The famous wine producing town of Eger is situated 128km north east of Budapest and nestles in a sundried valley between the Mátra and Bükk mountain ranges. Eger is famous for its minaret, Egri Bikavér wine and the heroic legend attached to its castle.
Bikavér is a potent hair-on-your-chest brew which suits Eger’s sunbaked hillsides and colourful Mediterranean atmosphere.
Known abroad as Bull’s Blood, the wine brings thousands of tourists to the town and surrounding valleys.
A good time to visit is during the wine harvest season, in September and October, when the 'szuret' (harvest) provides the excuse for festivals, events and enthusiastic sampling of the year’s brew.
Serious drinkers go to the source. A brisk 20-minute walk away and you are in the "Valley of the Beautiful Woman".
The 'Szépasszony völgy' lies just west of town and although most guide books suggest taking a taxi, there really is no need. A relaxing walk through pleasant tree-lined suburbs will stimulate your thirst.
As you reach the brow of the hill, there it is spread out in front of you: the wine lover’s paradise.
It's a sun-baked valley, where 200 wine cellars form a horse shoe shape surrounding a grassy park. Some cellars have tables outside, some have musicians inside.
Besides Bikavér, Eger’s vineyards also produce Medoc Noir, a sweet red dessert wine, and the white Egri leányka, which is honey-coloured and slightly flavored with herbs. Wines can be sampled for around 30p a glass. Egeszségedre!! (Cheers!)

www.egertravel.hu
Szépasszonyvölgy, Eger
Google map: bit.ly/V8xbm3
szepasszonyvolgy.info

* Lucy is our Been there local for London. You can read her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/london-local-lucy-mallows.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/LucyRM.jsp

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Best part is the Valley of Beautiful Women, the famous wine district that must be visited. There are rows of wine cellars producing local wine. Combined with song and dance of locals and tourists alike, it's the best way to end the evening. Many will allow you to sample their wines for free or for very little cost. There are campfires with pots where you can also cook a meal amongst the trees.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

My husband and I went to Budapest for our honeymoon and read about Eger in a pamphlet, we decided to check it out. Train ride worth the trip while we passed scenic route in Hungary's countryside.

Located a couple of hours outside Budapest by train, it is a gorgeous Baroque town with beautiful historic sites and quaint restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops etc.

Check out www.egeronline.com for more information

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends