Travel guide – keszthely
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Overview
Keszthely is a pleasant university town that has a life of its own outside the tourist season. It has trendy cafes, tree lined streets and a busy market area with strings of peppers and garlic decorating the stalls beside old fashioned weighing scales. Its most important sight is the Festetics Palace, the residence of the wealthy Festetics family with over 100 rooms. The Helikon Palace Museum and Library are in one of its Baroque wings. Keszthely is the best town on Lake Balaton from which to explore the surrounding area, including the nearby Kis-Balaton nature reserve, excellent for bird watching, and the thermal lake at Hévíz.
Climate
Hungary is best visited over the summer period, when the weather is warmer and the attractions are all open. The weather in spring and autumn can be very pleasant, but temperatures drop to around 20°F (9°C). Over winter temperatures approach freezing. Some rain can be expected throughout the year.
Health
No vaccinations are required and standards of public health are good. Tap water is safe to drink and food poisoning is not considered a high risk. A reciprocal health agreement with countries of the EU provides nationals with free emergency health care on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All towns have pharmacies, but anyone requiring specific medication should bring a supply with them as most medicines are of Eastern European origin. Health insurance is recommended.
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