Velo-Touring

This is the land of sunshine (2065 hours/year) and the lowest part of the Carpathian basin (lowest point 75,8 m), the confluence area of rivers Körös, Kurca, Maros and Tisza. During the tour you will get acquainted with the natural values of area: the flood lands of the Maros, the Körös-Maros National Park, the Mártély Landscape Protection Reserve, the Pusztaszer Landscape Reserve and the Bugac-Puszta National Park. We take a visit the Ópusztaszer National Historical Memorial Park and the imposing towns as Szeged and Kecskemét. If you are not against the culinary delights, then you have to taste the genuine fish-soup of Szeged. Are you interesting in the peculiar products of this county? Well known ‘Hungaricums’ of the area include: the onion and garlic of Makó, red peppers (hot paprika) and Pick Salami of Szeged and the Apricot Brandy of Kecskemét.

Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST – Individual arrival in the capital of Hungary, in Budapest. Overnight stay in our contractual Hotel of Budapest.

Day 2 – FROM BUDAPEST TO SZEGED–After breakfast the tour manager/driver of the back-up van will welcome you at 8:45 a.m. in the same hotel. (Meeting point: hotel reception) Route briefing, then joint transfer from the hotel in Budapest to Mórahalom, where your cycling adventure begins. The town is just 12 km from who isolated the vitamin C, extracted from paprika (red pepper). He was awarded with the Nobel Prize in 1937 in biochemistry.
(approx. 42 km / 26 miles cycling)

Day 3 – SPECIALITIES OF SZEGED AND BEYOND – Leisure for sightseeing in Szeged. You can discover the town, was rebuilt after the great flood of the Tisza River in 1879. Ring roads & generous buildings, many in the Art Nouveau style. You can visit the downtown with the famous cathedral, the pedestrian zone with the fantastic main square and Synagogue. Pick salami and hot paprika (“red gold”) are well-known brands of Szeged. Cycling to Mako, the onion- and garlic capital with the most beautiful & best spa in Hungary. Definitely recommended: test it!
(approx. 35 km / 22 miles cycling)

Day 4 – WORLD OF RIVERS AND THEIR TOWNS – In Hódmezővásárhely you will encounter the attractive City Hall, having on its walls pictures of great Hungarian personalities. The highly refined building of the MH Bank represent the Eclectic style, while the Synagogue represents the Hungarian art nouveau style. You will cycle through the most beautiful area of the river Tisza, the Mártély landscape Protection Reserve (Ramsar Site), characteristic for the floodplain wetlands of southern Hungary. Arrival soon in the town Szentes, located on the left bank of the River Tisza, and on both sides of the River Kurca. Next up Csongrád, lies at the mouth of the Tisza and Körös Rivers. You can visit the unique Great Plain folk architectural monument complex in its original size. These are thatched-roofed, whitewashed 250-year old fishermen houses. Taste the reputed varieties of the local vineyards, Kékfrankos and Kadarka wines.
(approx. 54 km / 34 miles cycling)

Day 5 – MONUMENT IN THE NATURAL RESERVE – On this day you will cycle through the Pusztaszer landscape reserve area. This is an important region for water birds during migration and during the breeding season. You can visit of National Historical Memorial Park museum complex & Skanzen, which provides many exhibitions: archaeological, ethno-graphic, natural scientific, Hungarian historical, water works and the most famous sight, the monumental round-panorama painting of A. Feszty - this is one of the biggest in the world. The Hungarian tribes involved in the conquest of the Carpathian Basin held their first legislation congress 1100 years ago.
(approx. 37 km / 23 miles cycling)

Day 6 – ART NOUVEAU NEARBY BUGAC-PUSZTA – The land is characterised by sandy forests with acacia, pine, flat meadows with special flora and little lakes. The small settlements in the area conserve the traditions of the land typical farm structure, natural conditions, values of peasant's life. The “puszta-exploration” by bike leads you towards Kiskunság National Park. In this natural area lives typical horses, grey cattle’s, and spiral horned “racka” sheep. Overnight stay in Kecskemét, its surroundings are the biggest fruit garden of the country. Much of the fruit will be distilling to become the flavourful apricot brandy.
(approx. 65 km / 41 miles cycling)

Day 7 – HOMETOWN OF “WHISTLING” APRICOT BRANDY – Take a walking tour in Kecskemét, that is rich in historical monuments. The fantastic main square is made up of four into one another going large squares. The name of the city originates from the word „Kecske” (meaning „goat”), and „mét” means district. The goat can be seen in the city coat of arms with the motto of the town : „Neither height, nor depth frightens us.” In Kecskemét born the famous composer and music educator, Zoltán Kodály (was the best friend of Béla Bartók). From here restful bicycling to the final destination of the today’s stage, then coach transfer to Budapest. Free time. Overnight accommodation in the Hotel of Budapest.
(approx. 52 km / 33 miles cycling)

Day 8 – Individual departure after breakfast or exploring Budapest’s, additional night/s.

Included Services

• 6 nights accommodation with buffet breakfast in 3-and 4-star hotels and country inns, free Wi-Fi internet in 99% of the hotels, en-suite rooms with bath or shower/WC
• 7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in 3-and 4-star hotels and country inns, free Wi-Fi internet in 99% of the hotels, en-suite rooms with bath or shower/WC
• 7 breakfasts, in many quarters buffet.
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Service and luggage van with our driver for complete technical support.
• Bicycle transportation in a special bike trailer.
• Personal welcome with the tour info.
• Options for discussion about the cycling stages on the spot.
• Help in case of a breakdown or/and bicycle change on the spot quickly and for free.
• Carefully selected routes.
• Route maps and information brochure per booking on the spot.
• The driver/tour manager is reachable via cell (mobile-) phone /Service Hotline/ for additional information and requests and in case of emergency as well. (= on-site tour hotline)
• Transportation of cyclists according to the program.