Private Wine Country Day Trip to Somló and Northern Balaton (from Budapest)

Here is some useful information regarding your small-group tour:

Your guide will meet you inside the lobby of your central Budapest hotel. The scheduled time is 8am (but this can vary a bit according to the day's plan). You will travel to the beautiful Somló and northern Lake Balaton areas: about 165 kilometres from Budapest (approximately a two-hour drive in your air-conditioned minivan), a perfect destination for a relaxed day trip away from the bustling city. Feel free to ask your guide to customise your itinerary to fit any personal preferences you have, and ask any questions that come to mind.

On route, hear how Hungarian wines have gained international acclaim but are still hard to come by outside the country. Hear, too, about the unique terroir of the regions which you will be visiting.

Admire the vine-covered landscapes, and during the course of the day visit three traditional and modern country wineries to gain a balanced picture of Somló's wines and how they are produced.

Tour a vineyard to see the grapes close up, and at each winery, taste five to eight wines as your host talks you through their flavours and notes. Expect to sample both traditional and contemporary wines, with the focus on unique Hungarian varieties like furmint, juhfark, harslevelu, and welschriesling.

Between wineries, enjoy some time trekking in the lovely vineyards. Around midday, savour a 3-course lunch at a local restaurant or at a winery. Venues and menus change regularly, but lunch typically includes staples such as broths, stews, roasts and traditional desserts.

At your last winery, complement your tastings with selected cured meat and artisanal cheese, both perfect accompaniments for your wine.

Then, return to Budapest where your private tour ends with a hotel drop-off.