Sample the local wines
During wine tasting, one gets to sample different wines and, at the same time, becomes more familiar with the history of the place that produced it.
That is exactly what happens when you try wines from Hungary. The products of the 22 wine producing regions each have their own distinct tastes that set them apart from each other; each region and wine has its own story to tell.
Budapest has many restaurants where you can sample the best wines after a delicious evening meal. Hotels in the city also have tour packages that let you visit wine cellars and sample the famous wines of Hungary.
In the Kohari Pince winery found in the tiny town of Recsk, you get to see the vineyards firsthand before you taste the final product.
One proof of this country’s love for wines is the number of different festivals they hold each year to showcase the different locally produced wine varieties. Some of these festivals are the Spring Wine Festival in April, the Wine Village in August, and the International Wine and Champagne Festival in September.
Go carp fishing
Hungary’s wealthy water resources are perfect for fishing trips. The entire family can savor the picturesque views of Lake Balaton, Lake Fert, and Lake Velence while the fishing enthusiast goes rod-fishing.
If you’re looking for carp, then this is the place to be. Hungary was nicknamed “carp country” for a good reason: it has an abundant supply of the famous large freshwater fish.
But brace yourself – carps weighing over 40 kilograms (88 pounds) are said to have been caught in Hungary.
If you happen to be a first-time fisherman, it may be best to get yourself accompanied by an expert Hungarian angler. The size of the fish here could be overwhelming to a novice fisher.
Before casting your line, though, be sure you have a state and local license. For the state license, a traveler has the option of using their home fishing license, so the local license will be all you need to think about. If you don’t have a license from home, you can get a state license by joining one of the Hungarian fishing clubs.
Take the Countrywide Blue Tour
Hungary is a prime venue for hiking. This country provides diversity in terrains – from flat and easy to steep inclines – so gauge yourself. Whether you’re a walkathon veteran or just a wannabe, there’s a suitable trail for you.
One trail you have got to check out is the Countrywide Blue Tour, which is famous for being the oldest long-distance trekking path in Europe. The trail will lead you uphill, downhill, and through small historic towns. How do you know you’re on the right trail? Look for the small flaglike markers – a blue horizontal line between two white lines – found on specific spots along the side of the road.
To finish this trail is considered a great achievement to hikers. There are 147 checkpoints where you can get stamps in your personal National Blue Tour completion brochure. If you are able to collect all stamps, you can get the Blue Tour Badge and get your name listed in the records of the organization that is in charge of the Blue Tour movement, the Hungarian Rambler’s Association “Friends of Nature.”
Go horseback riding
Hungary has a deep-rooted heritage in horses. It is said that Hungarians traveled from Asia to their current land with horses as their only means of transportation.
Therefore, horse riding is something you have to try out here, if you wish to get a better feel of the country.
For a relaxing horse riding trip, try the Great Hungarian Plain, with its flat terrains and refreshing panorama. Whitewashed farmhouses, wells, studs, and old inns make up the scenery in this area.
If you want a more novel and robust experience, try the riding tour to Opusztaszer. In this trip, tourists don’t just ride on horseback, they also stay in traditional yurts, just like the ones that sheltered the historic Magyar warriors of the country. It’s a trip that brings you up close and personal to pure Hungarian history.
Relax in a thermal spa
There are more than a thousand thermal springs in Hungary, and they have been used by the Romans for therapy and relaxation as early as 2,000 years ago – so you can just imagine how thriving the spa industry must be in the country today.
The waters that gush from the thermal springs range from comfortably warm (21 °C) to scalding hot (76 °C). They are also reputed to have mineral content that, it is said, has medicinal value.
Some of the spas have water with sulfur or iodine content. Others have calcium, sodium, fluoride, bromide, and magnesium. Some waters are hydrogen carbonated. There are even some with radioactive properties.
These waters have been used for the therapy of patients with rheumatic disease, nervous disorders, gynecological complaints, and circulatory problems.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.