A Big List of Summer To-dos – seven great tips from July to August

Take a Friday off on a whim. Get in the car (or on the train) with your partner or with a friend, book a room on your way to Mátra, Lake Balaton or a big Hungarian city and escape from the daily grind life for three days. Once you pick your destination, you won't be bored as there will be plenty of things to choose from. 

Have you been to Veszprémfest, the Sziget, the Valley of the Arts or the Palóznak Jazz Picnic? Whether it's music or theatre, the atmosphere of a festival is captivating even if you don't know any of the artists. Forget about your preconceptions and enjoy the unique atmosphere and culture, as well as the atmosphere of a summer evening.

Don't forget the mosquito repellent, and it might be a good idea to bring a little pillow because open-air screenings aren’t as comfortable as multiplex cinemas. Give an outdoor cinema a chance – there aren’t too many of them left.

It's a completely different feeling to take a dip after sunset, without the burning rays of the sun, and as the small waves gently caress you. It’s best when the light of the full moon is shining on you, and it is important to only try if you’re a strong swimmer, and preferably in shallow water. 

Throw a party if you have a garden or a terrace. And if you don't have one, go for a picnic. Make sure that you have delicious bread (sliced in advance), dipping sauces (that don’t go off quickly), cheese, peeled vegetables, cutlery, a chilled drink and glasses in the basket, but really your imagination is the only limit. You can picnic in a park or on a waterfront, and the best time for it is in the afternoon when the sun isn’t so strong.     

Just as you should see at least one sunset and one sunrise every summer, clear and warm evenings are also great for stargazing. There are several observatories in the country where you can hear interesting lectures on astronomy, and telescopes bring the secrets of the night sky to life.

Yes, it's a bit old-fashioned and, of course, you can't do it anywhere, but if you have the chance, don't miss it. Lake Naplás in the 16th district of Budapest is a great place for eating bacon round the campfire. Sitting under the open sky in the dark, staring into the fire, singing, and frying bacon or marshmallows is something you deserve to experience. It's a great opportunity to talk as you can take your time and there might not even be any 4G. Instead you just have to pay attention to the crackling fire and to each other. How does that sound?