From Budapest: Wine &History Day Tour with Lunch and Palinka

Visit two countries in one trip! Explore Hungary's largest basilica, get panoramic views of the Danube bend, and taste the best wines of the region in a beautiful vineyard. Dine in a local restaurant for an authentic Hungarian dish, before sampling traditional Palinkas. Begin with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned minibus. From there, enjoy the 45-55 minute drive to the Neszmély wine region through the hilly landscape of the Pilis Mountains. After arriving in the village of Kesztölc, you'll visit an exceptional, charming vineyard, known by wine lovers for its unique organic and traditional wine selection. The winery produces a small amount of wine each year, which is mostly sold in selected restaurants and from their cellars. You'll tour the cellar and taste 6 wines from their selection with traditional snacks, as the wine-grower provides explanations and answers your questions about the hard work of making wine. Next, go to the Basilica of Esztergom, the largest basilica in Hungary and the 4th largest in Europe. After admiring the magnificent sculptures and frescoes of the church, it is worth climbing the stairs up to the dome. From up there, the view over the Danube Bend is breathtaking. From the basilica, you'll take a short walk to the restaurant Csülök Csárda. The restaurant itself has a long history, with its cellar having been built in medieval times. It will be there you will have lunch, which will consist of the country's favorite traditional dishes. The restaurant also has a great selection of the Hungarian spirit "palinka". Your guide will explain the origin and making of this strong drink before you finish your day with 3 samples of different flavors from palinka. Before or after lunch, you will be able to have a brief visit in Slovakia. You can see the basilica from the other side of the Danube river and take pictures on a 10-15min bypass. At the end of the tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Budapest.