Balaton (full day)
People call Transdanubia’s Lake Balaton the "Hungarian Sea.” At 50 miles long, it is the largest lake in Central Europe, and one of Hungary’s most frequented resorts. The southern shores are wonderful for children because of their shallow water, while the northern edge gets deep immediately. In the summer, the water temperature is 80° F. The water and silky mud of the lake are said to be good remedies for many ailments. The area surrounding Lake Balaton is also famous for its rich vineyards, which produce a number of excellent wines that complement the delicious local food. The many restaurants and inns in the area welcome visitors from around the world. Our tour includes visits to Herend, Badacsony and Tihany.
Balaton Itinerary
1. Herend is best known for its world-famous porcelain factory, founded there in the early 19th century. Aided by several awards in the mid-19th century, the hand-painted masterpeices on porcelain from the factory became coveted the world over; factory began to produce wares for royal courts and noble families. The Herend Porcelain Museum displays a fabulous collection of exceptional procelain peices, outlines the history of the factory and offers a lesson in the trational process of porcelain production..
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2. One of the most scenic villages in the Lake Balaton area, Badacsony has fantastic basalt formations throughout. From its hilltops, visitors can enjoy a fabulous view of the lake and the volcanic hills that surround it. Finally, we will visit a local wine cellar and sample some of the excellent locally produced wine.
3. The twin-towered Baroque church of the Tihany peninsula is distinctly visible on the horizon from great distances. It houses both the original crypt of King András, who founded the settlement in 1055, and a precious collection of wood carvings. The peninsula itself was created by volcanic overflow, and is now home to many rare plants and animals. The nearby Benedictine Abbey has a museum which presents the history of the area, and offers frequent organ concerts in the abbey church during the summer. Also in Tihany, the fascinating open-air Ethnographic Museum features the rural houses of the old village and the Potter's House, showing the life of fishermen in the past centuries. Finally, the unique Doll Museum displays hundreds of colorful dolls from all over the world. |
