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Early Payment Discount !
Early Payment Discount on Daily Rental Rates on all products!
If you book and pay in full by 10th September 2010
Only Available for bookings valued over $1,000
(Offer only applies if you pay by Bank Transfer, Cheque or Cash)
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* Terms & Conditions apply, please contact us for details.
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Hungary Information
Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Member of the European Union and Schengen. The country offers many diverse destinations: relatively low mountains in the north-west, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts (including Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe), and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Top this off with Hungary's great accessibility in the middle of Europe, a vivid culture and economy, and you get a destination absolutely not worth missing if you're in the region.
Hungary is one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the world, with a capital regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Despite its relatively small size, the country is home to numerous World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Biosphere reserves, the second largest thermal lake in the world (Lake Hévíz), the largest lake in Central Europe (Lake Balaton), and the largest natural grassland in Europe (Hortobágy). In terms of buildings, Hungary is home to the largest synagogue in Europe (Great Synagogue), the largest medicinal bath in Europe (Széchenyi Medicinal Bath), the third largest church in Europe (Esztergom Basilica), the second largest territorial abbey in the world (Pannonhalma Archabbey), the second largest Baroque castle in the world (Gödöllo), and the largest Early Christian Necropolis outside Italy (Pécs).
Cities
Budapest - the capital city of Hungary. With green filled parks full of charming pleasures, museums that will inspire, and a pulsating nightlife that is on par to its European counterparts, Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Consisting of two very different cities,Buda on the west bank of the Danube River and Pest on the east bank, Budapest offers travelers Viennese romanticism at an affordable price. However, Budapest is unique in its own right. Hungarians are proud of what this ancient capital has to offer and its contributions to European culture, especially in the field of music, a language one doesn't need to speak to appreciate.
Debrecen - the second largest city in the country. Debrecen was the cradle of Hungarian Calvinism. It is a city that has always cared deeply about it's independence and has always affirmed its desire for liberty. The city contains many historic buildings, particularly churches .
Eger - famous for its baroque buildings, castle and wines, especially Bull's Blood (Bikavér). A entry ticket to the castle includes a tour of the Underground Passageways. The tour will take you first to the Heroes' Hall, with a replica of the tomb of Istvan Dobo. The passages themselves contain several different examples of archeaological finds, as well as recreations of events from the Turkish seige (a cannon being fired, an underground explosion, and a makeshift motion detector that uses peas). The passages can only be visited by tour, which are available in English at an extra cost.
Esztergom - The first capital, the seat of Constitutional court and the Roman catholic Church of Hungary, home of the biggest church in Central Europe. Esztergom Basilica is the largest basilica in the country. It was in a church formerly built on the same spot that the Hungarian king Vajk was baptised and from then on known as Saint Stephen. Entrance to the basilica is free, though you can pay extra to visit the crypts, cupola, and the treasury.
Kecskemét - a town famous for its vibrant music scene, plum brandy, and Art Nouveau architecture. The city is well known for its secessionist architecture, museums, and for being the birthplace of composer Zoltan Kodály.
Miskolc - with the unique cave bath in Miskolc-Tapolca, the third largest city in the coutry. The city is surrounded by the beautiful Bükk Mountains. The Cave Bath is a unique experience to swim, splash, play and walk around in a large cave system, which has water temperatures from 20-36 Celsius (thermal water), and has warm, wet air inside even in the winter. The caves are around 150 meters long but naturally nothing is straight, and it's all quite dark (it's a cave, after all). The bath also has pools outside the cave. The Cave Bath is surrounded by a large park which has an artificial lake where you can row boats.
Nyíregyháza - a small city with a busy water resort, museum village, and annual autumn festival. Several water parks are available, due to the natural mineral springs in the area. Historic churches, museums and art galleries are also available.
Pécs - a pleasant cultural centre and university town. Pécs was first formed by the Romans. Historic sites in the town include an early Christian mausoleum, a Romanesque cathedral, St. Bartholomew church and Hungary’s first university, founded in 1367. Pécs also features a range of libraries and museums.
Székesfehérvár - the largest city and county seat of Fejér county, Hungary. Located roughly 60km southwest of Budapest, the city is considered Hungary's first, as this was the royal seat of King Szent István (also known as Saint Stephan). Though most of the medieval city was destroyed by the Turks, it was rebuilt to glory under Maria Theresa Habsburg. The city is also located in between Lake Velence and Lake Balaton, making it an ideal stop-off between the two.
Other destinations
* Aggtelek - beautiful caves with dripstones and stalagmites.
* Bükk - a section of the Carpathian Mountain range. The area features many caves.
* Gödöllo a town east of Budapest most famous for its former royal palace.
* Hollóko - a beautiful old preserved village.
* Lake Balaton - the major lake of Hungary and the biggest lake in Central Europe.
* Nyirtass - The historic birthplace of the Tosh sect of Hassidism started by the Rabbi Meshulam Feish Segal-Loewy of Tosh. The Jewish cemetery has the crypts of the Tosh "csoda-rebbi" (miracle rabbi). It is customary to write one's name, and family member's names on a piece of paper so that good fortune may be granted to you.
* Tokaj - a famous wine town producing high quality white wines.
* Salgótarján - a modern mining town situated in the hills with two castle ruins.
* Siófok - popular holiday resort at Lake Balaton. Siófok is mostly famous of its huge nightlife and the never ending parties specially in the weekends. The town is often called "the partying capital of Hungary". But it is important to know that outside of the town centre there are many quiet and peaceful beaches.
* Szentendre - picturesque town on the Danube just north of Budapest. This charming little town, whose name means "Saint Andrew", is known for its well-preserved houses and churches, many built in a Balkan style as the area was originally settled by Serb refugees. Today the town's best-known inhabitants are artists and small galleries can be found on every street corner.
* Vác - a small town on the Danube bend with several churches and lots of baroque architecture. Architectural sites include the Cathedral, Március 15 tér (main square), the Town Prison and the Round Tower.
Driving in Hungary
Most roads in Hungary are two lane apart from a few, modern motorways. Main roads are mostly in good shape, however cracks, potholes and bumpy roads are common on minor roads and in major cities though they are constantly being repaired. Usually you can travel by using a map and the road signs.
Highways are not free, but there are no other toll roads or tunnels.
Don't count on Western European travel times though: if you travel by normal roads the speed limit is 90 km/h between cities and 50 km/h inside, which slows you to the average around 60km/h. Roads often have high traffic (especially main roads like #8 to the west, #6 to the south and #4 to the east). On highways, travel is similar to Western Europe, and on the inside lane it is very common to have someone speed by you.
When you cross the country from the west to the east (or vice versa), take into account that there are only a few bridges crossing the Danube outside Budapest. There are some ferries available though.
It is a legal requirement to drive with headlights on, even during the day -- a requirement that is becoming more common across the EU. |
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