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| The storm is coming... panorama from Badacsony |
Most of the tourists,
who visit Hungary in summer, spend some days at Balaton in order to experience the incomparable atmosphere provided
by Hungary’s biggest lake. Those who chilled enough on the shore and swam in
the smooth water have lots of opportunities to try other forms of leisure. First
of all, wine culture of Balaton Uplands is really rich, so the area is
a genuine paradise for hedonistic wine lovers. The most popular and important region where
the best nectar is produced in huge vineyards is called Badacsony. (Note that the name Badacsony
refers to a small village and to the hill [438m] as well). The best way to get acquainted with local
wines is to visit one of the inviting pubs or cellars where local wine-growers
sell their goods. Secondly, one can visit exhibitions dealing with folk art and
the history of the region. These are usually cheap but worth to visit!
Shore,
wine, culture, and art… this is what tourist can get if they decide to explore Badacsony. In addition, the hill is a
unique place for hikers! Since the blog deals with must see hiking
destinations, let us concentrate on the basic information hikers need to know
about the area. The hill is laced with several safe hiking trails. The
starts from Badacsony railway
station, and leads up to the vineyards. If you choose this trail, stop for a
glass of muscatel at Kisfaludy-House by all means. Then continue your trip
on one of the roads: Kuruc-körút, marked with
circumvents the hill; the
conducts you to Bujdosók lépcsője [Stairway of the Exiles] which is a
long sequence of stairs made of basalt. Badacsony
used to be an active volcano and the signs of volcanic activity are still visible
on the surface. Some of these are the basalt-columns that remind the observers
to surrealistic creatures made of grey rocks, guarding the top of the hill. An
explanatory notice near the road says the following about this phenomenon, “as
the basalt from the lava solidifies, it contracts, and because of this a series
of column shaped cracks occur within it”.
starts from Badacsony railway
station, and leads up to the vineyards. If you choose this trail, stop for a
glass of muscatel at Kisfaludy-House by all means. Then continue your trip
on one of the roads: Kuruc-körút, marked with
circumvents the hill; the
conducts you to Bujdosók lépcsője [Stairway of the Exiles] which is a
long sequence of stairs made of basalt. Badacsony
used to be an active volcano and the signs of volcanic activity are still visible
on the surface. Some of these are the basalt-columns that remind the observers
to surrealistic creatures made of grey rocks, guarding the top of the hill. An
explanatory notice near the road says the following about this phenomenon, “as
the basalt from the lava solidifies, it contracts, and because of this a series
of column shaped cracks occur within it”.
There
is a look-out tower at the top of the hill [438m] called Kisfaludy kilátó (those
who only want to visit the tower take the
from Rózsa-kő!), but
before getting there one will go by Ranolder-kereszt which is a huge cross
getting built by a bishop called János Ranolder. One can find these easily if
they follow the blue sign. According to the local wine-growers, the cross
protects the vineyards from decay.
from Rózsa-kő!), but
before getting there one will go by Ranolder-kereszt which is a huge cross
getting built by a bishop called János Ranolder. One can find these easily if
they follow the blue sign. According to the local wine-growers, the cross
protects the vineyards from decay. 
It does not take
too much to discover this region, but one does not simply forget Badacsony if they visited it once! Taste
quality wines, learn more about Hungarian culture, climb up to the majestic Badacsony, and take delight in the beautiful
panorama that you can see from the lightsome look-out tower.
Most important
sights:
Bujdosók
lépcsője
Kisfaludy-kilátó
Ranolder-kereszt
