Budapest is a lively city showing a quick development and offering good conditions to live in and go in for sports. The different sport programmes attract both local and foreign competitors and sport lovers to attend either actively or passively as a spectator. This way the sights of the beautiful city and the love for sport jointly contribute to an unforgettable stay. If you are interested in one of the following offers, please send us an e-mail at okworld@okworld.hu to obtain detailed information. GOLF Golf in Hungary has a history of over a decade and every year more people join the swelling ranks of golf fans. We welcome both amateur and professional golfers, in especially attractive surroundings. If you are just beginning to discover the "Businessmen's sport", visit one of the beginners' courses with your friends or colleagues! Suggested Golf Clubs: Pannonia Golf & Country Club Old Lake Golf & Country Club Birdland Golf & Country Club FORMULA-1 GRAND PRIX The Hungaroring circuit is 19 km from the centre of Budapest, alongside the M3 motorway at the border of the village, Mogyoród. The track is in a natural valley, surrounded by 50 hectares of rolling hillside. With this exceptional natural advantage, almost 80 percent of the racetrack is visible from any point. This is the reason why it is called "The Shallow Plate", it is because the spectators are watching races sitting by the side of an imaginary plate. If you want to experience what speed and excitement means, come and cheer for your favourite competitor! HORSE RIDING The Hungarian riding-schools with their old trandition cater to riders of all levels. Many of their customers have never been on a horse before. Pretty much none of these first-timers say they´ll never get on a horse again aftert heir experience here. We offer you a safe riding environment with well-trained horses and experienced guides. No matter what your level of riding, we will provide an unforgettable experience to augment your stay in Hungary. MARATHON&RUNNING; Budapest, the seven bridges and three hills have already won the hearts of the foreign runners. The competition is specially attractive because of the city's fascinating beauty - e.g. the Andrássy avenue (part of the Unesco World Heritage), the art-nouveau-style Gresham Hotel, the good old Chainbridge, the Buda Castle (also part of the Unesco World Heritage), the idyllic Margareth Island, the monumental Parlament - all these can be admired by the runners, which really eases the pain on this long distance. Every year more than 2000 foreigners come to discover this charming and mysterious capital - come and see it all yourself! Events in 2004: 9th May Libresse Women's Running 23rd May Apenta Mountain Halfmarathon and Relay Race 3rd October Budapest International Marathon 17th October Women's 10 K Classic International 5th September Nike International Halfmarathon ICE-HOCKEY & SKATING Budapest is proud to host contests, training camps, veteran and friendship matches in its newly built enclosed arena, the AstraZeneca Ice Hall. Right next to the Heroes' Square, the City Park Pond an excellent ice-rink during the winter season. This is the largest outdoor skating-rink in Central Europe featuring special night-lights and a disco to attract those hunting for Saturday night fever on ice. FOOTBALL To the football lovers we can organize friendship matches or training camps inside the city, and of course it is possible to simply attend a football match. EXCURSIONS There are national parks and green areas in or close to the capital great for hiking, relaxation and animal watching. The excursion spots and the caves open to visitors can all be reached by public transport. For pleasant walks we suggest the Gellért Hill, which offers the most beautiful panoramic view of the city, or a little bit further from the centre the Erzsébet lookout on János Hill, which was built at the highest point of the city. You can reach it with Children's Railway, which is operated by 10-14-year-old uniformed children - except for the engineer - under the supervision of adults. This nostalgic, narrow-gauge railway, with some open carriages, takes about 50 minutes to cover the 11-km route, mostly through woods. The Budakeszi Game Park, a vast forest with marked footpaths, is about 8 km from the city centre. Observe the natural flora, indigenous and naturalised animals of the Buda Hills from the lookout hides! Have you ever travelled in a Chairlift? Quite a surprising vehicle for a city: something like a ski lift with chairs hanging from a haulage cable. The journey takes 15 mins, providing an unforgettable view for passengers. CAVES You can visit the more than 7200 meters of winding passageways of Pálvölgy Cave, a stalactite-rich cave, the longest in the Buda Hills, or the 2200 meters long Szemlő Hill Cave, where you will find that the cave walls are covered with aragonite crystals. For those who want to climb in a cave as well, we suggest Matthias Hill Cave. We hope we have aroused your interest and before long we will meet you in our country!