Valentine’s Day recommendations, not just for couples

What exactly will we be talking about?

• Passionate gastronomic experiences from Badacsony to Tata
• Hiking tips for those who love walking in the woods
• Music programs for those who love music
• Plus one idea if we are thinking about a gift instead of a program

We cannot emphasize enough that Lake Balaton is a wonderful destination for all four seasons – in autumn, winter, and even on Valentine’s Day. Badacsony, for example, is sure to come alive during this weekend of passion: we can sample themed dishes at 12 locations, tailored to the senses. At Gasztrohegy (Gastro Hill), candlelight will shine at the Folly Arboretum, Hableány, Istvándy Winery, LaTéne Dessert Workshop, Laposa Estate, and Pláne Badacsony wine terrace, among other places. Chefs await discerning guests – not just couples – with “feminine and masculine” flavours, paired menus, and playful compositions. This year, you can also win valuable gifts from Badacsony if you visit as many locations as possible and collect the stamps available there.

A tip from Hello Hungary: If you are planning to spend a long weekend on the shores of Lake Balaton, Kenese Bay Garden is the ideal choice for a romantic getaway. During the multi-day rejuvenation program in Balatonkenese, guests can enjoy energy-boosting sessions for women and men, an evening of live Italian music, a champagne breakfast, and pampering couples’ massages. On one of the most romantic weekends of the year, we can relax in the wellness area until midnight, and between 8.00 p.m. and midnight, only adults are allowed in the Body & Soul zone. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, guests can choose from a variety of sauna treatments, and hotel guests can also expect a romantic surprise upon check-in. The panorama of Lake Balaton is magical even in February, and with Valentine’s Day programs, your weekend getaway can be truly memorable. For detailed programs and reservations, please visit the Kenese Bay Garden website.

In Tata, you can also take part in a special Valentine’s Day program at Platán Bistro if you want to be sure of a romantic celebration. Chef Donát Mogyorósi and pastry chef Tamás László’s Valentine’s Day menu is particularly passionate and worth booking with wine pairings to make the experience complete. The February weekend is also an excellent opportunity to spend romantic days in Tata: discover the Esterházy Castle, the medieval castle, and the shores of the Öreg-tó (Old Lake). As part of the Valentine’s Day weekend package, you can book accommodation for two nights for two people at Platán Udvarház (Platán Manor House) in addition to the dinner. The generous buffet breakfast, coffee and dessert enjoyed at Esterházy Castle, and a romantic dinner at the bistro can be a complex experience that appeals to all the senses. The number of seats is limited, but you can make a reservation on the Platán Bistro website.

If our love language is hiking in the woods, our ideal romantic activity is a challenging hike, and we can’t imagine the perfect date without climbing hills, then it’s not worth staying at home on Valentine’s Day. On Valentine’s Day weekend, we can go snowdrop hunting: at the Snowdrop Festival in the Alcsút Arboretum, in addition to exploring the 2.5-hectare English park, we can take a hearty hike at the foot of the Vértes Mountains.

If you are interested in unusual places, you can take part in a special cave tour on Valentine’s Day in the highly protected Szent István-barlang (St. Stephen’s Cave). During the guided underground tour, which lasts nearly an hour, we can admire parts of the stalactite cave that are not usually accessible during regular tours. These rarely seen areas are the Fekete-terem (Black Room) and the Tordai-hasadék (Tordai Gorge).

Tickets can be purchased on the website of the Bükk National Park Directorate.

There are few places in our country where every corner is filled with emotion, romance, and magic. However, Lillafüred – and the magnificent, historic hotel towering over the town, the Hotel Palota Lillafüred – is just that. It’s as if we were not of this world: stunning natural surroundings, intoxicatingly fresh air, a patinated atmosphere, and numerous program options await you in the palace. The weekend for lovers is no different: Winterfest III is a three-day winter mini-festival featuring numerous artists who will enchant classical music lovers with concerts and evening performances. During the festival, it is worth staying at the wonderful Palota, so that we can attend as many concerts as possible. Tickets are available on the Hotel Palota Lillafüred website.

If you would rather give each other gifts on Valentine’s Day, then tickets to the Taste Balaton events taking place between March 6 and 15 could be just the thing! For those who enjoy relaxed yet memorable evenings, the concert dinners hosted by András Lovasi or László Kollár-Klemencz at the Kalóz Strandbisztró are an excellent choice. At Bistro Sparhelt, Dávid Pallag, known from Rutin Budaörs, will be hosting a dinner evening. For ladies, we recommend Casa Christa’s “3 dishes, 3 buns, 3 sips” program, and for gentlemen, a presentation combined with beer tasting at Port Restaurant & Guesthouse, led by Dr. Róbert Török. Among Taste Balaton’s small group activities, you can find a ceramics workshop at Villa Kabala, learn how to make porchetta at Pörc - Bisztró és Delikát in Balatonkenese, or take part in a gluten-free baking workshop led by Mónisüti. At Konyhám Stúdió 365, we can cook alongside Gabi Szikra, while in Badacsony, Ádám Mede guides us through the world of steaks. For further programs and tickets, please visit the Taste Balaton website!