  |
|
|
|
Water lilies, radioactivity and health - that's the combination you find at the thermal lake in Heviz, western Hungary. Spending a day wallowing in wellness.
No matter what time of year, an excursion to Europe's largest thermal lake in Heviz, Hungary, is worth the effort. As a long day trip or an overnight outing from Budapest, or during a stay in nearby Keszthely or in Heviz itself, experiencing this natural hot spring is truly unforgettable. My own experience of Heviz heaven began on a chilly June day, in a protracted cold European winter that had made the beginning of June feel more like February or March. The five hectare thermal lake is protected by a circle of tall trees and the 1600 Forints ($7) entry fee - valid for a whole day of pleasure - was wonderful value just for the magic view that even bettered the postcards. Heviz's spa features a natural hot spring, about 40 metres deep, with a surface temperature averaging 33 degrees C - and never falling below 26 degrees. The pretty water lilies have been famed here since the Middle Ages when people first used the lake, and if you want to take a dip it's possible to rent everything you need, including a swimsuit, if you're not fully prepared. As with other baths I'd visited when I couldn't speak the language, my first few minutes there saw me wandering dumbly with no idea of the procedure to follow. Gradually, observing others, I saw two methods - the more casual way of changing clothes either out on the grassed area or in the modest half-height change cubicles scattered around, leaving your belongings in a small locker; or the more expensive version of hiring a cabin to serve all purposes. I chose the cheaper version and was soon ready to plunge in. When I lay in the buoyant warmth of the slightly radioactive lake, three or four different shades of grey were above me, with a distant lamplight that must have been the sun. The water blocked my ears so that all I could hear was my breathing, loud and strong, like a movie sound effect of someone panting after a chase. I propelled myself backwards with my hands, gliding gently. My left foot drifted out a bit and something slimy touched it. In fright I righted myself and looked around. Of course, it was just one of the pretty lilies, with a broad flat leaf on the water surface linked to a larger plant below by its long spindly stem.
The copyright of the article Heviz Thermal Baths in Hungary Travel is owned by Amanda Kendle. Permission to republish Heviz Thermal Baths in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
