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Archiver > HUNGARY > 2004-09 > 1094827702


From: "Janet Kozlay" <>
Subject: RE: [HUNGARY-L] First Time in "Old Country"
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 10:52:08 -0400
In-Reply-To: <007e01c49700$18f7be60$5d25fea9@charterpipeline.net>


Just a few suggestions, Mark.

While you're in Szeged, be sure to visit the Vasvary Collection at the
Somogyi Library, a project which compiles information about
Hungarian-Americans. If your family is not in the collection, the Keeper,
Maria Korasz, would be delighted to add it to their data.
Szeged itself is a wonderful, beautiful city which has been totally
rebuilt after a flood washed the entire city away in 1879.
Everyone told us we HAD to sample their famous fish soup, so we did.
To my taste it was just “okay,“ but then I'm not a big fan of fish to begin
with. They have annual contests to see who makes it the best.
As for the Gellert Spa, we did that as well, and we felt fortunate
that we were with native Hungarians when we went. From what we could see,
no one could speak English, and it is enormous, with a large variety of
different baths (inside, outside, hot, cold, suits required, suits
optional). We would never have been able to find our way out again without
our Hungarian guides. But it certainly was an unforgettable experience.
Szentendre is, of course, a must, as well as the ancient Roman ruins
at Aquincum, not too far away. A little farther north on the Duna are the
ruins of Visegrad Castle, which we also enjoyed very much.
Tokaj is also an enormously charming village--a must see for the
vineyards and wine tasting for which Hungary has been famous for hundreds of
years. Veszprem was also a highlight of our trip in 2002.
While in Budapest, I recommend dining at two very special
restaurants--the Szazeves, which means “hundred years old“ and at the
Pilvax. The latter has a great little museum honoring the 1848-49 War of
Liberation because that is where it actually began when Petofi read his
famous poem there.
Have a fabulous time. And, trust me, you'll want to go back some
day.
Janet



-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Kiss [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 1:34 AM
To:
Subject: [HUNGARY-L] First Time in "Old Country"

Sziasztok!

In a few weeks I will take my first trip back to the "old country" -
Hungary. Any travel tips, recommendations or advice will be appreciated.
We are planning three nights in London, followed by a week in Budapest, then
three nights in Szeged. Szeged will be my base of operations to visit some
of my family's towns of origen: Oroshaza, Pitvaros, and in Romania, Otelec,
Oregfalu (now Pustinis), and Temeskeresztes (now Cruceni) - all a little
southwest of Temesvar (Timisoara).

So far we are considering day trips to Szetendre/Esztergom to see the Danube
bend, Lake Balaton (although I hear it is not so impressive) and perhaps
Pecs. Plus perhaps a day at Gellert Spa. I plan to rent a car to drive
from Budapest to Szeged and around Romania.

Köszönöm,
Mark Kiss





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