Trip to Pécs

Three hours south by fast and comfortable intercity train, it offers a relaxing change of pace and atmosphere from the capital, as well as some stunning Ottoman architecture.

The city’s cellars and bars provide a chance to taste the vintages and cuvées of the Villany region. Some wineries now approach and even rival French or Italian quality. Pecs has well-regarded opera and theatre companies and some attractive art nouveau architecture.

The warm climate helps give Pecs a Mediterranean air and a buzzing youthful atmosphere. The city’s centrepiece is Szechenyi Square, and on warm spring and summer evenings the surrounding cafés and bars are crowded. Pecs’s Ottoman heritage gives a fascinating insight to long neglected part of Europe’s history.