Rural experience near Pest

By car, you can get from Budapest to Veresegyháza in just half an hour, where more and more exciting sights and programmes await. The settlement is also easily accessible by public transport, by train you have to get off at the Veresegyház-Ivacs stop, which is near the lakes and the Bear Farm. The train runs between the Malom lake and the Ivacsi lake, so if you just feel like fishing, swimming, or walking, you can get off. The Bear Home is 1,600 meters away on foot from here, where we can watch the farm's shaggy brown bear-whelps. The bear farm is easy to find: it is signposted in the city and on the access routes, so it is impossible to get lost, all roads lead to the Bear Home. The home of large animals also hosts various programmes, there is a museum railway, a Predator Programme, and even as a kind gesture, you can adopt a bear or a wolf. If we have already visited the big brown villiform animals, it is worth taking a detour and walking around the Veresegyháza Lakes Nature Trail, and if you are looking for more attractions and programmes, read on, it is guaranteed that you will leave the rural atmosphere near the city satisfied and with a big smile.

It is recommended to pack the bathing suit in the bag and head to the thermal bath of the town! There is an open-air thermal water pool in the area of ​​the spa, because thanks to the features of the locality, the thermal water that comes to the surface comes from a depth of nearly 1,500 meters with its 65 degrees Celsius, and this water is cooled back into the pool, at 36-38 degrees. The medicinal water of Veresegyháza is perfectly suitable not only for relaxation, but also for the treatment of joint diseases and inflammations, but it is worth paying attention to spend a maximum of 20 minutes in the hot water at a time. The concierge service is available 24 hours a day in the spa area, parking is also provided, as well as a sauna, buffet, massage, and if you need a little extra service, you can also request a pedicure after prior arrangement.

After the walk and bathing in the thermal water, it is worth visiting the La Vie En Rose cafe and bakery to reward ourselves, nearing the end of the busy day. The cafe got its name from an Edith Piaf song, which can also boast that it was the soundtrack to the French film "Love, if you dare!". The cafe follows the theme of this careless elegance, so there is nothing left but to surrender to the Carpe Diem feeling of life while consuming quality delicacies.

Before returning to the capital, it is worth visiting the Sissi Ice Cream Shop, where many, many ice creams (including the current Ice Cream of the Year flavours) are made from natural ingredients, paying attention to our health. The masterpieces of the family business that has won several prizes can be found at 3 locations in the area.

It would be a pity to miss the favourite castle of Queen Sisi in Hungary, the Gödöllő Royal Castle built by Antal Grassalkovich, which was the summer residence of Governor Miklós Horthy between the two world wars. It was rebuilt almost from scratch in the 1990s. From 1 April to 31 October the gates are open to the interested persons every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and from 2 November to 31 March, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the possibility of visiting the riding-school and stable, enriched with a 3D projector. The castle is also easily accessible by public transport, the easiest way to get there is by HÉV, it is recommended to get off at the Szabadság Square stop, from where you can already see the castle on the other side of the road. After the elegant closing of the day, the nearby HÉV takes you back from the favourite castle of Sisi to the hustle and bustle of the town.