Welcome to the picturesque village of Helesfa. This village of 300 inhabitants is ideally situated in southern Hungary, between the historic cities of Pécs (25km) and Szigetvár. It lies in the foothills of the Mecsek Mountains, in the Zselic National Park. The neighboring hills are dotted with old wine houses which overlook vineyards and orchards. In the valley a small freshwater stream runs toward the nearby lake of Helesfa. The cottages will welcome you to the area, whether you are looking to discover rural Hungary by bike (or on horseback or on foot), planning to sample the award winning wines of the region, or just dreaming of a quiet week with friends or family in a traditional rural environment.
The cottages have received "3 sunflowers" - the award given by Hungarian Village Tourism. At the estate there is a playground (swing, sandbox and a separate area where children can draw), barbecue and fireplace, a picnic area, football/badminton field, and a lot of animals! Part of the estate is a 2-hectare fruit garden on a grape hill.
Here you can buy (depending on the season): fresh eggs (chicken, duck, goose), goat milk, goat cheese, mangalica (pig) sausage/ham, honey, and fruits and vegetables. Bicycles (3 mountain bikes for adults) are available to rent.
This solid brick building used to function as a barn earlier in the last century. Now it is a holiday accommodation suitable for 6-8 persons. It has central heating so it may be rented in winter as well. With the present arrangement it welcomes its guests with a newly added bathroom (with bathtub, toilet and sink), refurbished kitchen (well-equipped with a fridge, microwave oven, gas cooker, electric kettle, coffee maker, dishes and cutlery), living room, separate bedroom (for three persons) and a new pine galleria which functions as a second floor offering another bedroom furnished with a double and two single beds.
The accommodation has an outdoor (covered) playground (with swing and sandbox) and a picnic area with a barbecue and fireplace.
In the neighborhood there are numerous possibilities for hiking. Gyűrűfű/Ecovillage is 6km from Helesfa in the Zselics hills. In the village you can: visit a bio-farm or small shop where they prepare goat cheese; go horseback riding or try archery on horseback; or visit the open-air school (the school is worthwhile if just to take a 1 day bicycle trip). One of the largest villages of Green Valley is Bükkösd. It has a small supermarket, fishing lake, horseback riding opportunities and two beautiful castles. Furthermore, here you will find a post office, medical facility, bank and village hall with Internet access.
North of Bükkösd, nestled deep among the Zselic hills in an untouched environment, is Gorica. It got it’s Slavic name from the southern Slavic inhabitants who were relocated here during the 18th century. At the present time the village has no permanent residents, only weekend houses with visiting owners from Pécs, Szentlőrinc and as far away as the Netherlands. North of the village you will find the Pál Rockenbauer Blue Trail.
The most famous holiday lake of southern Transdanubia is Lake Orfű. This lake attracts swimmers, sportsmen, anglers and hikers who are interested in the countryside’s traditions. Close to the lake there are several restaurants, a mill museum, the ’furnace house’ where they bake bread outdoors, an equestrian farm where they organize a riding school and mounted tours, and spelunking (cave exploration).
The Green Valley (Zöld Völgy) is situated between the Mecsek and Zselic mountains. Of special value is the untouched nature and crystal clear environment. Old rural houses and wonderful natural surroundings, far from the noise and traffic of the city, await guests. Here you can take life slower. Wake up to the singing of birds. Caves with echoes, mountains and valleys, forests and fields, streams and hillsides all await guests and invite them to explore the area on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. You can get to know the local flora and fauna walking along the educational pathway. From here you can join the Blue Trail of southern Transdanubia.
Bükkösd is famous for its honey. In Cserdi, Gyűrűfű, and Szentkatalin you will find working goat and cattle farms. At the local estates you can buy bio products.
This hilly area is ideal for horseback riding. At the horse farm of Gyűrűfű you can take part in a riding school, horse show or try horseback archery. The horse farm of Szentdomján is famous for its children equestrian camp and non-violent horse dressage (horsemanship exhibition). For anglers there are 3 fishing lakes: in Boda, Bükkösd and Hetvehely.
The open-air school will help to shape the mindset of the youth in regards to the environment and nature. In the abandoned but later resuscitated villages’ small houses former traditions and crafts revive. In the workshops you can get to know the ancient methods of pottery and wood-carving or you can practice working with corn husks.
Only 1 dog accepted at this accommodation, no exceptions.
Please note that young groups and parties are not allowed.
Optional services:
Bike rental 2€ bedragpppd.
Reference: BN58416
Pets - allowed
Travel documentation/Instructions will be sent by mail to clients, after payment
