Private, Enchanted Retreat

The sleepy, centuries-old village sits in the valley of the king's former hunting grounds, a snug retreat from which to explore the many wineries, mountain hikes, villages and ancient chapels of this mostly undiscovered region. Half way between Vienna, and Budapest, and a sweet spot from which to explore the countryside between each, or make a quiet stop over after a chic city stay. Nestled in the center of the tiny village of Porva, our house sits on an acre of land ripe with fruit trees and cultivated rows of eggplants, squash, blackberries, and more. Our simple, rustic home is the perfect getaway for families, writers and artists looking for a retreat from the modern world. Cook on a charming wood-burning stove (there's a gas option as well), and eat your meals in the kitchen or in the yard with a view of a centuries-old church just behind the house. Sleep in our hand-crafted four-post King master bed, made by a local artisan out of wood from our own forest. A second set of guests will be comfortable in the twin beds in the next room. All beds have goose-down comforters and pillows, and plenty of extra blankets for cooler months. Outside the house doors, enjoy quiet and utter safety of our large yard--picnic under the shady plum trees or take a walk into the garden and beyond, deep into the forests behind the house. Hikers, cyclists and adventurers will love the proximity to the Bakony mountains hiking trails. Wine enthusiasts can use our home as a perch from which to explore the wines of Lake Balaton, just 40 minutes drive. Explore historic Zirc, and the castles and cathedrals of the many nearby villages. Let our family-- welcoming {German and Hungarian speaking} hosts-- be your guide to life in Porva. Available for weekend or week stays, or longer sabbaticals. ***As seen in Food & Wine Magazine (September 2013) *** The main house and yard are all access. The 200-year-old barn and old house are under gradual renovation, and will be locked until updated. As much or little as needed up to the stay! Porva is a sleepy, agricultural village, filled with families and longtime residents. Many houses are working farmlets, and you are sure to spot grandmothers in babuskas, famers or locals out for a walk, occasional tractors, dogs, sheep and occasional wake-up-calls from local chickens. The houses are all brightly colored with terra-cotta roofs and that old-world feel. It's best to have a vehicle, but the town and surrounding hills, as well as trips to the neighboring villages of Bozavar, Zirc and the beautiful Szepalma resort can be reached via bicycle or foot (you'll see numerous backpackers/hikers walking through town in the summer). Cyclist will enjoy bringing their road bikes, mountain bikers will find thrills in the Bakony Hills. We have one village bike for rental ($50/week) and can arrange others upon request. This is a largely Hungarian and German speaking village. English is limited here; most of our guests are choosing this location as a quiet retreat, but if you need extra help, or a guide to help navigate the area and interact with locals, please let us know and we'll help to connect you to English speakers nearby!