Guided Walking on the Lake Balaton Upland


“Hungarian Dances” in the Balaton Uplands National Park

Our brand-new walking holiday is in a versatile region in the upland areas above Lake Balaton south west of Budapest. Hungary is for 7 year part of the European Union and now with low cost flights into Budapest, exploring the fantastic scenery and sampling the Hungarian nature, culture and hospitality is very economical. Further admire the views right along the Balaton lakeside on walks in the resorts of Balatonfüred ("Mecca of heart complaints") and Keszthely. A highlight of the week is the visit in Heviz –  a geological unique of the World & Europe is the 30 degree Celsius warm thermal lake.

Overview

This guided walking holiday explores the old volcanic Balaton Upland National Park, ideal for not very exhausting walking and relaxing.

Holiday highlights

  • Superb walks with views of the Lake Balaton coast and the Pannonian landscape.
  • Well-situated waterfront hotels several times.
  • Discover the extinct volcanoes, basalt organs, stone seas and vineyards.
  • Enjoy abreast both Hungarian lakes: Balaton and the unique thermal lake Heviz.
  • A loose day with opportunities for visit the downtown of Keszthely and for swimming in the lake.

Special value

  • Good value for money.
  • A full programme of guided walks every day.
  • Accommodation in double or twin rooms with private facilities. (shower/WC)
  • Half Board  –  buffet breakfast and evening meal. We are always able to cater for vegetarian diets. Lunches can be bought from local shops
  • Car or coach transfer from the Airport Budapest to the hotel is quite possibly.
    (supplementary booking required)



VELO-TOURING® | H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary, Europe
Tel. & Fax: (+36)-1-319-0571 | E-Mail:pedal@velo-touring.hu

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Guided Walking Itinerary


  • Our experienced leader will guide you on ideal-ways in the national park.
  • Taste the delicious wines of the Balaton Uplands.
  • We provide relaxing holidays: choose drinking of spring water one day and soak up the sun on the warm basalt stones the next, or take a walk on the banks of sweet-water lake.
  • Our leaders are competent and friendly, welcoming making your holiday fun and sociable.

Easier Walks - The difficulty range for this holiday:

  • Walk grade: level 2 - walks follow good paths and tracks but are generally longer.
    Walking experience isn’t necessary but some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain.
  • 5 to 14 miles generally on good paths and tracks. Up to 900ft of ascent in a day.

Local Transport


  • The cost of local transport to and from the walk is in the tour price included.
  • On some days the walks start and finish at the hotel.
  • On other days we’ll use the hired transport to explore the surrounding area.

Free Time

Each days is a few free time if no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently, or visit local places of interest.



VELO-TOURING® | H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary, Europe
Tel. & Fax: (+36)-1-319-0571 | E-Mail:pedal@velo-touring.hu

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Accommodation

Bedrooms

All bedrooms have
  • en-suite bathroom with bath or shower
  • hairdryer (only in some hotel)
  • telephone
  • colour television

Facilities

  • restaurant
  • terrace
  • bar area.
  • eisure suite with a sauna and spa pool.

Food

Our holidays at the hotels in Hungary are on a Half Board basis and include in the majority buffet breakfast and evening meal in buffet form.
The hotels offers a selection of hot and cold dishes with a mixture of Hungarian and international dishes. (Starter is selected from the buffet which has a variety of salads, plus soup and other hot dishes, main course and also vegetarian options)

Drink

The hotels has a bar serving Hungarian and international beer, local wine and spirits, palinka’s too. ( for example the typical ‘Apricot Brandy of Hungary’)

Lunches ( Payable locally )

There are a number of shops in Balatonfüred, Tapolca and Keszthely, where you can buy ingredients for your picnic lunch. On other days it may be possible to drink in local cafés; your leaders will advise you of all the options.

Evening

Each evening your walking leaders will tell you about the choice of Dates & Pricess for the next day and answer any questions you may have. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

Balatonfüred & Keszthely

Situated on Hungary’s beautiful lake Balaton Coast, the nice renovated holiday resort is an attractive base from which to explore the local area.
The town itself centres on the promenade and harbour, where you’ll find a good selection of shops, bars and cafés.

Shops & Facilities

There are several little supermarkets, bakers, cake shops within a few minutes walk of the hotel from which ingredients for a packed lunch can be easily obtained. Reasonable exchange rates can be obtained at the bank a short walk. There are several ATM machines within walking distance.



VELO-TOURING® | H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary, Europe
Tel. & Fax: (+36)-1-319-0571 | E-Mail:pedal@velo-touring.hu

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Program

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Walking Distance: Total 62miles / 98kms , approx. 5 to 14 miles (8 – 21kms) per day. Days walking of around 4-6 hours.
Difficulty range: No high terrain maximum around 400-500 metres. Up to 900ft of ascent in a day, generally on good paths and tracks. (Level 2 - “Easier Walks”)
Holiday type: Guided walking.

Our brand-new walking holiday is in a versatile regions of the Balaton Uplands National Park and the landscape protection areas which can be found on the northern side of Lake Balaton.
During the tour you will walk on the most picturesque paths of the area, like the Lake Balaton Blue Tour and Blue Tourist Path of the Country. Admire the views right along the Balaton lakeside on walks in the resorts of Balatonfüred ("Mecca of heart complaints") and Keszthely.
By the end of tour you will be familiar with extinct volcanoes, basalt organs, geyser cones, stone seas, caves, springs, lakes, forests with old threes, lookout towers, vineyards, peasant houses, wine cellars, baroque castles, romantic chapels, fortresses, rare birds and exotic animals of Balaton Uplands Area.
A highlight of the week is the visit in Heviz – a geological unique of the World & Europe is the 30 degree Celsius warm thermal lake.


Program:

Day 1 – Arrival in Balatonfüred at the lake. - Individual arriving until 7pm to Balatonfured in the starting Hotel of the tour (distance from Budapest:140 km), the first health resort centre and spa of Hungary. Getting acquainted with the sights of resort area. Tour briefing with the guide and dinner. Upon request we will reserve gladly for you overnight/s in Budapest or in Balatonfüred before or after the walking tour. /Hotel for 3 nights/

Day 2 – On the Blue Trail of the Balaton Upland. - (10.6miles / 17km) Today you will walk along hillsides full of vineyards of famous Csopak wine region and nice villages from Balatonaracs to Balatonalmadi. Back to Balatonfured by train.

Day 3 – The mystery Tihany peninsula. - ( 9.4miles,15km) During the tour you will discover not only Tihany village, which is one of the oldest settlements in the region, but the varied landscape and the unique geological value of the Tihany peninsula, the natural beauty of the lakes, the hill sides and mountains covered with vineyards, forests, the geyser cones arose as the results of post volcanic activity.

Day 4 – Through of the sea of stones. – (12miles , 19km) St Georges Hill hiking holiday in the Kali Basin. Transfer and then climb up the basalt cone. Walk down to Koveskal, with reconstructed historical buildings and wine cellars. Follow the blue tourist sign and near the village Szentbekkalla walk on the sea of stones. Walk down to Tapolca, where you will stay overnight. You can walk around the lake Mill and maybe take a small boat trip on the cave lake. /Hotel for 2 nights/

Day 5 – The volcanic “witness hills” of Tapolca Basin. - (14miles , 21km) Climb up to the most beautiful examples of basalt organs of the hill (415m). Walk to the top of hill and down to a baroque chapel and by winepress-house. Arriving in Szigliget visit the ruins of a historic fortress.(242 m). Look around the charming village with romantic peasant houses and old wine cellars. On the road you will reach the remains of a medieval church. In Badacsony a nice excursion path goes around the top of hill (438m). Travel back to Tapolca by train (only 10 min).

Day 6 - Keszthely - at the Lake again. – (11.4miles, 18km) After a short transfer walk on the blue line across Keszthely mountains with excellent views of the Balaton Upland Park. Proceed on the blue line through the village Vallus, then up Szik hill (351m) and Nagymezo (Great field). From the Festetics look out tower you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Keszthely bay. Accommodation in Keszthely. /Hotel for 2 nights/

Day 7 - The historic Keszthely and two lakes. - (5miles , 8km) Visit many sights of Keszthely, like the renovated city centre, Roman Catholic church, and the garden of the Festetics castle, the largest baroque castle in Hungary. Walking further to the lake of world famous Heviz, Europe’s largest natural thermal lake. Free time to bath or for coffee/tee. Wit the local bus back to Keszthely town. (The beach at Lake Balaton provides good opportunities for swimming as well)

Day 8 - Homeward journey or reservation of extra night/s in our contractual hotels in Keszthely, in Heviz or in the Hungary’s capital Budapest . Extension (additional nights) possible on your own cost to book. (prices on request)


VELO-TOURING® | H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary, Europe
Tel. & Fax: (+36)-1-319-0571 | E-Mail:pedal@velo-touring.hu

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Travel Information

  • Fly to Budapest and catch local train to Lake Balaton
    (Budapest - Lake Balaton to and back approx. 26,- EURO)
  • It is maybe possible to fly to Lake Balaton with Ryanair.
  • Car or coach transfer from the Airport Budapest direct to the hotel is quite possibly.
    (supplementary booking required, prices on request)

Others

Discounts available under 18's as in the case of our bike tours
Discount for groups according to a separate agreement



VELO-TOURING® | H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary, Europe
Tel. & Fax: (+36)-1-319-0571 | E-Mail:pedal@velo-touring.hu

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Dates

What’s Included:

  • 7 X nights accommodation in 3***star hotels: 3 X Balatonfüred, 2 X in Tapolca and 2 X in Keszthely, always with private facilities.
  • 7 X breakfast buffet.
  • 7 X 3-course- or buffet-dinner.
  • English speaking guiding from 1. up to 7. days
  • Luggage transfer from one hotel to another.
  • Complimentary Info meeting in Balatonfüred.
  • All local transfers to the starting points of the walking and back, if necessary.
  • Guided visits as per program description. (Entrance fees not included)
  • Service Telephone (cell phone) at the walking tour guide.
  • Carefully selected walking routes.


Prices

Tour Price per personEUR
In double room1279, --
Single room supplement319, --

Optional (not included, extras):

  • Transport before and after tour
  • Flights
  • Entrance to attractions
  • Lunches
  • Travel Insurance
  • Single Rooms (look above)
  • Additional nights (extra night) in Keszthely, in Heviz or in Budapest

We book gladly supplementary nights in our contractual hotels before and/or after your tour. (supplementary booking required, prices on request)



VELO-TOURING® | H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary, Europe
Tel. & Fax: (+36)-1-319-0571 | E-Mail:pedal@velo-touring.hu

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Overview | Guided Walking Itinerary | Accommodation | Program | Travel Information | Dates & Prices