Thinking of taking your gastronomic tour off the beaten path? If you’ve already tasted your way through Italy and France, maybe it’s time to try something different—something a little less expected, but no less unforgettable.
Hungary and Slovenia don’t make a big show of their culinary treasures. But they offer rich, generous flavors rooted in centuries-old traditions. A glass of golden Tokaji by the river. A plate of smoked ham, wild mushrooms, or soft dumplings, served with quiet pride in a countryside inn.
These aren’t just wine regions—they’re places where food is deeply personal, and where time slows just enough for you to notice the details. From the soft hills of Brda to the cellar doors of Eger, every stop has a story—and something remarkable to pour or plate.
Ready to explore a new side of Southern Europe? Let’s begin where flavors speak louder than fame.
Hungary – Where Wine Holds Memory and Meals Tell Stories
If you're ready to explore a corner of Europe where traditions are strong and flavors come straight from the heart, Hungary will surprise you. Its wine regions may be less known, but they are quietly powerful—rooted in volcanic soil, shaped by old-world cellar doors, and always served with something soulful on the plate.
This isn’t a showy kind of wine country. It’s a place where you’re invited into cool stone cellars, handed a glass by the winemaker, and offered a taste of something that’s been simmering all afternoon. It’s generous. Grounded. And full of depth.
Let’s step into the hills, open a bottle, and see where it takes us.
Tokaj – Sweet Wines and Quiet Elegance
Begin in Tokaj, Hungary’s most famous wine region. The hills are gentle, the vineyards ancient, and the wines—from crisp dry whites to amber-colored dessert wines—carry a deep, honeyed complexity. The local specialty, Tokaji Aszú, is made from grapes affected by noble rot and aged in cool underground cellars.
Stop at Disznókő Estate, where you can explore the vineyards, tour 15th-century cellars, and taste a range of Tokaji wines straight from the barrel.
📍 Where to Stay: Grof Degenfeld Castle Hotel sits among the vines in Tarcal. With its 19th-century charm and sweeping vineyard views, it offers quiet luxury and easy access to nearby wineries.
Eger – Bull’s Blood and Baroque Streets
West of Tokaj lies Eger, a town best known for its robust red blend, Egri Bikavér—“Bull’s Blood.” Legend says it was the secret to the town’s defense against Ottoman invaders. Today, it's a spicy, structured red that reflects the character of the region.
The baroque town center is lined with cafés, pastry shops, and cozy wine bars. Just outside town, the Szépasszony-völgy (“Valley of the Beautiful Woman”) is home to dozens of family-run wine cellars carved into volcanic rock.
📍 Where to Stay: Imola Udvarház, located right in Eger’s old town, blends clean, modern design with traditional hospitality. You're steps from the castle and a short stroll from the wine cellars.
Villány – Full-Bodied Reds and Southern Charm
Hungary’s southernmost wine region, Villány, is known for its big reds—Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) thrive in its warm, sunlit hills. The wines are deep, generous, and unmistakably bold—just like the people who make them.
This is a region where cellar doors are always open. Rows of traditional whitewashed wine houses line the streets of Villány village, many still run by local families. Stop at Gere Attila Winery, a pioneer of the region’s rise, for tastings that include both international blends and local specialties.
📍 Where to Stay: Crocus Gere Wine Hotel, located right next to the winery, offers warm hospitality, spa access, and vineyard views—all designed for travelers who want to take their time.
The food in Villány is shaped by its borderland roots. Think paprika-spiced sausages, hearty stews, and Balkan-influenced dishes served with a glass of red that was made just up the road. It’s comforting, bold, and best enjoyed slowly.
What to Taste Beyond the Wine
Hungarian cuisine is bold, comforting, and deeply regional. Expect dishes slow-cooked in paprika-rich sauces—like gulyás or pörkölt—but also seasonal vegetables, freshwater fish, and specialties like foie gras, goose cracklings, or túrós csusza (sweet cottage cheese noodles). Cheeses are simple and rustic, but often take a backseat to smoked meats, savory pastries, and fruit preserves.
Slovenia – Where the Alps Meet the Vine
Slovenia feels like a secret well kept. Tucked between Italy, Austria, and the Balkans, it gathers the best of its neighbors—and yet holds firmly to its own way of doing things. The landscapes are wild and peaceful, the traditions old but proudly alive, and the food… quietly spectacular.
This is a country where wine still feels deeply connected to nature. Cellars are often family-run. Vineyards grow on slopes with forest just behind them. And whether you’re sipping crisp white in a mountain village or full-bodied red near the coast, what’s on the plate is just as memorable.
There’s cheese, yes—but also wildflower honey, air-dried ham, fresh river trout, and walnut-stuffed pastries that taste like someone’s grandmother still made them by hand.
Let’s begin in the rolling hills of western Slovenia, where the sun, soil, and sea all leave their mark.
Goriška Brda – Soft Hills and Bold Whites
Just a few steps from the Italian border, Goriška Brda feels like a quieter cousin of Tuscany—olive trees, stone villages, and vines stretching over sun-drenched slopes. This is Slovenia’s most beloved wine region, known for its rebula (ribolla), sauvignonasse, and small-production reds with depth and personality.
You won’t find giant estates here—just family wineries, passed down through generations, many with tasting rooms in converted farmhouses. Try Movia Winery, one of the region’s most respected names, for elegant natural wines and cellar tastings with a view.
📍 Where to Stay: Belica House, in the village of Medana, offers rooms with vineyard views, a seasonal menu based on local ingredients, and walking distance to several wineries.
Pair your glass with Tolminc, a firm cow’s milk cheese from the nearby Soča Valley, or with a platter of Kraški pršut—Slovenia’s answer to prosciutto, air-dried and full of flavor from the salty wind off the Adriatic.
Velika Planina – Alpine Meadows and Shepherd Traditions
High in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, Velika Planina feels like a step back in time. Wooden shepherd huts dot the green plateau, and in summer, cows graze freely while smoke curls from chimneys. It’s here you’ll find Trnič, one of Slovenia’s most unique cheeses—small, firm, and traditionally shaped by hand into decorative heart-like forms.
The area is also known for its fresh sour milk, herbal spreads, and simple meals built from what the mountain gives. After a hike or cable car ride up, sit at a wooden bench, sip a glass of Laški Riesling or Pinela, and try the local žganci (buckwheat mash) with cracklings or stewed mushrooms.
📍 Where to Stay: Chalet Košutnik, in nearby Stahovica, offers warm Alpine hospitality with views of the peaks. It’s the perfect base for exploring Velika Planina and nearby mountain dairies.
This region is less about polished tasting rooms—and more about authenticity. The food is rustic, the air is clear, and the welcome is quiet but heartfelt.
Vipava Valley – Wind, Stone, and Unexpected Elegance
Tucked between limestone hills and the Adriatic breeze, Vipava Valley is one of Slovenia’s best-kept secrets. The climate here is gentle, the soils diverse, and the wines—especially Zelen, Pinela, and Malvasia—are elegant, bright, and quietly complex. The strong local wind, burja, shapes both the land and the people who work it.
Many of the valley’s winemakers still live where they grow. Cellars are carved into stone, and tastings often happen around kitchen tables or in converted barns. One standout is Tilia Estate, known for both reds and whites that reflect the valley’s unique balance of sun and wind.
📍 Where to Stay: Majerija House, nestled above the valley in the village of Slap, offers charming rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, and walking access to local vineyards.
Food here is deeply regional. You’ll find herb-crusted lamb, wild asparagus in spring, and house-smoked meats served with crusty bread and local olive oil. And yes, there’s cheese too—often aged in cloth, soft and aromatic, made in small dairies just outside town.
Štajerska – Crisp Whites and Hillside Quiet
Slovenia’s northeast is cooler, greener, and a little gentler than its coastal cousins. In Štajerska (Styria), the vineyards climb rolling hills near Maribor and Ptuj—making wines that are fresh, bright, and full of mountain air. This is where you’ll find elegant Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, and Furmint—often with delicate fruit notes and crisp minerality.
The region is also home to the world’s oldest grapevine, still growing in Maribor’s old town after more than 400 years. But the real charm lies in the hills—where wine cellars open up to hazy valley views, and each glass is poured with quiet pride.
Stop at Dveri-Pax Estate, a former Benedictine winery with a long tradition and a peaceful setting among the vines. Their whites are expressive and refined, perfect for pairing with local cheeses or cold meats.
📍 Where to Stay: Hiša Denk in Zgornja Kungota is about 25 minutes from the estate. This boutique guesthouse combines modern design with thoughtful tasting menus—blending wine, food, and landscape into one slow experience.
What to Taste Beyond the Wine
Slovenian food is shaped by mountains, forests, and the sea—and it shows on every plate. Alongside the wine, you’ll find air-dried meats, homemade breads, wild mushrooms, and cheeses aged in Alpine dairies or family cellars. Dishes are seasonal and humble, but full of care and character.
Cheese here ranges from sharp Tolminc to the playful shapes of Trnič, with textures and flavors that shift from valley to mountain. But don’t be surprised if your glass of wine is paired instead with a slice of pršut, a scoop of horseradish cream, or a flaky walnut potica for dessert. Every region brings something of its own—and every meal feels like part of a story.
Stay Connected While You Travel
In places where everything moves a little slower—where you're driving through mountain passes or stopping for wine at a village gate—a reliable connection gives you freedom without interruption. Whether you're navigating rural roads in Slovenia or checking a winery’s hours in Hungary, staying connected makes the journey smoother.
The Hungary JetSet eSIM and Slovenia JetSet eSIM offer fast, dependable coverage with no roaming charges or unexpected fees. They’re designed for travelers who want to explore at their own pace, without having to worry about local SIM cards or patchy Wi-Fi.
You can get your JetSet eSIM before you leave and activate it the moment you arrive. And if you ever need another during your trip, ordering one online takes just minutes.
So you can stay focused on the food, the views, and the places worth remembering—and let your connection quietly take care of the rest.
