Surrounded by varied resorts, simple villages, lively towns and elegant cities, Hungarians have been coming to Lake Balaton to let their hair down for years. Now the rest of Europe is slowly catching on to the Lake's 200 kilometres of shoreline, sandy beaches, wineries and clean lake water that it's apparently good enough to drink!
Use the lake as a base from which to discover small peasant cottages and intriguing rock formations. Tour the lake' Northern coast where the volcanic hills are carved into strange formations by ancient eruptions and speckled with vineyards. Also in the region is the stylish spa resort of Balatonfured, one time retreat of Hungarian aristocrats.
- Head to the Tihany peninsula to see one of Hungary's most interesting national parks. The park hosts a Benedictine Abbey dating back to 1055, the deeds of which are the earliest written record of Hungarian language.