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Day 1: Boldogkőváralja

Arrival in Boldogkőváralja, checking in at the accommodation. In order to celebrate this, we toast with a glass of apricot pálinka, or apricot syrup for those under 18, while we can't help feeling extremely lucky to have wound up at such a picturesque place. Admiring the view of the castle, we get tuned to the weekend that awaits us rich in apricots.

Day 2: Vizsoly

A healthy and rich breakfast made from local products, featuring apricot yogurt or, in its season, the fresh fruit. We make a trip to the castle, which we admired last night when it was lit up and where, in addition to the exhibitions of archaeology, numismatics, military history, flags and coats of arms, there is a blacksmith's workshop and a castle prison. Escape from the latter is guaranteed! At the Castle of Boldogkő, you can find yourself back in your childhood: the major battles of Central Europe that shaped Hungarian history are presented through lead soldiers. There are breath-taking views from the castle bastions and the programmes include costume shows and knights' tournaments recalling the era of the Middle Ages. You can have lunch in the castle's medieval restaurant if you wish and then take a walk to the nearby apricot orchard with a guide. A trip follows in the afternoon in your own car to the country's only honey museum in Vizsoly, where you can taste genuine, special honeys with healing powers. The farm, elected the Apiary of the Year in 2016, is presented by its dedicated owner, Gergő Mézes. While in Vizsoly, you will have the chance to see one of the first copies of the original Vizsoly Bible kept in the Árpád-era church of the village. Dinner is served on the beautifully laid terrace of our guest house with its million stars and you can taste apricot jam, which you will later see filled into pancakes.

Day 3: Regéc - Encs

Our breakfast selection comes from local farmers: homemade dairies, meat and eggs from free-range hens served with crispy, freshly baked bakeries. Then you'll take an excursion to the Castle of Regéc, one of the stops along the Rákóczi Tour, to discover the wonderful features of Zemplén Mountains. On your way, you will notice that you are in one of the most beautiful regions of the country and you will start looking at the "House for sale" signs. We provide you with a map for the tour with a detailed description and a guide on request. The tour takes around 3 hours and it is of average difficulty as you need to overcome a difference in altitude of 530 metres. Your lunch comes out of the lovingly packed picnic basket. You will certainly find some homemade sweet Rákóczi cottage cheese cake made with Gönc apricot jam. The famous prince spent his childhood in the Castle of Regéc. It is worth stopping by the Visitor's Center offering a permanent exhibition on this, featuring multimedia experience elements and finds from the castle. In the afternoon you can learn everything you need to know about the apricot of Gönc and high quality pálinka production at Bestillo House of Pálinka. Your dinner at Bestillo is supplied by Anyukám Mondta, winner of the Best Rural Restaurant of the Year award. Special local stories and legends about the apricot of Gönc add extra flavour to the guided tour of the brewery and the tasting of premium pálinkas. Shopping possibility at the gift shop of Bestillo.

Day 4: departure back home

After breakfast you can think it over in what form you will take the tastes of Zemplén with you as you do a hearty shopping of local products. Premium pálinkas, fine wines and genuine homemade jam of Gönc apricots await to be packed in the boot of the car. If you drive through Miskolc, we highly recommend paying a visit at the outlet called Pizza, Coffee and World Peace – just for the sake of world peace.

Seeking out the apricot of Gönc