephans Basilica, Gellert-hill, visit to the Palace of Arts.

At the afternoon: leisure programme. There is the possibility of shopping in the market hall, walk in Vaci utca, Budapest pedestrian street. You can also visit one of the famous thermal baths of Budapest.

The dinner will take place in a rustic restaurant with gypsy music and folklore. This Evening programme is very interesting, the band will wait for the group with Hungarian snifter. Then you will get Hungarian specialities for dinner.

3^rd Day After the buffet-breakfast the guide will wait for you again at the reception. Trip to the Danube Bend, in the history of Hungary. The Danube-bend with its natural beauty, its many historical places, and close position to the capital is one of the most important turistical areas in Hungary.

We will visit one of the most beautiful cities, Esztergom, where the mightiest cathedral of the country stands, and you can also visit here the Christian Museum, with its rich collection of paintings.

Then we continue our way to Visegrad, where we will visit the former king headquarters, and the Fortress of Visegrad, from where, we can enjoy the amazing view to the Danube valley.

After it we have lunch in Visegrad.

Then we continue our way to the town of artists, Szentendre. The town is also the town of memories of the Farmers Baroque. You can visit here also the two ancient Serbian Orthodox churches and museums of several painters, and the Museum of the Ceramic artist called Margit Kovács.

Dinner in the restaurant of the hotel -1 Hour Danube-cruise.

4^th Day Breakfast – Departure

The package includes:

3 x BB in the booked 3 * or 4 * Hotel

2 x Dinner in Hotel

1 x Dinner with Folklorprogramm

1 x Lunch in Visegrad

4 hr guided tour

8 hr guided tour

Check-in assistant

Boat cruise in Budapest

History and tradition

(4 Days/3 Nights)

Budapest is the capital of, and also the largest city in Hungary. It is a beautiful city situated around the Danube, which become a metropolis at the time of Franz Joseph and Elizabeth. The emperor and empress were crowned to the King and Queen of Hungary in 1867 in the Matthias Church under big celebrations. Due to its centuries-old history, all the hostorical events are associated with this city.

1^st Day Arrival - Meeting with our guide at the booked hotel. He will provide you the first information about your stay in Budapest.

Dinner in the restaurant of the hotel.

2^nd Day After the buffet-breakfast the guide will be waiting for you at the reception. Guided city tour in Budapest, the tour consists of visiting the most beautiful places in the capital: the Matthias Church, the Fishermen's Bastion and the former Royal Palace in the castle district, Hero’s Square with the Millennium Monument, travel through the Andrassy út where you can see numerous public buildings, the Opera House and the Stephans Basilica, Gellert-hill, visit to the Palace of Arts.

3^rd Day After the buffet-breakfast the guide will be waiting for you again at the reception. We depart to a trip to Gödöllő and to the riding school of the Lázár brothers.

First we start at Gödöllő with a visit to the second baroque castle in the world which was the summer residence of the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth. In the newly renovated halls of the museum, an exhibition reminds us of the items on the legendary life of Sisi.

Continuing our way to the Lazar Horse-park (driving-World champion pair-beater brothers), where you will be welcomed with Hungarian brandy and Pogacsa. The Horse Park is situated in the heart of the Gödöllőer hills.

After a sleigh ride you can watch a traditional equestrian demonstration and then take a walk through the area of the stables.

Boat cruise with dinner, on the Danube.

4^th Day Breakfast – Departure

The package includes:

3 x BB in the booked 3 * or 4 * Hotel

2 x Dinner in Hotel

1 x Dinner with Folklorprogramm

4 hr guided tour

8 hr guided tour

Check-in assistant

Boat cruise in Budapest

1 x Entrance fee to the Castle of Gödöllö

1 x Horse Show

Spring Festival in Budapest

(3 Days/2 Nights)

The importance of the Budapest Spring Festival is growing year by year. At the events, representatives of culture and gastronomy always give interesting experience to the visitors. Among the events the emphasis is on the music: the music is an international language of the culture. The main objective of the Spring Festival is not only the catering and the natural beauty of Hungary, but also to help our foreign guests and our cultural values become closer to each other. Between 15, and 31 March, 2008, the 27th Spring Festival will be organized in Budapest, and festival atmosphere will prevail throughout the city. In the center of the city on the Vörösmarty Square there is a crafts market organized, and also large exhibitions in various museums will be opened on this occasion.

1^st Day Arrival - Meeting with our guide at the booked hotel. He will provide you the first information about your stay in Budapest.

Dinner in the restaurant of the hotel.

2^nd Day After the buffet-breakfast the guide will be waiting for you at the reception. Guided city tour in Budapest, tour consists of visiting the most beautiful places in the capital: the Matthias Church, the Fishermen's Bastion and the former Royal Palace in the castle district, Hero’s Square with the Millennium Monument, travel through the Andrassy út where you can see numerous public buildings, the Opera House and the Stephans Basilica, Gellert-hill, visit to the Palace of Arts.

Early dinner at the hotel restaurant-visit to a festival event.

3^rd Day Breakfast-departure

The package includes:

2 x HB in the booked 3 * or 4 * Hotel

4 hr guided tour

Visit the Palace of Arts

Check-in Assistant

Hungary the world-power of thermal waters

(4 days / 3 nights)

In Hungary, there are more than a thousand of hot springs with curative effect. In balneis salus, said the Roman antiquity and knew: in the bath there is therapeutic effect. They wore their bathing culture in the province of Pannonia, now western Hungary, and cured themselves with the local healing water. At present, there are thermal waters in 22 Hungarian cities and 62 smaller towns, whose waters have officially certified healing effect.

1^st Day Arriving to Héviz, dinner and overnight at Hotel Helios. The prices at the hotel include unlimited use of: Jacuzzi, sauna, infrared sauna, Damp cabin, adventure pool (34-36 C), thermal pools (32-34 C), and in the summer, pool (24-26 C) and children's pool in the garden, fitness room, daily sports programs (water and Morning gymnastics, Fit Ball, Gymnastics for waists, hips and back, cardio training – for those who have heart diseases)

A special natural monument is the thermal lake of Heviz. The 39-meter deep lake in Heviz is Europe's largest thermal water. Where the water arises, its temperature can reach the 32-34 C.

The lake is located about 7 kms from Lake Balaton on the way northwest. The radioactive water is suitable for treating diseases of the movement's institutions, such as for the treatment of rheumatism.

2^nd Day Breakfast in the hotel, in the morning Treatment / Wellness at the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Trip to Lake Balaton, in Keszthely visit to the Festetics castle, continue to the peninsula of Tihany, visit the abbey, which was established by King Andreas I. in the 11th Century.

Walk on the Promenade in Balatonfüred. Balatonfüred is the oldest and most famous Spa and resort on the north shore.

1-hour cruise on Lake Balaton.

Typical dinner with wine in a cozy Csárda, with gypsy music.

3^rd Day Breakfast in the hotel, in the morning Treatment / Wellness at the hotel.

Trip to Veszprem and Herend. Lunch on the way.

During the city tour, guests visit the sights of Veszprem: the medieval castle, Michael's Cathedral, the bishop's palace and the town hall which was built in baroque style. Then trip to Herend, where guests can visit the porcelain manufactory and the porcelain museum which was founded in the 19th century.

Dinner at the hotel.

4^th Day Breakfast in the hotel - Departure

The package includes:

3 x HB at the Hotel Helios

1 x Csarda dinner

1 x shipping

2 x Guide for trips

1 x lunch

bathing cure package

(2 weeks)

Hunguest Hotel Beke***, Mátyás király sétány 10, H-4200 Hajdúszoboszló

Includes: accomodation for 14 nights with half-board, in rooms with a/c, 20 treatments, unlimited use of the thermal bath and the sauna, bathrobe use, parking, train ticket Budapest-Hajduszoboszlo-Budapest.

In the hotel’s thermal centre the following treatments are available:

Specialist physician’s examination (rheumatologist, dentist, dermatologist); massages, medical gymnastics, hydro-therapy, mud pack, weight-bath, underwater jet massage, phisicotherapy, salt chamber, light therapy.

Balneotherapy in Budapest: The Thermal Hotel Margitsziget

The four-star Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget (formerly Danubius Thermal Hotel Margitsziget) was the first metropolitan spa hotel in the world offering a wide range of spa and wellness services. The hotel has recently been renovated in harmony with its woodland setting on Budapest's beautiful Margaret Island. The hotel now boasts one of Europe's top Health Spas, the therapies of which are based on the utilisation of three of the island's natural thermal springs.

Therapeutic Services
Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget boasts one of Europe's top Health Spas, the therapies of which are based on the utilisation of three of the island's natural thermal springs.

Margaret Island Thermal Water
The natural, thermal water was originally brought to the surface in 1886. It enters the spa at a temperature of 70ºC but it is then cooled to 34°C, 36°C and 40°C but retaining its unique, curative ingredients.

The thermal water on the Margaret Island is famous for its healing effects on conditions such as joint and muscle problems, certain degenerative nerve conditions, some circulation disorders, and many other complaints. Relaxing in the thermal water is also a perfect way to unwind and release the stresses and tensions of modern life.

The balneo package consists of: medical examination, 6 treatments ordered by physician (e.g parafango ,electrotherapy, balneotherapy, massage, oxygentherapy, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy).

Fly & drive – Budapest-Balaton-Puszta (7 nights)

We offer you the following route, with the following hotels:

2 nights in Budapest (any hotel you choose from the pricelist)

3 nights in Balatonalamadi (Hotel Ramada Balaton****)

2 nights in Puszta (Hotel Varga Tanyafogadó)

Let me introduce you in some words and photos these beautiful parts of Hungary!

Hungary

Hungary is an independent, democratic state located in Central-Europe. The capital of the Hungarian Republic is Budapest. The country lies roughly in the centre of Europe in the Carpathian Basin. It is nearly equidistant from the Atlantic Ocean, the Ural Mountains, the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea. Hungary does not have a coast, but does contain the biggest lake in Central-Europe, Lake Balaton, which represents a dominant tourism attraction in the region.

Hungary is mostly a flat country, with no great differences in altitude; the lowest spot is south of Szeged, on Gyálarét, just 78 metres above sea level; and the highest point is on the top of Mátra hill, Kékes-tető, 1015 metres.

Almost the whole area of the Carpathian Basin belongs to the watershed of the Danube. Hungary is rich in natural springs, both freshwater and thermal, and is actually the richest area in thermal springs in Europe. The thermal waters that contain numerous minerals often exceed 70°C.

The country lies on the border of three climate zones, and so the weather is affected by the Eastern wet continental, the Western oceanic and the South-South-Western Mediterranean climate zones. The average yearly middle temperature is +8-12°C. The lowest temperature is -2-4°C in January and the highest is in July, 23-25°C. Half of the yearly moisture falls during the winter as snow.

Budapest

That Budapest - one of the most beautiful cities in the world – has developed where it is, is not down to some historical accident. Take a look at Gellért Hill, right next to the River Danube as it flows majestically through the centre of the modern city. It was precisely the combination of the relative ease of crossing the River here and the natural protection the hill offered against invasion that decided the earliest settlers it was the ideal place to build a town. The Eravisci, a tribe of highly cultured Celts, had already settled at Gellért Hill in the third and fourth centuries B.C. They worked with iron, decorated their earthenware pots and even minted their own coins. Later, the Romans built a settlement at today’s Óbuda. They called it Aquincum and it was an important station along the limes which ran alongside the River Danube.

We can offer here several program facilities such as:

HD Citytour
HD Szentendre tour
HD Royal Gödöllő
Budapest by night + folklore
Danube Bend Tour

Lake Balaton

The Balaton and its surroundings are Hungary's most popular holiday area. Rest and recreation on the shore, historic and cultural heritage, folk traditions, bicycle and water tours, rare natural treasures, gastronomic specialities and spectacular programmes - all of these things are offered by and around the 'Hungarian sea'.

The Balaton region had already become one of the society centres by the 18th and 19th centuries. On the average the lake's water surface of the 590 square metres receives 2,000 hours of sunshine and the shallower waters quickly follow the air temperatures. Each summer the water temperatures of the lake reach as high as between 25 and 27 degrees Centigrade which is one of the reasons that it has become one of the favourite bathing lakes in Central Europe.

The southern shores of the lake are shallow, while the northern shores deepen quickly. The average depth of the water is between 3 and 4 metres, and the so-called well of Tihany is 11.5 metres deep, which is at the strait between the Siófok and Szemes Basins. The 'Balaton Riviera' stretches from Ábrahámhegy to Balatonfűzfő. The name stems from the fact that the area has natural conditions similar to the French and Italian Riviera.

The entire shore of Balaton is suitable for vineyards and thus it has developed into one of Hungary's significant wine-producing areas. On the north shore there are the Csopak-Füred and Tihany areas where the most famous wines of Badacsony are grown, the grey friar, 'szürkebarát'. The centre of the southern shore wine region is Boglár and Kőröshegy, where white and burgundy type grapes grow equally well, producing the basis of both white and red wines.

Each year water sports, the various sailing and swimming races across the lake, the famous balls and scores of events draw thousands of visitors to the lake's shore. The Upper Balaton National Park (Balaton-felvidéki Nemzeti Park) is a guardian of environmental protection on the northern shore from Balatonszőlős to Kis-Balaton, managing a strip of land between 1 and 15 kilometres wide.

Balatonalmadi

Balatonalmádi is a picturesque holiday resort on the northern shore of lake Balaton where there are no big distances and from where nothing is too far!

The town is situated in the north-eastern point of Lake Balaton, surrounded by hills from the west and north which by creating a sheltered zone protect the settlement against the prevailing winds. This unique environment is combined with a pleasant mediterranean climate. Local people have been working with viticulture on the hillsides for centuries and visitors are always received cordially in their wine-cellars.

If you take a walk in the zigzaggy streets of Vörösberény you can still feel the atmosphere of this thousand-year old village of the Balaton Uplands.

The varied environment, the reminiscences of the past, the hospitality and the numerous opportunities of active recreation make the stay of visitors and tourists special. In our town there are several beaches that meet every requirement, so everybody can find their "favourite cup of tea". Proper accommodation is ensured by the lakeside hotels and pensions or several hundred private houses. Tourists feeling hungry after all-day outings or bathing can find intimate inns, restaurants and wine bars offering their delicious meals at every corner of the town. Those who feel like going in for sports have countless opportunities to go swimming, rowing, sailing, cycling, horse riding, playing tennis or volleyball.

Nature lovers can feel themselves superb here because they can wander over the whole region and take delight in the view of Lake Balaton.

Active recreation is guaranteed by the traditions, programmes and the fortunate location of the town.
Visit Balatonalmádi and see the beauty of this town yourself!

Balatonalmádi is situated in one of the most picturesque places of the eastern basin on the northern coast of Lake Balaton. Its 7 kilometre long coastline follows a semicircular peninsula that reaches into the lake and is surrounded by varied mountain ranges and gently sloping hills offering an amphitheatre-like unique location for the town. It is 12 km from Veszprém, the county seat and 120 km from the capital. Main road number 71 runs through the settlement, and it is connected to the national transport system by the Budapest-Tapolca railway line.

Other places that are worth to visit in the Balaton area near Balatonalmadi:

Veszprem

The conquesting Hungarians settled here, it was occupied by the state founding Árpád dinasty, and because of its strategically high importance, many battles were fought here by the Turks and ’kuruc’ people (Hungarians rebbelling against the Habsburgs in the 18th century). Royalties had churches and schools built here, talented and devoted artisans saw the importance of solving water supply in the Castle, or of enabling the poor families’ children to have the chance to learn, or to have a theatre built in the Bishop’s Garden. The past tells its stories all over Veszprém, on the Szentháromság (Holy Trinity) Square in the Castle, under Benedek Hill at the ruins of princess St Margaret’s first cloister, on the Viaduct bridge, and in Betekints Valley where a thousand years ago Greek nuns owned the first centre of the town. From the 13th century on, Veszprém has been a student town with its schools and university. At the same time, it has been a town of arts, with its theatres, ensembles, creative artists, that surprise us from day to day.

The main sights of Veszprem are:

Laczkó Dezső Museum
Fire Lookout Tower
Modern Gallery - Vass László Collection
Dubniczay House
Hungarian Construction Industry Museum
Archbishop's Palace
Gisella Chapel
St. Michael’s Cathedral
Queen Gisella Museum
Viaduct
The Kálmán Kittenberger Zoo

Herend

This is the home of the world-famous Herend porcelain. Those interested can still follow the trail of the past and the secrets of the local porcelain arts in the factory itself. The town also offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and for excursions.

Tihany

The largest peninsula of Balaton, unique with its rich natural and historical values. Ferry-boats transporting cars and buses, too, from the southern edge of the peninsula. Currently popular resort of 1,300 inhabitants. King András I built here the burial-place of his family in 1055, and a chapel where Benedictine monks had been settled by him. Lots of Hungarian words and expressions are included in the Document of Foundation prepared in Latin language that is why it is one of the most appreciated memory of the Hungarian language. The fortress transformed into a Castle during the Turkish wars had never been taken by the enemy. The Abbey was reconstructed in the 18th century by the Benedictine order reinstated in its possessions. The two towers constructed have been symbols of the peninsula since 1752. The church and monastery of the Abbey are the two most well-known sights of Tihany. The crypt (from 1055) is a hall crypt of three naves of Roman style remained in good state; it is the only royal burial-place remained in its Árpád-age state in Hungary. Here lies King András I died in 1060. The Baroque church and monastery of today's Tihany were built between 1719 and 1760, the Baroque furniture of the church is really beautiful. Gallery of the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany is located in the monastery; exhibitions of well-known artists are organized there in summer. System of earthworks of oval ground-plan of the hill called Óvár was built at the end of the Bronze Age and in the early Iron Age; in the Middle Ages orthodox hermits of Greek rite hollowed out their reclusories, chapel and dining-room on the eastern side of the hill. It is the only hermits' estate in the Carpathian hollow and, what is more, in Middle-Europe that remained in a comparatably good condition. Tihany echo mentioned so many times in literature entertains tourists rebounding from the wall of the Abbey Church.

Most important historic places in Tihany:

Óvár
Knollgraves (Halomsírok)
Hermit's place (Barátlakások)
Calvary (Kálvária)
Echo (Visszhang)
The church building and its neighbourhood
Pale hill (Nyársas-hegy)
Gallows hill (Akasztó-domb)
Church ruins at Apáti
Church ruins at Ujlak

Puszta (Varga Tanya)

Horse pensoin in the Varga Tanya, because the main profile is different type of horse programs. The most important of them is the horse show. Who loves riding, we could offer to our guests for different levels of riding possibilities.

We welcome our guests with double beds and apartment houses for 4-6 people. In summer time you could spend your time better in the swimming-pool, padding-pool and playground too. In the winter the programs could be a pig sticking or sledge.

The pig sticking could be a good programme for more days too.
We give a delicious dinner to our arriving guests when they occupied their accommodations.
In the morning they could drink a heartening snaps, after could help killing a pig. If you need a chef, we could provide you.

We serve up raosted blood, and steak for breakfast, and fresh meat soup, differnt types of meat for lunch. In the afternoon could eat fresh small round cakes, and drink mulled wine or snaps. In the dinner time you could taste fresh different type of roasted sausages. Everybody who wants, could take home some of roasted meats to the friends or family members who stayed home.

Varga Tanya is located 80 km from Budapest, in the neighbourhood of Kecskemét, right on the border of the Kiskunság National Park, in an environment of natural beauty and clean, fresh air. A 100-year-old farm-house, representing the architecture and style typical in the Kiskunság region, has been converted into a holiday house facility with a swimming pool! The atmosphere of friendliness and family-like intimacy is in a way the legacy of the place, and the upgraded facilities offer excellent opportunities for both active and passive relaxation, rest and entertainment. Six 3-room holiday houses and 16 2-bed rooms with shower are available on the spot. Guests of Varga Tanya can take delight in the cuisine of the Kiskunság region, can taste the traditional specialties that used to be cooked by the peasants in old times. Services: horseback-riding lessons for beginners)children and adults), as well as for advanced learners; tours on horseback in the puszta (barren wilderness: the usually bare land on the Hungarian Plain is called puszta in Hungarian), duration of the tour as requested; tours with horse-drawn carriages; whole-day excursions in the puszta on horseback, or with horse-drawn carriage; excursions with picnic; barbecue party, grill on open fire; evening party with the live music of the gypsy band.

Kecskemet

Kecskemet is situated near to Varga Tanya, and is also worth a visit.

According to many, one of the nicest town centres of the country can be found in Kecskemét. Many remember Kecskemét for the chimes of the Town Hall first, which is one of the greatest ornaments of the town. It celebrates the 100th anniversary of its foundation in 1996. It was built in secessionist style according to Ödön Lechner's and Gyula Pártos' plans. Its ceremonial hall can still be seen in its original state decorated by Bertalan Székely's murals of historical topic. The atmosphere of the one thousand year anniversary of the conquest can be felt in the hall. The topics of the two biggest murals are the two outstanding events of the Hungarian history, one is the Conquest sealed with blood and the other one is the coronation of Ferenc József after the Compromise of 1867.

Standing in front of the Franciscan church one can already see one of the nicest architectural relics of the turn of the century, the József Katona Theatre. One hundred years ago, in 1896 it was built from the money the town got for the ranch they sold in Helv‚cia The theatre was named after the author of "Bánk Bán" the creator of the Hungarian drama who was born in Kecskemét. In front of the theatre one can find the Statue of the Holy Trinity, that was erected as a pledge memory by the survivors of the 1739-1740 epidemy of black death.

Not far from the Evangelist church, in the very centre of the town the orthodox church Holy Trinity can be found. The Greek merchants that settled in Hungary in 18th century, established a company in Kecskemét. They also took good care of their cultural and religious traditions and this church is a remain of their activity. Next to the church there is a museum of icons introducing the history of the Greek people and their religious art.

The highest building of the Great Hungarian Plain, the Roman Catholic Big Church, built in style of the age of Loius 16th of France, can be found in the main square. The 73 m high late Baroque building of the cathedral was built for 32 years, from 1774 to 1806 according to Gáspár Oszwald's plans. The furnishings of the church, originating from the 18th century are especially valuable. Its pyx originates from 16th century. The present great bell was made in 1819 and its voice used to be heard in Bugac as well. Its weight is two and a half tons. The church is often a scene of different classical concerts.

The centre of Kecskemét, Szabadság Square, Kossuth Square and Széchenyi Square - the main square - is often the scene of cultural events but also an outstanding experience for tourists because it has been closed from transport for decades - and also because - as it can be seen from the above mentioned, most of the sights of the town can be reached on foot.

Fly & drive – Budapest-Balaton-Sopron (7 nights)

We offer you the following route, with the following hotels:

2 nights in Budapest (any hotel you choose from the pricelist)

3 nights in Balatonalamadi (Hotel Ramada Balaton****)

2 nights in Sopron (Hotel Fagus****)

Keszthely

The region lying west of Lake Balaton occupies a unique place on the map of Hungary. Being the part of an important region from the point of view of tourism, that of Balaton, it is a favourite destination for both Hungarian and foreign tourists. As for its climate, it is a pleasant place, it may have the most predictable climatic character, and rarely do we have unsettled weather. As for the features of the terrain - it is Hungary on a small scale as tourists can find here gentle hills, extended flat plains, rivers, lakes. The West-Balaton region offering so many pleasant features, it is easy and fast to get to the right spots, as all the traffic routes lead to the places where the curious visitor can find everything that interests him.

Keszthely lives on tourism first of all and the basis of it is the Balaton, which is not only beautiful in the summer but in all seasons. The greatest painter of the lake, Egry József said: “Balaton is the tear of joy of nature”, and we can only agree with him.

Heviz

A special natural monument is the thermal lake of Heviz. The 39-meter deep lake in Heviz is Europe's largest thermal water. Where the water arises, its temperature can reach the 32-34 C. The lake is located about 7 kms from Lake Balaton on the way northwest. The radioactive water is suitable for treating diseases of the movement's institutions, such as for the treatment of rheumatism.

The Hévíz Lake lies in a 60.5 ha nature conservation area, 4.44 ha of which is the surface of the lake. The marsh-land surrounding the lake is protected by law. The spring cave and the lake are also particularly protected natural phenomena.

The Hévíz Lake as a geological curiosity:

Unlike the other warm-water lakes in the world which were usually formed in clay soil or in a rocky bed, the Hévíz Lake is a lake with a peat-bed.

Spring Cave:

In the large cave, which was explored in 1975, there are several cold and warm-water springs mixing. From here, the mixed medicinal water flows on through a narrow passage, then gets to the thermal lake from the Spring Cave at a constant temperature of 38.5 °C. Due to its special status, the Spring Cave can be visited only with observing the strict regulations and the rules of cave diving and after obtaining the permission of the relevant nature conservation authority.

The fauna and flora of the lake:

The fauna and flora of the lake is unique due to the temperature of the water and its specific composition. The micro organisms of the water and the mud also contribute to the healing power of the lake. The sulphur-bacteria extract sulphur from the water, while other bacterium species play a significant role in decomposing peat and producing medicinal mud. The 'micromonospore heviziensis', which is a strong protein and cellulose decomposing bacterium, can be found nowhere else in the world. The diversity of the fauna and flora is shown by the fact that this is the place where some plant species can exclusively be found in Hungary and also in Europe.

Sopron

Sopron is situated near the western borders of Hungary, at the foot of the Alps, 60 km from Vienna and 220 km from Budapest. It is one of the oldest jewelboxes of the country. Sopron merges past and present in itself. It creates a bridge between Hungary and its western neighbours, opening a gate for foreign guests visiting Hungary, as it is symbolized by the coat of arms of the city.

Sopron is considered to be the town of museums – a Museum Town. How appropriate this remark is! The winding streets in the downtown, the atmospheric squares, the arched gates of the houses, the artistic balconies, the monuments, the public buildings and the city walls create an outstanding artistic unit. Being the second richest town in architectural monuments in Hungary, Sopron rightly deserved the Gold Medal of the European Monument Protection Award in 1975.

The landscape around Sopron (the marked trekking paths of the Sopron hills and the Szárhalmi forest), which invites visitors with its refreshing breeze, provides an opportunity for everyone - from toddlers to orienteering runners and simple trekkers - to find something that really suits their needs.

Lake Fertő, with patches of the one-time vast bogs and marshes, constitutes an exceptionally beautiful island of nature at the western gateway of Hungary. The Fertő-Hanság National Park is a unique refuge for characteristic flora and fauna, as well as valuable scenic, ethnographical and cultural treasures. The endless reeds of the heath lake provide excellent opportunities for canoeing, the open water surfaces and the favourable winds are beneficial for sailing and surfing, while the bay of Fertőrákos is ideal for bathing. Horseman shows, delicacies prepared on the open fire, and superb Sopron wines make the horseback trips unforgettable. Anglers can try their luck in canals and lakes, while hunters can do so in the woods and near the waters of the region.

The area's mineral-rich spas and thermal baths - Balf, Hegykő and Petőháza - further the speediest recovery, recreation and refreshment of tired and exhausted bodies. Recreational, rehabilitative and fitness-wellness programmes provide guidance for people in need of physical and mental revival.