Car Hire
All the major international players in the car rental market are present in Hungary. If you are planning to extend your trip to neighbouring countries, make sure you clear it with the hire company, some companies have restrictions on taking rental cars into bordering countries.
COMPANIESAvis
Tel.: +36 1 318 4240
Budget Rent a Car
Tel.: +36 1 214 0420
Europcar Inc.
Tel.: +36 1 477 1090
National
Tel.: +36 1 477 1083
Fox Autorent
Tel.: +36 1 382 9000/9003
Hertz
Tel.: +36 1 296 0997
Americana Rent-a-Car
Tel.: +36 1 350 2542
Recentcar
Tel.: +36 30 474 1826
The Great Plain
Kecskemét
Best known for its tradition of distilling Barackpálinka (apricot brandy) and as the home of Zoltán Kodály, Kecskemét is also a university town and centre for the arts, and one of the Puszta’s most attractive cities. Largely spared during the Turkish occupation, Kecskemét developed into a religious and cultural melting pot, which is reflected in its eclectic architecture today. The central square alone boasts a former synagogue, the Hungarian-style Art Nouveau Cifra Palace (fittingly, “cifra” is Hungarian for “tawdry” or “ornate”) and the impressive Kecskemét Art Gallery. Just down the M5 motorway to the south east and easily accessible by train, it is also the gateway to the Kiskunság National Park and a great starting point for excursions on horseback.
Kiskunság National Park
Classic Puszta country, the Kiskunság comes complete with traditional shepherds, a rural museum, farm and stables, where csikósok – Hungarian-style cowboys – crack whips and perform bareback stunts in traditional dress. The farmyard animals are not the type you are used to either, grey long-horned cattle and Mangalica pigs are an added attraction. By following one of the marked trails, you can also take in the local wildlife, including water buffalo, that may be hiding in the reedy marshland.
Szeged
Down by the Serbian border to the south east, the university town of Szeged has a relaxed charm. It originally flourished on the back of the salt trade but was destroyed by the great flood of 1879 and consequently rebuilt in style. The huge square in the city centre, with its even larger cathedral, is the focal point and plays host to the city’s lively summer festival. The city is steeped in history at every turn, but also boasts a recently restored thermal baths --Anna baths-- to rest those tired sightseeing feet. The main square is dominated by the Art Nouveau tower of the City Hall. The monumental Moorish-Art Nouveau New Synagogue is one of the most beautiful Jewish temples of Europe. The majestic atmosphere of its interior is provided by the white-gold-blue ornamentation.
The surrounding area is also famous for its paprika, flora and fauna, inquire at the Tourinform office about bird-watching trips to the Fehér-tó Nature Reserve, horse riding, angling, boating, hiking and cycling.
Ópusztaszer
In the 9th century, the legendary Ópusztaszer in the village of Szer was the place where the conquering Hungarian tribes gathered to hold the first national assembly and adopt the first laws. The statue of their leader Árpád stands in the National History Memorial Park. The greatest attraction here, visited by hundreds of thousands, is the Feszty Panorama, one of the largest paintings in the world, portraying the 'Entry of Hungarians' into the Carpathian Basin. The panorama, created in 1894, depicting approximately 2000 people on 1760 square metres, gives a special experience of space.
Debrecen
Hungary’s second most populous city retains strong Calvinist roots after local leaders brokered a deal with the Turks to keep the Catholics out. The Déri Museum contains folklore exhibits and some of artist Mihály Munkácsy’s finest work. The best time to visit is during one of the city’s festivals, such as the Spring Festival in late March, the flower carnival on the August 20 public holiday, and the four-day Jazzfesztival in mid September.
Hortobágy National Park
Flat as a Hortobágyi pancake – a local meat-filled, sauce drenched speciality – the local landscape is famed for its low horizons and occasional mirages. Here Hungarian Grey Cattle, stud horses, the spiral horned Racka sheep and buffalo herds graze on the open pastures. In addition, the Rare Breeds Park showcases the region's unusual domesticated animals and the Szálkahalom Nature Reserve also puts on horse shows and carriage rides for visitors. The area of the Hortobágy National Park became a World Heritage site in 1999.
Lake Tisza
In the middle of the Great Plain, Lake Tisza is the second largest surface of water in the country and is known for its smooth water, huge bays, diverse backwaters and islands, rich fishing and wild stock.
The Lake is situated on what was a flood-plain, and on the flooded territory of the River Tisza. In between water dams, there are sixteen islands and ten water channels. The shallow water areas, which warm up easily, are suitable for bathing. The deeper parts are idea for water sports such as sailing, water skiing and surfing. Lake Tisza is also the only lake in Europe where you can speed around on a powerboat or jet-ski. Along the riverbank (approximately 50 miles) there are recreation areas, open-air baths, campsites and places to hire equipment.
The bird reserve of the Tiszavalki Basin is a strictly protected area and home to more than a thousand pairs of herons, egrets, night herons and cormorants. River tours start from any of the 15 ports.
Szolnok
History has ridden roughshod over Szolnok, situated along the Tisza River. Everyone from the Mongols to the Germans and Soviets has laid waste to the town, but it maintains a proud. laid-back and arty feel and is home to some of the country's finest Art Nouveau buildings. The Gulyás Festival in early September is the highlight on the Szolnok social calendar.
Kalocsa
This pretty town, 120 kilometres south of the capital, is known as Hungary’s paprika capital and for its traditional flowery embroidery and painting. The neighbouring paprika fields become a spectacular sea of red in early September. Kalocsa is a good stopping off point on the way to the Hajós Pincék.
Hajós
A bus ride from Kalocsa, this is Bacchus’s dream – an entire village devoted to wine cellars. 1260 of them, to be precise. Best of all, no one actually lives here, so you can make as much noise as you want. The local Swabian population has been fermenting their produce here for centuries, and they celebrate the coming harvest on the weekend nearest May 25.
Baja
The quiet riverside town of Baja, 41 kilometres south of Kalocsa, comes alive in the second Saturday in July, when the locals cook up 2000 cauldrons of fiery fish soup in the huge market square. Expect more of the same during the Autumn festival in September, with theatre, dancing and concerts added to the mix.
Find out more about the Puszta and Lake Tisza regions! You can download an e-brochure here or visit the regions' websites: The Puszta, Lake Tisza.
Driving in Hungary
There is a zero tolerance policy with respect to drink driving, if you consume a drop of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Outside urban areas, vehicle headlights must be on at all times, even during the day. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 motorways are toll roads, stickers must be purchased in advance at petrol stations and on-line. A four day pass costs 1170 Ft, a weekly pass 2550 Ft, and a monthly pass 4200 Ft.
Taxis
Outside the capital, taxi drivers are less prone to unscrupulous pricing and can usually be flagged down on the street without any problems. Ask what the fare will be to the destination before departure. Always check to make sure there is a meter, running in the taxi.
Eastern frontier
Guardian, Tuesday December 13, 2005
Following in the hoof-steps of Attila the Hun, Jim Whyte finds himself out on the wild Hungarian Plain, among an elite band of legendary horsemen.
(read more...)
Hortobágy National Park
Hortobágy is one of the largest protected steppes in Europe. Here Hungarian Grey Cattle, stud horses, the spiral horned Racka sheep and buffalo herds graze on the open pastures. The area of the Hortobágy National Park became a World Heritage site in 1999.
The Nine-Arch-Bridge near the village of Hortobágy is the longest road stone bridge in the country. The almost 300 years old typical `Puszta` restaurant Hortobágy Csárda offers original country dishes. The nearby Shepherd Museum shows the life of shepherds, who lived out in the open, in winter and summer. The incomparable flora and fauna, the folk art and the tools used in the crafts that are characteristic of the Hungarian Puszta, are exhibited in the Hortobágy Körszín. Visitors can see grey cattle, buffaloes, goats and mangalica pigs in the Puszta Animal Park, in open-air folds and pens. The many faces of the Puszta are shown in the paintings of the Hortobágy Gallery.
Máta is the home of the famous Hortobágy Stud: the Nonius strain has been bred here for 300 years. From the fishpond keeper's-house visitors can observe the extraordinarily rich water world, while the lookout tower at the Szálkahalom keeper's-house offers a view of the bird life of forests and salt lakes. If you are looking for adventure, make an excursion in a horse-drawn wagon on the endless flat-land.
Tourinform Offices
Abádszalók
abadszalok@tourinform.hu
http://www.abadszalok.hu/
Békéscsaba
bekescsaba@tourinform.hu
Debrecen
debrecen@tourinform.hu
www.debrecen.hu
Hortobágy
hortobagy@tourinform.hu
Kecskemét
kecskemet@tourinform.hu
www.kecskemet.hu
opusztaszer@tourinform.hu
http://www.opusztaszer.hu/
Szeged -Csongrad county
csongrad-m@tourinform.hu
http://www.csongrad-megye.hu/
Szeged
szeged@tourinform.hu
http://www.szegedportal.hu/
www.szeged.hu
www.szegedvaros.hu
Camaraderie and goulash
The Times, October 23, 2004
Jill Crawshaw enters into the spirit of Magyar tradition aboard the Royal Hungarian Express, where imperial indulgence meets communist chic.
(read more...)
Nostalgia trip
The Guardian
October 23, 2004
Ben Mallalieu boards the teak-panelled Royal Hungarian Express for a three-day tour of one of Europe's strangest countries
(read more...)
Carriages made in heaven
Telegraph, November 23, 2004
John Graham Hart puts aside his fears about trainspotters to journey around Hungary in civilised comfort.
(read more...)
The moniker Puszta (meaning Land of Desolation), which covers the eastern half of Hungary, stuck after the region was ravaged during the Turkish occupation and laid bare by systematic deforestation. Today, the Great Plain is Hungary's agricultural heartland and home to hundreds of small villages and rustic farms. It is also famous for its equestrian culture, ever since their arrival in Europe from the Steppes in the late ninth century, the Magyars have been known for their legendary horsemanship. The whip-cracking cowboy (csikós) lifestyle still lives on in the Puszta and today's visitors are traditionally treated to impressive bareback horse shows – and given the opportunity to saddle up themselves. The vast national parks of Hortobágy and Kiskunság are home to several rare species of wildlife, and some unusual indigenous domesticated animals. The Puszta also lies on the main migratory routes of cranes, geese and wading birds, as well as being the most westerly example of the flora and fauna normally found in the Eurasian Steppes. For water babies, the River Tisza and adjoining lake offers excellent fishing, swimming and canoeing. The region's rustic nature and forgiving landscape makes it a great place for exploration by bicycle.
In addition to its natural diversity, the region has its fair share of historical cities, and Kecskemét gives ample Art Nouveau evidence of a prosperous past. Debrecen is the country's second largest city and is an important sporting venue hosting a variety of international events, as well as Hungary's premier jazz festival. In the south east, the Szeged Summer Festival is a popular celebration of diverse performing arts – all against the formidable backdrop of the city's huge neo-Romanesque church. The beautiful wine cellars of Hajós, an entire village dedicated exclusively to high-grade intoxication, the traditional Fish Soup Festival in Baja and the Szolnok Gulyás Festival are unmissable food and drink highlights.
Hajduszoboszlo Spa
Hajdúszoboszló is a watering place with a Mediterranean atmosphere and has been a popular destination for tourists looking for recuperation, relaxation and entertainment for more than seven decades. The town has a worldwide reputation as the “Mecca of rheumatism patients”.
(read more...)
Accommodation in the Puszta&Lake Tisza Region
DEBRECEN
Grand Hotel Aranybika****
Classical Art Nouveau building, located in the heart of Debrecen, close to the Great Reformed Church.
Aquaticum Thermal and Wellness Hotel Debrecen****
The newest wellness complex in the huge park, Nagyerdõ.
Hotel Lycium ****
Debrecen's newest four-star hotel is situated in the heart of the city, behind the Great Church right next to the modern Kölcsey Centre - a new conference and event venue.
HAJDÚSZOBOSZLÓ
Silver Hotel****
Central located wellness hotel with own spa facilities.
Hunguest Hotel Aqua-Sol****
Newly refurbished spa hotel in the heart of the city.
SZEGED
Hotel Tisza***
Elegant classical building, preserving its historical turn of the century atmosphere, next to Széchenyi Square.
Novotel Szeged****
Situated on the bank of Tisza River, just a 10 minute walk from the city centre.
GYULA
Hunguest Hotel Erkel***
The hotel built together with the sixteen-pool castle bath is situated in the castle garden near a brick castle.
