The round of Hungaria was finally decided, after discussions with the rest of the gang at the meeting in Cluj, Romania. The main reason cause of the bad weather, that only pleasant would not be by wandering the Carpathians.
The plan was to wander a little in the Carpathians and to visit Budapest and maybe Poland later on ...
But Hungary eventually won the first prize.
Tuesday, 6 May
So we started in the morning from the hospitable Cluj to Szeged, Hungary.
Low-temperature outdoor "alarm" confirmed the selection of Hungary ...
372 km most of it on good asphalt. The roads in Hungary are skewered by heavy trucks, while the few pieces of the highways that I drove are impeccable. The 10 days vignette cost 2,975 HUF or 10 €.
With a long delay at the border for the passport control, and with a thorough search of the car - for the first time - nor in Russia such a thing. Another Greek professional van came and they did to them ... Probably they had a problem with the Greeks that day ...
The route to the Hungarian territory was on flat on narrow roads with a series of huge trees right and left and back endless cultivated land ... Unfortunately, they are dangerously grooved by large trucks that create huge hubs of cars. because of the drivers of the cars make nervous and extremely dangerous overtaking...
About 6 hours later I reached the center of the Danube Szeged where I parked next to the river and 200m from the beginning of the historic center.
46 14.760, 20 08.944
Wednesday 7 May
Check out for the ride to Pecs with a stop at Mohacs.
154 km in 2:35 hours.
Two famous battles took place there. "the Battle of Mohács", 1526, 1687.
These battles represent the beginning and the end, respectively, of the Ottoman domination of Hungary.
A small city by the Danube of 17,000 inhabitants.
Attractions at 10 min. from the point of parking and another 5 up to the banks of the Danube.
I sat in one of the two main restaurants where a dish of meat, potatoes, salad, and a beer cost 8 € ...
Departure after a brief siesta for Pecs- 58.5 km- where we arrived at 7:00 in the afternoon.
I had put on GPS the monument from the UNESCO World Heritage List (a series of early Christian tombs).
next to the cathedral, the bishop's palace and the tower "Barbakán"
Parking on the road allowed and "free" but only for the residents- holding special entrance card in the old town !!! How can I know it? It certainly has signs that delimit the ring, but only written in Hungarian...
Score 2 parking tickets, one for each day (at 7:00 in the morning!).
46 04.662, 20 08.944
Another minus for the morning sleepers is the incredible sound from the bells at 7:00 in the morning.
The "Pecs" proved to be a pleasant surprise, with lots places to visit - a look at "Wikipedia" will convince you - one of them is the central square "Széchenyi Square"
Much of the history of the city and the interest of the past can be seen there, where the Gazi Kashim Mosque still exists although it was established as a church after the Ottoman Turks retreated centuries ago, the crescent of Islam and the cross are still visible in the dome.
The town hall, the national theater and many more.
You walk easily around everything...
I also went to the opening of a wine festival in the central square, where I tasted pretty good wines with jazz sound and other European music, with about 1.50€ per glass!
Two days in Pecs were and were not enough ...
Friday, May 9
We left with the best impressions of Pecs for the spa town of Zalavár.
An easy ride a few km. It came by curiosity in the plan, to get an idea how the baths look like here.
It was Well organized with price ratings (that get what you pay for). The simplest of the 8€, 3 swimming pools available at your disposal. A sporty with a temperature of 25c and two shallows with 35c.
There are outdoor showers and enough cabins to change, playgrounds, lawn and picnic benches. There is also a restaurant with standard prices.
As I understood, people have to carry chairs, deck chairs and so on like- at the beach - and enjoy it all day.
By the way, the campsite advertises that when you take your tickets from them you can go in twice a day.
The campsite itself is well-kept and within 300 meters of the baths.
http://www.campingshongarije.nl/hongarije/zalakaros/balatontourist-thermaal-camping-zalakaros.html
me what to do for one night?
I stayed in the parking lot without any problem...
Saturday, May 10
Departure for "Keszthely" -58 km- with one stop in the middle to visit a farm, a protection center and breeding and spawning and slaughtering of water-buffalo at the southern of Kis-Balaton small lake. Suddenly I did not even hit them in the water, all this in the "Balaton Uplands National Park"
We arrived at Keszthely for lunch,
We walk around, a city with the infinite museums... Of dolls, trains, buses, and even sexual representations, with waxes of well known or not characters...
well, time to visit a campsite and the choose was Zala camping.
because of its proximity to the beach of the lake - the color of the water, dark brown-gray... they insist however that swimming is allowed ...
The campsite was near to the pedestrian and the center (1800m).
The shops were closed and the pool was empty ... The restaurant was open but the prices were the same as the center... They are still preparing for the season.
Two days, 220, Hara (children's price) and taxes total 20,30 €
..
In the afternoon, walking on to the pier, lakeside, we met a girl who informed us / invited us to a presentation of local wines from their producers.
Entrance 2500 ft or 8.3 € to dring as long as you can stand ... We honored her in the evening ...
The next morning the absolute rest. Rain, rain again rain and storm at night...
Monday, May 12
noon at 12:00 we started for the ride or rather the northern lakeside route and destination to "Győr" Very pleasant the lakeside path till to "Balatonalmadi".
The beaches, however, wherever exist, are artificial and fenced with what this entails. There are several campsites and two nudists.
The surprise, however, was later, the best route ever to Hungary, to "Győr" through hills but on the right road that is the same as the highways- that are impeccable! We made a stop at the "Zirc" to look forward to an amazing complex, church, and museum in an otherwise unimportant small town.
We made also our supplies to the adjacent supermarket and we reached "Győr" - 184km at 4 hours - exactly at 6:00 pm when the parking meters expire (you pay from 8:00 to 18:00).
The GPS consistent with the hints led us to the Town Hall where we parked on at ones.
47.513006, 19.079105
(the next morning we "moved" to the free parking of the baths to avoid payment of 0.60 € per hour ...)
We locked up and started the tour as we had another two hours of daylight. It is one kilometer away from the most remarkable monument of interest
town hall
Szechenyi square with baroque buildings and Benedictine church.
The fountain 'siphon "
the hill with Basilica and the bishop's palace (poor people...)
“Karmelite”"
the synagogue
and the hot springs
flowers for planting in flower beds...
soviet style flats and the train station
It caught us a storm, we started with a sun and a T-shirt...
Fortunately, I had a plastic bag for the need of Hara and I protected the camera! We talk about a lot of water!
Result. Empty streets. It is also the Hungarians who go to sleep early or just do not stay out. Not only pedestrians but not cars after 21:00
Tuesday, 13 May
eventually, instead of coffee in a café, I made a visit to the baths- 36c- the outdoor swimming pool was not functioning yet ...
and the sights I had not seen before.
We started for "Komarom" a small town on the Danube - it is divided - half is in Slovakia... With three fortresses on the UNESCO list.
I manage to visit one but because of heavy rain, - it stops to trickle - I'm blocked in the "house" I have parked out of the information office where is "free internet"...
"Komarom" therefore has nothing to look forward except the three forts, or rather the two - the third is abandoned and unobservable.
and a square ... The 3 sides. Oh, my comrades with your aesthetics ..
It also has warm baths with a camping right next to it just for the baths. You do not just live like a campsite, you have to pay for a bath ticket ...2.100 the car +1400 the person + 1.500 the baths 5.000 ie 16 €
The really impressive is the fourth fortress that you can find on the Slovak side of the city.
Wednesday, May 14
On the other side ... Not that you understand that you are crossing the border, you just pass a bridge...
There you find the center of the old town with magnificent old buildings and free parking facilities in the fortress, which is 300 meters from the pedestrianized center.
We return from the bridge for a visit to the city of "Tata" 37km.
Away.
A beautiful small town on the shores of a big lake and a smaller lake .. Beautiful path and finally discovered where the vineyards for Hungarian wine are located,,,
Particularly interesting is the Parisian church,
the “Observatory"
a hill with the marble crucifixion and a chapel,
the castle by the lake
the watermill
a wooden clock
and a super 'local' restaurant for retired people and students and people who took home.
550 ft /1,80 € the menu!!!! 1 goulash, 1 beef fillet, 1 salad cabbage 1 big and one small beer cost me the astronomical amount of 1.500 Ft / 5 € !!! why we are talking about two people...
JoEbed
Alkotmany U. 5
28900 TATA
the English Park
Wherever the well-established siesta. After it, we were leaving for Estergorm another small town of Danube, another 50km.
We arrived relatively early and had the opportunity to visit the most important monuments.The enormous church "Sankt-Abalbert-Doms"
on top of the hill overlooking the old town and the Danube.
And the university complex.
Then the rain...
overnight parking next to the pedestrian street and in front of government buildings in an empty but well-lighted street with little traffic.
47.79050, 18.73966
Thursday, May 15
In the morning under drops the walk of Hara and me taking photos of the pedestrian street.
It was 7:00 and the temperature at 9c !!!
The road begins to be alive from 6:30, cars park right next to us, students go (school suit and tie!!!) at school and we start the ride to the capital.
A few kilometers, we nearly doubled it. 96km, at 2:30 hours driving - following the Danubian route it was worth the trouble - with 7.5c and low rain all the way. A coffee at "Nagymaros" Where we saw the strangest ferryboat, a small tug to push a raft!
Forr sell !!! It also has electric power and TV antenna …
Budapest!!
!at 13:30 hours we are welcomed by heavy rain and the heavy traffic of the big cities...
Directly to the huge free parking for overnight.
Next to the Art Gallery.
47.51084, 19.08257
and the night
The campsite can wait...
It's raining, December's temperature for Greece (10c), and no thought for walks or sightseeing.
we were Retired, we have plenty of time...
After a short meal with red Hungarian wine in the "house", siesta under the sound of heavy rain.
During the afternoon, rain slows down a bit and we went out for Hara's walk to the huge park.
We walked to the castle of the "millennium"
where beside it is a tent-beerhouse, with live music, every afternoon different third-class bands. Two beers and a hot dog 2000Ft / 6,6 €! As long as the meal for two in Tata...
Oh, we came in the capital!
And the jock!
I had worn in Hara the special waterproof vest- a gift to her from Norway so it would not soak and how to dry before she fell to sleep at home. "But this brilliant dog jamp in the ditch of the castle chasing the ducks !!! Destruction...
Friday, 16 May
Walking around the surrounding monuments, buildings. Lightly spatter. Starting from the park to delight Hara, we passed again from the Millennium Castle
we were looking the outside the beautiful neo-Barock “Szechenyi Baths complex” (1913)!
with an entrance fee of € 2,300 / € 7,5
we walked outside the Zoo.
right across
Museum of Fine Arts
in the heroes square with the Millennium-1896 Monument.
the Art Gallery
we went down the “Andrassy Avenue” to the center.
Where also the home of horror is- Headquarters of AVO (something like the STAZI) horror museum today.
Beautiful structures right and left, what to admire first!!
And the electric car of cleaning on the road island and pavement. at the same time.
and the bikes...
We Return to "our home" for rest after 4 hours of continuous walking.
St. Stephen's Basilica.
the chains bridge
the parliament
What to say is really beautiful with her crazy night, with her parks her architecture. Its own share on the Danube, a, and its thermal spas.
Especially those of the hotel "St Gellert"
Sunday, May 18.
In the "Buda" with the motorhome, parking almost at the back entrance of the castle.
Tur in the castle, the church "Matyas"
The national gallery (royal palace, inside the castle).
Then a visit to "Sitarela"
and the view
"St Gellert" hotel
and lastly in the baths., at the "St Gellert" hotel
17 € the simple ticket ... I've been waiting for 15 minutes in the line...
The luxury and the feeling of well-being, however, claim, it worthwhile!
The luxury and the feeling of well-being, however, claim, it worthwhile!
Monday, 19 May.
Around in the suburbs, passing through the mausoleum of "Torlule" (abandoned)
and a visit to the Communist-era statue park.
Return to the town and at camping Haller.
Time for reconstruction and rest.
Almost under the sun with 25c. all out to dry…
The campsite is familiar
I repeat the fair mention of Freedom!
The toilets/showers. spotless but only 3 per genus It was not crowded but in the summer?
WiFi is now included as well as washing machines in price. It is still valid staying 3 days, the 4th day to be free of charge.
The restaurant- within campsite- cheap and with quality. And a park opposite it. the pets are not charged extra - and I stress it because in most campsite Hara, my dog, was charged as a child...
Tuesday, May 20th
Departure for "Eger" A small city with attractions gathered in the centre no more than an hour's walk.
The "Franciscan church"
"Grand Provost's Palace" with its fantastic iron door.
“Lyceum”
The Basilica - the second largest church in Hungary.
Turkish-thermal baths,
yes, I tried it, 1100 ft / 3.6 € with sauna.
What a pity I have no photos from inside...
The dome with gold- not true gold- inlay.
And the "Szepasszony Volgy" area, coming from Budapest to the city, Is an area of 200 producers' cellars with the famous Eger wine.
Overnight at the entrance of the baths, a quiet and safe square, within the limits of paid parking (8: 00-18: 00) anyway.
47 53.907, 20 22.950
Note that after 9 pm people on the streets were measured on my fingers. I am Disappointed...
I found- returning to our "house"- a pizzeria that due to 'Deliveries' was open till late...
Wednesday, 21 May
Destination "Miscolc". Before there, we get a detour to visit the "Miskolctapolca" a park with hot spring and spas.
www.barlangfurdo.hu
we saw them from outside, we made a long walk to the park with Hara and we went to visit the other resort "Lillafured" in Lake "Hamori" with the "Palace Hotel"
Shady the parking lot and quiet exactly what we needed for 'siesta' after being around, lunch and 2 beers.
Incidentally, the lunch in touring places is expensive and the quality...
48 05.995, 20 37.343
we arrived at 18:00 at "Miscolc", at the end of parking fee and we parked in the town hall square.
next to a park "Szent Istvan ter", where no one was disturbed us all night.
48 06.187, 20 46.635
The sights of the city a pedestrian zone, a beautiful central street that traverses only trams with magnificent buildings at right and left.
in the immediate parallel street, a small and clean river with a pedestrian street by side. and a tidy square "Szinva"
There is also a wooden church "Plank church"
and just outside a location with 200 cellars of local wine producers renowned in Hungary
Thursday, 22 May
Normally today I was scheduled to cross the border to Romania.
A last-minute decision, by the morning coffee, was to stay here today also and in a campsite for reconstruction, cleaning, washing as we would find any- campsites is scarcely in Romania and even more in the Transylvania mountains.
The "Sosto" resort was just randomly chosen as a destination 12 km from the city "Nyiregyhaza" on the way to the border because there were 3 campsites on the banks of a small lake.
Unfortunately, despite the information on the other side, all 3 were closed...
so I just parked in an amazing lakeside park
48 00.400, 21 43.478
next to this picturesque hotel
and a nice pizzeria
Hungary is not just Budapest...
It is a beautiful green, flat country with sprawling huge fields with endless vineyards, with many thermal baths, rivers, lakes.
Roads - the secondary - may not be the best of Europe but if you do not in a hurry, not a problem at all. The Hungarians now as drivers are not aggressive and they respect the code.
The police, generally invisible outside Budapest.
I left the best for the end. It's cheap !!! Very good food and service - except Budapest - a paradise... Prices in the supermarket cheap as well.
Generally, a beautiful country that everybody affords to visit.
I close the response with the map of the route
if someone wants it in details, interactive, even at speeds, altitude, here:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2796324
1650 km of a pleasant drive, with a constant of 8.8 ~ 9.1 liter per 100 km according to the indication and the km/tank on not the best roads, but if you are not in a hurry... we saw countless deer alert plates but no deer... we did not see mountains, we did not see another colour from the green! Even river, lakes waters, are green!
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