Most people know Tihany first of all for the „echo” phenomena and the Benedictine Abbacy. The treasures of its cultural history are deservedly well-known, but the experts of the Council of Europe deemed the peninsula worthy of winning the European Diploma based on its natural assets. The Diploma acknowledges not only the unique natural values, the clues of geological past, the flora and fauna developed by the submediterranean climate but also the nature conservation activity that has been carried out on the area for decades. Visitors can take a walk in a balmy lavender field, catch site of gophers running around the grazing cattle, they can climb geyserite rocks and can enjoy the sight of the glittering water of Lake Balaton.