<strong>Golden memories:</strong> Hungary's Lake Balaton has long been a magnet for vacationers, particularly during the communist era of the 1950s to 1980s. Here, Hungarian actress Faragó Vera poses on the lake's shoreline.
Golden memories: Hungary's Lake Balaton has long been a magnet for vacationers, particularly during the communist era of the 1950s to 1980s. Here, Hungarian actress Faragó Vera poses on the lake's shoreline.
Fortepan/Nagy Gyula
<strong>Hamptons of Hungary:</strong> Upscale resorts, even during communist times, have earned Balaton a reputation of the Hamptons of Hungary, nicknamed for the affluent escape for New Yorkers in Long Island.
Hamptons of Hungary: Upscale resorts, even during communist times, have earned Balaton a reputation of the Hamptons of Hungary, nicknamed for the affluent escape for New Yorkers in Long Island.
Fortepan / Ferencvárosi Helytörténeti Gyűjtemény
<strong>Everyone welcome:</strong> In fact, Balaton has always catered for all budgets, with cheap and cheerful accommodation as well as more exclusive hotels and resorts.
Everyone welcome: In fact, Balaton has always catered for all budgets, with cheap and cheerful accommodation as well as more exclusive hotels and resorts.
Fortepan / Nagy Gyula
<strong>Retro cool:</strong> From brutal concrete architecture to forgotten Soviet-era brand names, archive images of Balaton offer a nostalgic window on the past few decades of holidaymaking in Hungary.
Retro cool: From brutal concrete architecture to forgotten Soviet-era brand names, archive images of Balaton offer a nostalgic window on the past few decades of holidaymaking in Hungary.
Fortepan / Bauer Sandor
<strong>Annual treat: </strong>A trip to Balaton was a yearly perk for many in communist-era Hungary, often organized through trades unions.
Annual treat: A trip to Balaton was a yearly perk for many in communist-era Hungary, often organized through trades unions.
Fortepan / Morvay Kinga
<strong>Two weeks off: </strong>Mária Dudás, 93, a retired teacher, recalls that the lake's visitors she encountered were almost exclusively the families of Hungarian trades unions, who were entitled to two weeks' vacation.
Two weeks off: Mária Dudás, 93, a retired teacher, recalls that the lake's visitors she encountered were almost exclusively the families of Hungarian trades unions, who were entitled to two weeks' vacation.
Fortepan / Inkey Tibor
<strong>Cheap stays: </strong>"The trade union gave us a list of which resorts had free rooms and people could choose where they wanted to go," says Maria Dudás. "It cost just 250 forints (80 cents) per person for two weeks, which was unbelievably cheap even then."
Cheap stays: "The trade union gave us a list of which resorts had free rooms and people could choose where they wanted to go," says Maria Dudás. "It cost just 250 forints (80 cents) per person for two weeks, which was unbelievably cheap even then."
Fortepan / Ferencz Zoltan Zeno
<strong>All generations: </strong>"When I hear the stories from my grandparents and think of how it is today, it really hits home how wonderful a place it is with endless opportunities for all generations, at all times," says Mária Dudás's granddaughter Luca.
All generations: "When I hear the stories from my grandparents and think of how it is today, it really hits home how wonderful a place it is with endless opportunities for all generations, at all times," says Mária Dudás's granddaughter Luca.
Fortepan / Bojar Sandor
<strong>Days and nights: </strong>A group of women enjoying a snack at a station serving Balaton. Magdi Dorogi, 66, a retired secretary from Budapest, says her summers at Balaton involved days at the beach followed by dinner and socializing in the evening.
Days and nights: A group of women enjoying a snack at a station serving Balaton. Magdi Dorogi, 66, a retired secretary from Budapest, says her summers at Balaton involved days at the beach followed by dinner and socializing in the evening.
Fortepan / Fortepan
<strong>Budapest breaks: </strong>Lake Balaton meant a lot to Hungarians, but in the '60s and '70s, it belonged mainly to the people of Budapest. It slowly started to open to a wider Hungary and then to international visitors during the 1980s.
Budapest breaks: Lake Balaton meant a lot to Hungarians, but in the '60s and '70s, it belonged mainly to the people of Budapest. It slowly started to open to a wider Hungary and then to international visitors during the 1980s.
Fortepan / UVATERV
<strong>Relaxed vibe: </strong>"As a young adult, I first visited the southern shore of Lake Balaton in 1971, in Balatonlelle," says Magdi Dorogi. "We went there with our friends and later my husband, in his first Zsiguli [a Soviet car brand]. We loved it because of its relaxed mood and vibe."
Relaxed vibe: "As a young adult, I first visited the southern shore of Lake Balaton in 1971, in Balatonlelle," says Magdi Dorogi. "We went there with our friends and later my husband, in his first Zsiguli [a Soviet car brand]. We loved it because of its relaxed mood and vibe."
Fortepan / Bauer Sandor
<strong>Fond memories: </strong>"My whole family has really fond memories of spending time at the lake in the '70s and '80s," says entrepreneur Zoltán Molnár. "It was such a great time for Hungarians during that era." he adds. "We used to go to the lake for most of the summer each year and meet up with family and friends."
Fond memories: "My whole family has really fond memories of spending time at the lake in the '70s and '80s," says entrepreneur Zoltán Molnár. "It was such a great time for Hungarians during that era." he adds. "We used to go to the lake for most of the summer each year and meet up with family and friends."
Fortepan / Bauer Sandor
<strong>All ages: </strong>This image shows members of a young pioneer organization during a trip to Balaton in 1982.
All ages: This image shows members of a young pioneer organization during a trip to Balaton in 1982.
Fortepan / Magyar Rendor
<strong>Balaton time: </strong>"I knew that every few years it was 'Balaton time' and it was going to be fun," says György Szilágyi, pictured here with son Peter in the 1980s. "It was almost like a privilege."
Balaton time: "I knew that every few years it was 'Balaton time' and it was going to be fun," says György Szilágyi, pictured here with son Peter in the 1980s. "It was almost like a privilege."
Courtesy Peter and György Szilágyi