Budapest holiday apartment rental, Pilisszentkereszt with walking, balcony/terrace, rural retreat, DVD

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Oak Tree Apartment (apartment)

Home description

The accommodation is a fully self-contained and private apartment up in the beautiful Pilis hills that rise to about 3000 feet. It is situated up above the village (Pilisszentkereszt) and overlooks Pilishegy (Pilis Mountain) the site of a former Soviet missile silo! In reality the highest peak in the area giving superb views and can be reached vis a mountain track or a winding road.

The apartment itself consists of one bedroom (a double bed) a lounge area (with a spacious and comfortable sofa bed) and fully fitted kitchenette with all required facilities. The lounge area opens onto a secluded balcony with treed views up to the hills and is pleasantly shaded on those warm summer evenings. A kettle barbecue provides an opportunity to grill a kebab or two to accompany a cold beer or chilled white wine after a days exploration.

French windows onto balcony and dining area	View from the Balcony
Relax and enjoy the views	Bedroom

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/28879

The Central Hungary/Danube region

It is difficult to know where to start as there is so much to see and do. Typically a lot is written about Budapest (see our other property (28878) but not so much about the surrounding areas. This part of Hungary rises to 750 metres and consists of open meadows and rolling woodland, mainly oak, beech and hornbeam. There is a wealth of wild flowers, bird and wildlife amongst the hills and valleys. Many routes incorporate natural springs which are tested every year and safe to drink. They each have there own unique taste and some are even said to have healing qualities - certainly coming across cool fresh water after a long walk does a lot for dry mouths and hot feet!

In addition the city of Esztergom should not be missed, on the banks of the Danube with a bridge to Slovakia, this historic city with its beautiful Basilica provides views and contrasts old and modern. In the summer street fairs, wine tastings and various other activities add to its interest. It also features a new thermal swimming pool and health complex. Staying with the Danube theme down river is Visegrad with its castle and beyond that the pretty town of Vac on the other side of the river. Last but not least is Szentendre (the artists town) with its picturesque streets and numerous cafes and restaurants, it is an opportunity to browse amongst pottery, crystal and lace.

All of these can be reached by boat, so adding the opportunity of some river cruising to your itinerary. (Although a favourite of mine is to take an old steam train from the nearby town to Esztergom)

Closer to home, the next village has a an outdoor theatre (once a lime quarry) that has frequent concerts over the summer months and 10 miles beyond that on the No 10 road the architecture of the Catholic University is not be missed - it also has its own very pleasant restaurant which is worth a try.

Budapest / Pilisszentkereszt area

Pilisszentkereszt itself is a sleepy dual nationality village (Slovakian and Hungarian with history going back a 1000 years. Sadly little is left of the Cistercian monastery that was here in 1100 AD, but the site where they had fish ponds, mill wheels and a glass making facility is fascinating and makes for an interesting stroll up through the meadows to limestone outcrops and woodland. The monastery spring is said to have the nicest taste of all the springs in the area. On the way feast on wild strawberries that have a unique and intense flavour born no doubt of the unspoilt habitat. Following on from here a steeper walk and short climb brings you to the rocky limestone feature known as the Iron Gate, together with a 3 metre cave and arch. Although strictly not allowed it is a popular climbing spot for beginners. If more serious climbing is on your list there is a site 20 minutes away.

The village has a local store, post office, surgery and pharmacy, two restaurants and a couple of bars -both somewhat smoky and in need of more than just a lick of paint but one is pleasant enough to sit outside in a rural sort of a way!! In the village above ours there are several additional restaurants and a beyond that a quaint Chinese Restaurant situated amongst the forest. It is said to be the site of the Earth's Heart Chakra and is significant enough for Buddhists that the Dali Lama made it amongst his first stops when he visited Hungary some years ago. It certainly has a tranquil air about it, and the food is good!

It is also worth mentioning that the same village has a ski run, albeit not on a Swiss standard but is quite popular in the winter when the snow can sit for several months and brings another scenic character to the hills.

Two other local walks that take about and hour each are the Szurdok Gorge and the Moonlight Gorge, both very pleasant and can easily be extended. The latter has a small cave and a fixed ladder climb that takes you to a current archaeological dig and then on through the woods. For a more serious days walking a bus ride to Dobogóko is the start of a forest walk that takes in some sweeping views of the Danube bend a more serious Gorge scramble and a spring. On your return to Dobogóko a pleasant restaurant and garden provides tasty food, cold Hungarian beers and a nice ambiance to round off the day.
Horse riding and trekking is locally available at a very reasonable price, please request information if you are interested.

Throughout the Pilis Hills there are an assortment of mountain biking routes, or if up hill and down dale is not your thing the Danube cycle path is great alternative and of course flat!!!

How to get there

Several airlines fly to Hungary (Budapest and more recently Lake Balaton) from the UK -Easyjet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, British Airways, Malev airlines and so on. It definitely pays to shop around and book as far in advance for the best deals.

Although for Budapest a car is completely unnecessary, this apartment is about an hour from the airport and realistically to get the most from this very pretty part of Hungary you do need a car. Although it is by no means impossible to be a little adventurous and use a very good public transport system, which also includes an old steam train run from Pilisvorosvar (5km) to Esztergom - a thoroughly enjoyable and historic city next to the Danube, and of course you do tend to see a lot more of life and the country through the windows of a tram or train!

Car hire is very straightforward and there are several that can be found on-line who are good value. You will of course need your UK license.

Activities near Budapest

Facilities

Further details indoors:
The apartment is a cosy and well appointed peaceful space to retire to after a days walking or site seeing. Its location means that a peaceful evening stroll to one of several springs or to one of two restaurants in the village completes the day, or just sit and chat on the balcony watching the world go by.

The views from the bathroom (shower, handbasin and toilet) look out across the village and the rolling hills towards Budapest.

The apartment is perfect for quiet get away breaks, with English owners on site, any queries on where to go what to do can readily be answered.

There is a a TV and DVD with rental available from the next village - a 5 minute drive through yet more leafy lanes.

Further details outdoors:
In addition to the hills and woodland walks, a picturesque fishing lake 10miutes way provides some peaceful times to catch a "whopper" or two, cook over and open fire or just snooze to the sound of water and splashing fish- permits etc can be arranged in advance.

Further details

After meeting you on arrival, you will find a welcome pack and local maps, together with a few more hints and tips we have collected over the years, places to go, sites to see.
Tea and coffee are provided, together with some milk in the fridge just to get you started.
We are always available for any queries you might have.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
High season	14 May 08	1 Nov 08	185£ 185	3535	3535	3 Nights
Autumn	1 Nov 08	21 Dec 08	135£ 135	3535	3535	3 Nights
Christmas and New Year	21 Dec 08	4 Jan 09	185£ 185	3535	3535	3 Nights

The owner's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

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

The prices are all inclusive and include bedding, towels, cleaning and heating etc. For UK guests we would like a £50 deposit remitted to a UK account with the remainder six weeks prior to arrival. For non UK residents payment is on arrival in euros at GBP x 1.4 .

Availability

See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/28879

Contact details for home 28879 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Mark Searle
Tel:	+36 26 346148
Mobile:	+36 20 9947546
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Contact Notes: Telephone, e-mail
Advertiser joined: 29 May 2007 This property added: 15 May 2008

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