David Plowman review 20 Sep 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the storks in the fields and on specially built nest platforms; the large size of the property we were staying in; the fact that we seemed to be the only tourists there; and the public swimming pool at Karsinkabarca.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go by car - it's a long way to anywhere unless you are fit! Simon and Dora were really helpful so don't be unwilling to try Hungary even if you seem to be the only tourists in the area - go expecting something different. We all enjoyed it immensely - even without internet - and we were travelling with a 15 year old girl and a 9 year old girl.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Although we had to travel by car (about 4,200 miles) we felt this was less of a carbon footprint than by air, and we bought local food and gifts.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful - would do it again - and that says something coming from us.
Teresa Mikalauskas review 27 Aug 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The surrounding countryside; relaxing at the cottage and the garden; the caves; our walks (especially walking to Slovakia); trying to pronounce our shopping list in Hungarian; butterflies and wild flowers in the meadow; friendly and helpful locals (despite the language barriers); getting lost in the woods and following the sound of a barking dog to get us back!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go for it! The train is a great way to arrive - as it makes it's way through the villages you really get a feel for the countryside and how far you are away from the city. Simon, your friendly host will meet you at the station and introduce you to the cottage (fabulous welcome hamper by the way, including local honey, beer and wine, and veggies). Don't be afraid to try public transport - you may need to change buses a few times and wait around a bit, but we found the bus drivers and train staff very helpful. Just relax into the pace of the countryside - you may find there are lots of places around that you want to visit, but if you go with a tightly packed agenda you may end up losing some of the experience.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we used the local shops, public transport etc. There are facilities at the cottage to recycle and compost heap for food waste. While the area is not saturated with tourism, I feel that having visitors to the area supports the activities of the national park and helps secure the future of the area.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous! You absolutely get the feel of being in the 'middle of nowhere', but always know that Simon is there as a safety net if you get lost or stuck in any way. Simon and Dora are helpful hosts who make sure you have the advice and help you need. The cottage is just lovely and so is the surrounding area. Great for a family, but also anyone who enjoys nature and a peaceful environment. I haven't given 5 stars as we are lucky to have had some great holiday experiences but it was definitely up there with the best of them - a 4.5 if there was one!
Stuart Wright review 21 Jun 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
riding a tandem throgh beautiful hungarian villages
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
plan your journey around public transport - really cheap
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
by cycing and walking to explore as much as we could use of fuel was minimal
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
very exciting and adventurous
Mary Norman review 17 Sep 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Cycling through the countryside. Walking in the woods. Seeing meadows full of butterflies and Storks in the fields. Eating the fabulous goulash cooked on a fire in the garden by Simon and Joe. The wonderful, and plentiful dinners supplied by Anuska. The supply of provisions at the cottage, including fresh cheese, bread, fruit, vegetables and coffee. Simon's hospitality and genuine concern that we enjoy our holiday, his help in arranging bike hire, meals on wheels delivery, and suggestions for things to do and see. Not forgetting buying milk from the couple across the road, and the toot-ta-toot of the post van.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Relax and enjoy. Slow down and go with the flow.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, all the money we spent was in the local area. We used bikes and trains.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a lovely break, we felt very relaxed, our two teenagers enjoyed it and were very chilled the whole time, happy teens = happy parents!
Ann Brooks review 26 Jun 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The fantastic wildlife in the area - clouds of butterfly and meadows full of flowers.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Perfect if you like countryside and peace.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - some sensitive tourism would bring some money to the area.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Superb! The owner of the house was incredibly helpful and hospitable.
Joy Marlborough review 3 Aug 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arriving at this accommodation and finding it completely unspoiled. A vase of wild flowers, seed heads and grasses adorned the table in the dining room. A generous welcome pack which included two bottles of wine, a jar of local sweetly scented honey, fresh milk from the farm with eggs to match. It wasn't all perfect - Simon - our host - had had a failure with his bread machine but the village shop came to the rescue. However, believe us when we say this was the only fly in this most soothing of ointments. An air of relaxation greeted us as soon as we entered the cottage and stayed with us throughout the holiday. Every day was made all the more pleasant by the wonderful butterflies we found on our outings and every evening by the many moths that beautified the bathroom walls.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to live in the past, not to expect to find everything you want in either of the two shops in the village. Do take a spin on the wonderful orange tandem - we did even though it must be all of 50 years since we owned one! Don't try to impress anyone and you'll enjoy each precious moment.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. We bought provisions in the local shops, the visiting ice cream van, the local farmer's wife - including pork for the goulash which our host cooked in a cauldron which was suspended on a hook over a fire. The weather at the time of our visit was extremely hot - in the 90s Fahrenheit most of the time - and the ground very dry. We used as much waste water from the house as possible with which to water the plants, trees and herbs. We economised as much as possible with the usage of both water and electricity.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Top rating must be given to this superb holiday. I'm just afraid that I've made this all sound so wonderful that next time we try to book a holiday at this accommodation we won't be able to find a free week!
Maria Suelzu review 10 Jul 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Going for walks in unspoilt countryside - with an extraordinary profusion of flowers, butterflies and birds - and relaxing in Simon's simple but well-appointed cottage and spacious garden. Simon welcomed us with homemade bread and other supplies, and invited us to help ourselves to vegetables from the garden. Aware that we live in Italy, he'd even made sure there was some olive oil in kitchen!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you're looking for peace and quiet in a remote and beautiful rural area, with great walking and cycling possibilities, go for it.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
As non-drivers we were delighted to discover that we could get around easily using local buses and trains, even in such a remote rural area. Simon also offered us bicycles and advised us on local walks and rides, including provision of maps. We bought our food from the village shop, and milk from a farmer. We used the compost heap in the garden.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Finding accommodation over the internet, you can never be quite sure what you'll find on arrival. We were pleasantly surprised and found Simon to be a perfect - yet discreet - host. We look forward to returning at some time in the future.
