Having once visited a beautiful country in the middle of Europe, I really want to return there again. Hungary (Hungary) fascinates at first sight, it is impossible not to fall in love with the beauty of Budapest, convey the sensations of visiting thermal springs, forget the taste of tart Tokaj wine and the favorite dish of Magyars goulash. Ancient fortresses and magnificent cathedrals, beautiful monuments of architecture and cognitive museums, from the Budapest Parliament alone are breathtaking. The variety of markets and shops attract shoppers. Let's get acquainted with Hungary. What kind of country is it worth visiting?
Geographical position
The Republic of Hungary (Hungary - translated into English) is a state in the heart of Europe. In the main part, it is located on the plain and slightly hilly territory of the Middle Danube lowland. Therefore, most of the country's economy is agriculture. The state borders in the south with Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. From the west - with Austria, in the north - with Slovakia. Romania is located nearby in the east, and in a small part it joins the northeast with Ukraine.
The two largest rivers, the Danube and the Tisza, flow from green to fertile fields from north to south. In the north, between Slovakia and Hungary, there are higher mountains of the Carpathians (the highest peak of 1015 m is the city of Kekes), in the west of the country are the foothills of the Alps. The largest lake in Europe, Balaton, adjoins the forested hills. Not far from it are the famous karst North Bordeaux mountains with the popular beautiful Aggtelek caves. But the main attraction of the country is its unique thermal springs. The entire tourism business of Hungary is based on resorts with thermal baths.
Climatic conditions
The territory surrounded by mountains contributes to the formation of a peculiar warm climate in the central part of Europe. The average temperature in the middle of summer does not exceed + 22 degrees, and in January it does not fall below - 1 degree. Long off-season periods are spring and autumn. It rains sometimes in the summer. In winter frosty days, the Danube is often covered with a layer of ice. Snow can lie on the ground for up to 1 month. In winter, cold days are replaced by periods of thaw.
Natural attractions
Hungary is a country, most of which is located in the steppes and hilly areas. There live hares, foxes, deer, otters are found in the rivers, in some places beavers. In mountainous areas you can often find wild boars. Among the birds there are storks, cranes, herons, swallows, steppe eagles. Typical trees of the Hungarian mountains are lindens, chestnuts, birch, oaks. On the shores of Lake Balaton, the authorities organized the Kish-Balaton nature reserve for marsh species of birds.
Not far from the lake there is an interesting karst cave of Lotsi with an underwater pond, along which tourists are taken by boat on excursions. The famous Tapolca caves have a unique microclimate due to the location of thermal springs in them. Tihany Peninsula will interest not only nature lovers, but also architecture lovers. There is a beautiful old abbey.
At Mount Badacsony, you can visit the Folly Botanical Garden, which is already 100 years old, rich in various trees and rare plants. Visitors will be pleased with the country's largest national park Khortobad.
Thermal springs Hungary Hungary
What kind of country contains such rich reserves of thermal waters? Only in Hungary are water sources filled with a unique composition of minerals. Near each of them, enterprising residents have built health-improving complexes. Of course, the Hungarians have long understood the benefits that can be gained from such abundance. Since ancient times, people have been treated with water throughout the country. The most popular among our tourists are the baths of Budapest. In the center of the city, in the Varoshliget park, visitors will find the Szechenyi baths, also beloved by the townspeople and tourists, Gellert, located on the hill of the same name, near the Royal Palace.
Vacation on the thermal lake Heviz with a water temperature of +33 degrees is also popular. In Hungary, the number of baths can not be counted. This cave in Miskolc, and Zalakarosh well at a depth of 2500 m, in which the highest water temperature (96 degrees). Many scientists from around the world have repeatedly studied the quality of water and concluded that nowhere else on the planet can you find so healing and unique thermal water.
What diseases are treated in the baths?
People come from all over Europe who have undergone operations on bone and connective tissues, various skin diseases, chronic diseases of the nervous system and inflammatory processes in the gynecological area. Even with infertility, doctors recommend a course of thermal procedures. Water helps to resolve the adhesions after surgery, restores the skin in places of scars and burns, has a beneficial effect in osteoporosis and rheumatism. Useful baths and just to relieve stress after workdays. Locals spend weekends and holidays in baths with the whole family. Young people arrange night discos in the thermal pools. The whole life and work of many residents of the country is connected, one way or another, with thermal springs, of which there are more than 60 thousand in the country.
Interesting places in Hungary
Features of the country lie in its historical monuments of various times. The era of the Roman Empire left the inhabitants of the Romanesque temples, for example, Pannohalme. You can meet the fortresses of the Middle Ages (Eger, Scicloshe). The country has many unique palaces, castles, beautiful noble houses and kings. In any Hungarian city there are many tourist attractions worthy of attention. This is the Grashshalkovich castle with magnificent gardens, and the majestic Gothic temple in Nirbator.
You can look at the residence of Hungarian kings in Esztergom and Vysehrad. Photos of Pechward Abbey will be a decoration of the family album. Holidays on Lake Balaton with its hospitable resorts attract lovers of water adventures and fishing. Scooter, boat and water skiing, windsurfing will entertain on a hot day. On the shores of the lake, those who wish can undergo rehabilitation in balneological hospitals.
Travel Budapest
Arriving in the capital, marveling, Hungary (Hungary), what kind of country? The Danube embankment is simply fascinating. On one side of the coast is the beautiful building of Europe, and maybe the world, the Budapest Parliament, on the other side - the magnificent Royal Palace and the Fisherman's Bastion. A little further, on Mount Gellert, an old building with the same name baths flaunts. Having passed over the bridge of Count Secheni, you get to the central pedestrian street Vaci. Walking along Andrássy Avenue and looking at beautiful churches and the theater, you find yourself on Heroes' Square.
Behind it is the Varoshliget city park with the famous Secheni baths. After swimming, you can go to the central old market at the end of Vaci street and buy fresh fruits and famous sausages. A shuttle bus runs from the market to Campona Shopping Center, which houses an oceanarium - a tropicarium with a long tunnel, where visitors feel like in the middle of the ocean with swimming sharks and many other exotic fish and creatures.
Hungarian cuisine
Experienced tourists know that in Hungary no one will remain hungry. Wonderful meat, fish and vegetable dishes are full of variety. The country's favorite spice is paprika. It can be found in the famous Hungarian sausages. Arriving here, you must definitely try traditional dishes. When ordering cold snacks in a restaurant, get ready for large portions and a variety of options: stuffed palacsinta with different fillings (with hungary translated as pancakes), fried liver (goose) breaded - rantott libamajszeletek libamaj, stuffed red pepper - toltott paprika, etc. d.
Soups are served after appetizers, they are very thick and hearty. So before ordering, think carefully about whether such portions will overpower your stomach or not. The most popular soup in Hungary is the famous goulash - Gulyas leves. The composition includes a large amount of meat, dumplings, vegetables. It is served in pots with bread. Halasz Leves, or fish soup with tomatoes, and, of course, paprika, includes several varieties of river fish. Vegetarians can please themselves by ordering a lecho - Lecso.
Made in Hungary
When ordering fine and tasty dishes at the restaurant, do not forget to try the famous Tokai wine. Since ancient times, grapes have been grown on the slopes of Mount Tokai to produce this drink. This area of Hungary is listed by UNESCO. Tokaji Aszu wine is made in a special way. Berries are left on the vine until the end of autumn. Due to the local climate, a specific mold appears on them, giving an unusual taste to wine.
Barrels are stored in ancient cellars, whose length is about 40 km. The next famous brand of wine producers Hungary is "Bull Blood" (Bikaver). Each region is famous for its vineyards. Budapest hosts a wine festival every year . In the numerous tasting rooms you can choose any variety you like and experience the taste of Hungary.
Tourist Memo
Before departure, tourists are advised to learn more about the traditions and mentality of this country in order to be fully equipped. Now the reader knows - Hungary (Hungary) - what kind of country. You need a visa to enter. The currency is the forint. Money is exchanged at special exchange points or banks. The official language is Hungarian. Many understand in German, some in English. No one speaks Russian. Most people are Catholics, but there are Protestants. Hotels need to be booked in advance, as there is a large influx of tourists during the season. People are friendly and talkative. They will always help to find a road or a tourist site. So before the trip, learn some well-known phrases from the phrasebook.
Hungary is a hospitable and beautiful country, tourists are always welcome. There are many entertainments, the architecture is beautiful, the nature is pristine. Come, relax, get well! You will not regret!