Hungary. The one place you have to visit in Hungary

We left Etyeki Kuria with a two-and-a-half hour drive ahead of us to a place I found on Google. I googled them once, twice, a third time, and only then I was ready to write an email and reserve the night. Few things attracted me, but Slow Food Dinner was the biggest. 

Halfway through our trip, after I had already checked Waze and Google maps for the third time to be sure we were going the right direction, I began to read a book when Armands asked me, “Are you sure we are on the right roa? We just entered Slovakia.” A little panic, one more Google search, and the answer was – Yes. We were heading closer to the mountains (locals call them hills, but for Latvians who have two hills in the whole country, these are mountains), and I wondered if I made the right choice booking this place. 

Driving through small villages made me very uncertain, but I did not talk about that (we have had our arguments about the strange places that I book) because there was no way back, especially when we turned onto a road where one car was already too big. Driving up the hill, I thought to myself that there has to be something good. We were finally there. We stopped the engine and got out of the car to see one of the most spectacular views ever. We were finally at Natura Hill Zebegny Hotel.

The sun was playing its evening color games over the valley and mountains, making the river look like candy. It was one of those moments when I stood there and felt grateful. After settling into the room, we went downstairs for dinner overlooking the same beautiful view – the Danube and the mountains. Every minute was a challenge between the food and the view because both were very amazing. Other guests were having the same problem: eating and getting up to take pictures. You could walk around and take photos of the changing evening sun, but the food was there. 

Sunday dinner at Hatura Hill is more straightforward than other days, but still made from local Slow Food producer products. It was pea season, and our cold pea soup arrived. There was no bread, just a glass of local Harslavelu wine and the most excellent company - nature. After the soup came crunchy, red cabbage lavender sauce salad served with a potato and beef bake. Cheesecake with strawberries and rhubarb was the last perfect bite. It was a simple dinner, considering that it is not so easy to find excellent and local produce, so it was not that simple at all.

With a camera full of changing sky colors, we were ready to go to bed with the curtains open to see the village lights and mountain silhouettes. The breakfast table, with croissants, local jams, sourdough bread, and eggs from local farms, was everything you could wish for. Fresh espresso (no watery coffee machine coffee), a fantastic view, and only the best feelings.

Hatura Hill guesthouse took us by surprise. As it turns out, there are only two bridges along the 75 km river distance to get to Natura hill. One is through Slovakia. I would have driven 200 more to get there. With places to hike, bike (a challenge we accepted for the next time), and eat, it is a perfect stop away from Budapest. It's all there, and you will understand when you visit. 

Address
Zebegény, Szarvas út felől megközelíthető, külterület, 2627 Hungary
https://naturahill.hu

Traveling to Hungary in cooperation with Embassy of Hungary to Latvia
Story and pictures: Signe Meirane
Camera: Sony Alpha 7s