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Sailing & Cycling - Varied-Tour No. 22. Cycling Sailors and Sailing Cyclists
Activity holiday for hobby sailors and leisure bikers Cycling on the Balaton Bike Ring, Circumnavigation of Lake Balaton by Bike and Boat - Individual, but familial self-guided tour - |
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| Duration: | 6 days / 5 nights |
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| Length: | total 125-141 kms / 78-88 miles by bike, of which ca. 30-40 kms / 19-25 miles riding per day and overall ca. 122 kilometers / 76 miles sailing by yacht. (Four days sailing & biking, of which daily ca. 4 hours cycling and ca. 4 hours sailing, which means a variation - each day a different location & marina) |
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| Route characteristics: (for Cyclists) |
You will cycle on properly signposted and well constructed bicycle paths around Lake Balaton. With the exception of very rare and short upward routes on the north bank, are ascents here not to be expected. This tour is suitable for every cyclist, who have average experience (both families and seniors can manage), the distances are quite short and gradients generally easy. No rocky desert, no endless cycling to the crest. (Level 1 - easy) |
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| Route characteristics: (for Sailors) |
Lake Balaton is the largest inland lake in Central Europe, covering 596 square kilometers, slightly larger than Lake Constance. In contrast to Lake Constance , it is rather shallow with a maximum depth of only 11 meters. The limitless freedom of Lake Balaton, neat beaches, a beautiful peninsula, newly renovated, small coastal towns, and numerous vineyards near the shore make this type of combination tour (- on + around the Lake Balaton -) a unique experience. Who now has the huge cruise ships from the TV series or the floating mega hotels from promotional brochures threatening in mind, can sigh with relief and look forward to this special lake trip : manageable motor sailing yachts, up to a maximum 4 persons (at request for families 6 persons) + skipper, space and berths offer, make sailing on the Balaton an individual tour, which fulfills every desires and gives pure pleasure. Hobby sailors and leisure cyclists - join now! | |
| Level of support: | 1st class service of from 2 friendly and helpful leaders: the driver of the escort/service van with the bicycle trailer, and the helmsman of your sailing yacht. | |
| During Cycling: | Our chauffeur drives the support/service van/bus, which transports you and your luggage from Budapest to Balaton and back. With the van he is carrying a special bike trailer. As additional security, our driver is always reachable through cell (mobile-) phone /Service Hotline/ The driver can help to repair small glitches of your bike. During your daily sailing tours our driver transports your bike with the special bike trailer to the next port, certainly for free. | |
| During Sailing: | The "crew" consists of a trained and licensed skipper (= "ship ladder", "captain"). He is there, so you can circumnavigate even without ship-driving license, but you can voluntarily cooperate with him on board. Thus for this "sailing & cycling tour" no a license, a boating certificate or training required! | |
| Start City: | Budapest (Hungary) | |
| End City: | Budapest (Hungary) | |
| Prices: | see you below | |
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Tour Data The departure of this tour is from 4 full payers and generally on Sundays possible. Participant price: around EURO 1,599 per person, depending on occupancy and date. (FYI: Religious- or state holidays and sailing festivals may be cause lack of space and unfortunately increase the prices as well) Just e-mail us! |
HIGHLIGHTS of this special Combination Tour:
Unique, close to nature repose on open water, hence the use of motor boats on the Balaton is forbidden because of protection of the nature since 1976. (for your information: sailing out, and arrival in port facilities are for sailboats with auxiliary motors allowed; if wind force is under a Beaufort the motor use is allowed )
Small (very small!) tourist parties: max. 4 (!) guests on board per sailing yacht.
(only upon special request max. 6 persons, for ex.: a family)
The bike routes are selected so that you are " enjoying and exploring " the most beautiful bike paths along Lake Balaton. A fantastic selection!
The relative shallow water of Lake Balaton heats up quickly, so swimming in this fresh water lake sometimes is possible even in the spring and autumn months. Remember this too: no shark, no jellyfish, no sea urchins ....!
Getting to know the wine regions around Lake Balaton: wine tasting (3X), at each evening if you stay overnight on the water.
Hit two birds with one stone: cycling adventure and sailing delight in one!
Cycling to largest natural and biologically active thermal lake in the world. (Heviz)
Bathing opportunity directly from the board (even in the middle of the lake), Our motto: "First we step on the pedals, then we jump into the water from the sailing yacht..."
Minimum number of participants: 4 persons = Maximum number of participants: this is limited by 4 persons as well - per sailing yacht(!). Accommodation in 2 separate cabins
with double bed. (Families or Friends can book on request up to 6 persons in the 2 +1 sleeping areas)
(only upon special request max. 6 persons, for ex.: a family)
Description of the Bike & Boat Tour No 22: Discover the most popular holiday region of Hungary during this varied tour in a different way: it is perfect for pedalling sailors and sailing cyclists as well. The Balaton, with its 600 km 2 water surface and about 200 kilometers of shoreline is Europe's largest freshwater lake. Well suited for a unique journey by bike and boat as well. The boat trip on the deck of a sailing yacht combines the advantages of a modern ship with the nostalgic atmosphere of traditional sailors. We have put together such a combined bike and boat trip which gives you the best selection of what Lake Balaton offers : excellent panoramic views of vineyards and wooded hillsides, bathing at beaches (per request even in the middle of the lake), tasting new wines in the evening, cycling along the most beautiful stages of the Balaton bicycle route. Not to forget the thermal lake of Hévíz, known as the largest natural thermal lake in Europe, which is well connected by a short link cycle path to the Lake Balaton. The " Balaton Riviera" is the most colorful in May, June, and in September, October. The hinterland of the northern shore was formed of once active volcanoes, and is absolutely worth seeing. In the evening you can experience an unforgettable sunset at Lake Balaton. Sailboat tour on the Lake Balaton & bicycling on the Balaton Bicycle Trail from now: two in one! |
Day 1 – ARRIVAL BUDAPEST. Individual arrival in Budapest and overnight stay in our contractual hotel in Budapest. Day 2 – SOUTH SHORE – EAST SHORE – NORTH SHORE After breakfast a short meeting with our representatives at the hotel reception at 8:45 clock. Travel Information and discussion about the tour and routes and distribution of the necessary maps and informative brochures. Then travelling together with the transfer vehicle to the southern shore of Lake Balaton (about 1 hour). There we adjust your bikes quickly and you can start your cycling trip. You will cycle along the southern and eastern shores. There are panoramic views and bathing opportunities along the way. After finish the cycle tour you embark on your yacht and you make your first sailing trip to Balatonfüred. (there is a well-kept spa town). 5 healthy springs you will find here and also a beautiful spa and walking park and a promenade close to the port. Leisure, then transfer to the vineyard: here are waiting the best local wines and a delicious dinner for you . After returning to marina you will spend the night on board of your sailing yacht.
(Stage: approx. 29 km / 18 miles cycling, approx. 25 km / 16 miles sailing) Day 3 – TIHANY PENINSULA AND NORTH SHORE PANORAMA After breakfast you get on your bikes, and ride to the west and you will get a good view of the beautiful Tihany Peninsula. This wildlife sanctuary is very rich in sights and attractions. (Fishing village , Abbey, panoramic terrace). You can visit them on your own, after that you continue to bike ride along the north bank. Arrival at the port of Révfülöp where you will meet your yacht-captain again, then you sail to the port at the volcanic hill, named Badacsony, which is also known for its wine-growing region. Refreshment and leisure, then transfer to the wine cellar: here are waiting the best local wines for you. This is followed by a delicious dinner. After returning to marina you will spend the night on the board of your sailing yacht.
(Stage: approx. 38 km / 24 miles cycling, approx. 24 km / 15 miles sailing) Day 4 – MAGIC OF TWO LAKES, CASTLE GARDEN, SPA PARK... The day begins with a panoramic bike ride along the north shore, overlooking a series of cones- and coffin-shaped hills and vineyards. The bike path leads you into the heart of Keszthely, where (you can visit) the historic city centre and the magnificent Castle Festetich are waiting for you. If you want you can extend the bike tour with a trip to the lake of Hévíz, where you can swim in Europe's largest natural thermal lake (30/34 C). Back to the port of " Balaton capital " and after that a sailing trip to the south shore city Fonyód. Leisure, then transfer to the wine cellar : Here are waiting with the best local wines and a delicious dinner for you. After returning to marina you will spend the night on board of your sailing yacht.
(Stage: approx. 28-44 km / 17-27 miles cycling (by choice), approx. 36 km / 22 miles sailing) Day 5 – ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE, THEN BUDAPEST. At the beginning boat trip along the southern shore of Lake Balaton. On the way there is a wonderful seascape and you will see the far into the Balaton reaching peninsula again. You will arrive at the well-located marina of Balatonföldvár. You will disembark here and get on your bicycles again. The bike path takes you through port city Siófok (Emmerich Kalman's birthtown) to the very charming high bank. A last farewell view of Lake Balaton and you say goodbye to your bikes too, you will no longer need them. The transfer vehicle is ready to transport you together to the hotel in Budapest (1 hour). Overnight stay in the Hotel in Budapest.
(Stage: approx. 30 km / 19 miles cycling, approx. 37 km / 23 miles sailing) Day 6 – Individual departure after breakfast or exploring Budapest, additional night/s. Possibly participate at the 4-hours Budapest City Bike Tour (extra booking, see prices below).
Our Services – What's Included: - Hire of our ladies and / or gents touring bikes with Shimano 21-speed gears and V-Breaks for the cycling days (more bicycle-info you can find here: http://www.velo-touring.hu/fahrrader_en.html) - Lunch and drinks during the cycling & sailing tour. (to manage locally) We gladly book additional night at our partner hotel in Budapest before or after your bicycle tour:
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Prices upon request!
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