Wine and Much More
Eger
A renowned wine region, the lively town of Eger also has a proud history, defined by its heroic resistance to the Turks, which is immortalised by Géza Gárdonyi in his classic Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. Legend has it that just 2,000 soldiers defended the formidable castle in 1552, backed ably by the town’s womenfolk, who showered rocks, hot soup and boiling fat on the Turks below. The siege is also reputed to have given the local Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) wine its name. Although the town was eventually captured and ransacked in 1596, after its occupiers were finally expelled in 1687, Eger experienced something of a wine-fuelled revival. The town was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The cathedral is the most dominant building, but the town’s Turkish minaret is also worth a visit and provides striking views.
Hollókő
The strikingly restored black and white houses of the region’s Palóc people, an intriguing ethnic minority whose traditional dress varies from village to village, provide a unique view of Hungarian peasant life. The village has several museums displaying costumes, photographs, pottery, weaving and other arts and crafts.
Szilvásvárad
Nestled in the beautiful Bükk Hills, Szilvásvárad is the home of the celebrated Lipizzaner horses, considered to be the best riding horses in the world, despite their small stature. Not only are they very robust and graceful, they can also be trained to perform elaborate dressage manoeuvres.
Miskolc
Hungary’s third largest city has several interesting churches and synagogues to explore, but the cave baths steal the show a 20-minute ride away on the No. 2 bus. The outdoor complex, a series of atmospheric pools discovered in 1920, is tailor-made for wallowing.
Lillafüred
Twelve kilometres west of Miskolc, the tranquil resort of Lillafüred is best known for its neo-Renaissance palace hotel nestled in a lakeside forest. The village’s two stalactite caves also attract visitors and the surrounding area lends itself to hiking.
Tokaj
Stunningly attractive and quaint it may be, but Tokaj is all about its wine.
Eger-Tokaj Wine Region
Wine enthusiasts will be familiar with the names of Eger, the source of strength-giving Bikavér (Bull's Blood), and the picturesque town of Tokaj, with its world-class dessert wines and down-to-earth rustic atmosphere. For the tee-totallers among us, Eger boasts a historic castle and beautiful Baroque town centre, and both towns are great starting points for walking, cycling or riding tours around wooded hills of the Bükk. The Aggtelek stalagtite caves, the museum village of Hollókő, the castle hotel in Lillafüred, the intact Romanesque abbey of Bélapátfalva and the Miskolc Tapolca cave spa are particular highlights. The Bükk and Aggtelek National Parks are also a Mecca for bird- and butterfly-watchers and nature lovers. For those of an equestrian bent, the Lippizaner horses made famous by the elaborate dressage routines of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna are bred and trained at Szilvásvárad.
Driving in Hungary
There is a zero tolerance policy with respect to drink driving, if you consume a drop of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Outside urban areas, vehicle headlights must be on at all times, even during the day. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 motorways are toll roads, stickers must be purchased in advance at petrol stations and on-line. A four day pass costs 1170 Ft, a weekly pass 2550 Ft, and a monthly pass 4200 Ft.
Eger Wine Region
The wine region around the attractive Baroque town of Eger is often associated with Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), a robust red wine the Turkish invaders believed to have strength-giving properties akin to Asterix’s magic potion. Wine has been made here for over 1,000 years, and a new breed of winemakers is successfully blending traditional techniques with modern methods to put Eger back on the wine map.
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Tokaj Wine Region
The world-famous Tokaj-Hegyalja region lies in the foothills of the Zemplén mountains in the far north-east of the country and extends over the Slovakian border. Easily accessible from Budapest by car or train, the picturesque town that gives the region its name is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding winegrowing villages. What’s more, there are plenty of hotels and guesthouses to choose from.
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Taxis
Outside the capital, taxi drivers are less prone to unscrupulous pricing and can usually be flagged down on the street without any problems. Ask what the fare will be to the destination before departure. Always check to make sure there is a meter, running in the taxi.
Accommodation in the Eger-Tokaj Wine Region
EGER
Hotel Eger Park***
Downtown in Eger, next to the theatre.
Panoráma Hotel Eger***
Cosy small city hotel in the centre of Eger.
Surroundings of EGER
Shiraz Hotel**** Egerszalók
The hotel is an attractive mixture of luxury, oriental comfort and Mediterranean atmosphere which lends to it a unique, and family-friendly character. Only a mile away from the particular natural Spa of Egerszalók.
Panoráma Wellness Hotel Noszvaj****
Located in the wine growing region of Noszvaj in the Bükk mountains, near Eger.
Hotel Villa Völgy***
The friendly hotel is located in the famous "Szépasszony-valley", the area of the endless row of the wine-cellars.
Castle Hotel Sasvár*****
Luxury, comfort, charm, style and elegance in Parádsasvár, the heart of the Mátra hills.
Erzsébet Királyné Park Hotel*** Parádfürdő
Recently refurbished late 19th century building in the middle of huge park, offering own spa facilities.
Hajnal Hotel*** Mezőkövesd
A supremely well-equipped spa and resort hotel, offering wellness section, therapy treatments, conference facilitiy.
TOKAJ and surroundings
Gróf Degenfeld Castle Hotel****
The newly refurbished castle is situated in the wine-growing area of Tokaj in Tarcal and a meneber of The Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
MISKOLC and surroundings
Hunguest Hotel Palota***+ Lillafüred
The famous castle hotel is located only few miles away from Miskolc in a fascinating environment on the lakeside of Lake Hámor.
Bástya Wellness Hotel**** Miskolc-Tapolca
The hotel is located within easy walking distance from the unique Cave Baths of Miskolc-Tapolca.
Nostalgia trip
The Guardian
October 23, 2004
Ben Mallalieu boards the teak-panelled Royal Hungarian Express for a three-day tour of one of Europe's strangest countries
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Carriages made in heaven
Telegraph, November 23, 2004
John Graham Hart puts aside his fears about trainspotters to journey around Hungary in civilised comfort.
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Would you like to learn more about the Eger and Tokaj region? You can download an e-brochure here or visit the the region's website.
