Above: Lake Heviz in Hungary, the world's second largest thermal lake
Hungary is a fascinating country that lies at the heart of Europe, land-locked by Ukraine, Austria and Romania amongst others it enjoys a typically European climate of warm, dry summers and fairly cold winters. Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found in Hungary from the capital city of Budapest to the banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle Quarter which provide intriguing day trips to their visitors. On a typical day out in Budapest you may find yourself taking a cruise down the Danube, enjoying a performance at the State Opera House or simply sipping on coffee on Budapest's famed Váci Street. The modern city of Budapest is bisected by the famous Danube River and was only created after the completion of the Chain Bridge in 1849. Hungarian cuisine is notably spicy so for a taste stop by a local restaurant and try goulach, a stew dish of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and wash it down with a glass of Villány (red wine) that has its origins in Roman times! Hungary has been described as a “land of the waters” and after close inspection its hard to disagree as you'll find Europe's largest lake (Lake Balaton) and Heviz Lake regarded as the second largest thermal lake in the world here. Visitors to Hungary must visit the Citadella, a walled off fortress overlooking the capital city to experience truly remarkable views whilst the Museum of fine arts is perfect for those with a keen eye for a masterpiece. So whether its the peace and tranquility of a lake-side retreat by Lake Balaton or the hustle and bustle of Budapest there is something for all in Hungary!
Heviz is aptly known as a spa town and as the home of Heviz Lake where you'll find the natural thermal spring waters that offer an unforgettable experience all year-round its easy to see why. These waters have been revitalising locals and visitors alike since the 4th Century BC and on the edge of this Lake you'll find the two timeshare resorts of Aparthotel Heviz and Aparthotel Kalma. Keeping with the lake theme the aforementioned Lake Balaton is a mere 15 minutes by car from Heviz and is regarded as the “Hungarian Sea” at 50-miles long! Visit Heviz during the middle of August and you'll encounter the Wine Festival where live music, fashion shows, dancing and of course, plenty of wine is all on offer! The Baroque-style Festetics Castle was created in 1745 and was later developed upon to become the 101 room mansion it is now, currently it houses a museum that is surrounded by acre upon acre of lush gardens.
The capital city of the “The Great Hungarian Plain” has been inhabited since Ancient times and has produced some of the most fascinating locations in Hungary. A holiday to Debrecen must include a trip to the Debrecen University Botanical Gardens which houses the natural flora of Hungary across 20-acres. The Hortobagy National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a 750km2 park that features Hungarian Grey Cattle, Red-footed falcon and the unusual Racka (Spiral-horned sheep). The Great Church otherwise known as Nagytemplom was established back in the 16th Century and is a marvellous location to visit or act as a backdrop for some memorable holiday snaps on the “Great Plain”! Located in the centre of Debrecen is the Deri Museum, a neo-baroque building offering an ecelctic mix of exhibitions showcasing the birth of Hungary and the journey this country has gone through to arrive where it is now. Situated only a few miles outside of Debrecen is another spa town named Hajduszoboszlo where you'll find a thrilling water park that's great for the whole family and is located a stones throw from Park Hotel Ambrozia.