Sneak Preview

93,030 sq km of landlocked expanse sharing borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Slovenia - this is Hungary ! Hungary’s history goes back 1100 years – a destiny which combined both repression and self-rule. Communism is history now and Hungary, like most of the world, is learning the ways of capitalism. The country is at ease with this new identity. Budapest, the capital, is also the centre stage for social and economic activity; but for the tourist this is not the only offering the country has. To see the rustic countryside, tantalizing beaches and lush vineyards, you will have to course through the length and breadth of the country. And you’ll wish you could do it all over again...and again. Hungary displays both the laid-back easy going lifestyle of Eastern Europe and the spell-binding cultural and natural bounty typical of the West. The country has been at the top of the economic scale, but at moments in history it has also been at the bottom of the barrel. Today, life is at a halfway point between these two situations. Unemployment is high and salaries are low. That, however, hasn’t taken away from the way the Hungarians will approach you – formal, reserved yet easily befriended. A mosaic of cultures, gorgeous scenery, affordable food and transport and simplicity of lifestyle is sure to make this trip unforgettable for you.

Hungarians love to eat spicy food and they are well known for it in the whole of Eastern Europe. Their food is heavily seasoned in the company of paprika, tomatoes and pepper of all sizes, shape, colour and flavour!!

Find a little bit of India and Krishna consciousness in Hungary! Krishna Valley is located 30 kms from Balaton, spread over 260 hectares, is a refuge of peace and serenity run by ISKCON devotees of Lord Krishna. The residents follow a simple lifestyle and indulge in sustainable organic farming. the credo here is: simple living, high thinking.

Historically Speaking

Hungary has been the address of hunters, Neolithic farmers and Scythians up until the Late Stone Age – the Istalok cave on way to Budapest is proof of it. In the 3rd century B.C. the Celts decided to reside here. They built a fort on Gellert Hill and called it Ak-Ink (which meant "Abundant Waters") after the hot water springs present even today in the Budapest area. The Romans took over from the Celts and managed the country up until end of the 3rd century A.D. For the next seven hundred years, Hungary was a melee of barbarian cultures. Hungary converted to a Christian state in 1000AD when King Stephen (later canonized as St. Stephen), was crowned on Christmas Day in 1000 A.D. The country achieved nationhood for the first time. With the blessings of the Pope, he ascended the throne. This meant Hungary’s inclusion in the civilized western world. In 1456, under the rule of Janos Hunyadi, Hungary began to prosper and achieved its stature as a centre of the Renaissance. Hunyadi’s death threw the country into a political chaos. In 1514, a national peasant rebellion stripped the country of its civil rights which took centuries to restore. No proper army, much less vision or leadership Hungary became vulnerable and in 1526, the Hapsburg Austrians colonized it. A national uprising in 1703 was followed by another unsuccessful attempt in 1848. Finally in 1867, Austria agreed under pressure to give Hungary and Austria the same status. The two countries now had one ruler but separate governance. Foreign and military affairs were shared. Other ethnic groups within Hungary constituted 50% of the population and were denied the right to self-governance. The ensuing friction cascaded into events that caused World War I. It destroyed the Austro-Hungarian partnership and Hungary was now on its own and reduced in size. Between the wars, political instability was predominant. Hungary entered World War II as a German ally. It rang the death knell for half a million Hungarian Jews and forced many thousands more to flee. In 1949, the country adopted communism hoping it would improve things. Within the decade (1956 to be precise) there was a revolt against this type of governance and Imre Nagy installed a neutral government. The country adopted its national flag of red, white and green horizontal stripes in 1957. Soviet Russia, the bastion of communism rolled up its sleeves and rolled in its tanks. János Kádár applied "goulash communism" – a variety of market socialism – to run the country. In 1989, the Hungarians peacefully broke away from the Soviet Republic. An election helped instate the Hungarian Democratic Forum in 1990. In 1994, the mandate was in favor of the Socialists. The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZF) governs the country now.

Habitat

Hungary has three types of topography: the low lying Great Plain in the east, centre and south east and the Little Plain in the north west; the mountain regions in the north and the hilly regions of the Transdanubia in the west and south west. The main rivers are Danube, Tisza and the Dráva. Over a 1000 lakes dot the country - the most well known is Balaton. The tallest mountain is Mount Kékes, situated in the Mátra Mountains, 1,015m (3,330 ft) in height. The highlands formed around it are thick woods of great scenic beauty. The rock formations here are worth your while to visit. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people so most of the country is under cultivation. Only 14% of Hungary is forested mainly with beech, oak and fir trees. Hungary is an ornithologist's delight with its numerous, some rare, feathered folk. It is quite common for people to have storks building their nest in their homes. Numerous lakes, wetlands and rivers attract migratory birds from all over the world. Hungary has five well frequented national parks and more than a thousand protected areas to ensure protection of its environment, fauna and flora. Animals such as the wild hare, deer, boar, otter, wild cat lake bat and Pannonian lizard.