"Hungary Self-Drive Tour"
In a corner of Eastern Europe, Hungary spreads its wings like a bird soaring half in the river of history and half in the sky of reality. I wish to follow its wings, marking romantic symbols on this land of mysticism and reality with my wheels.
Hungary, located in Central Eastern Europe, is a nation rich in history and cultural traditions. Its capital, Budapest, is split by the Danube River into the Buda hills and the Pest plains, forming a charming cityscape. Hungary shares its borders with seven countries: Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia.
In terms of culture, Hungary has a long history and rich traditions. One of the earliest Christian nations in Central Europe, it was established in A.D. 1000. The country is known for its ancient cultural heritage in architecture, art, and music, as well as rich folklore. Hungarian music, dance, and crafts have widespread influence globally.
Hungary is also famous for its unique cuisine, including the well-known paprika paste, goulash stew, and a variety of delicious desserts like Dobos cake and cinnamon rolls.
Self-Drive Route through Towns:
Budapest—Eger—Debrecen—Miskolc—Lake Balaton
🔹 Budapest
Recommended Time: 2 days
Attractions: Parliament Building, Fisherman's Bastion, Heroes' Square.
Food Recommendations: Try Goulash soup and duck liver at "Borkonyha Winekitchen".
Accommodation: Gresham Palace or Kempinski Hotel Corvinus.
🔹 Eger
Recommended Time: 4-5 hours
Attractions: Eger Castle, churches, and wine cellars.
Food Recommendations: At "Macok Bistro and Wine Bar," try Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood wine).
Accommodation: Hotel Ködmön Wellness.
🔹 Debrecen
Recommended Time: 1 day
Attractions: The Cathedral, City Hall, Forest Park.
Food Recommendations: At "IKON Restaurant," try the Hungarian stew.
Accommodation: Hotel Divinus Debrecen.
🔹 Miskolc
Recommended Time: Half a day
Attractions: Miskolctapolca Cave Baths, Diosgyori Castle.
Food Recommendations: At "Svejk Restaurant," try traditional Hungarian dishes.
Accommodation: Levay Villa Hotel.
🔹 Lake Balaton
Recommended Time: 2 days
Attractions: Tihany Peninsula, Balatonfüred, lakeside beaches.
Food Recommendations: Try lake fish dishes at "Víg Molnár Csárda."
Accommodation: Anna Grand Hotel.
In this symphony between wheels and road, each inch of land is a movement, each bite of food is a chord, and each night's stay is a brief pause. As the journey comes to an end, you'll realize that you've not only driven through Hungary but also along the never-ending road of your own heart. Because in this self-drive process, it's not just the map that gets outlined but also the soul that finds solace. The most beautiful scenery might just be the self along the way, where dreams and reality collide.
Traveling is about finding another self, isn't it? On this land of Hungary, where grand landscapes and gentle breezes interweave, I've found myself. All these are worth writing into the most precious chapters of life.
