A vineyard worker in the Tokaj wine region. (source: Oneclick)
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The Francis II Rákóczi Manor House in Borša, Trebišov District, which shares a border with Hungary and Ukraine, is a fine renovated residence that serves as a hotel and a (art) museum. But the popular attraction for history buffs welcomes visitors for another reason on a Saturday afternoon in late May: wine.
A Tokaj wine tasting event is about to kick off. Local winemakers, including noted names such as Jaroslav Macik from Veľká Tŕňa and brands like Grand Bari from Veľká Bara and Mea Grati from Ladmovce, will try to convince fervent wine connoisseurs that their wine is the best.
All these wineries are based in the Košice Region, which visitors can also explore thanks to the comprehensive Košice Region Travel Guide full of photographs and stories.
Below is a map with all the major sights in the region:
Majer Bara offers wine experience and horses
Nearby is Majer Bara, a pension with a winery and restaurant in the village of Bara. In addition to a typical Hungarian fish soup, halászlé, or a bean stew, visitors can try duck or fish. Also, they should try the Somlói dumplings, a traditional Hungarian dessert, a rum or wine-flavoured trifle cake made of sponge cakes and custard cream, studded with raisins and topped with whipped cream.
A manor house in the village of Borša houses a museum, restaurant, and offers wine tasting activities. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
The lovely Majer Bara complex spreads out on the premises of a former cooperative. There is a beautifully renovated pension, which offers more than just a bed and breakfast, a restaurant, and a paddock for horses. Visitors can explore the vineyards on horseback, or relax in a wellness centre that has a sauna and a whirlpool in it.
For those who are interested in wine, the owners of Majer Bara have a winery in the neighbouring village of Viničky. They organise wine tastings accompanied by a tour of their production premises and tuff cellar, where they bottle wine directly from a barrel.
Treetop houses at the Malá Bara campsite. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Camping in treetops
In the village of Bara, near the local church, there is a caravan camping site. The reception is located in a charming old house. Outside the house, arriving guests can spot a wandering peacock.
Among the trees in the forest park, the campsite offers accommodation in five wooden houses, each named after a different grape variety and located 4m above the ground.
In the treetops, two wellness facilities with a hot tub and a sauna can also be found. As the camp is nearly full in late May, it means that the place enjoys much popularity but also that the summer season has already begun.
Canoeing on the Bodrog river near Borša. (source: TASR - Roman Hanc)
Water tourism coming to life
Let this guide be your key to the most ravishingly beautiful secrets of the Košice Region (www.spectacularslovakia.sk) (source: Spectacular Slovakia)
The Tokaj winemaking region is known for its vineyards and wineries, as well as for its waterways. The Bodrog river flows through the area. To the north, there is a protected landscape area around the Latorica river, making it one of Slovakia's few protected lowland areas. This area is called Medzibodrožie.
In the past, the Bodrog river could only be toured on a motor boat, connecting the Slovak village of Viničky and the Hungarian town of Sárospatak. Today, it is also possible to float on the river in a canoe. In the village of Ladmovce, a canoe rental place has recently opened on the banks of the Bodrog river. Borša is the nearest end point. It is only seven kilometres away.
"More experienced individuals who are up for a longer sightseeing tour on the Bodrog river can continue to our neighbours in Hungary, to the town of Tokaj," explains the mayor of Ladmovce, Attila Pásztor. The town of Tokaj is located over 50 kilometres downstream.
The mayor of Borša, Anna Tünde Vargová, confirms that water tourism is starting to thrive in this region, although wine tourism remains strong. The restoration of old cultural monuments is also contributing to the development of tourism. However, according to the mayor, this is not enough, as visitors are becoming increasingly demanding and are always looking for something new and exciting.
"That's why we built a historical children's playground, opened an educational trail in a protected forest, and launched a canoe and electric bicycle rental near the manor house," Vargová says.
In the future, the mayor plans to have a wharf built on the shore of the Bodrog.
Wine cellars in Malý Horeš. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Drinking wine outside Tokaj
Despite being situated outside the Tokaj area, the village of Malý Horeš also offers a great experience linked to wine. The place is home to wine cellars carved into the tuff rock, which are not as touristy as the cellars in the villages of Malá Tŕňa and Veľká Tŕňa.
The cellars are located in a beautiful setting of an agate forest. Every year in May, they host an Open Cellars Day. The popular wine event started 16 years ago with a small group of winemakers and cellars.
Those who are interested in wine tasting outside of the popular event must call local winemakers in advance, as they are usually busy working in the vineyards. Still, they are happy to show the cellars to visitors, and tell them more about the lesser-known local grape varieties.
Sandy beach by the Tisa river. (source: SME- Jozef Ryník)
Plum Days in Malé Trakany
The village of Malé Trakany hosts Plum Days, a popular local gastronomic festival that has been held for 10 years. It takes place at the end of September. The event is centered around plum products, as plums have been grown in the area for centuries.
Festival-goers can see the production of plum jam, sample plum cakes and plum brandy, both from local people and the local distillery. Additionally, there is a cultural programme featuring music and folk crafts. The local festival has grown in popularity, with attendance reaching around 2,000 people. The organiser, Zlatica Kondásová, hopes to maintain the festival's local charm. She does not wish for it to attract too large a crowd.
In addition to the festival, Malé Trakany is known for its sandy beach by the Tisa river and is home to the point where the borders of three countries meet.
Attractions in Tokaj winemaking region and Trebišov District
Pension Aqua Maria in Veľaty offers bike rental, a swimming pool with salt water, and a sandy beach.
Suspended rope bridge over the Latorica river in Ptrukša.
Latorica protected landscape area is home to rare species of fauna and flora as well as marshes.
Majer Bara: wellness, restaurant, wine tasting, and horses.
Sandy beach in Malé Trakany (accommodation at U Aranky).
Triple point: a place where the countries of Slovakia, Ukraine and Hungary meet.
Boat trips from Viničky.
Campsite Malá Bara: camp, wellness, tree houses.
Francis II Rákóczi Manor House in the village of Borša.
Canoe rental - municipal office in Ladmovce.
Tuff wine cellars in Malý Horeš.
Museum and Cultural Centre of Lower Zemplín (tourism region) in Trebišov.
Ruins of Parič Castle and Mausoleum of Count Julius Andrássy in the park in Trebišov.
Barrel-shaped Tokaj lookout tower provides views of the entire vineyard area.
Lowest point in Slovakia is in the village of Klin nad Bodrogom at 94.3 m above sea level. There, you can find an information centre and the ruins of a Gothic church.
Wine tasting: Tokaj Macik Winery, Tokaj & CO, J&J Ostrožovič, Chateau Grand Bari, Víno Vdovjak
Salt House in Veľké Trakany is a late-baroque monument from the 18th century, recalling the times when salt from all over Hungary was transported to this place along the Tisa River.
Sennyeyi Manor House in the village of Biel is a partially reconstructed manor house with a library, museum, and a tourist information centre.
Gallery of Nations in the village of Pribeník is a renovated former Jewish synagogue, serving as a gallery today.
Premonstratensian Monastery in Leles: This monastery is still functional and features Gothic frescoes. Next to the monastery is the historical Bridge of St. Gothard, which is one of the oldest stone bridges in Slovakia.
Csonkavár: The castle ruin in Kráľovský Chlmec is currently under reconstruction. It offers a nice view of the entire Medzibodrožie area.
Veľký Kamenec Castle: The ruins of the castle are easily accessible and offer a nice view of the surroundings.
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