Tourism of North-Balaton: Csopak
Flora Linczmayer BBN-ANB-266.02 Project work Mary Adorjรกn
CONTENT
Title page………………………………………. 1 Contents page………………………………….. 2 Tourism in the area of Csopak…………………. 3
Attractions...…………………………………….4
Accommodation…..…………………………… 6 Activities & Events.…………………………… 6 The Tourism Sector……………………………. 8 References………………………………………9
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Tourism in the area of Csopak The town of Csopak is located on the Northern shore of Lake Balaton being a neighbour of Balatonfüred city. The two settlements together form the centre of the famous Balaton-felvidék wine region that lies in the territory encompassed by Zánka and Balatonalmádi towns. Csopak has been inhabited since the middle ages, but the first evidence for its existence as a town is found in the charter of 1277. It was a frequently place for its rich sources of subterranean waters during the centuries and is still a popular touristic destination today.
The tourism of Lake Balaton is largely based on two key activities – bathing and wine culture. Csopak is an outstanding representative of these: its beach is among the most beautiful ones of North-Balaton and it is famous for its local quality wines. Visitors arrive mainly from within the borders of Hungary, but in the time of Berlin’s separation, large masses of German tourists spent their summer holiday here to meet their relatives and friends. This type of tourism lasted until the early years of the 1990s, since then inbound tourism is in decline in the Balaton area. However, immense numbers of domestic tourists come for relaxation every year as the place provides cheap services and leisure activities compared to the expense of a trip abroad. Although the covers only a small territory, ca. 24km2, there are still many sights to see. The following sections intend to introduce the most important attractions of Csopak.
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Attractions The Csonkatorony (Bellyfry Ruin) is the best-known symbol of Csopak. The church was built in honour of István I in the middle ages, but it is only the belfry that survived during the centuries. It is the first sight to see from the direction of Veszprém.
The Plul Vízimalom (Plul Watermill) was built on the Séd stream and is more than 700 years old. The Plul family, that operated the mill in the 19th and 20th centuries, owned two smaller mills as well. These are now part of the Mill Industry Exhibition displayed in the building of the Watermill which is open to the public.
The
Ranolder-kastély
Residence)
was
built
(Ranolder in
romantic-
neogothic style according to the plans of Joseph Szentirmay. The owner of the mansion was John Ranolder (1806-1875), the bishop of Veszprém, and was he was a great patron and farmer of viticulture.
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The Endrődy look-out tower on Csákhegy hill is a place from where almost the entire panorama of Csopak can be seen. Down in the Nosztori valley several subterranean streams emerge to the surface. These waters are known to be of medical use and accordingly fountains were set up on these spots. The most remarkable one is found at the entrance of the Beach which was erected in the year of the millennium and was named Saint István and Gizella’s well in memoriam of the royal couple’s marriage. Along the vineyards of the town a pathway is leading that was named the Olaszrizling Path. It is rimmed with small boards displaying local grape variety names, winemaking techniques and also the geological features of the land.
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Accomodation Visitors can find different types of accomodation according to their needs. The most popular trend is to rent an apartement that provide guests a comfortable and independent stay. Visitors in search of first class service can book a roomy in any of the town’s three holiday hotels. Although the ’zimmer frei’ stay is in decline, one can still find opportunities of ’rent-a-room’ accomodation. Those arriving in a caravan or by bike can spend a night at the local campsite, too.
Activities & Events The town offers numerous activities for the visitor. Sun-lovers are welcome on the beach to bathe in the lake and there are many supplementary services for their comfort. During the summer season diners, boutiques and some other businesses are open along the shore. For eating out there are several good restaurants in the town to explore.
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The viticulture is most notable in the region. Countless vineries offer their quality wines of Riesling, muscatel, Chardonnay and merlot that are representative varieties here. The Csopak Wine Festival (Csopak Napok) is the greatest event of the town attracting tourists from diverse places where local wine-makers have their wines tasted and cultural programs entertain both children and adults. There is also a firework launched on the Hungarian national holiday of state foundation, 20th of August.
Further activities are fishing and biking for those interested in an active holiday. There is a fishing pier close to the docks and paved bicycle track is going around Lake Balaton. A bike rental lends bicycles, if someone happens to come without his own bike. On the official website of Csopak a downloadable ‘get-to-know-the-town’ geo-caching guide can be found for adventurers (also at http://www.geocaching.hu/caches.geo?id=1154).
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Tourism Sector The area is largely dependent on the bathing culture that is present during the summer months, so seasonality is an important factor concerning tourism. Although at winter time a few enthusiasts come for skating on the ice of Balaton, no opportunities of entertainment are offered to them. The revenues of the town are mainly based on services accompanying beach facilities, but viticulture contributes to that as well to a great extent. The infrastructure is in good condition and transportation functions satisfactorily by operating trains, buses and ships rather frequently. Better promotion of events and attractions is in needed in order to encourage more tourists to visit.
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REFERENCES
http://csopak.hu/hu/nevezetess%C3%A9g http://csopak.hu/hu/content/utvonal http://csopak.hu/hu/content/olaszrizling-tan%C3%B6sv%C3%A9ny http://www.geocaching.hu/caches.geo?id=1154 http://www.balatonfured-csopaki-borvidek.hu/balatonfured-csopakiborvidek-bemutatasa.php http://vinopedia.hu/balatonfured-csopaki-borvidek http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Csopak
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