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Bike Tour No. 2. Southern Hungary, Abundance of Culture and Wine
From Lake Balaton to the European Capital of Culture & to the Thermal SpaVineyard Regions - Wildlife Reserve at the Danube. |
Printable version (PDF)
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| Duration: | 9 days / 8 nights | |
| Length: | Total 311kms / 188miles | |
| Stage Character: |
A bike tour starting from Lake Balaton through Trans-Danubian landscapes with mainly flat daily stages, 3 stages have a few gentle rises. (Level 2.) | |
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The southern region of Hungary is a mixture of landscape and culture: hilly country, sun-gilt vineyards and a lot of historical sites and monuments. First, you will experience the untouched scenery of Danube-Dráva National Park. We cycle on the Red-Wine-Route of Villány, in the Dráva region of the Croatian-Hungarian border as well as in the wildlife reserve at Gemenc in the end. (near the Danube). Welcome on the second oldest tour of our product-range. |
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. 31 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. 36 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 (Sopiané) is located at the southern feet of the Mecsek hills. In 2010, Pécs was an “European Capital of Culture”. / Hotel for 2 nights! /
(Stage: approx. 36 miles / 60 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. 29 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. Finally a bus transfer to Budapest. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Budapest.
(Stage: approx. 24 miles / 39 km) Day 9 – Individual departure after breakfast, or staying extra nights in Budapest. Included – 8 nights B&B accommodation in comfortable hotels or guest houses double or twin rooms with private facilities (shower/WC). – 8 evening meals of typical Hungarian cooking (half-board, 2 X with wine). – Spa admission in Harkány. – Wine tasting in Villány vineyard region. – 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. |
| Included in the bike rental |
| Price of extra night/s in Budapest per person per night (with Breakfast) |
EUR |
| in double room: | 39,00 |
| in single room: | 56,00 |
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