Resorts of Hungary

Blog partner: Momondo

Hungary is a special country. In its relatively small area there are about 60 thousand sources with healing mineral water. There is no such concentration of thermal water anywhere else in the world. In Budapest alone, there are more than 130 thermal springs and baths. But since Budapest Hungary is not exhausted, we invite you on a trip to the most important water resorts of this country. You can swim here all year round, both in closed aqua-complexes and under the open sky: in swimming pools, pools and even lakes. Such swimming is not only pleasant, but also useful. And most importantly - it can be combined with a diverse cultural program. By the way, spring is the best time to visit Hungary. Here it is sunny, everywhere there are flowering fruit trees, and this is the most comfortable season for swimming in the hot outdoor pools.

Heviz

 

This cozy town stretches on the shores of the world's largest thermal reservoir - Lake Heviz. The lake has the shape of a funnel with a depth of 38 meters. At the very bottom is an underwater cave from which three thermal keys are beaten. In summer, the water in the lake warms up to 32 degrees, and in winter it never drops less than 24 degrees. Thanks to the funnel shape, the water is constantly mixed, and therefore its temperature at any point of the lake is the same. The surface of the reservoir is decorated with pink water lilies, imported from India. They are even depicted on the coat of arms of the city.

Hajdúszoboszlo

 

The largest spa complex in Europe is located in Hajdúszoboszló. Accordingly, services and entertainment here - for every taste and wallet. In addition, in the city - a huge number of a wide variety of swimming pools and pools with thermal water. The main highlight is the so-called Mediterranean beach with a palm alley. Also in Hajdúszoboszló is the largest aqua park in Hungary. The total length of the slides in it - more than a kilometer. In children, super-realistic animal sculptures standing right in the pools are fascinating.

The beach and water park are open from May to late autumn. Aqua Palace (8 pools with different water temperatures, giant slides and other amusements) - all year round.

Eger

 

The city of Eger is famous, above all, for its medieval fortress, but there are plenty of opportunities for bathing in hot springs too. In addition to the usual for Hungary pools and spa complexes, in Eger you can visit the traditional Turkish baths, preserved from the time of the Ottoman invasion.

In the suburb of Eger, in the town of Egerszalók, which can be reached by local transport for 10 minutes, there is another thermal park with plenty of water activities and limestone artificial hills, reminiscent of Turkish Pamukkale.

Eger is famous for its wines. Especially appreciated by connoisseurs is the famous Eger wine “Bull blood” (Egri bikavér), which is sold here for bottling in any catering establishment. If you want to get closer to the secrets of Eger wine, visit the Valley of Beauties, it is only 20 minutes walk from the historic center of the city.

Debrecen

 

Due to the local climate and the resort atmosphere prevailing in the city, the city of Debrecen is often called the “Hungarian Mediterranean”. In confirmation of this, in 2003, the Aquatiquum Mediterranean Swimming Pool was opened here: surrounded by a wide variety of tropical plants, there are various slides, hydromassage pools, geysers, rivers, waterfalls and bathing caves.

In the north, the Nadierde forest park (the Great Forest) adjoins the city, walking through which you can come across an amusement park, a zoo or a botanical garden.

Particularly interesting is to visit Debrecen during the August Carnival of Flowers and the Balloon Festival, which is held in October.

Miskolc-Tapolca

 

Glory to the city of Miskolc-Tapolca brought its unique swimming pool, located in a natural karst cave. Moreover, this is not a single cave, but a whole cave complex with a multitude of illuminated halls, grottoes and a labyrinth of passages, which unexpectedly lead bathers to open-air swimming pools.

There is an open thermal lake, surrounded by a picturesque beech forest, and the old Town Hall Square, and Diosdieur Castle, the residence of King Lajos the Great, and not far from Miskolc, in the beautiful valley of the Sinwa River lies the climate resort of Lillafured, with its famous castle, whose towers are reflected in Emerald waters of Lake Hamori.

Sarvar

 

In the 60s of the last century, oil was searched here, and they discovered one of the deepest deposits of thermal waters in the country. Hot water in the pools and swimming pools of Sharvar comes from a record depth of two kilometers. Its temperature is plus 83 degrees, so before applying it even has to cool. The healing salt, the famous Sharvar crystal, is extracted from this water.

In the city it is interesting to explore the Renaissance Nadashi castle and arboretum.

Australian Devil's Balls

Blog partner: Kayak

In Australia, there is a unique reserve with the unusual name "Devil's Balls". On a wide plain huge granite stones are scattered about randomly, which impress with their gigantic size and unusual shapes. The diameter of some of them reaches 6 meters. Simple and laconic landscape is constantly changing. Especially amazing, it looks at dawn and at sunset. As the lighting changes, the boulders begin to “glow”, and their color changes from pale pink to crimson red.

According to the scientific hypothesis, the age of these stones is several million years. Granite gradually formed from the cooling magma emerging on the surface of the earth, and soft sandstone was located on top of it, which over time was affected by erosion and settled, and granite, on the contrary, came to the surface. The main reason for the split of the stones became sharp temperature drops, which forced the rock to shrink and expand repeatedly.

Australian Aborigines call these lands "Karl-Karl", which literally translates as "round boulders". They consider this place sacred and believe that once the devil himself was here. According to legend, it was during a walk through this valley that the devil wove his headband, which is necessary for all men who have undergone initiation. True, during this action, he dropped some of his hair, which fell to the ground and turned into red stones. However, as the indigenous people themselves say, this “fairy tale” about the origin of granite balls was invented specifically for strangers. The truth is kept secret and only the true owners of these lands can know it.

The natives of the kiteti tribe have their own version explaining the origin of the boulders. They believe that the stones are the eggs of a rainbow snake, the progenitress of humanity and all living things.

Despite the differing hypotheses of the emergence of giant boulders, all the aboriginal tribes worship this place and consider it sacred. Any encroachment on him is considered blasphemous. In the middle of the 20th century, the authorities of the nearby city of Alice Spring took away one of the boulders and installed it as a constituent element of the John Flint memorial. Since the officials did not notify the tribal elders of their actions, a scandal broke out, and in the 90s of the XX century they had to return the stone to their place. After this incident, the reserve remains untouchable.

Currently, the aborigines - the legal owners of the reserve. They received this right in 2008 and at the same time transferred land for lease to the Australian Parks Service for a period of 99 years. Now the park is under the control of two parties: the government and the indigenous people.

The reserve “Devil's Balls” is under special state protection. Tourists are not brought here, so the journey will have to make their own. However, every year from May to October, interesting “live” programs are organized here, which include acquaintance with the park, as well as with the history, culture, traditions and way of life of the indigenous Australian Aborigines. Many come here overnight and stay in a comfortable enough camping to take a break from the bustle of the city. Photographers who are willing to wait for hours to take unique pictures also love these places. The reserve is located 115 kilometers from the city of Tennatn Creek. There is a small regional airport. There are no direct flights from Russia to this city, so the easiest way to get to the reserve is with a transfer in the city of Darwin.