Eger to Hortobágy

On the last leg of his journey, Michael Portillo arrives in the historic northern city of Eger. At its famous castle, he discovers how, during the 16th century, Ottoman invaders were defeated by a vastly outnumbered Hungarian force. It‘s a victory still celebrated to this day.

Nearby, in the foothills of the Bükk Mountains, one of Hungary’s wine-producing areas, Michael takes a tour of a family-owned vineyard and samples the region’s signature wine, Bull’s Blood.

Continuing east, his final destination is the Puszta, Hungary's largest national park, where animals have grazed for over 2,000 years. On a vast plain with endless skies, Michael is treated to an impressive display of horsemanship by Hungarian cowboys, called csikós.