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Lake Balaton and Somló Lake Balaton—known as the Hungarian Sea—is a resort destina- tion not only for locals but for international guests traveling to the city of Siófok for its active nightlife. The wines here are refreshing, and so is the new wave of restaurants, such as Restaurant Kistücsök, the enchant- ing Márga Bistro of Szent Donát Winery and Bock Bistro, owned by the famous winemaker József Bock from Villány. Somló, Hungary's smallest wine region, is just a stone's throw from Lake Balaton. A 500-meter extinct volcano, Somló produces complex, crisp whites from a few dozen winemakers. Once here, try wines made from Hungarian varieties Furmint, Hárslevelu " and Juhfark, but also save time to visit the castle of Somló, enjoy the food and marvelous wines at Kreinbacher Estate or Tornai Winery and take in magnificent views from the uniquely furnished apartments of 5 Ház Borbirtok Estate. august 2017 / the tasting panel / 121 The Kreinbacher Estate is located in the Somló region. The Rákóczi Castle from Sárospatak in Tokaj lies along an ancient wine-trading route. crisp winemakers. made Furmint, but castle marvelous Estate in uniquely Ház The Pearl of the Danube, Budapest is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe and has several World Heritage Sites, including Buda Castle, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway. Tokaj Birthplace of the world-famous Tokaji Aszú wine, Tokaj was declared the world's first appellation in 1737 and has been famous for its noble sweet wine for centuries. A relatively small region of 5,500 hectares of vineyards, Tokaj, with its winemaking culture and tradi- tions, has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The region is filled with activity in July, including the Bor, Mámor, Bénye festival in the charming village of Erdo " bénye and the Mád Furmint Festival in the village of Mád. Tokaj- Hegyalja Market, an artisan market held on the second Sunday of every month next to the restaurant Sárga Borház, is not to be missed. For fine dining, check out Gusteau or Elso " Mádi Borház, or the restaurant of Gróf Degenfeld Castle Hotel. For those look- ing for more active ways to discover the area's treasures, Tokaj is a popular spot for canoeing tours and kayaking. Budapest A world-class destination with cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, breathtaking views, majestic hotels and stunning gastronomy, Budapest is a must- see for global travelers. It would be a challenge to list all the city's natural and man- made attractions. But it is worth heading to the surrounding wine regions, all of which can be reached within an hour's drive. Etyek is the most famous, well- known for its elegant traditional- method sparkling wines. All the exciting wines of Etyek can be discovered during Etyeki Piknik, a festival held four times a year to celebrate the seasons. Further west is Mór, one of the smallest wine regions of Hungary. Its irresistible boutique wines can be sampled during the Wine Days of Mór. Once at Mór, it would be a shame to miss Pannonhalma, where you will find the Archabbey (also a UNESCO site), plus its modern winery with guided tours and tastings.