📆 Day 14 | 24 August

📍Route: Balatongyörök → Keszthely → Hévíz → Balatongyörök

🚴‍♀️ Distance cycled: 31,2 km

🏰 Places visited: Festetics Castle in Keszthely, The Thermal Lake of Hévíz

This morning we set out on bikes with excitement, the late summer air still fresh and cool. Pedaling felt easy, and the anticipation of the day’s destinations gave us extra energy.

Our first major stop was Festetics Castle in Keszthely. The grand Baroque building stood proudly with its ornate façade and expansive gardens. Walking through the grounds, we felt a mixture of history and elegance—the kind of place where you can easily imagine noble families strolling centuries ago. The rose garden smelled faintly sweet, and the tower gave a wide view over the town and Lake Balaton in the distance. I lingered for a while, taking in both the architecture and the peaceful atmosphere.

From there, we continued on towards Hévíz, our legs finding a steady rhythm on the road. The highlight, of course, was reaching the famous thermal lake. It’s said to be the largest biologically active natural thermal lake in the world, and it certainly felt unique. Slipping into the warm, mineral-rich water after hours of cycling was pure bliss. The slight smell of sulfur mixed with the sensation of floating among lily pads created a surreal, almost dreamlike moment. Around us, people relaxed quietly, some with float rings, everyone moving slowly, as though the lake itself demanded calm.

After the soak, we felt renewed—both relaxed and re-energized. The ride back was slower, the evening sun casting long golden shadows over the countryside. My legs were tired, but in the best possible way.

Today’s journey was a perfect mix of history, nature, and well-being. A castle for the mind, a lake for the body, and the ride itself for the spirit.