VELO-TOURING Email: [email protected] Special Tour Operator-Since 1991 Web

VELO-TOURING Email: Pedal@Velo-Touring.Hu Special Tour Operator-Since 1991 Web

H-1118 Budapest, Előpatak u.1. Tel.: + 36-1-319-0571 VELO-TOURING Email: [email protected] Special Tour Operator-Since 1991 Web: www.velotouring.eu www.velo-touring.hu

Bike Tour No. 14 Lake Balaton Round Trip The great Balaton Bicycle Trail – all around the Lake Arriving and Departure in Budapest - Independent, by service van supported, self-guided tour with luggage transport –

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Cycling Distance: ca. 215-229 km/135-144 miles, from it 30-52 km / 19-33 miles per day (Daily 4 - 6 hours cycle - by moderated speed)

Level of difficulty: You ride a bicycle mainly on the wonderful Lake Balaton cycle trail (signposted) around the "Hungarian Sea", several times on excellent cycle path. The stage is easy, only the North and East shore of the “Hungarian See” has a few hillside routes. But the south and the west shore is completely flat. This tour is well recommend for every cyclist with average experience and suitable for families and seniors. An easy bicycle-aficionado-tour for everyone. (Level 1 - easy)

Level of support: Information about the Follower-Van (the Technical Service) - The Driver of the van, however, is not just a chauffeur & luggage supplier! The Follower-Van carries your luggage from hotel to hotel and brings some spare-bikes too. For even more safety along the way is the Driver of the van equipped with mobile (cell-) phones. The daily biking routes cross again and again the way of the Follower-Van. The van follows the cyclists without coming in sight or disturbing. It has the tools, spare parts and a travel pharmacy, additional bike bags on board. The driver help repair the failures with the bikes - he is ready to help for you! The two inserted bus/van transfers of this tour make possible to take a there and back transport to the starting point. During the transfers the Driver of the van carries your bikes in the special bike-transporting trailer free of costs.

Start City: Budapest (Hungary)

End City: Budapest (Hungary)

Prices & Details: see you below

Description: During the cycling tour you get acquainted with the most famous Holiday Resort of Hungary. Lake Balaton is the biggest natural freshwater lake in Europe with water surface of 600 square km (232 square mile). The length of the shoreline is approximately 200 km (125 miles). The southern shore of the lake is known for its shallow water beaches and its spectacular panorama. One of the many reasons why so many tourists the southern shore choose to see the marvellous sunset behind the hills. The northern shore has hills and the most beautiful region with its meadows, forests and ravines. The area is well known for its white & red wines, therefore nice vineyards surround it. After 7 km (4 miles) of cycling the World’s third largest thermal lake, Hévíz can be reached as well. The place is known as a curative centre from the time of the Roman emperors. May and June, when fruit trees are flowering, is a very romantic part of the year to come and ride a bike through this area. September and October are restful and coloured.

VELO-TOURING - Bicycle and walking tours, discovery trips, study tours, custom tours, business trips H-1118 Budapest | Elöpatak u. 1. | Hungary | Tel: +36-1-319-0571 E-mail: [email protected] | Internet: www.velo-touring.hu | www.velotouring.eu Bike tour No. 14 Lake Balaton Round-Trip – Self-Guided Daily Program and Services:

Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST – Individual arrival in the capital of Hungary, in Budapest. Overnight stay in the Hotel of Budapest.

Day 2 – ALONG THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF THE HUNGARIAN SEA. – After breakfast meeting with the Driver of the transport-van at the hotel at 8:45 clock. The transfer bus/van takes you collectively to the south side of the Lake Balaton (approx. 1 hour) Handing over the bikes and information material. You cycle on the flat south lakeside. Panoramic view and chance for swimming en route. (Stage approx. 46 km / 29 miles cycling)

Day 3 – THE CAPITAL OF THE BALATON ON THE WEST SHORE – Cycling on the south lakeside and swimming if possible. You cycle first towards the northern lakeside and then to the “capital of the Balaton” – Keszthely. (Stage approx. 50 km / 31 miles cycling)

Day 4 – TWO WONDERS: TAKING A BATH AND CYCLING – We recommend to do a walking in the downtown of Keszthely and/or to make a short bike trip to the thermal lake of Hévíz where you can enjoy Europe’s largest thermal lake with a water temperature of 30/34 C. Early afternoon you start off cycling along the northern lakeside, passing by some amazing dormant volcanoes, splendid panorama and wonderful vineyards. (Stage approx. 30 or 44 km / 19-28 miles cycling)

Day 5 – ALONG THE NORTHERN COAST – Last chance to take a look at the tuff organ pipes on the Badacsony hill. Continue towards Eastern and the peninsula Tihany ahead of us. The peninsula is very rich in sights and natural attractions. After the visit the last 5 biking miles begin until we reach Balatonfüred (thermal-spa resort). There are 5 springs and also a beautiful park located near the harbour. (Stage approx. 52 km / 33 miles cycling

Day 6 – FROM NORTH TO EAST SHORE, THEN BUDAPEST– Our last cycling day has been started. Bicycling along the north-east bay of the Lake Balaton. The Holy Right Hand Chapel with its gold mosaics is located in Balatonalmádi. During this stage you will pass by an impressive yellow soil wall. You say goodbye to your bikes in Balatonakarattya. The transfer bus/van is ready to take you together to the hotel in Budapest. (1 hour). Accommodation in Budapest again. (Stage approx. 37 km / 23 miles cycling)

Day 7 – Individual departure after breakfast or exploring Budapest’s, additional night/s. Maybe participate at the 4-hours Budapest City Bike Tour (extra booking, see prices below).

Included services:  6 nights accommodation: in comfortable hotels or guesthouses in double or twin rooms with private facilities (shower/ WC).  6 breakfasts, in many quarters buffet.  There and back transport Budapest-Lake Balaton-Budapest by coach/van.  Service/Follower bus/van for luggage transport from hotel to hotel.  Special bike-transporting trailer for every bicycle & spare bikes.  Service hotline (cell/mobile phone) at the driver on the spot.  Full technical support, included transport your own bikes along the way.  “Bicycle atlas Lake Balaton” (-ring binder-) & Map Lake Balaton for deposit or to sell for 15 EURO (book it before the trip)  Information sheets per booking, on the spot.  Local expert advice at the accommodation (morning & evening) by the driver of the transport vehicle.  The special VELO-TOURING Service: The holiday includes the services of a driver/tour-manager who follows the group in a back-up van. This service and luggage vehicle accompanies the cyclists discreetly on the daily stages, so in case of technical problems our driver can be called via phone and he will be there to help as soon as possible. (Thus he offers a mobile bike-repair service the quickest roadside assistance without any additional charges in case of bike rental at us). He meets with the cyclists at the pre-agreed points along the way, organises visits en-route and helps with advice if needed.

27 March – 04 June 05 June – 09 July 10 July – 28 Aug. SEASONS 2016 28 Aug. – 20 Oct. In double (or twin) room 498,- € 548,- € 598,- € Single room supplement (1 person / 1 room / 1 supplement) 94,- € 98,- € 114,- €

Bike rental (normal/usual) 48,- € Bike rental Electric Bicycle (special) 98,- €

Bike rental includes:

Normal: - Use of our 28" ladies' and men's touring bikes. Shimano 21-gear system and small 2-sided bags for the essential daily stuff during the cycling days. - Upon special request (advance reservation required!): 7-Gear-Unisex-Bikes with coaster-brake (=back-pedalling brake) are available as well. - Technical assistance and immediate repair, and/or spare bicycle during the tour. Special: - Electric bicycles with Shimano 21-gear system and 21-gear tandem bicycle are available upon request as well. (advance reservation needed, special price) - Technical assistance and immediate repair, and/or spare bike during the tour. - 20“, 24“, and 26“ children‘s bikes, „Tag-a-Longs“, as well as bicycle trailers for babies became also available

Prices of additional nights (Extra nights in our contractual Hotels) Price per Person per Night in EURO, Breakfast and local taxes are included.

In Double room with shower and toilet: In Single room with shower and toilet Budapest: EURO 42,00 Budapest: EURO 60,00

Optional (not included in the tour price, extras): - Hire of our ladies and / or gents touring bikes with Shimano 21-speed gears and V-Breaks for the cycling days, prices see above. (More bicycle-info) - Additional nights, prices see above. - Half board package for the cycling days and for a supplementary price of EURO 39.00 per person (= 4 X three course dinner, sometimes buffet dinner, advance reservation is necessary!) - Lunch and beverages during the cycling tour. (to manage on the spot) - Dinner in Budapest Hotel (= 2 X, to manage on the spot) - City bike Tour in Budapest

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE (own organization):  Your arrival and departure between Budapest and your home, before and after the tour.  Travel insurance (accident and health) as well as your free European Health Insurance Card.