This area comprises the gentle hilly landscapes of southern Pannonia (the name the Romans gave to the region). Here each village has retained its ancient rural traditions and a way of life caressed by an unexpected Mediterranean climate. To get a taste of the southwest, start with the wine route of Villány-Siklós and its cuisine, sampling Somogy duck stew, carp, catfish, Prussian carp and bream. Naturally everyone claims that his own paprika is the best! Here goulash is made in a cauldron.
 

Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Europe, is known for its shallow waters that warm up very quickly in summer. This makes it a perfect tourist destination, but it is also renowned for the pike-perch which enjoy the sun's caress. On the hillsides of Badacsony, wine grapes have been grown since Roman times.

Take the route of the famous Tokaj wines. In Tokaj, the highly-reputed Rákóczi cellars house the region's best late-harvest wines.