Where the rivers of Tisza and Bodrog meet is the location of the small town of Tokaj, the central town in the Hungarian wine growing region with the same name. Actually Tokaj is only one of 28 towns and villages in the the Tokaj-Hegyalja region. But it was here it once started back in the 15th century even if there are traces of settlements in the area going back to the dawn of man. It was when Pope IV had lunch in Tokaj and fell completely in love with the wine, rumour of its superior quality started to spread across Europe. Today all of that is history and Tokaj is a nice little village full of vineyards and nesting storks.

I went for a wine tasting session at the Rakoczi Cellar, one of the more famous in town, got my own guide and a set out to try the best-of-the-best wines the house could offer. And what better thing can you do on a late afternoon than sipping excellent Tokajer wine followed by a four-course meal at the best restaurant in town. And the best of it all was that it did not make any substantial hole in my budget, which a similar exercise for sure would have done in France.

For a true wine-freak there is much to do and see in the Tokajer area. Opposite the town, on the other side of the two rivers, lies a nature reserve and there are numerous vineyards to visit and wine to buy. So why not bring your car and load up with one of the best wines on offer in this part of the world.