• Hike in Hungary's mountains. The Zemplén, Bükk and Mátra ranges northest of Budapest are popular, with the latter containing Hungary's highest peak, Kékestetö (1,015m/3,329ft). For less strenuous walks head to the hills north and south of Lake Balaton.

• Spend hours wine tasting at the vineyards of the Szépasszony Valley, where visitors can sample the famous Bikavér (Bull's Blood) wine. Due east is Tokaj (website: www.tokaj.hu), the equivalent of Champagne as a wine-producing area. Alternatively, sample some of the country's best reds in and around Villány (website: www.villany.hu).

• Go horse riding on the Great Plain, which is home to several famous stud farms and stages regular horse shows. Take lessons or go on an excursion with riding schools all over the country.

• Relax in Budapest's thermal springs (website: www.spasbudapest.com) (there are over 100 in the city) and medicinal baths. Visit Király Medicinal Baths, which date from the Middle Ages, the historic Rudas Medicinal Baths or the splendid outdoor pools of Széchenyi Baths.

• Soak away the stress in the large thermal lake at Hévíz (website: www.heviz.hu) near Lake Balaton. The soothing waters rarely drop below 33ºC (91ºF).

• Fish in the River Tisza, widely regarded as one of Europe's premier angling spots. Accommodation for anglers is readily available, and guides can be hired if required. Species such as carp, bream, pike, trout and tench are abundant.

• Sunbathe on the popular sandy beaches (strands), or take a dip in the famously shallow waters of Lake Balaton. Take a boat trip and explore the many towns that border the lake shore.

• Follow the tourist trails in Kiskunság National Park (website: www.knp.hu), which preserves parts of the Danube Tisza Floodplain of Central Hungary in seven disconnected areas. Learn about swamps, migratory birds, alkali plateaux and lakes in this biosphere reserve. 

• Visit the caves at the Aggtelek National Park, part of the Gömör Torna Karst area of cave systems which extends into the Slovak Republic.

• Watch the birds circle, prance and play in the Hortobágy National Park (website: www.hnp.hu). Around 350 species have been spotted here, including storks, warblers, eagles and herons. A guide is required for visits to some parts of the park, and motor vehicles are not permitted. 

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.