Kalocsa, Hungary

  • Cowboy riding multiple horses outdoors

Once the seat of the archbishop, the cultural center of Kalocsa is more than 1,000 years old. The quaint town, surrounded by 8,000 acres of farmland growing fiery red peppers, is brimming with traditional Hungarian culture and steeped in the piquant flavors of paprika, the “red gold” that has been giving local goulash its distinctive taste for centuries. The world’s first Paprika Museum chronicles the spice’s history. The streets are adorned with bright murals of floral motifs, which create a cheery ambience for browsing craft-filled shops. Hungary’s artistic heritage takes center stage at the House of Folk Arts museum.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.

Historic church with twin towers under blue sky

Kalocsa & Puszta

Visit one of Hungary’s major cultural centers and attend a breathtaking display of traditional horsemanship.

Included
Historic church with twin towers under blue sky

Kalocsa & Puszta

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes      

Hungary’s Capital of Paprika and Equestrian Arts

Visit one of Hungary’s major cultural centers and attend a breathtaking display of traditional horsemanship. Depart your ship for a short drive to the city of Kalocsa, where a rich history is flavored by the town’s renowned peppery paprika. In Holy Trinity Square, you will see the splendid cathedral and admire the Archbishop’s Palace. After a short organ concert at St. Joseph Church, continue to the Bakodpuszta Equestrian Center. The people of the Hungarian Puszta region have long relied on horses for transportation, settlement and defense of their land. Many locals worry that their country’s equestrian connection is being lost to a motorized world, so they hold fast to rural ways and to their four-legged comrades, elevating horsemanship to an art form. Witness the sometimes acrobatic culmination of this long-cherished relationship during a thrilling show.

* Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.
Rustic wine cellar with barrels and bottles

The Art of Cooperage & Hungarian Wine Making

Enjoy a fascinating experience at a Hungarian vineyard during a wine barrel-making demonstration and a tasting.
Rustic wine cellar with barrels and bottles

The Art of Cooperage & Hungarian Wine Making

Duration: 5 hours      

Visit a Vineyard for a Tour and Tasting

Enjoy a fascinating experience at a Hungarian vineyard during a wine barrel-making demonstration and a tasting. Journey to the Antinori-owned Tűzkő Estate, where you will meet your host, who will take you on a ride through the vineyard in a 4x4 jeep. Admire the terraced vines and enjoy a tasting at the viewing platform; some of the wine from the estate is available on your Viking ship. In the estate’s workshop, watch a master cooper at work and learn about the process of making a wine barrel, from selecting the right oak and cutting the staves to assembling the barrel. Witness the “toasting” of the staves and learn how integral this part of the process is in defining the wine’s properties. Cap your tour with a visit to the wine cellar for a tasting of a selection of wines, accompanied by snacks. You will be able to purchase wine to take home, before returning to your ship.

* Demanding - Physically challenging activities, including extensive walks, hiking, riding, water sports, and high altitude activities. Activities by foot may contain difficult, unpaved surfaces and/or multiple stairs and steep inclines. Total time walking or standing may exceed 3 hours.
Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Videos

Hearty beef stew with vegetables

Cooking with Karine: Goulash

Explore Budapest’s Great Market Hall and learn how to make goulash, Hungary’s rich, hearty dish seasoned with paprika and packed with flavor.