HÉVÍZ -TIHANY-BUDAPEST

With the pleasing memory of Hévíz, we leave towards the peninsula of Tihany, last stage of the Route. The chauffeur that accompanies us during the whole itinerary, cheerfully converse with the partners occupying the front seats. We go by the highway nş 71, towards Révfülöp-Hévíz.

In Hungary there are many virgin places to discover. To do a long walk through the natural parks or across of the open spaces officially protected together with the observation of animals and birds, is another way to relax and intensely enjoy this route of health.

In the peninsula of Tihany was created the first natural reservation of Hungary in order to protect the abundant and varied fauna moreover the strange cones formed by the old geysers and the lakes formed in the craters of protected volcanos.

Tihany is one of the most beautiful places in the Lake Balaton with beautiful views due to its privileged situation. Is a peninsula that enters into the lake waters and it seems to divides them in two.

In the top of the hill highlights the imposing building of the church and the Benedictine Abbey with two steeples. In its interior, the altar and the pulpit, both of Baroque style while the crypt is Romanesque and it dates from 1055. In the summer, every Tuesday and Wednesday one can listen the organ concerts from the abbey.

In the eastern part of the monastery are the cliffs of Óvár with the cells of the monks, duged in basaltic tufa during the XI century and that today still intact.

The historical town of Tihany has a bohemian and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The rural houses restored with small gardens with acacias, poplars and lavender, all of them looking toward the Lake Balatón.

We visit the Fisherman's House (Halászház) and we approach close to the pier in order to know the schedule departures of the ferry that crosses to the opposite side of the Lake. Balaton "the sea of Hungary" the waters and environment are protected and the use of motor ships is not allowed, however, on the other hand, a true cult exists toward sailing navigation and the windsurfing.

The port is an habitual place of much activity. Today we coincide with a local boat race of sailing yachts that always is a event of great animation and colouring. In the lake there are other relaxing activities such as the use of water bicycles, canoeing and kayaks. The fishing lovers also have in Lake Balaton a reserved place.

The lake with 77 kilometres long and 4.5 km average wide and scarcely 2, 5 meters deep, although in some points it overcomes the 12 metres it is surrounded by old volcanos and different courses of water, especially the River Zala, acting as feeders, as well as thermal sources. That generate a dilutes fresh water, a little alkaline, with excellent healthy properties, especially suitable for rheumatism illness.

In Csárdás Restaurant a typical and welcoming rural house that still having a portico built in 1862, we have lunch there: a silver delicious lucio-perch of the Lake Balatón. It is the most famous fish recipe in Hungary and it is necessary to savour it in the same bank of the lake. We accompany it with white Badacsonyi szürkebarát (grey Monk of Badacsony) of the famous vineyards of Balaton Lake.

The Balaton Lake has two banks that differ very much one from another: in the southern margin the tourist area runs off with large hotels and minuscule beaches, and in the northern there are more historical towns and places of interest, mountain paths, better wine and much less ostentation.

Tihany is located in the southern part and towards the west is Badacsony, famous region due to its excellent wines. Our itinerary will take us to the north where is located Balatonfüred, the oldest and most popular tourist resort of the Balaton Lake.