Fishing in Hungary

Although most visitors to Hungary have heard of Lake Balaton, there are also Lakes Velence and Fert and   the River Tisza, with its reservoir Lake Tisza, to attract those interested in Fishing. Combine these with an endless selection of natural lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, backwaters, quarry lakes and canals, fishing is well provided for. Geologically, Hungary can offer good chalk stream fishing and endless beautiful natural environments, ideal for the rod fisherman.

Responsibly managed, these waters of Hungary are restocked with the valuable fish, natural reproduction also playing a vital role in maintaining these facilities, offering varieties of white fish, including different species of bream – a favourite for tournament fishing.

130.000 hectares of water, resulting in 3-4000 tons of fish being caught annually, is proof that Hungary is one of the top European destinations for fishing. Large-scale carp farming has resulted in rich catches in nearly all lakes and rivers, record size fish are caught quite often. The best areas for carp have become places of pilgrimage for Hungarian and foreign fishermen, others such as catfish, perch, pike, bream, in some places sturgeon, barbel, and eel, are also to be found. Many of the predatory fish living in the lakes and rivers are of record size, and fishermen hook a larger number of them every year.

Horse Riding in Hungary

The most valuable of the Hungarian equestrian inventions was perhaps the invention of the coach, in Hungarian: kocsi. According to historians, the coach was named after a small Hungarian village Kocs,   which made a livelihood from cart building and transport between Vienna and Budapest. Hungarians also had a large influence in the development of horse harness equipment, the halter, the decorative reins and the use of the bridle, as well as in methods of attaching horses and drawing techniques, in groups of two, four, or, peculiar to Hungary -  five.

The original Magyar tribal horsemen when raiding would use tactics that over generations of the breeding of both men and horse would result in the establishing of Cavalry, beginning with the Hussars - Maria Teresa the Habsburg Queen founding the first regular light cavalry regiment in 1741.

The Hussar was typical of the equestrian nomadic peoples of the Euro-Asian Steppes from antiquity stretching to the nineteenth century. Their horses and weaponry were light in weight and their main battle tool was the bow and arrow - sly trickery was characteristic in their battle tactics, such as turning on the enemy from a pretend retreat.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the horse and horse riding has a central place in Hungarian History, leading to Hungarians being regarded as the nation of horsemen and breeders.
The famous Lipica grey breed, intelligent, tough with a baroque body, enjoys worthy recognition within the competitive sporting world. The breeding of the Lipica dates back 400 years and is the most widespread breed in the northern Hungarian Bükk Mountains.

The Nóniusz has been bred for 160 years in the Mezohegyesi Herds,the appearance of this Hungarian horse is unique in the world. The Furioso-North Star breeding mare family goes back 200 years and we can see that Hungarian horses have appeared regularly in major European races for over a 100 year period, along with strong performances in coach driving, show jumping, trotting and more recently, dressage.

In the varied Hungarian landscapes, horse lovers can find more than two hundred stables and farms with provision for accommodating horses. In numerous riding schools they accept both beginner and advanced riders where you can try coach driving, go on horseback or cart tours, even choose to go hunting on horseback or perhaps ride on a Gypsy cart. Many institutions undertake high standard dressage, show jumping and military training.

 Hunting

Hunting in Hungary for small game (wild duck, pheasant, hare, goose, dove) and big game (wild boar, roe deer, red deer, mouflon, fallow deer) is a popular and well organised sport event, that caters for both individuals and groups.

Hungary is a new world waiting to be explored, and part of what has been hidden from the West for a generation or more is the finest driven pheasant shooting on the Continent. The rich hunting tradition once was the private domain of royalty, usurped by the Communist dictators and bureaucrats and their invited guests from other communist countries. Now available to anyone who might like the experience of a culture steeped in history; of Budapest, the beautiful city known as the Paris of Eastern Europe; a people extraordinarily warm; a superb cuisine; and shooting of fantastic quality.

Every year in Hungary more than 500-700 thousand birds are bagged by Hungarian and foreign hunters. Hungary’s Red Stag, Wild Boar - 2005 new world record was taken in Hungary, and Fallow Deer are also found in great numbers, with trophies that always are among the best in all of Europe.

Skiing

There are places to ski in Hungary both close to Budapest and further in the Northeast. Some of the best places for skiing in Hungary are in the in the Mátra and Bükk region, part of the Carpathian Mountains. The two highest peaks are the Kékestetõ and Galyateto, and here there are several maintained ski slopes with lifts that are popular with both beginner and recreational skiers. With the mountain towering 3330 feet, here you will find a number of hotels and guesthouses. There are various kinds of accommodations in Hungary, so you should be able to find something suitable. Kékestetõ one of the few Hungarian ski resorts where you can rent skis.

Wine

Visit Hungary and spend time touring and savouring the country’s centuries-old winemaking tradition at leading wine estates in the countries most renowned viticulture regions, as well as cultural touring in Budapest, Pecs, Eger and beautiful traditional villages throughout the country.

Starting in Budapest you can browse local food and antique markets, bars, wine bars and coffee houses. Explore the Castle District and enjoy a tasting at the House of Hungarian Wines – 700 Hungarian wines representing the countries 22 wine producing regions. Also, visit the city’s restaurants, many of which offer superb wine pairing options.

Travel south and visit the farms on the volcanic hills around Lake Balaton, where wine has been made since it was introduced by the Romans. Badacsony and Szigliget are traditional villages along the scenic lake shore, where it is possible to sample distinctive wines at family estates where winemakers have been responsible for reviving the local wine industry over recent years.
Continue along the Villany-Siklos Wine Road, passing through miles of vineyards. Here it is possible to visit select local wineries, rated some of the best in Hungary, to sample the red wines characteristic of the area.

Finally visit the Eger-Tokaj Wine Region—UNESCO conferred World Heritage status on the area for its long history of wine production. In addition to tasting the local wines, tour the cultural highlights of Eger, such as the medieval castle, Turkish minaret and Baroque palaces. Stay the night in a palace hotel in Tarcal, run by a well-known local winemaker and then continue to Tokaj to sample aszu, Hungary’s “wine of kings”.