Hungary feels a little different from what I expected. There’s a rugged charm to it, but it’s more run-down in parts than I imagined. It has the air of how I’d picture the UK in the 1960s – a mix of fascinating history and lots of concrete, with a lingering Soviet-era influence in some places.

On our first day, we visited Festetics Palace by Lake Hévíz. The palace itself is truly beautiful and well-maintained. While not all rooms are open to the public, the ones you can explore are impeccably clean, thoughtfully presented, and include English translations, which was a nice touch.

The library was a standout moment – a stunning two-tiered space that felt like something out of an ancient university or monastery. It’s the kind of place you’d want to spend hours soaking in the atmosphere.

That said, not everything lived up to the grandeur of the palace. The bird enclosures left a lot to be desired, and the greenhouse could definitely use some love.

In the evening, we ventured out to Lake Hévíz, and it was absolutely stunning. The calm waters, bathed in the soft evening light, were a sight to behold. But goodness, it was freezing! We bundled up as best we could and braved the cold, which added a bit of adventure to the experience. Instead of ice skating, which we skipped this time due to the bitter chill, we had fun playing in a nearby play area, which made for a lovely end to the evening.

On our way back, we even spotted a couple of old Ladas, which gave us a good chuckle – we haven’t seen those in about 20 years!

All in all, it’s been a decent couple of days here. While some aspects fell short of my expectations, the charm and history of the place made it worthwhile and Georgia enjoyed it. Anyhow, now, it’s on to Budapest, which I suspect will offer a stark and fascinating contrast.

Looking forward to seeing how the city shapes up!

Learn more about Hungary Travel Experience!

Learn more about Hungary Travel Experience!

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