Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO STAY
Siófok is basically plastered with tourists during the summer months, and there are a
wide variety of options from large hotels or resorts on the Gold Coast to the east of
the center of town, or the Silver Coast (Ezüstpart), to the west. Additional accommo-
dations can be found on the city's website at www.siofokportal.com.
We recommend pampering yourself at a “wellness center” for a few days. The
Hotel
Azúr
, Vitorlás u. 11 (
&
84/501-400;
www.hotelazur.hu) is the most comfort-
able, plush, and welcoming hotel and wellness center in town. The pools are large, it
has a nice fitness room, and the whole complex is extremely tasteful. During the sum-
mer months, the hotel facilities look directly onto Lake Balaton. Rates are 135
€
€
($162) in summer and 85
($102) in winter for a double room, and breakfast is
included. The hotel has a good-size indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a massage club,
Finnish saunas, a beauty salon, and thermal pools.
The
Hotel Residence
, Erkel Ferenc u. 49 (
&
84/506-840;
www.hotel-residence.
hu) also has an extensive list of services, including massages, gyms, baths, and aro-
matherapy. There is a private beach on the shores of Lake Balaton reserved for the
hotel, but it is located several hundred meters away. Rates are 107
€
($128) in sum-
mer and 87
($105) in winter for a double room, and breakfast is included. The hotel
has a good-size indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a massage club, Finnish saunas, a
beauty salon, and thermal pools.
WHERE TO DINE
Try the
Sándor Restaurant
(
&
84/312-829;
www.sandorrestaurant.hu), on Erkel F.
utca 30, popular with locals for large portions of contemporary Hungarian food. If
you're looking for more traditional Hungarian fare, occasionally with live Gypsy
music, try the
Csárdás Restaurant,
at F
ó
u. 105 (
&
84/310-642
).
€
6 Northeastern Hungary
Northeast of the Danube Bend is Hungary's hilliest region, where the country's high-
est peak—Matra Hill, at 998m (3,327 ft.)—can be found. Here you can visit the pre-
served medieval village of Hollók
ó
; see remnants of the country's Turkish heritage in
Eger, also known for its regional wines; and explore the 23km (14-mile) cave system
in Aggtelek.
HOLLÓKÓ: A PRESERVED PALÓC VILLAGE
102km (63 miles) NE of Budapest
The village of Hollók
ó
(pronounced
Ho
-low-koo) is one of the most charming spots
in Hungary. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a perfectly preserved but still
vibrant Palóc village. The rural Palóc people speak an unusual Hungarian dialect, and
they have some of the more colorful folk customs and costumes in Hungary. If you're
in Hungary at Easter time, by all means consider spending the holiday in Hollók
ó
.
Hollók
ó
's traditional Easter celebration features townspeople in traditional dress and
Masses in the town church.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
The only direct
bus
to Hollók
ó
departs from Budapest's cen-
tral bus station, Stadionok Bus Station (
&
1/382-0888
). It departs daily at 8:30am
and takes about 2
1
⁄
2
hours to reach the town. The fare is 1,400 Ft ($5.60/£3.60).
