Nature within arm’s reach: 6 accommodation places for a truly unique experience

Being close to nature brings our bodies and souls back to an ancient, more relaxed state. Sometimes it is good to leave the noise of vehicles, the beeping of technical devices, to experience what it is like to see the stars without the pollution of street lights, or to wake up to the sound of birds instead of cars. The colours of nature can also have a calming effect in all seasons. Fortunately, more and more accommodation is not isolating you from nature, but making you part of it: in these places, it really is just a step to the untouched forest!

The Moss Roof Foliage House in Üröm, not far from Budapest, at the gateway to the Pilis Mountains, is a real curiosity among the foliage houses. The 15-square-metre building with a large terrace is set in the woods among the trees, but is also equipped with modern amenities. The building is air-conditioned and has WiFi connection, and you can also prepare your dinner on the barbecue area. The uniquely designed building also features a green roof and special orientation, which means you don’t have to worry about the heat in the summer months, and in the winter, the hot tub and sauna add to the unique experience. From the house, you can enjoy the panorama of the Pilis Mountains to the north.

The traditional shelter of our ancestors, the yurt, offers a close-to-nature experience at Dobogókő, considered one of Hungary’s ancient spiritual centres. The undivided, large air space, the lightweight building structure that blends in with nature and the natural materials used in the construction help to blend in with the surrounding nature. The 8-person yurts, in which we can sleep in a sleeping bag, can be used all year round, and can be heated by a wood-burning stove in cold weather.  There is also a power source and lighting, while the bathrooms, a modern salt-brick shower and washroom for men and women, are located in a separate building. Dining is also available in nearby restaurants.

Őrség is a popular destination for nature lovers. Here in Kercaszomor, in the territory of the National Park of the Őrség region, four different types of houses await the visitors of Kerca Bio Farm. The 10-hectare horse farm is situated right on the edge of the forest, on the banks of the Kerca Stream. The farm breeds Andalusian horses and grey cattle, among other animals, and guests can also get involved in the care of the animals, as well as go horse riding and carriage rides. The houses can accommodate 3-7 people, are equipped with bathroom and kitchen, and can be heated, as well. They also have a shared swimming pool.

The most exciting natural treasures of Egerbakta, a quiet settlement at the foot of the Bükk Mountains, are the peat bog lakes – a real rarity in Europe. The lakes are for about an hour and a half’s walk from the Ezererdő Guesthouse, but you can also enjoy the proximity of the forest when you are staying at the accommodation. The rooms open out onto the forest, so you can enjoy the birdsong and the smell of the forest while you eat your breakfast. The park also has a terrace and a pond for barbecues and fires (please note that fires are prohibited in some periods), and there are plenty of sports facilities in the area for those who want to get active.

The log-house is located in Csárdaaranyos, among the holiday homes of Bükkaranyos, close to the nature. The building is surrounded by a pine forest, but inside the house also smells of pine, as it is hand-carved from Transylvanian pinewood. In the cool, fresh forest air, you can breathe the city air out of your lungs – but as well as enjoying the silence of the forest on the terrace, you can also warm up in the warm waters of the outdoor hot tub. There is no Internet in the house, so it is also ideal for those who are planning a specifically offline holiday.

For romantic relaxation, a lonely retreat, a mother-daughter long weekend, solving a creative crisis, and we could go on and on, the estate on the slope of Tóti Hill can provide a magical background, on which there are fabulous wooden houses - pleasantly far from each other - so that our peace can only be disturbed maximum by the rustle of a squirrel. Luxury, comfort and practicality meet in the tastefully furnished, modern, 50-square-metre wooden houses, which also include a private outdoor jacuzzi and a private Finnish sauna. In the morning, we can wake up to find a huge basket of food discreetly placed on our relaxation terrace, with lots of local delicacies, spreads, fresh vegetables, fragrant pastries, and egg dishes in it. Our hosts put their hearts and souls into making our stay a wonderful one. If we had dinner at the estate (after prior arrangement), we could taste Csilla Istvándy's creations and, among other things, the estate's wines – it is worth it! If we stay for several days, it is worth wandering around the area, the Balaton highlands are fascinating in every season!

And if we were to enjoy the proximity of nature from a motorhome, it would be worthwhile to follow some unwritten rules for our own safety and in order to protect nature. Ildikó Schreiber, an expert at Euroleasing Zrt., highlights a few important things to know, for example, to inform friends and family members about our destination before departure. "Choose a place where tree branches that fall during a storm cannot damage your vehicle, and it is also worth stopping on level ground and safely wedge it up." Furthermore, Ildikó Schreiber points out that we must always follow the rules for starting a fire, have tools, a blanket and enough water. Last but not least: never empty the toilet bowl in the forest, she adds. As much as possible, leave the area undisturbed when leaving. By following these pieces of advice and adopting a few practices, you can have a wonderful experience.