The Rejuvenating Waters of Hungary

The Destination for Spa & Wellness Holidays in Hungary

My press trip began wonderfully with an amazing flight on Air Berlin.  Flying business class was a real treat as they provided us with numerous luxurious amenities, such as the full, flat seat which extended into a bed and made the trip very comfortable and restful.

We had the privilege of having Mr. Gabor Zsamboky (Director of Sales, North America) conduct this fantastic trip to Budapest and Heviz. It was an honor staying in one of the Danubius Hotels, Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget. The hotel is located in a beautiful part of Budapest, surrounded by lovely greenery, and it’s also well connected to the city with public transportation conveniently close by to explore the area. There is a scenic running trail along the river bank on the island, which makes a perfect spot for long morning walks or a speedy work-out run.  My room was located on a recently refurbished floor and boasted a very large, clean bathroom, plenty of cabinet space, and a comfortable bed. The treatments are excellent and the pool and sauna facilities are pristine.  The spa has great thermal pools which truly add to the experience. The massages were some of the best we have ever had! The breakfast was rich, delicious, and satisfying.  Budapest is a fantastic city with very friendly people, and I highly recommend staying at this hotel to enhance your visit!

Of course, you must leave the luxurious spa at some point to see the Budapest sights.

Our first stop was the Budapest Parliament House. Budapest is just fabulous and the Parliament building certainly doesn’t disappoint. It is stunning and worth seeing both in daylight and at night. On sunny days you can see the reflection of the building in the river. I’m not an architecture connoisseur, but the buildings are spectacular and well kept.  Then we stopped by The Fisherman’s Bastion. This is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Budapest. You can take amazing photos of the river Danube and the city here. It has one of the oldest bakeries, the cutest post office I’ve ever laid eyes on, and big crowds of tourists. It feels a bit like walking into a fairytale!

Next was the Gellert Spa in Budapest. If you only go to one bath in Budapest, make sure it is Gellert. The pools as well as the building itself are gorgeous; they truly make you feel as if you’re relaxing in a pool during the Roman or Ottoman Empire’s heyday. If you like massages, you’ll get excellent treatments here! The baths were therapeutic and we left relaxed and well rejuvenated. Go and visit! Be flexible and patient and you’ll love it. Remember that bathing caps are required in the main pool. Worth every Forint!

Another must-see is the Great/Central Synagogue. This is Europe’s largest synagogue and the second largest in the world. This illuminating experience will give anyone a different view of twentieth century European history. The beautiful Moorish architecture certainly does not disappoint.

Next stop: The Chain Bridge. What a bridge! Connecting Buda and Pest, this is a must-see for all visitors. Go by car or walk across it on a sunny day. This is easily one of the best ways to see Buda and Pest and the beauty of the Danube in all its glory.

Now we were headed for the Citadel. This is a wonderful place to visit to learn the history of Budapest. It boasts an amazing view of the Pest side of the city, bridges, and fantastic architecture. This is THE perfect spot for photo opportunities. Don’t miss Citadel!

Next sight on our list was Castle Hill: It’s a plateau containing many of Budapest’s most important historic sites and attractions and is definitely a fantastic area to explore. The most prominent building is Buda Castle, which dominates the hill and offers exceptional views of the river Danube. Like much of Budapest, it’s a great area to explore at night, as it’s lit up in a spectacular way. Do not forget to see the Castle Funicular Railway, which departs from the Buda end of the Chain Bridge.

The next day, we continued this beautiful journey by heading to Hevis via Lake Balaton, which is the largest lake and most popular summer destination in Central Europe. We drove along the south shore of the lake and took the ferry over the Tihany, where we had the opportunity to stop for coffee, enjoy a spectacular view of the lake, and check out the Benedictine Abbey.

Danubius Health Spa Resort Hévíz, a five star hotel with picturesque green surroundings, is only a 5 minute- walk from the largest natural thermal lake in Europe and is now completely renovated – it has over 30 years of tradition and experience in treatments.

It is a perfect place for relaxation, wellness, beauty, medical treatments, and de-stressing programs with doctors and lifestyle specialists. It is a neat hotel with great views and excellent proximity to the Thermal Lake and Center. You can enjoy the 3 indoor pools – one for swimming and two hot thermal pools (32-34C / 36C). Additionally, there are several types of steam rooms, saunas, and cold plunge pools, including a warm outdoor pool and a Finnish sauna. Remember to bring along your own slippers & bathing suite. Note: no treatments available on Saturdays and Sundays. The crowd is generally mixed central European and Eastern European. The spa treatments are divine!

The next day was a treat at Lake Heviz.  With its 4.5 ha water surface, it is the world’s second-largest natural thermal lake – and the largest that is suitable for bathing. The hot springs feeding the lake are rich in sulfur, radon, and therapeutic minerals, while mud dredge from the lake bed is used for medical and wellness packages, among other rejuvenating treatments.

Most folks in Héviz spend most of their days simply floating in the thermal lake-bath.

The astonishingly healing waters are naturally replenished every three days by a sizzling hot geothermal spring 38m below the surface. The waters are scientifically proven to be beneficial for a whole array of ailments. If the waters are good enough for most of the population of mainland Europe, then they’re good enough for me! There are plenty of wellness options to choose from to keep you happy all day. It’s what I call the “Thermal Paradise in Heviz.”

Veronika Gaman, Director of Sales of Spa Travel at Danubius Hotels, has been an amazing resource throughout the trip. She’s extremely helpful in explaining everything you might need to know about the Danubius hotels in Hungary and other countries in which they operate.  For all your specific requirements, please contact Ms. Gaman at veronika.garman@danubiushotels.com

On our return, we stopped in Balatonfured. There are a many nice cafes and restaurants where we enjoyed coffee and desserts while overlooking the lake.

I strongly recommend experiencing what is certain to be an unforgettable stay in Budapest, “the City of Spas.” Treat yourself for a week of spa, relaxation, and wellness! At any of the Danubius Spa Hotels, they will treat you like royalty. Budapest provides you with everything from culture and architecture to the wonders of nature, as Hungary is a country with an extremely rich history and blessed with natural wonders. The country currently has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven in the cultural category and one in the natural category.

When you plan your next visit to Hungary, be sure to team up with Danubius Hotels and Tradesco Tours for the ultimate combination of discovering the country’s extensive past, natural wonders, and rejuvenating waters of this amazing country! Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is an ideal holiday destination for refreshing both body and soul.

Join us on our journey to a healthier life!

 

To plan a trip to Budapest and Lake Heviz call the Hungary National Tourist Office at 212-695-1221 or log on to:www.gotohungary.com

Images Story & photography by Meyer Harroch  – New York Jewish Travel Guide

Fly Air Berlin with a great connection to Budapest via Berlin: www.airberlin.com

Airberlin photograph courtesy Airberlin.com