For soul-seekers looking for somewhere to soothe the battered psyche, wintertime Lake Balaton may be just the spot. As hordes of holiday makers swarm to Balaton's shallow southern shores, northern hills and vineyards, the only comfort to be found is in crowds. Lake Balaton's popularity with tourists is easy to understand. In the summertime, this swells to 150,000. An all-time record was reached in 1999, when 400,000 people descended upon Siofok to watch the solar eclipse.
Winter usually sees the lake's transformation into a skater's paradise.
There was no ice. The hordes have gone home. There are no cell phones to shatter the peace. Instead there is a feeling of calm and tranquility. Wintertime Balaton is a world away from the anxiety, aggression and adrenaline that, elsewhere, make up daily life.