![[X]](/site/upload/2009/06/close.gif)
Lake Balaton
The "Hungarian Sea", is the people's name for the 50 mile long lake with silky green-yellow water in the middle of Transdanubia. Lake Balaton is one of Hungary's most precious treasures and most frequented resorts. It is also the largest lake in Central Europe. The southern shores are ideal for small children because of the shallow water, but on the north shore the water gets deeper instantaneously. The summer water temperature is around 80 °F, which is warmer than the average air temperature in the morning and in the evening. The water and the sleek mud of the lake are excellent remedies for nervous complaints, anemia and nervous fatigue.Picturesque vineyards in the region produce an assortment of excellent wines that go very well with the delicious local food. Large numbers of inns and restaurants welcome guests from home and abroad.
Badacsony
The hill is an extinct casket-shaped volcano. Its slopes are covered with some very strange geological formations, fossilized lava columns called "basalt organs" as well as vineyards which produce the excellent wine of the Pauline monks called "Grey Friar". One of the two hundred year old press houses is home to one of the most popular restaurant. Its terrace also offers an excellent panorama.
Balatonfüred is a little town on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. It has been the first spa of Hungary and has also gained the title of ”International Town of Grapes and Wine”. The town became famous mostly because of its curative springs and mediterranean-like climate. Don’t miss the most important programs held in Balatonfüred: the International sailing competitions, Sail setting ceremony in May, Balatonfüred Festival of the Arts and the Anna Ball in July, the bay swim contest and the Wine Weeks in August.Hotel Silver Resort **** - Where landscape, built environment and art go hand in hand!
Hévíz is extremely fortunate to have its Thermal Bath which has been attracting visitors for more than two centuries. The Lake is covered with water-lilies and extends over an area of approximately 30 square-miles, with a depth of 118 feet at the center. It is the second largest hot-water lake in the world, at a temperature of 90°F open-air bathing is very pleasant even in winter. Treatments are conducted under the supervision of specialized doctors from the Hospital of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation.
Keszthely, the oldest settlement of Lake Balaton was an important hub of commerce in Roman times. The beautiful Festetics Mansion with its ornate wrought iron gate, surrounded by an English park, is the third largest chateau in the country. All you may wish to know more about Lake Balaton, including its formation, flora and fauna, the history of bathing culture, waterborne traffic and archaeological and ethnographic memorabilia of 7,000 years, can be seen at the Balaton Museum.How come camels, buffaloes and zebras roam along Lake Balaton? Hardly indigenous to the region, they are resident of the Safari Park and Africa Museum established by the renowned Hungarian hunter in Africa, Endre von Nagy. A rich collection of artifacts including trophies and African ethnographic objects is on display at the museum.
Siófok is the largest town on the southern side of Lake Balaton and is known for being the party town of the lake. Its port serves every boat route on the lake. Cruise boats also start from here. The hotels of the Golden and Silver Beaches are very much in demand. The pleasant parks are ornamented with statues. The Lutheran church has a remarkable style. The composer of the internationally renowned operettas, Imre Kálmán (1882-1953), is the famous son of this city. His piano and many personal belongings can be seen in his museum. The Water Management Museum covers the history of shipping and fishery on Lake Balaton, while a huge collection of minerals is exhibited in the Museum of Minerals.
Tihany
The twin-towered church of the Tihany peninsula is distinctly visible far and wide. The peninsula, inhabited almost a thousand years, is of volcanic origin, and has a profusion of rare plants and animals. The crypt of King András I, founded in 1055, survived the turbulent past and still stands in its original form. The present church was built over the crypt in the 18th century in Baroque style and has many precious wood carvings. In the Museum of the Benedictine Abbey, you can find an exhibition about ancient times. There are frequent organ concerts in the abbey church in the summertime.