Velo-Touring, Cycling Holidays in Hungary

Day 1. – ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST. – Individual arrival in Budapest latest until 6pm. Presentation of the tour by the guide and dinner.

Day 2. – AT LAKE BALATON. – Bus transfer to the southern side of Lake Balaton. Handing over of the bikes. Cycling along the southern shore, through Siófok. Panoramic view of the northern side, possible bath stop. Passing the harbour of Balatonföldvár towards Balatonboglár/lelle. (Stage: approx. 32 miles / 51 km)

Day 3. – LAND-INWARDS FROM LAKE BALATON. – We cycle through sleepy villages and small roads in the Southern Transdanubia. The region is a mixture of undisturbed forests, meadows and sandy “puszta” (flatland) areas. Plains and valleys between gentle hills characterize this region, south from the Lake Balaton, until Kaposvár. (Stage: approx. 38 miles / 61 km)

Day 4. – MANORS OF THE FESTETICH AND THE ESZTERHÁZY. – We start southwards towards Pécs with our bikes on a forest cycle-path through the nature reserve of Zselicség. Deciduous- and conifer trees, reserved flora and fauna, “one-way-villages”. Pécs (Sopianć) is located at the southern feet of the Mecsek hills. In 2010, Pécs will be an “European Capital of Culture”. / Hotel for 2 nights!) (Stage: approx. 32 miles / 52 km)

Day 5. – REST-DAY IN PÉCS (SOPIANAE) SIGHTSEEING. – Sightseeing. Pécs (part of the World Heritage) has a series of impressive sights and it is the birthplace of the Hungarian Art Nouveau. Roman catacombs, wonderful Christian churches, Turkish monuments, artistic Zsolnay-ceramics in Art Nouveau, nice bars and cafes – this is all Pécs. Overnight stay in the hotel of the preceding night.

Day 6. – CYCLING, BATHING AND RELAXING. – Short transfer to the region of Ormánság. We cycle along little forests, orchards and vineyards to the spa resort of Harkány. The beautifully situated open-air thermal bath of Harkány is beloved because of its healing water. You have plenty of time here to bathe, relax and wander. (Stage: approx. 30 miles / 47 km)

Day 7. – ALONG THE RED WINE ROUTE. – First we cycle to Siklós and visit the castle (bearing the same name). We have a beautiful panorama from here. The soil and the Sub-Mediterranean climate help in growing the most delicious red wine grapes of the country. Finally we arrive to the heart of the wine region, Villánykövesd. We have a wine tasting of these first-class wines in a pretty wine cellar. (Stage: approx. 32 miles / 53 km)

Day 8. – WILDLIFE RESERVE OF GEMENC. – After a coach transfer we start cycling northwards on an embankment of the Danube along the unique nature reserve. Hungary’s largest wildlife reserve, the Forest of Gemenc is a unique flood-area-forest, it is the feeding ground of many big games and birds. We continue to Bárányfok and Szekszárd. (Stage: approx. 24 miles / 39 km)

Day 9. – SET OUT FOR BUDAPEST. Informative walk in the pretty old town of Szekszárd. It was populated by German immigrants in the 18th century. Finally a bus transfer to Budapest. Freetime. Dinner and overnight stay in our hotel in Budapest.

Day 10. - Individual departure after breakfast, or staying extra nights in Budapest.

Included

– 9 nights B&B accommodation in comfortable hotels or guest houses
   double or twin rooms with private facilities (shower/WC).
– 9 evening meals of typical Hungarian cooking (half-board, 2 X with wine).
– Spa admission in Harkány.
– Wine tasting in Villánykövesd.
– All bus transfers according to the program description.
– Service/Following bus for luggage transport from hotel to hotel
– Special bike-transporting trailer for the bicycles & spare bikes.
– Admission fees and guidance according to program description.
– English-speaking guide during the whole tour.
– Most carefully selected routes.