Lake Balaton, Central Europe's biggest lake is Hungary's favorite resort area and it is only 60 miles from Budapest. Balaton is surrounded by a little world of varied beauty comprising fertile plains, abrupt hills, orchards, vineyards, and villages with historic churches and whitewashed thatched cottages.

En route to Lake Balaton we visit Herend, home of Hungary's top porcelain brand.
The first pieces of Herend Porcelain were made in the early 19th century. It's appearance has changed little since the 1840s. The present Herend Porcelain Museum opened in 1964 after restoration of the building. The porcelain of Herend is world famous and the museum attracts many visitors from all over the world. Visitors entering the Herend Porcelain Museum can be sure of learning about the colorful and interesting procedure of porcelain making at Herend over almost two centuries.

After touring Herend, we drive to Tihany, located in a national park. In the town of Tihany, we visit the ancient abbey (founded in 1011) and the almost 1000 year old tomb of King Andrew I. The old streets of Tihany are lined with thatch-roof cottages in traditional style.

Lunch in a local restaurant in Tihany. (app. 8 hrs.)