Lake Balaton II. - Badacsony

Lake Balaton (sometimes called the Hungarian sea) is the largest lake in Central Europe. The peak season extends from June until the end of August. It's very enjoyable to bath in the lake since the average water temperature in summer is about 25 °C (77 °F). I collected the most beautiful, most interesting and most exciting towns which should be visited at Lake Balaton.

2. Badacsony - Fine wine and splendid panorama

One of the most beautiful resorts around Lake Balaton is Badacsony. From the top of the 438 m high Badacsony mountain there is a splendid view over the lake. One of the the five Wine Regions of Lake Balaton is Badacsony wine region which is situated on old volcanoes. It's a lifetime experience to be tasting fine Hungarian wines while viewing the beautiful panorama from Badacsony mountain.



Badacsony photos by camelopardalis, Szili, Csizmadia Tamas

Lake Balaton I. - Siofok

Lake Balaton (sometimes called the Hungarian sea) is the largest lake in Central Europe. The peak season extends from June until the end of August. It's very enjoyable to bath in the lake, since the average water temperature in summer is about 25 °C (77 °F). I collected the most beautiful, most interesting and most exciting towns which should be visited at Lake Balaton.

1. Siofok - For young people and partyfaces

Siofok is the nightlife capital of Lake Balaton. There are bars, pizzerias, pubs, and dozens of discos and nightclubs in the city. You can dance, drink, karaoke, flirt, listen to live music, anything you want. At the same time, I don't recommend anyone to go alone to a disco in Siofok (and generally, in Hungary.)

But Siofok is much more than just discos and bars. It is not only the nightlife capital of Lake Balaton, it is, to my mind, the capital of the lake. In addition, it has the best beach of Lake Balaton with sand, and opportunities to play beach voleyball, water football, badminton, to hire paddle boats, sailboats, kayak, etc. In my opinion, Siofok can't be missed by anyone.



Siofok photos by ArK47 and gerdragon



Lake Balaton photos by rabasz, camelopardalis, Szili, tzunder, mrngr, Pedalofilo

Budapest - On Andrassy Avenue From Heroes' Square to Oktogon

Andrassy Avenue is part of the World Heritage. It is one of the most representative streets in Hungary and one of Budapest very few avenues. Heroes' Square lies at the end of Andrassy Avenue. The famous square is sorrounded by two pretty buildings, Museum of Fine Arts and Palace of Art. The other end of the avenue is Oktogon. Oktogon derives its name from its shape, which is that of an octagon (a polygon that has eight sides.) It is always a very great pleasure to walk on Andrassy Avenue from Heroes' Square to Oktogon. On this route beautiful buildings can be seen, and the atmosphere of the beautiful city centre of Budapest can be felt.



Andrássy Avenue - Photos by Gryts, gm@2 and jaime.sylva



Heroes' Square - Photos by Paul Mannix, jaime.silva, Paul Russel

Means of Transport in Hungary II. - Budapest Metro

The Budapest Metro consists of three lines. Line 4 is under construction. There are also plans for Budapest Metro Line 5.

The line 1 of Budapest Metro is the oldest subway of the continental Europe. It was inagurated in 1896, the year of millennium.

Line 2 was built from 1950 to 1963 and is currently under major reconstructions. Among others, stations are renovated. The renovation will have been finished this year.

The construction of Budapest Metro line 3 was started in 1970 but reached its current length only in 1990. It is the longest metro line in Budapest. It is 17 km-long and consist of 20 stations.

Budapest metro can't be compared to the beauty of Moscow Metro, for example. However, Metro line 1 and 2 are beautifully renovated. The third line of Budapest metro still gives a very strong retro-Communist atmosphere.

Finally, some interesting facts about Budapest Metro from Wikipedia:

- Mobile phones can be used throughout the existing metro lines, although travellers are asked to switch them off (of course, on one switch them off at all).

- There are still the same Soviet vehicles running on Metro line two and three (like in Moscow and some subway services of Prague, as well as the only line in Warsaw). The trains are driven by two people, except for Metro 3, which has a "program carpet" controlling the trains' speed and stopping. This means that controlling the metro mostly consists of opening and closing the door. On the other hand, Metro 4 will be entirely automatic, functioning without human drivers.

- In case of an attack or a catastrophe, the Budapest Metro can provide shelter for 220,000 people, including fresh air (with an air-filter), drinking-water (3 l) and washing-water (27 l per person per day).

- A film with a huge success titled Kontroll was made in Budapest Metro in 2003. It was also screened in Cannes and in the U.S.




Budapest Metro line 1 - Photos by Claudecf, tschaut, Jesus Abizanda, k nt, ingoism



Budapest Metro line 2 - Photos by Antiteilchen, melyviz, loungerie, Zsolt Vajda, Bernat 83



Budapest Metro line 3 - Photos by jaime.silva, loungerie, tillwe

Things To See in Budapest I. - The Buda Castle District

Buda Castle, which is the part of the Budapest World Heritage Site since 1987, was built in the 14th century by Prince Stephen. King Sigismund Luxemburg of Hungary greatly enlarged the palace between 1410 and 1420. Unfortunately, serious damage was caused by Hasburgs, and Turkish. Finally, Buda Castle was destroyed in the great siege of 1686 when Buda was captured by the allied Christian forces. In the heavy artillery bombardment many buildings collapsed and burned out. Buda Castle was rebuilt between 1850 and 1856.

Buda Castle district offers a great amount of joy. There is fantastic view to the city from the Fisherman's Bastion (and maybe it's even more breathtaking at nights). Furthermore, Buda Castle district itself is also a beautiful place with Mathias Church, Hungarian National Gallery, old, beautiful houses which give the atmosphere and memories of a medieval capital. There is even a labyrinth in Buda Castle area.



The Szechenyi Chain Bridge and Buda Palace. Photo by Paul Mannix



View to Budapest from the Fisherman's Bastion in Buda Castle district. Photo by stevec77



Streets in Buda Castle district. Photos by J.C. and Elin B



Hungarian National Gallery in Buda Castle district. Photo by Metadragon



Mathias Church in Buda Castle district. Photo by alias65



Fisherman's Bastion in Buda castle district in winter. Breathtaking view to Budapest from it. Photo by QuintanaRoo

Means of Transport in Hungary I. - Trams

Have you ever wondered what kind of means of transport are used in Hungary? First of all, let's see trams!

- 'UV' type tram, Budapest
Used from 1950s. They are being withdrawn from service.


Photos by Ikaros Images, g e

- Ganz 8-axle tram, Budapest
Used from 1967.



Photo by Rivertay

- Tatra T5C5 tram, Budapest
Used from 1984



Photo by nagy.david

- Siemens Combino tram, Budapest



Photo by tschaut

- Ganz KCSV6 tram, Debrecen



- Tatra T6A2 tram, Szeged



Photo by access.denied

- New Tatra tram in Szeged

Hungary From Space

Szeged and its sorroundings




Puskás Ferenc Stadium and Budapest Sports-Court




Margit Island, Budapest




Lake Balaton




Hungaroring, home of the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix



Danube bend



Photos by Google Earth