6 bucket list family adventure programmes for the spring holiday!

The largest buffalo herd in Hungary that can be visited is located near Zalakaros. In the Buffalo Reserve in Kápolnapuszta, it is a really funny programme to observe the lazy wallowing or leisurely grazing of the huge, imposing animals. What is more, if you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of nimble gophers! A signposted hiking trail leads past the buffaloes, where you can observe the inhabitants of the reserve by climbing a multi-storey observation tower or using several placed telescopes. After the buffalo watching, the children can enjoy the playground, while adults can also linger at the exhibition in the reception building presenting the rich wildlife of Kis-Balaton. Finally, it is worth tasting the famous potato dumplings, venison stew or wild boar roast of the area

You can really get lost in the forest around Kaszó – not in the endless wilderness, but rather among the countless exciting programmes! There is a playground and a light railway at the Tourist Centre in Kaszó, but the Kaszó Wildlife Park and the Canopy Nature Trail are also free to visit. You can start the day in the 2.5-hectare wildlife park, where you can observe red deer and fallow deer up close, and then you can continue your forest exploration by walking the Old Forest Nature Trail starting from the tourist centre. Part of the educational trail is the popular canopy walk, which winds between the trees at a height of 9.5 metres and a length of 124 metres, and its interactive signs help you get to know the bird, bat and tree species of the forest. You can end your day with a light railway trip: hopping on the regular trains of the Kaszó State Forest Railway you can ride through the forest between Kaszó and Baláta.

If you want to squeeze a little flying and underground exploration into one day, then head to Lillafüred! This settlement is truly one of the most beautiful in our country, and anyone who has already been here knows: it is like stepping into a fairy-tale! In the Chair-lift park in Lillafüred located in the Szinva Valley, you can admire the Bükk landscape shining in its spring splendour from above. During the 18-minute ride of the chair-lift, there is a lot of things to marvel at, and before you go, it is worth making bets on whether the way up or down will be more spectacular. When you reach the ground, the tufaceous limestone formations of the Anna Cave lead you to a mysterious underground world. For authentic local flavours, it is worth travelling a little: the menu of the Bükki Ízek Vendégasztal in Bükkszentkereszt includes, for example, home-made meat-broth, sztrapacska (soft egg noodle with finely grated potatoes) and other Hungarian delicacies, which you can enjoy alongside a breathtaking panorama.

Noszvaj is primarily known for its charming cave dwellings and excellent wines, but it is also worth visiting with family and small children. Fairy-tale chests and exciting tasks await school-age explorers on the streets of the settlement. The family-building fairy-tale tour introduces the secrets of the village from station to station, while you hunt for beautiful, hand-painted chests. The 8-kilometre route makes the experience special with a puppet well, secret gates and paths guarded by fairies. Smaller sections of the tour can also be completed depending on whether you arrive with a stroller or with small children. The Fairy-Tale Tour can be started from the Harmónia Cukrászda or Rozika Cukrászda, keeping the map and the key, and it is worth returning here: in addition to the delicious cakes, those who have completed the route receive a Dragon Hunter certificate!

Who would dare to walk into the mouth of a huge giant? It will not engorge you – but it lets the little ones climb on it, step on its palm or hide in its mouth. The Fairy-Tale Forest in Pécs is undoubtedly one of the most exciting family-friendly attractions in the town, where you can learn about the tales of King Dömör during the 12-station walk. In the park, carved wooden animals, fairy-tale huts and fairy statues surround your path. After the walk, the Mecsek Light Railway can be a great end: the "steamer" leaves every 20 minutes from Dömörkapu and it returns to the same place. And if you would like to visit the Bengal tiger or the fearless sharks of Pécs, the Pécs Zoo and Aquarium-Terrarium awaits visitors with many exciting programmes.

Hello Hungary tip: And if you are in the Mecsek, the family-friendly Misina TetőPont promises unmissable programmes! The modern complex next to the TV tower awaits visitors with a playground, an outdoor fitness park, a café and an impressive canopy bridge. The panorama is amazing, children can play carefree, while parents can relax with a delicious coffee or cake in the Misina Café. In addition, numerous hiking trails start from the family centre: you can also head towards the Kis-rét or the Rotary nature trail – wherever your journey takes you, you can have an exciting hike!

In spring, the Dobogó Forest, located on the border of Körmend, undergoes a fabulous transformation: at this time, the forest is covered with a white carpet of flowers, as the protected spring snow-flake blooms in millions. By walking along the 2-kilometre-long Dobogó Forest nature trail located here, you can not only learn about the beautiful, protected flowers of our country, but you can also get an insight into the bird, plant and insect world of the Rába backwater and the Dobogó Forest. You can also complement the active programme with cultural enrichment, as one of the most significant historical monuments of our country, the Batthyány-Strattmann Castle, is located nearby. You can also see several permanent exhibitions in the building, but the building itself is captivating – a tour of it can be a worthy end to a busy day.