Villány-Siklós Wine Region
The beautiful, rolling hills of the Villány-Siklós region produce Hungary’s most prestigious red wines – some of which are more than a match for the biggest French names. Like many of the country’s wine-growing regions, Villány has a history that goes back well over 1,000 years – in fact, references to local wine production have been found here amongst Roman artefacts. The production of red wine, however, was largely started by immigrants from Serbia in the 1700s, who brought with them the Kékfrankos grape variety and new methods of production. Today’s winemakers use indigenous grapes, but have also introduced international red varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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North and West of Lake Balaton there are many spa resorts. The oldest and most famous is at Hévíz five miles from Keszthely, featuring Europe's largest thermal lake, the world's second largest. The first spa here was opened in 1795. With a temperature that rarely goes below 85-90 degrees, regardless of the season, Héviz has such voluminous springs feeding it that the entire lake replenishes itself every 24 hours. The therapeutic power of minerals of Lake Héviz is so strong that it is recommended to limit your soaking to 20 minutes at a time. An enclosed causeway leads to the center of the lake where you'll find a palacsinta (crepe) bar, massage, float rental and other services. Stay at a deluxe spa hotel close to the lake or in one of the many apartments or houses that may be rented.
While some spas, such as Hévíz or Sárvár are close to castles and vineyards, others like Bük Spa are located in areas packed with active vacation opportunities like golf or horseback riding.
After a few days of mud packs, relaxation therapy, massage and soaking, return to Budapest revitalized and rejuvenated - and fly home feeling years younger!
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Tata
The compact town of Tata, a convenient and worthwhile stop-off on the road from Budapest to Győr, centres around Öreg-tó (Old Lake) and its attendant moated castle, riding school and mill. For centuries, the town was inhabited by Bavarians and Swabians and the lingua franca was German, but the town does have its own English garden.
Győr
Győr’s location halfway between Vienna and Budapest makes it an intriguing blend of east and west. A you enter the town, industrial estates and residential tower blocks make way for a flourishing baroque town. All of the city’s sights, most of them architectural, are within a short walk through pleasant pedestrian streets. The town is an ideal launchpad for a visit to the Benedictine Abbey at Pannonhalma.
Sopron
The Austrian border town of Sopron is a treasure trove of listed buildings and monuments, due, in no small part, to a lack of destructive interference from the Turks. The symbol of the city, and of the local beer Soproni Ászok, is the firewatch tower, built to give warning of a blaze anywhere in the city. Today, it is a great place to admire the glory of Sopron – and the surrounding wine country - from above. In summer, the Cave Theatre in the Fertőrákos limestone quarry to the north makes a strange and enchanting concert venue.
Kőszeg
One of the highlights of the region, if not the whole of Hungary, Kőszeg has an impressive history of military brawn to go with its good looks. The sleepy town, just three kilometres from the Austrian border, is credited with saving Vienna from the wrath of Süleiman the Magnificent in 1532. But the medieval castle, named after the victorious leader Miklós Jurisics, is just one of many memorable sights, including a plethora of churches and a former synagogue. Walkers will also discover a number of attractive villages in the surrounding countryside and the luxury Birdland Golf and Country Club in Bük is not far away.
Pécs
This arty student town lies at the foot of the Mecsek Hills in the south of Hungary has no shortage of impressive architecture and an mind-boggling variety of museums and art galleries. The synagogue, renovated in 1980 in memory of the large Jewish population that was all but wiped out in the holocaust, is one of Pécs’s most memorable and haunting buildings. Must-see sights also include the Csontváry, the Vasarely and the Zsolnay museums. Pécs is also in one of Hungary's wine-growing heartlands – it is no surprise that the elixirs of Villány and Szekszárd are served up in the town’s many lively bars and restaurants.
