Characteristics
- 6 DAYS – 5 NIGHTS
- Visited countries: Hungary
Short introduction
With this trip you will completely relax. Feel relaxation, exploration and the hospitality of the winegrowers of Szekszárd and Villány are the motto of this 5 days / 4 nights wine trip to Hungary! During this wine tour you will visit the southernmost wine regions of Hungary and meet the winemakers. You will taste some of the best red wines and the most fruity, fresh white wines that Hungary has to offer, get a deeper insight into the daily life of this area, explore grape varieties, and compare wines from different producers.
The wines of Villány and Szekszárd are among the highest rated wines in Hungary, both by wine professionals and wine lovers themselves. The wine tour concludes with a number of cultural excursions such as a visit to “The Paprika Museum” and a visit to Pécs, the European Capital of Culture in 2010. In Pécs you will search for architectural treasures and you will visit the cathedral or Zsolnay, a renowned porcelain manufacturer.
Highlights
- 7 wine tastings
- Exploring the wine regions around Villány and Szekszárd
- Taste local wines and enjoy local Hungarian dishes
- Vineyard walk, walking among the vineyards
- Picnic in the vineyards
- Visit the capital Budapest
- Visit to the old village of Kalocsa and the old embroidery workshop
- Visit the pepper museum
- Visit to a manufacturer of wooden barrels
- Visit a honey factory
- Guided walk through the UNESCO city of Pécs
- Visit some of the oldest religious monuments in Hungary including Djami or Malkoch Bej and the Mariagyűd Basilika
- English wine guide, other languages on request
- Small groups, personal service
Program
DAY 1
You leave the capital Budapest in the morning, head south of Hungary to a unique village full of small wineries, all around two-three hundred years old. You visit a number of these wine cellars, taste some wines and enjoy. After this, a traditional Hungarian lunch will be served and you will then travel on to Kalocsa. This is one of the most famous Hungarian villages, ever from the dioceses and founded by the first king of Hungary, around the year 1000. The Kalocsa embroidery with authentic Hungarian patterns is of the best quality available in Hungary. Before going to Szekszárd, pay a short visit to the “Paprika Museum” and learn about the most typical Hungarian spices. Later in the afternoon you will check in at your hotel, you will have some time for relaxation before a wine tasting and dinner.
DAY 2
You start your day with a visit to a barrel manufacturer and learn about the how and what of oak barrels, and traditions. Afterward, continue driving to visit an exceptional wine estate near Szekszárd, owned by Marqesi Antinori. The family also owns a number of vineyards in Tuscany. The enchanting landscape, the cellar and the wines show a different picture of Hungary.
Although this region is more known for its red wines, white wines are doing very well here. After exploring the winery there is a wine tasting. Then a Goulash lunch is served. After lunch, depart for the city of Szekszárd and make a short stop at a local honey producer. You will have some free time to explore the city further. One of the most esteemed winemakers then expects you to taste his delicious wines in his great cellar. During this wine tasting you will taste the Kékfrankos and Kadarka wine. Dinner and overnight in Szekszárd.
DAY 3
In the morning you leave for Pécs for a guided tour. Pécs is a city of knowledge and history. The local city center, with its ancient Christian remains from the Roman years, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. After lunch in Pécs, visit the Zsolnay porcelain and pottery manufacturer, famous for its porcelain, ceramic tile and stoneware. In the late afternoon, travel on to Villány and check in at your hotel. A wine region in the southern part of Hungary, Villány is known for its long-established wine traditions, high quality, red wines, easily accessible cellars and the hospitality of the winegrowers.
Not only a strong commitment to quality, but the utmost respect for traditions characterizes the winemakers of this region. It mainly produces red wines, such as Cabernet Franc, under the brand name Villányi Franc, but recently some nice white wines have also appeared on the market. In the evening, meet the rest of your group in a wine chapel, in one of the region’s most impressive cellars. The visit to the circular cellar is an exceptional adventure. After this, dinner with a selection of wines will be served in the winery’s restaurant. Overnight in Villány.
DAY 4
You start the day with a short walk to a nearby sculpture park to enjoy the scenery. Afterwards, you will visit one of the most prominent wine estates in Hungary and taste some of the delicious wines that are made there. In addition to making prestigious wines, the winery also organizes local festivals and sponsors various art-related events. After you visit the cellar, you will be given a picnic basket full of local farm products and a walk through the vineyards. During this escapade gourmande, you will have lunch in the open air, among the vineyards. (weather permitting). After lunch, you will have free time for further exploration of the cellars of the main street of the town of Villány. In the evening you will dine in one of the best wineries, located at the foot of the region’s iconic hills with beautiful views of the vineyards. Both the quality of the wines and the service of the estate are exceptional. This winery makes every effort to make great, elegant and unique Hungarian wines. Overnight in Villány.
DAY 5
In the morning, travel to the city of Siklós to visit a historic mosque built during the 16th-century Turkish occupation, the Malkoch Bej Djami. Depending on the time, a visit to the beautiful Mariagyűd Basilika is also on the program. The pilgrimage church of Máriagyűd with its two towers and its cloister was home to Franciscan monks who provided spiritual care to those in need. The statue of Mary in the church dates from 1712. On your way back to Budapest, you will visit another fascinating winemaker, stroll along the vineyards and taste different wines. After lunch, you will travel back to Budapest where you will arrive around 6PM.
Overnight.
DAY 6
After breakfast and according to your flight schedule, you will get a private transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Or, you light want to extend your wine tour to another close-by wine region or why not Slovakia, Czech Republic or Austria which are just nearby. Just ask us for the possibilities and we will customize your perfect wine tour.
Included / Excluded
What’s included / not included in this wine tour ?
Included
- 5 nights in good quality hotels
- Meals mentioned with wines
- Entrance fees to the listed sights in the Villány and the Szekszárd wine regions
- Visit to Kalocsa and the Paprika Museum
- Visit to the city of Pécs
- 7 wine tastings and cellar visits
- Vineyard walk
- Transfer during the stay
- Experienced English-speaking wine guide, other languages on request
Excluded
- Flights
- Specialized wine guide
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and meals other than stated in the program
- Tips
- Insurances
- Taxes that are payable locally, such as the tourist tax
- Everything that is not reported under the heading including
Request a quote for this wine tour and we can work with you to determine what will and will not be included. The choice is yours.
All flights and hotels are always subject to availability until the time of final booking. The booking will be made when the deposit has been received on our account.
Prices vary depending on the selected class and can always change without prior notice due to seasonality and availability.
