TRAVEL INVITE
Hungarian winemakers are fond of what they call "cuvée" which is the name of a blended red or white wine. Sometimes it's difficult to know exactly the composition, but no matter, the result is mostly outstanding.
Except in the South, the soil is volcanic which contributes to give acidity and minerality to the wines. Wood is commonly used even with white wines presenting some minerality.
During the last twenty years, many winegrowers have introduced with success international grape varieties. But the native varieties such as Kadarka, Kekfrankos, Furmint, Haslevelu,... are still the basis of the production and you will have the opportunity to taste them all around your trip. Furmint will be the "star" in Tokaj and Haslevelu in Somlo.
The second theme of the trip will be the spa and thermal baths. They are everywhere in Hungaria and very often located in beautiful settings. Hungarian people are quiet people and they enjoy to spend a lot of time in warm water. You will do the same and experience massages too.
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Duration : 12 days
Type of trip : wine, tourism, baths
Ideal for anyone, from beginners to connoisseurs
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ITINERARY
DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST
Arrival at the airport of Budapest.
Head straight to the south. Check in at your hotel located in Bugac.
Welcome drink followed by a typical Hungarian dinner.
DAY 2 : BUGAC AND HORSES
Morning dedicated to a horse show illustrating the way of life in the "putza", this desert plain which originaly was extending all over the south east of the country until the romanian border.
Going to the west, first wine tasting at Hajos Baja with its typical cellars and press houses. The wines there are very pleasant, easy to drink and it will be for you the first opportunity to taste native varieties such as Zweigelt.
Going on, stop on the banks of the Danube River before reaching Szeckszard.
Relaxing evening at your hotel around the swimming pool.
DAY 3 : SZECKSZARD AND THE SOUTH
Visit of a family-run winery with a splendid terrasse overlooking the vineyard and flowered with oleanders.
Wine tasting followed by a lunch on the terrasse. The continental climate of this region gives full-bodied red wines. The Shiraz is fantastic !
Going on to the southest part of Hungary, visit of a winery located in the picturesque village of Villany. During the tasting, you will certainly notice the soft tannins of the wines, even for Cabernet Franc.
Arrival late in the afternoon at the town of Baja to attend the festival. The music and the halaszle : the famous fish soup will accompany you all along the evening and the night in a friendly atmosphere.
DAY 4 : THERMAL BATHS AND MASSAGES
A journey all over the great plain with a stay at the resort of Turkeve.
Time in the afternoon for thermal baths and massages.
Accomodation in the wooden bungalows of the resort.
DAY 5 : THE GREAT PLAIN
Going on over the great plain, you will see a lot of storks on your way.
Arrival in Eger in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel.
Free time before going to the wine festival at night. As the festival is pairing food and wine, you will taste the local wines in the best conditions and particularly the famous Egri Bikaver (Bull's Blood of Eger).
At night, it's going on with music with some popular bands.
DAY 6 : EGER
Visit of 2 wineries and why not another one you have noticed during the festival.
Baths and massages at the Turkish baths in the afternoon.
Dinner in a gastronomic restaurant.
DAY 7 : TOKAJ
Straight to Tokaj in the early morning. Check in at Laszlo's guesthouse. Laszlo is a winemaker of the new generation who produces marvellous dry white wines.
Wine tasting in the vineyard with a 4x4 car. At each stop, Laszlo will propose you the wine corresponding to the place in order to identify the characteristics due to the grape and the volcanic soil.
DAY 8 : TOKAJ
A full day dedicated to the Tokaji aszu.
Visit of a well known winery located in the area of Mad.
Lunch in a gastronomic restaurant with the opportunity to pair food and wine. The duck liver, a specialty of Hungary, served with a dry Furmint or a Tokaji aszu could be your choice as a starter !
In the afternoon, circuit all around the vineyard.
DAY 9 : BODONY
On the way to Bodony, stop at Szilvasvarad to see some lipizzan horses.
Bodony is a small village in the Matra massif. An immersion in the Hungarian way of life with the friendly welcome of your hosts at the hotel, the Hungarian breakfast, the local market place with fabulous apricots, the handicraft with beautiful pottery,...
DAY 10 : HEVIZ, BADACSONY AND THE BALATON LAKE
Enjoy a bath in the lake of Heviz for a unique experience. This lake is the second largest in the world and the water temperature is about 35°C on summer and not under 25°C in winter !
Join the town of Badacsony for a cruise on the Balaton lake. From the boat, you will have a nice view on the old (an inactive !) volcanoes.
Festive evening at the Badacsony wine festival.
DAY 11 : SOMLO
Somlo hill is a reference as Hermitage hill or Sancerre hill could be (if it's not yet, it will be very soon). From this small and solitary volcano, the view is extending until the Balaton lake. The wine is predominantly white with a terroir character. The main varieties are native varieties : Juhfark, Harslevelu, Furmint.
If freshness, minerality, fruitiness, finesse and elegant oak match your tastes, sure that you will be charmed by Somlo wines.
Arrival in the morning to visit a renowned winery and enjoy a lunch.
At Somlo, the vineyard is everywhere. Quite no roads there, just lanes and paths so walking is the best way to discover the beauty of the place. That's what you will do during the afternoon. At the end of the walk, you will stop at Eva's cellar for the "cocktail reception". Eva is a wine consultant based at Somlo and she will propose you for the occasion a selection of top quality wines.
Results of the funny quiz and dinner on the terrasse of your guesthouse at the sunset.
DAY 12
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport of Budapest.
OTHER INFORMATION
They are direct flights from London to the airport of Budapest.
