FROM LAKE TO LAKE IN THE NORTHWEST OF HUNGARY	price from 499 €
Hungary - Leisure cycling - 8 days

This circuit will allow you to discover two big lakes of Hungary, the Balaton that is the biggest lake of Eastern Europe and the lake Fertö on the Austrian border. You will visit the big cities of the west of the country, the forests of the Bakony, and their mounts where outlaws lived. Many abbeys and fortresses will also astonish you in this region. Next, you will discover the region of the Kisalföld "Small Plain" with the sinuous old Danube, from which you will reach the lake Fertö divided between Hungary and Austria.

Program

Day 1 From Budapest to Balatonalmadi From Budapest, you will travel by train to join Balatonalmàdi, one of the principal cities of the Lake Balaton. Seaside city, its beach of 8KMS surrounded by red sandstone hills is very popular.

Day 2 From Balatonalmadi to Zirc The first interesting stop is Veszprém, where from the top of a hill you will be able to walk amongst fortified walls and the towers of churches, almost all classified as historical monuments. The end of the first step is located at Zirc, small city of 8,000 inhabitants famous for its Cistercian abbey and its arboretum of an area of 20 hectares. The latter, 200 years old, counts more than 600 different types of vegetations. This step is not very long, but counts several ascents and descents of 8-11%. About 46KMS.

Day 3 The Bakony Mounts After a copious Hungarian breakfast, you will have all day long to discover the small towns of the Bakony Mounts as well as its sumptuous forests. In the town of Tés you will be able to admire several windmills, and visit one of them, transformed into a museum. About 45KMS.

Day 4 From Zirc to Györ Today you will discover the Small Plain. You will have the occasion to climb towards the castle of Csesznek and the Benedictine monastery of Pannonhalma. This immense structure contains the 1000 years old principal Benedictine abbey, a true architecture treasure classified by the UNESCO to the worldwide cultural heritage. Györ is a rich city in monuments and history and is very animated with its festivals of music (classical, jazz and contemporary) and movies. It is located by the Old Danube and river Ràba. About 68KMS

Day 5 From Györ to Mosonmagyarovàr Your road will take you on the island of Szigetköz surrounded by the Danube. The wildlife and the flora are very diversified and the architecture is astonishing, you will be able to discover the city of Hédervàr, its church dated from the beginning of the 15th century and its castle, nowadays a hotel. You will be amazed by the remains of the Baroque or Renaissance architecture as well as by the wonderful earthenware of Zsolnay. About 72KMS.

Day 6 From Mosonmagyarovàr to Fertöd This easy step takes place mainly on flat grounds. You will be able to discover the Small Plain and its special nature, wheat fields, corn and reeds. At Fertöd, the Palace Esterházy is considered as the Hungarian Versailles, this is the biggest and the most beautiful baroque castle of the country. About 65KMS.

Day 7 From Fertöd to Fertöràkos This step will lead you around the salty lake. It is part of a natural and very preserved park where more than 300 types of animals live. Several possibilities are offered to you, either you can go around the lake, about 100 kilometres or take the ferry that will leave you more time to go for a swim or to visit Rust, a very picturesque small town of winegrowers. Distance according to your choice.

Day 8 End of stay. 9kms separate you from the train station, nevertheless, if your airplane takes off only late in the evening or if you decide to stay one more night in Budapest, take the time to visit Sopron. Small city situated at the Austrian border, it is one of the richest Hungarian cities in monuments, and it symbolizes the heroism for the Hungarian people. About 9KMS. End of stay at Budapest.