You're reading your friends' posts and tweets about Sziget Festival, but you couldn't go with them? Don't let the heat wave roast your body in some small apartment; spend your time near Balaton. We collected a bunch of fun, Balaton-related programs for the weekend. Exciting exhibitions, cool sports, tasty drinks on the water, on the beach, over the water and at the bottom of the glass.
1. Watch an old school Hungarian movie in an outdoor cinema
Do you like retro Hungarian movies? Do you like going out? Do you like outdoor cinemas? You can watch the old Hungarian classic, Pogány Madonna in Alsóörsi kocsmamozi starring the Hungarian Bud Spencer, István Bujtor (aka Ötvös Csöpi). On Friday at 9PM Szeleburdi család, on Saturday at 9PM Csinibaba will be on the program. It doesn't matter if the weather is bad, because you can still grab a few beers with your mates. A delicious dinner is highly recommended in Carpaccio before the night out.
2. Play volleyball and have some wine in Balatonfüred
The 3rd Smash Beach Volleyball Championship will be held at Balatonfüred's Kisfaludy strand. You can play on Saturday and on Sunday as well, even if you're not playing in a pro league. If you're done with playing or staring, there are always wine-related festivals onTagore sétány. Right now, it is the turn of Füredi Borhetek, which is almost as long as War and Peace. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere than Tagore, head to Manézs on the other side of the parking lot. You can enjoy a glass wine surrounded by pallet furniture while the cool ruin pub-feeling is floating around you.
3. The Indian-Hugarian Frida Kahlo in Balatonfüred
Since you're playing volleyball in Balatonfüred, make room for some culture in your program. You can find the exhibition of Amrita Sher-Gil, the "Indian Frida Kahlo" in Vaszary-villa. Salma Hayek could portray her in a movie as well, and not only because she still has that cute little mustache somewhere, but Amrita Sher-Gil's style and personality is quite similar to that of Mexico's celebrated Frida. There's one big difference though, Amrita is the niece of the Hungarain Indologist Ervin Baktay. The exhibition celebrates that Amrita Sher-Gil was born 100 years ago, and you can see Indian items and clothes as well. We already gave proper advice on where you should drink in Balatonfüred, but if you prefer checking out a popular Hungarian band (Vad Fruttik) then Füred Jam is your place to be.
4. Formula 1 race at Balatonföldvár
Actually, it's more like Formula 18, because F-18 catamarans will participate in the Musto Match Race at Balatonföldvár's pier. Sailing a catamaran is all about speed, so don't expect peacefully rocking boats. A catamaran sailing with one hull in the air, while the crew is hanging on ropes can be a spectacular sight. Proper wind will be provided for that on the weekend. Live commentary will cover the whole race if you're not a sailing expert. After the big race have a proper meal in Pub-Lik, or jump into Balaton at one of Balatonföldvár's dbo beaches.
5. Self-proclaimed Supermans over Balaton
Only superheroes could fly in the air for a long time, but anyone can play Superman's part since wing suits were invented. Instead of the well-known KABOOM sign, an ordinary parachute will help these Bruce Waynes to land. The 7th Wingsuit International Festival and 1st Hungarian Tournament will be held at Siófok-Kiliti airport. The competition will end on Sunday.
6. Surfing anywhere near Balaton
It is the dbo opinion that watching videos of Santa Monica on Youtube is the closest you'll ever get to surfing in Hungary. It's wrong. Appearances are often deceiving: windsurfing is not more complicated than riding a bike. If you were only admiring the surfers of Balaton from the shore, it's time to jump on a board and learn the fundamentals. Serious winds are expected this weekend, but going beyond your depths helpős you learn faster. You can find surfing courses all around Balaton. There's Szörfsziget in Siófok, SUP-center in Tihany, Vízisport Centrum in Balatonfenyves, or our friends at Viharsarok in Balatonföldvár. Keep in mind: hold your body straight and don't raise the sail with your back muscles!
7. The favourite imaginary aunt of every Hungarian kid in Balatonalmádi
Every Hungarian child remembers Éva Janikovszky's tales. The funny pictures drawn by László Réber, the illustrator have helped to make her books even more popular. Check out the Éva Janikovszky memorial exhibition in Balatonalmádi if you want to know who the imaginary aunt was for thousands of 10-year-old children. Then buy a giant ice cream in Amaretto for yourself or your kid and forget about the stupid reasons about unhealthy doses of sugar, bad teeth and everything else.
