Hungary cottage

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Cottage |2 bedrooms |Sleeps 7

Baja in Alfold/Great Hungarian Plains

From £195 per week

1 night minimum stay

Changeover Saturday

4.5 out of 5

3 reviews | Write a review

Key info  Beach or lakeside relaxation, car not necessary, private garden, no pets allowed

About the home

The single-storey cottage has four large wooden-floored, wood-panelled and white-washed rooms plus kitchen, bathroom (shower over small sitting bath) and separate WC, and is a few minutes’ walk from the small town centre and river beach. It is about 125 years old, has thick walls rendered in a butter-coloured wash, and forms part of a traditional courtyard.

The property is completely enclosed and occupies a corner site. I own the whole courtyard which also comprises my own dwelling (not separately let out), a variety of outhouses available to guests including a garage, a summer kitchen and a wonderful cellar.

If you are looking for a quiet spot, where you can relax indoors or outside in privacy, combined with the opportunity to visit fascinating historical, artistic and natural surroundings, it might be just what you are looking for. The cottage is also a good base for walking, cycling, birdwatching, fishing and angling activities.

Facilities

Further details indoors:
The rental charge includes full access to a wonderful ancient arched cellar, where there are benches and a table - suitable for enjoying cool drinks on a hot summer's evening.

The kitchen is fully equipped with sufficient glassware, crockery and cutlery for you to make everything from a boiled egg to a banquet. There is an espresso coffee machine, a percolator, juice maker, raclette grill, casserole dishes, saucepans and baking tins, hand-held mixer and dry-frier.

The range of books offers something of interest to children and adults, and includes contemporary novels, and classics of English and Hungarian literature. There is a collection of local tourist information leaflets updated regularly.

The collection of CDs and videos is not vast and a bit dated, but may provide some laughs and keep you occupied if you decide to lounge in one morning. Subject to the vagaries of reception, the TV offers variously Hungarian national channels, Duna regional and Baja local channels also a number of German, Austrian and Serbian channels from time to time. Password for wi-fi access available.

Further details outdoors:
The cottage door opens out onto the garden within the property's own walled small estate. If we as the English owners are in residence at the adjoining cottage next door we will share with you only the gates to the estate and access to the garden. The grassed area is fine for children's games and there is a blow-up paddling pool and hosepipe for those hot days. Garden furniture is provided for dining on the patio and for sunbathing on the grass. There is also adequate shade from a large silver fir tree to enable eating and playing to be enjoyed out of the sun. Summer guests tend to eat al fresco, enjoying the sun or shade.

There is a large garage with inspection pit where guests may park one car.

The rental charge includes access to the 'summer kitchen' - an outhouse where laundry may be dried and where garden furniture and toys are stored. This kitchen also features an original solid-fuel oven (not currently in use) with smoking cupboard - for hams, fish etc, and a deep freshwater well, safely lidded.

Further details

A starter food pack is available to order in advance at £20 for two persons. Payable on arrival. Handy if you arrive late on Saturday or Sunday.

The English-speaking caretaker will meet you to handover keys, and is available for assistance or advice.

ATM machines are situated outside banks in Baja and elsewhere in Hungary. UK debit and credit cards are usable.

Conditions

Wheelchair users are able to access the property step-free from the street, move around the garden and into the cottage with no barriers. However inside the cottage there are two shallow steps leading to the WC and double bedroom, and the WC room is too narrow to take a wheelchair right inside. The external shutters require arm strength from a standing position to utilise fully. Anyone who needs their wheelchair mostly for external use and who can use a zimmer or sticks inside would be able to enjoy this cottage. There are no other steps outside or into the cottage, but note the cellar is accessible only by a flight of ancient wooden steps. The double bed and one of the single beds are high-level. The shower/bath has fixed handrails for support. Enquirers from disabled persons very welcome, with a view to accommodating your needs.

Smoking and the use of candles are permitted only in the garden.

Photos

 

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Baja, confluence of rivers Danube and Sugovica

 

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Hungary cottage, Baja

 

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biking on Danube banks

The Alfold / Great Hungarian Plains / Southern Great Plain region

Baja is a small market river resort and port on the Danube, with many interesting architectural, artistic and folklore features, close to the major Gemenc Nature Reserve and Duna-Drava National Park. Baja is accessible by rail and coach links from Budapest, and its location on the Danube Plain makes it ideal for biking holidays. This area also offers excellent birdwatching possibilities including black stork, great bustard. For anglers it is easy to obtain fishing licences for the many waterways and lakes off the Danube. Carp, catfish and pike-perch are prevalent.

It is a convenient centre for motoring tours of Hungary, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovenia and Croatia. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me by phone, post or email if you would like to book or want to talk it over.

I have been visiting this part of Hungary for twenty-five years now and recommend its warm hospitality, traditional cuisine and famous wines. I look forward to hearing from you.

The Baja area

Walking distances from the house – 7 minutes to main square, 12 minutes to river beach, 15 minutes to bus/coach station, 20 minutes to railway station (public transport links by road and rail to Budapest – 150 km). Small supermarket for immediate needs eg milk, bread, toiletries, diagonally opposite house across the road, also fruit/vegetable stall and patisserie/ ice-cream parlour.

Baja has a classical Austro-Hungarian style town hall and immense town square with some small shops and bars. There is a thriving farmers’ market on Wednesdays and Saturdays (go early), an art gallery, a museum, a jazz club, a hospital, a small department store and a cultural centre. The main street is pedestrianised with open-air café seating. There are two fine Catholic baroque style churches, two Serbian Orthodox churches, one former classical style synagogue, restored and now in use as a library. Local wine shop and fascinating curio shop within 5 minutes walk.

The town stands on the confluence of the Danube (Duna) with the tributary Sugovica. This provides a quiet beach area opposite the Petofi Island, with plenty of café terraces for drinks, light meals and snacks. Pedal boats for hire in season. There are many restaurants in town offering full lunch and dinner menus, popular dishes include traditional Baja fish soup, grilled carp and pike, lecso (paprika and tomato stew), goulash, goose liver, fried and grilled chicken and duck, pork schnitzels, braised beef, game. Sweet dish specialities: crepes, walnut noodles.

On the Pandur Island and on the opposite bank of Danube is the Gemenc nature reserve, part of the Duna-Drava National Park with many species of animals and birds including deer and wild boar, also rich vegetation of wild flowers, wild fruit trees, willows and birches. Baja is a quiet resort for Hungarians, not an international tourist centre. English-speaking visitors to the cottage are often the only such people in town.

Baja is within easy reach of Szekszard, Villány and Hajos wine regions, Pécs and Szeged – university towns with historical and artistic interest, Kesckemét – county town with eclectic architecture, theatre, galleries. Szeremle – arts and crafts colony. Davod and Nagybaracska – spa baths. Winter harbour for Danube shipping and boat repair yards on Pandur Island. Landscape mainly flat with some gentle undulation west of the Danube. Rich agricultural land supports paprika crops, sunflowers, grape vines, sweet corn, wheat, poultry and pig farms.

Baja is the "Fish Soup Capital of the World", and celebrates this annually during the second weekend of July with a massive open-air festival in the main square in which hundreds of cauldrons of the river fish soup are cooked on camp fires. See the Baja Annual Fish Soup Festival on Facebook.

How to get there

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The cottage is relatively off the beaten track in terms of holiday destinations for non-Hungarian tourists, but yet is accessible by public transport to independent travellers with a sense of adventure. It also suits fly/drive arrangements and overland tourers.

Budapest is the chief international airport for Hungary with direct flights from UK, rest of Europe and north America. From London and other UK airports, flights to Budapest Ferihegy airport of about 2 hours are offered by: BA, MALEV, Easyjet, Wizzair, Jet2. Ryanair has an on/off love affair with Hungary and currently offers some flights from UK and Germany, advise check website. Overland there are daily Euroline coaches from London Victora to Budapest via Vienna or Frankfurt. Train all the way is dearer but a nice way to go - start your route on Eurostar via Paris or maybe Brussels. From Budapest best option is to take one of the regular buses to Baja - about 3 hours, or one of the less frequent trains. Major car hire companies operate from Budapest and the airport, and the drive to Baja takes about 2.5 hours. Note the nearest car hire drop-off point to Baja is at Szekszrd about 20km.

The overland drive from Calais to Baja is 1500km - suggest one overnight stay en route - easy motorway driving up to and beyond Hungarian border, then attractive country roads passing through picturesque villages for the final 100km. Full travel information and suggestions available to enquirers. No obligation.

Activities near Baja

Reviews

Review: 1 to 3 of 3

01 Sep 2011

“Excellent accommodation and location” We had a wonderful two week holiday in Baja. The accommodation and facilities were fabulous, it was a real home from home with every amenity. The owners could not have been more helpful from the moment we had booked. Baja is beautiful with plenty of activities to occupy all ages. We would recommend this apartment and area without hesitation. Response: It's good to know that you enjoyed your stay at our cottage in Baja and were able to discover some of the interesting features that makes the town a little gem.

01 Sep 2011

“A relaxing rest and home away from home.” The cottage is beautiful and well cared for, the hosts make every effort to ensure you have all the facilities you need. The location was wonderful, the town of Baja has fantastic markets selling lots of local produce and the locals are happy to help you. These types of markets are now considered ultra trendy in London, with people trying to evoke memories of a previous time of good service and local food but in Baja they are a tradition that has continued undisturbed. Excellent local restaurants cater for a range of tastes for those special nights out. If you want to explore then hiring bikes and cycling in the nearby Danube nature reserve was incredible, rare black cranes often sighted, along with all manner of flora and fauna. A real nature lovers paradise. Likewise walks are very easy to plan or a riverboat trip for those less able to get around. All round good time had by all. Response: We are very happy to know that you enjoyed the features that make Baja such a delight, and that you found the cottage comfortable and welcoming.

15 Aug 2011

“Lovely unspoilt place enjoyed by us all, still true eastern europe” The cottage surpassed facilities of other places formerly stayed at, this is the 3rd year with Holiday lettings! Every last detail was thought of - all basics provided so i could have left my personal supplies behind! Even books as i read those in the cottage! The bicycles provided were a real bonus, my girls loved riding the tandem! The barber asked us why we had come to their town, as it was so normal but we loved the experience! The weather wasnt too hot so we visited all the neighbouring sites and when it was hot swam in the Danube. Despite not speaking any hungarian or german we survived. The market was a real experience and we couldnt keep away. Tomatoes grown in the sun have the edge over those grown in dutch greenhouses! Managed to track down the curd cheese on the 2nd trip! Owner even sent me postcards when i mentioned i couldnt find any for sale in the town and thought i had absolved myself of the chore of sending them - will do so now! Response: We are delighted that you and your family enjoyed our cottage and the local area. Thankyou for your custom and for your friendly words. We will pass on thanks to our Hungarian colleagues who work very hard to make sure the cottage is comfortable and ready for guests.

Review: 1 to 3 of 3

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Guestbook for Hungary cottage

"We really enjoyed our stay in Baja, a quiet place with lots to discover"
"We found people so friendly in the town and willing to help us find our way"
"The market is fantastic, such wonderful local produce"
"We found some great bike rides along the Danube"
The Fish Soup Festival in July was amazing"
" I had a really restful holiday, the air around Baja is very clear"
"Fantastic walks down to the Duna-Drava nature reserve"

Rental prices

Prices for group size 2
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
2012 1 - 2 persons	31 Dec 11	5 Jan 13	195£ 195	3535	0-	Flexible

Prices for group size 7
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
2012 3 - 7 persons	31 Dec 11	5 Jan 13	275£ 275	4545	0-	Flexible

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

For groups of 3 - 7 people the flat rate of £275 throughout the year is for weeks of seven nights commencing on a Saturday night. Flexible actual arrival/departure dates can be arranged. I also welcome bookings for one or two persons, for which the flat rate is £195 per week.

Please ask for a quotation for periods of more than one week.

For all bookings there is a refundable deposit of £100 payable in advance to secure the reservation. It is returned after your stay subject to any losses or extras incurred. Full payment of rental + deposit is payable by sterling cheque or PayPal in advance of your stay. Payments by Paypal - please add £5 administration charge. A starter pack of food can be ordered in advance and paid for on arrival - £20.

Full terms & conditions available on request, no obligation.

Charge covers all services and utilities including electricity, gas, central heating, hot & cold water and the exclusive use of the fully-equipped cottage.

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Contact the owner

* Required fields Please check the following errors: First name * Last name * Email *   Did you mean ""? Yes / No Phone number Arrival date Departure date   Ignore calendar - enquire anway No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas T&Cs

2 years listed You are contacting Claire Weiss Landline +44 0208 5392833 Mobile +44 077 53932043 Payment accepted Credit cards accepted Languages spoken The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2009. This cottage has received 3 reviews from previous guests.