HUNGARY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 308

Considered “the capital of Lake Balaton,” Siófok is 72 miles from Budapest and
is easily reached by train. Siófok's railway station and harbor were built in 1863,
nearly 800 years after the city was founded. Today green parks and flowering gar-
dens transform the city into a paradise on and off shore. Notice the landscape of
Millennium Park as soon as you step off the train in front of the station. Historic and
modern structures provide an interesting mix while a variety of outdoor sculptures
stand on public display in open-air exhibitions. The city has many organized pro-
grams and tours; check with the tourist office for offerings.
From the waters of Lake Balaton we go to the relaxing lifestyle of the Kiskunság
region. Kecskemét is our next stop. The largest city of the Southern Great Plains
(the area lying between the Danube and Tisza Rivers), Kecskemét has an impress-
ive town square with a majolica-tile decorated Town Hall. The architecture is partic-
ularly stunning, with the Cifrapalota or Ornamental Palace, Katona Jozsef Theatre,
and a 19th-century Moorish-style synagogue that today is the House of Science
and Technology. Every August since 1934, the Hirös Festival has been held here.
It highlights the traditional crafts, agriculture, and culture of the area.
Szeged, also in the Southern Great Plains, is often called the City of Sunshine,
averaging 2,000 hours of sunshine a year—a bit warmer than the rest of the coun-
try. The city was devastated by a flood in 1879, but the Szeged Synagogue, the
Votive Church, the Greek Orthodox Serbian Church, and other examples of archi-
tectural magnificence help this city shine in wonder. For a special treat visit during
the open-air festival held July through August, but plan ahead as this festival is
popular around the world.
The Southern Great Plains is abundant in traditional folk art such as motif paint-
ing, weaving, slipper crafting, egg painting, and the very popular and intricately
decorated embroidery work and pottery. Contact the tourist boards for program-
ming or shops to visit. You may even be lucky enough to experience a Hungarian
folk-dance show.
We also encourage you to try the cuisine as testimony to the rich history and
flavors of the different regions. Of course there is the gulyás (goulash) stew made
with red paprika and multitudes of noodle dishes, but try the famous halászlé spicy
fish soup and pike-perch of the Balaton; the wheat and vegetable dishes of the
Great Plains made with cream; and desserts such as cottage cheese pie or cab-
bage strudel. Don't forget to try a glass of the king of wines, the wine of kings, Tokaj
and a delicious apricot.
Prefer a different indulgence? The thermal bath is taken seriously in Hungary.
More than 1,000 natural thermal springs throughout the country allow for a variety
of spas to be incorporated into your stay. Whether enjoying the original Roman-
built spas (three still exist today: Császár, Király, and Rudas), a modern hotel spa,