LAKE BALATON is known as the HUNGARIAN SEA it is 77 kilometres long and 14 kilometres at its widest point. Motor Boats are banned on the Lake, it’s Southern shore being flat and pretty bushy. The Lake quickly warms up in the sun. Lake Balaton is situated at the foot of the Bakony Forest, a beautiful landscape which is now a national park. An excellent setting for nature lovers, painters and photographer’s alike.

Great sight seeing tours can be arranged. Vienna is about two hours, Budapest about one and a half hours. The Adriatic Coast is about three hours. Slovinia ski slopes are just over one hour.

Small towns, beaches and vineyards are all worth a visit.

Lake Balaton is one of the largest fresh water lakes in mid - Europe, surrounded by volcanic mountains and beautiful woodlands, a hunters paradise.

Hungary has a two thousand year history of bathing culture. The Romans loved it here.

The country boasts over 300 spas and 1300 hundred thermal springs. The lake and its mud have amazing healing properties. Doctors are quick to suggest a trip to these medicinal waters for a host of aliments.

As a teenager my brother and I cycled to Lake Balaton, from Szeged taking us about three days, we took our time stopping and starting. A lot of Hungarians spent their summer holidays at the Balaton as we could not leave Hungary very easily then.

The East Germans would meet their relatives here from the west. Sections of the beach were fenced off, and we were not allowed to go there because that was the western part. My brother and I did manage to swim there unnoticed a few times. My Mother and Father would have reprimanded us if they had known and we would have been in unbelievable trouble if we had been caught. Boys will be boys I guess. This is when my love affair with Lake Balaton began.

Wildlife
Is in abundance, it looks amazing against this ancient volcanic landscape. This is where you can receive medication and refreshment in the caves which were formed by nature many thousand of years ago.

Summer on the Balaton
Lake Balaton water condition is checked by experts from ADAC a German Automobile Club. The data from the results is published on the net, after long and costly environmental work. The water of the Lake is good enough to drink.

Sunset on Lake Balaton is amazingly beautiful.

The Northern shores waters deepens after about 30-50 meters, it will quickly cover a person. These beaches are recommended for older children. If a storm crops up they do have, red rotating lights which warn both swimmers and sailors on the lake.

The Southern shore is quite shallow. You can walk at least five hundred meters before having to swim, making this ideal for young children.

With festivals, wine weeks, folk dancing, discos and plenty of fun for everyone.

Beaches
Water sports, huge slides, aqua- bikes, water football, beach volley courts.

Or enjoy the Lake Balaton beautiful golden sand beaches, and shallow warm water.

Stroll through the towns of an evening, there will be music playing listen to concerts, or shop till you drop in the bazaars near the square.

Famous Composer : Franz List (1811 – 1886 ) described himself as part Gypsy, he was a great Romantic Composer.

Walkers
Fabulous walks with wonderful birdlife.

You must see the “Basalt Organ pipes of Szent Gyorgy Hill”, its pipes are one meter in diameter. Formed when the Volcanoes erupted thousand’s of years ago.

Szent Gyorgy Hill - Upper Balaton National Park
The flowing Lava solidified in a pillar form. This is a protected area and belongs to the National park of the Upper Balaton. Guided tours can be arranged

Topolca, is just along the way from Szent Gyorgy Hill. What a wonder of nature. You will find a labyrinth of winding caves in limestone, flooded by crystal clear karst water.

These caves which run under the town, are not only a tourist attraction. But most importantly, the condition of the cave is a suitable climate for the treatment of serious respiratory disease. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from these problems you can book your self into a newly built, well equipped, therapeutic hotel which treats this kind of condition.

Tihany Abbey. While you are up this way you must visit this beautiful church, built nine centuries ago.

The Tihany peninsula is a protected area. The Lavender fields smell delicious.

View the Benedictine Abbey Museum. Doll Museum. Open air Ethnographical Museum.

Join a hiking tour, and really see this beautiful unspoilt country.