Dear Friends,
The Pannonia Wine Sisterhood will host the second edition of the F.I.C.B. International Wine Tasting and Rating Challenge in Hungary.
The main program will be held in Budapest, from May 23 to May 26, 2024
followed by the extension program in Tokaj, from May 26 to May 28, 2024
In addition to beautiful historic cities and wine regions you will be pampered by superb gastronomic, wine and touristic programs including individual blind tasting competition and a collective rating of all the wines served during the event.
The Ladies of the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood are very much looking forward to your visit to Hungary!
We can’t wait to meet you,
Ildiko Koncz Grand Master and the Ladies of the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood
| Thursday, May 23, 2024 | Friday, May 24, 2024 | Saturday, May 25, 2024 |
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Arrival in Budapest, meet & greet at the airport by the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood Transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Beke Check-in at the hotel |
09:00-10:15 Individual Blind tasting at the hotel 10:30 Leave for your coach tour: “Rendez-vous with Budapest” covering the most important sights of the twin city Buda and Pest (Castle Area, Heroes’ Square, Andrassy avenue, State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Margaret island and the bridges of Budapest) |
09:00-10:15 Individual Blind tasting at the hotel 10:30 Leave for Gödöllő, explore the countryside 11:15 Visit to Sisi's favorite baroque palace in Hungary |
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Lunch on own |
13:00-14:45 Lunch at Restaurant Robinson |
13:00 Lunch and Fourth collective wine rating at Restaurant Queen Elisabeth |
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Time at leisure 17:00-18:00 Registration 18:00-18:45 Welcome reception hosted by the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood |
14:45 Enthronization Ceremony by the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood 16:00-18:00 Time at leisure (our suggestions: Visit to the National Gallery and the former Royal Castle’s courtyards, Visit to the Great Market Hall, Shopping in the Vaci street or just relax) |
15:00 Transfer back to Budapest 15:45 Time at leisure (our suggestions: Shopping, Szechenyi thermal bath, Stroll around the hotel, or just relax) |
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19:00 Dinner at the hotel - First collective wine rating |
18:45 Transfer to the downtown pier, to board Boat Budapest and have the Third collective wine rating aboard with dinner |
19:00 Gala dinner at the Hotel, Fifth collective wine rating, Award ceremony, dancing, party |
| Sunday, May 26, 2024 | Monday, May 27, 2024 | Tuesday, May 28, 2024 |
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Sparkling Farewell breakfast at the hotel, check out 09:30 Transfer to the airport or 09:30 Leave for Tokaj via Eger Start of the extension program |
09:00 Leave for your special Tokaj discovery tour Visit to Patricius Winery Visit to Oremus Winery (Vega Sicilia) A real jewel of Tokaj |
Check-out 9:00 Transfer to Budapest airport and the downtown by coach From 14:00 Departure from Budapest Airport |
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11:30 Short walk in the downtown of Eger, incl. the Cathedral, Dobo square, Lyceum, followed by Wine Lunch at Fuzio at 13:00 Visit to the Wine cellar of Tibor Gal – a name in Eger – as famous as the Castle itself Taste the Winery’s award winning red wines |
13:00 Lunch at Restaurant Aszúház Meet the Winemakers of the region and taste their fantastic wines |
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15:00 Leave for Tokaj 17:00 Check-in at the Andrassy Manor and Spa |
15:30 Transfer back to the hotel 16:00 Time at leisure, enjoy the spa |
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18:30 Short walk to the Wine Research Institute to hear about the wine region and the world-known Tokaji ASZU method Dinner composed to the lady wine makers’ wines of Tokaj. |
19:00 Farewell Dinner at the Andrassy Manor and Spa Enjoy the unforgettable wines of the Szepsy Winery |
Historical atmosphere with modern comfort
Located in Budapest City Centre on the Grand Boulevard, just 10 minutes drive from the city centre
| Rating | 4 star superior |
| Total No. of bedrooms in hotel | 239 rooms & 8 suites |
| Total No. of bedrooms offered | 50 Double rooms |
| Fittness/leisure | Indoor swimming pool and sauna |
| Dates available | May 23-26 2024 |
| Booking status | Booked |
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Arrival at the airport You will be greeted by members of the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood Transfer to the hotel Transfer time is approximately 40 minutes Check in at the hotel |
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| 17:00-18:00 | Registration desk will be open at the lobby |
| 18:00-18:45 | Welcome reception offered by the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood at the hotel: Venice, Romeo and Juliet rooms |
| 19:00-21:00 |
Welcome dinner at Shakespeare room First collective wine rating |
Dress code for the evening: smart casual.
For the welcome reception: Brotherhood attire
| 07:00-09:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
| 09:00-10:15 | Individual Blind tasting at the hotel at Zsolnay room |
| 10:30-13:00 |
Rendez-vous with Budapest - city tour by coach and walk This tour gives you an exciting opportunity to learn as much as possible about Budapest, spiced up with some great views. |
| 13:00-14:45 |
Lunch at Restaurant Robinson Second collective wine rating |
| 14:45 | Enthronization ceremony by the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood |
| 15:30 | Return to the hotel or time at leisure (Castle area, Market hall, shopping) |
| 18:45 | Meet at the lobby for your coach transfer for the evening program |
| 19:00 |
Dinner cruise on the Danube Third collective wine rating During our cruise you will see the illuminated former Royal Palace, the Castle area, Gellert hill, Margaret island, Palace of Arts, National Theatre and of course the Parliament and the beautiful bridges of the capital |
Dress code for the day: casual, comfortable walking shoes.
For those guests who will be enthronized: Brotherhood attire
Dress code for the evening: smart casual
100 guests
Cocktails will be served on the lower deck
Dinner will be offered on the upper deck
Magnificent evening views of illuminated bridges and stately buildings create the backdrop for our dinner while cruising the scenic Danube
Pass by the Gellért Hill, the famous Gellért Bath and Hotel, the Technical University and the Market Hall with the University of Economics, the Castle District, the Buda Hills, the Parliament and the Margaret Island
| 07:00-09:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
| 09:00-10:15 | Individual Blind tasting at Zsolnay room |
| 10:30 |
Leave for Gödöllő After a 45 minute drive arrive in this charming city, where we will offer you a short visit to Gödöllő Palace, being one of the most important monuments of Hungarian baroque palace architecture, Sisi's favourite palace |
| 13:00 - 15:00 |
Lunch at Restaurant Queen Elisabeth Fourth Collective Wine rating |
| 15:00 | Return to the hotel |
| 15:45 - 19:00 | Time at leisure, Shopping (Visit to Szechenyi Bath or Stroll around the hotel) |
| 19:00 |
Gala dinner at the Hotel, Shakespeare and Juliet room Fifth collective wine rating Award ceremony, dancing, party |
Dress code for the day: casual, comfortable walking shoes
Dress code for the evening: evening attire
| 07:00-09:00 | Sparkling Farewell Breakfast at the hotel |
| 09:30 | Leave for the airport or |
| 09:30 | Leave for the Extension Program by coach |
| 11:30 | Arrival in Eger, get acquainted with this beautiful baroque city, see Hungary’s second largest Cathedral, stroll around Dobo Square, the Lyceum and recall the famous story of Eger Castle and that of the Minaret |
| 13:00 |
Lunch at Fuzio, a combination of a wine cellar and a bistro by the very famous Gal Tibor Winery We would not miss the award winning red wines of the Winery including two special blends, Stars of Eger and the Bull’s blood, both fantasy names to remember the history of Eger |
| 15:00 | Transfer to Tokaj |
| 17:00 | Check in at the Andrassy Manor and Spa, a gorgeous five star property of the region |
| 18:30 |
Short walk to the classical building of the Wine Research Institute to get first hand information about the entire wine region – which was awarded the very first official wine region of the world, that boasted wine production in the 5th century already. Learn how to make the best ASZU wines of the world. Enjoy a great dinner composed to the wines of the Lady Wine makers of the area. |
| 21:30 | 5 minute walk back to the hotel |
Dress code for the day: casual, comfortable walking shoes
Dress code for the evening: smart casual
Classic, historic, hunting lodge atmosphere with excellent spa facilities
Downtown Tarcal, in Tokaj wine region
| Rating | 5 star superior |
| Total No. of bedrooms in hotel | 52 rooms |
| Total No. of bedrooms offered | 30 Double rooms/suites |
| Fittness/leisure | Spa & massage |
| Dates available | May 26-28, 2024 |
| Booking status | Booked |
| 07:00-09:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
| 09:00 | Transfer to Tokaj |
| 09:30-13:00 |
Get acquainted with our most famous wine region, Tokaj. Visit two totally different Wineries, listen to their stories, taste the wines, called Kings of the Wines, Wines of the Kings… Our first stop is Winery Patricius with its fantastic wines and great views The second one to visit is the opposite in style, Winery Oremus, a real jewel of Tolcsva, owned by Vega Sicilia |
| 13:00-15:30 |
Lunch at the Aszúház restaurant in Mad Meet the winemakers of this very famous settlement, Mad and taste their excellent wines |
| 15:30 | Transfer back to our hotel in Tarcal |
| 16:00 | Time at leisure, enjoy the beautiful spa of our hotel |
| 19:00 |
Farewell dinner at the hotel, complemented with the wines of Szepsy Winery - best winery of Europe 2022 Unforgettable wines and a great dinner to say Goodbye |
Dress code for the day: casual, comfortable walking shoes
Dress code for the evening: smart casual
| 08:00-10:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
| 09:00 | Leave for the airport in Budapest |
| 12:30 | Arrive at the airport |
| 13:00 |
Arrive at downtown Budapest (in case of staying longer in Budapest) Please note, transfer time from Eger Tokaj to the airport takes approx. 3,5 hours Please allow 1,5 hours for European flights’ check-in and 2 hours for oversee flight’s check-in. Please book your flight departing after 14:00 |
| Accommodation based in double Superior room | Single Superior room accommodation |
| EUR 1.400,- per person in a Superior double room | EUR 1.690,- per person in a Superior single room |
| EUR 75,- surcharge for Premium room for 3 nights | EUR 75,- surcharge for Premium room for 3 nights |
| EUR 330,- surcharge for a Suite for 3 nights | EUR 330,- surcharge for a Suite for 3 nights |
| Enthronement of the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood. One member per Wine Brotherhood is complimentary | EUR 150 per person |
| Accommodation based in double Superior room | Single Superior room accommodation |
| EUR 950,- per person in a Superior double room | EUR 1.128,- per person in a Superior single room |
| EUR 220,- surcharge for a Premium suite for 2 nights | EUR 220,- surcharge for a Premium Suite for 2 nights |
| Enthronement of the Pannonia Wine Sisterhood. One member per Wine Brotherhood is complimentary | EUR 150 per person |
Rules for the 2024 F.I.C.B. International Wine Tasting and Rating Challenge – please click here
Supply of wines: Detailed information will be sent at a later stage
Registration is open until October 15, 2023
Registration form: please click here
Registration deposit of EUR 300,- per person is due not later than October 15, 2023
final payment is due not later than January 31, 2024
By credit card or Bank transfer, for details please refer to the Registration form
| Cancellation by 15 February 2024 | 75% refund of full payment minus EUR 100,- processing fee per person |
| Cancellation by 15 March 2024 | 50% refund of full payment minus EUR 100,- processing fee per person |
| Cancellation after 15 March 2024 | no refund |
Any cancellation must be confirmed in writing by the person who made the original booking
Any costs incurred to collect or refund monies owed will be the sole financial responsibility of the registrant
In case of force majeure, travel restrictions by WHO or the respective country: full refund minus EUR 100,- per person processing fee. For those guests who have registered for the cancelled 2022 Wine Tasting and Rating challenge, there will be a refund of EUR 100.- per person as promised.
The event will be organized in case of minimum 50 participants.
Our registration website will be open as of July 1, 2023.
Ildiko Keményné Koncz
Grand Master of Pannonia Wine Sisterhood
Mobile: +36 20 953 9006
E-mail: registration@ficbwinechallenge2024.hu
E-mail: ikoncz55@gmail.com
https://ficbwinechallenge2024.hu
IMS Budapest, Eva Makai
Ambassador of Pannonia Wine Sisterhood
Mobile: +36 30 952 6625
E-mail: registration@ficbwinechallenge2024.hu
E-mail: eva.makai@ims-budapest.com
https://ficbwinechallenge2024.hu
