Want to explore the Hungarian countryside in a day? Interested in history and/or wine tasting? Traveling to the Tokaj region and visiting the small historical town of Eger will be the perfect location to fulfill that desire.
Eger’s cobblestoned streets, sprawling castle district and coffee-houses give it oodles of charm, but the region is best known for its unusual and exquisite wines. The local blend is commonly known as Bull’s Blood. Just west of the town itself lies the whimsically named Valley of the Beautiful Women, where Bull’s Blood flows freely in different vintages and varietals – a rich, dry red made from 3 different grapes. According to local legend, the ruler of Eger used Bull’s Blood to fortify his troops against the Ottoman invasion.
Tokaj is historically Hungary’s oldest and best-known wine region. Foodies and wine lovers will find a piece of heaven in this part of Hungary, which is a network of vineyards, small towns and cellars all with the single purpose of creating the sweet nectar for which it is so famous, that the region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The historical wine produced in this region was even favored by King Louis XV of France and could find this wine throughout the Palace of Versailles. The region stretches over twenty-eight villages and approximately 11000 hectares of land on the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. Nobody knows when wine began to be made in Tokaj, but historians say that the tradition goes as far back as the 12th century. However, others believe that it goes back to the early Celtic settlers who based themselves here at the confluence of the Tisza and Bodrog rivers. Uncover the gastronomic delights of this delightful region as you move from village to village with Exeter International.
For custom luxury travel and tours to Eger, the Tokaj Region and Hungary, please contact one of our travel experts.
The best time to visit the Tokaj region and Eger is between March – November, pending on what you want to see and participate in the historic Hungarian countryside.
March and April are the perfect months to visit with the start of spring with flower blossoms and most of the tourists that come to visit this historical medieval town and region.
May to September is the peak season because many cultural festivals take place during this time and harvest begins in September. July and August are also the hottest months to visit.
In the first half of June, the annual wine festival of Tokaj takes place, which is a great time to taste the historical and famous wine produced in this region as well as a place to check out concerts and Hungarian cultural events. In July, the famous Bull’s Blood Festival takes place in Eger, which is the perfect time to try this historical blend and traditional foods.
If you would like to be part of a classical music festival, visiting this region in August would be the perfect time for you. The Zempleni festival take place annually the first two weeks of August.
In October, if you would love to see the harvest of the grapes, the Harvest Festival is on the first weekend in October. During this festival, a tradition harvest march takes place and visitors from around the world come to this area to view this event.
Our handpicked guides lead you on tours along the inside track of the Hungarian countryside. They will bring you a step beyond the ordinary experience, creating the ultimate luxury Hungarian vacation. Have a private wine tasting at a local Tokaj vineyard. Visit the quaint village of Mad, which has a large Jewish community, has an impressive baroque synagogue, and other preserved Jewish building complexes. Lastly, you can also visit the ancient cellars and the medieval fortress found in Eger.
Our team of travel experts can customize a unique program for you for travel to Eger and the Tokaj wine region based on your exact preferences and interests. Hungary can be a country specific destination and it can be combined with other Central European nations.
If you are on a Danube River cruise, and in the port of the Budapest, we can arrange a private shore excursion to Eger and the region of Tokaj with your own Exeter hand-picked private guide. Our private shore excursions ensure that you will receive, not only the best experience possible, but a personalized excursion throughout your stay at port while in Budapest.
Take a trip to the Baroque vineyard town of Eger. This is the perfect town to have see medieval architecture, enjoy local red or white wine, and stroll the picturesque cobble streets and is not overloaded with tourists. Here, one can try the famous Bull’s Blood blend, which has its own festival in July. Make a stop at the Nagy Templom cathedral which is the second largest in Hungary and visit the medieval fortification located outside the city center.
When you head to Tokaj, enjoy the local vineyards in the area, which can trace their histories to the 12th century and visit the impressive village of Mad, which contains many well-preserved Jewish complexes and still has a Jewish community that lives there today.
Read Gwen Kozlowski’s Insider Guide to Budapest, and get in touch with us to help you plan your trip.
Picking up Tokaji wine from a local Tokaj vineyard and/or Bull’s Blood blend in Eger is as authentic and the ultimate souvenir you can purchase to remember your time in this historical region. This is genuinely superb wine and of the same caliber as you can find in France or in Italy. You will be surprised!!!
