Leaving the mountains, we can see an area of plains and smaller hills (250–350m) between Fot and Mogyorod, and the Godollo Hills covered with loess on sand. These hills form a Nature Preservation Area. The hunting here is also legendary, and used to be a favourite of kings, governors and party presidents. Today, carefully chosen tourist paths guide “ordinary people” across the region. The area can be reached by car via the M3 highway or on slower byways; alternatively you can take the Godollo HEV or other trains that leave from Budapest Eastern Railway Station.

Leaving the mountains, we can see an area of plains and smaller hills (250–350m) between Fot and Mogyorod, and the Godollo Hills covered with loess on sand. These hills form a Nature Preservation Area. The hunting here is also legendary, and used to be a favourite of kings, governors and party presidents. Today, carefully chosen tourist paths guide “ordinary people” across the region. The area can be reached by car via the M3 highway or on slower byways; alternatively you can take the Godollo HEV or other trains that leave from Budapest Eastern Railway Station. Godollo– or, more precisely, the Godollo Royal Palace – is a tourist “must-see”. The palace is one of the greatest achievements of Hungarian Baroque architecture. The stunning building served as the summer residence for Franz Joseph I and Queen Elizabeth (Sissi) between 1867 and 1916. The 26 halls that once made up the suites of the royal couple have been faithfully reconstructed, and there is a Queen Elizabeth exhibition and another presenting the history of the Grassalkovich family that commissioned the palace’s construction. A performance in the perfectly renovated Baroque theatre offers a unique experience.  The castle is not merely a museum – it is also a venue for elegant receptions, historical fashion shows and other events. Visitors may enjoy the cafe, visit the souvenir shop and visit the ornamental plant garden in the former palm house. Don’t miss the 28-acre palace park either. The oldest building in the town hosts the City Museum of Godollo. Its permanent exhibition displays the workshop of the Godollo Artist Colony, where some of the leading works of Hungarian Secessionism were produced. The town also holds museums devoted to agricultural tools and machines and bee-keepers. It’s also worth mentioning that most localities in the region have a village museum or “regional house” where you can gain insight into the everyday life, history and art of the local people. Godollo has an extremely important pilgrimage site. The Mariabesnyo Pilgrimage Church sees tens of thousands of visitors arrive each year to see the ivory statue of Mary and Jesus that dates back to the 12th century. The adjacent cemetery has also become a place of “pilgrimage” because it holds the grave of Count Pal Teleki. Szaritopuszta, next to Godollo, hosts equestrian parades that replicate the fighting skills of the original Hungarian conquering tribes. At the nearby Domonyvolgy, you can see the World Champion carriage-driving Lazar brothers who demonstrate the extent to which Hungary is an “equestrian nation”. If you prefer four wheels to four hooves, pay a visit to Mogyorod – especially in August. Here you’ll fi nd the Hungaroring, the only Formula-1 circuit in Central Europe. Though the circuit is for the professionals, the 2,100-square-metre Hungarokart Centre is open to anyone who wishes to test his go-kart driving abilities. You don’t have to drive in Aquarena – just relax, have fun, jump, roll, slide, fall, and then come back to the water surface. Godollo is also an ideal centre for tours – there are many attractions to discover around it. Margita Hill (344m) stands to the northwest. We can take a short break at Szada to visit the museum of Bertalan Szekely, an extraordinary figure in the history of 19thcentury historical painting. The neighbouring Veresegyhaza has a beautiful lake where bathing and fishing are possible in summer. The adjacent thermal bath is open all year long. One of the town’s special attractions is the unique Bear asylum – a 3.5-acre territory protected with fences that provides shelter for dozens of bears and wolves. At the foot of the Godollo Hills is a small, traditional village called Isaszeg. The local Catholic church evokes the atmosphere of the 15^th century, while the Village Museum introduces us to more recent events in the area’s history. Isaszeg is a household name in Hungary because this was the site of the most glorious battle of the 1848–49 Hungarian Revolution. The soldier statue memorial and the Peace and Freedom Memorial Church recall the battle of 6 April 1849, as do the the hussar parade and battle games during the Isaszeg History Days. If we continue on our way, we arrive at Pecel, a village next to the capital. Raday Castle has also been rediscovered and reconstruction works are ongoing.Crossing the hills in an easterly direction, we reach the plains of the Galga River valley. Aszod is the most populated settlement in the area. Visitors can pay tribute to one of Hungary’s greatest poets at the Petofi Museum, close to the Lutheran church. We can admire pictures by Juli Vankone Dudas at Galgamacsa that depict typical local folk costumes and customs. The traditional Zsambok Feasts are still organised, although today only for the pleasure of tourists. Despite that, the event hasn’t changed much: it includes everything you could want for a real feast, including a best man, an eloping bride, traditional soup and a cake… Tura is famous for the remarkably beautiful Schossberger Castle; designed by Ybl, it is awaiting restoration work to bring it to life once more. 

Going southwest towards Budapest, we come across Kerepes, Kistarcsa, Nagytarcsa and Csomor. These settlements conserve their distinct cultures and values. You can visit the Village Museum (Nagytarcsa), and take part in local celebrations such as the Kistarcsa Days or the famous Lord’s Day Procession at Csomor, when the streets around the church are covered with a carpet of fl owers. Also consider the traditional Pentecostal Festival and the Feast Meeting.

Source: Hungarian Tourism Plc

Accomodation: http://www.hungaryrooms.com/map/Godollo