Start your day in Ócsa with the church of the former Premontre monastery (now a Reformed church), one of the few remaining 13th-century buildings of this size in the country. Its village paintings are some of the most important medieval depictions of the legend of St Ladislaus! From here, head to Monor and Strázsa Hill, home to a thousand cellars. Have lunch in Cegléd, walk around the town centre, see the Great Reformed Church and the Kossuth Museum, but save some time for the most exciting programme, the Drum Museum! Spend the afternoon relaxing and unwinding at the Cegléd Spa.
In the morning, head to the region’s largest city, Kecskemét, where you can visit the Cifra Palace and the cartoon studio, where groups of at least five people can get a glimpse into the mysteries of cartoon-making. The Museum of Hungarian Naive Artists, the József Katona Theatre (“Jewel Box of Kecskemét”) and City Hall are all interesting sights, but the round balcony of the Great Church is also worth a look. After lunch, visit the drifting sand dunes on the outskirts of Fülöpháza and then head to Izsák, where the brother of the famous painter Tivadar Kosztka Csontváry, László Kostka, was at the forefront of the cultivation and varietal selection of the most important local grape variety, Izsáki Arany Sárfehér. You can do some wine tasting at a local winery here, making sure, of course, that you also taste some Izsáki Arany Sárfehéer. Have dinner in Kecskemét, where there is plenty of accommodation on offer too.
Set off early in the morning so that you can reach the Tiszakürt Arboretum before noon and wander amongst the magnificent trees. Head to Szarvas from here, to the shore of the Holt-Körös, where the Water Theatres, the Mini Hungary, the cruise opportunities, sporting activities (biking, kayaking, canoeing, dragon boat), the Lutheran churches, the Bolza Palace and the arboretum are all worth a mention, as is the nearby brewery in Békésszentandrás. Have lunch in Szarvas, head back and soak away your fatigue in the Cserkeszőlő baths. After a swim and some time relaxing, it’s also worth visiting the nearby Kecskemét Wine Research Centre to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into viticulture and winemaking, thus bidding farewell to the diverse landscapes and grape varieties of the Kunság Wine District.
Kunság Wine District
Visit the Shepherd’s Museum in Bugac, take a dip in Lake Vadkert and try the Soltvadkert wines!
Admire the Halas lace, have dinner in Kiskőrös and enjoy tasting some local wines!
