Destination Hungary – A Review From Bill Bailey Travel

For those that love the outdoors but like to get a little bit off the beaten path Szilvasvarad, Hungary is a place that should not be missed.  It is the essentially the non-capital of the Bukk Mountain Range.  It lies on the northwestern foot of the mountain and is also located in the Szalajka Valley.

The village of Szilvasvarad is a small village about 20km from the city of Eger.  The mountain range it sits in is one of the most beautiful and romantic areas of Hungary.  The mountain range is thought to be over 300 million years old.  The Bukk Mountains are giant mountains with limestone outcroppings.  The hilltops through the mountains and the surrounding valley are covered with forests and trees that are centuries old.  The mountains feature more than 800 kinds of fauna and flora, some that are particular to this specific region. The surrounding Szalajka Valley is stunning and is rich in historical cultural heritage. Rock Spring is another place to visits, as is the Veil Waterfall.  You can take a train through the forests to the waterfall which is an amazing experience in and of itself. There is also the prehistoric cave of Istallosko to explore and there is also the Open-Air Forestry Museum.

This area has also been called home to the Lipizzaner horses since 1952.  This is one of the oldest ceremonial horse breeds in all of Europe.  They have a 400 year history and the environment in Szilvasvarad and the surrounding areas are perfect for breeding this mountain horse.  The Hungarians started breeding these horses in 1806. The horses are bred here and kept on the protected area of the Bukk Plateau in the National Park.  There are lodgings in the area.  There are holiday cottages that have full services.  You can also partake in horseback riding, sleigh rides, as well as carriage rides.  There is a horse exhibit at the coach stable of Marquis Palavichini.  The best time to visit Szilvasvarad is from the spring until the late autumn; however this area is absolutely stunning when it is covered in snow throughout the winter months.