Hungary, also known as the “Country of the Magyars“, is located Central Europe.

Hungary’s terrain consists mainly low plains with rolling hills and plenty of water. It has no seacoasts but does encompass Lake Balaton – Central Europe’s largest lake – known to the Magyars as the “Hungarian Sea”. The country and capital city of Budapest is split by the major waterway of the Danube River, Buda being situated on one bank of the river and Pest on the other. The country lays claim to Hévíz Spa which is the world’s largest thermal lake, and within Hungary’s borders there are in excess of 1,000 hot and mineral springs with a capacity for more than 300,000 visitors simultaneously. These are to be found all over the country, in the larger cities such as Budapest as well as smaller town and outlying villages including Bük, Balf, Hajdúszoboszló, Debrecen, Gyula, Sárvár, and Zalakaros. All watersports, including kayaking, windsurfing and sailing, are popular recreational activities for both locals and visitors.

Hungarian food is outstanding and hearty. Almost everyone worldwide is acquainted with one form or another of Goulash (Gulyás) and other stews and thick soups very often flavored with sweet or spicy paprika. Popular dishes include stuffed cabbage leaves (Töltött káposzta), meat stews (Pörkölt) and a rich cake layered with chocolate with a hard caramel glaze called Dobos Torta. The Tokay wines of of Tokaj foothill wine country are appreciated world-wide.

Hungarian music is rich in the haunting tones and rhythms of the Cimbalom and Violin. The Táncháztalálkozó Festival (Dance House or Tanchaz Festival) takes place in Budapest annually. The Sziget Festival, also held in Budapest every summer, is a major musical and cultural Festival venue in Europe.

Visitors to Hungary can enjoy tours of the country’s several World Heritage sites, it’s historic castles and country mansions, the rolling wine country, the shores and traditions of the Lake Balaton area and the entire range of incredible and colorful variety of experiences offered at every turn.

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Tags: Budapest, Central Europe, Danube, Debrecen, Hungary, Lake Balaton, Tokaj, World Heritage Site