food and wine tours in europe

Food & wine tours small groups, local experience

Food N’ Wine Vacations ™is a tour designer company, specializing in culinary, cooking and wine tours in Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain & Slovenia.

We create and operate our own tours, the kinds that feel like traveling with knowledgeable friends. Our programs, which led by local guides, include places and experiences you couldn’t find on your own or in a guidebook.

Our tours are known for immersing our guests in the local lifestyle. To ensure you will have a complete personal experience, our groups are small and we stay in privately owned estates in unique settings.

Explore Italy – Culinary & Wine Tours

Secrets of Tuscany

Tuscany wine Tour

The Best of Sicily

Dreamin' Amalfi Coast

Discover Piemonte

Colors of Puglia

Veneto Food & wine Tour

Culinary Paradise

Explore france – culinary vacations & wine tours.

Best of Provence Tour

Bordeaux Classique

Enchanting Dordogne

Taste Burgundy Like A Local

Champagne Tour

Explore spain culinary vacations.

The Splendor of Andalucia

Spanish Roads adventure

Rioja Wine Tour

Explore greece, explore portugal, explore slovenia.

Greek Islands Fantasy

Heart of Portugal Tour

Explore Slovenia Tour

Explore greek, best of provence.

Just got back from this group’s tour. We can say enough about the owner’s ability to get our small group to private artisanal tastings, amazing markets and local special meals and wonderful settings. Had the best time. My husband and i were wowed by the experiences, and all our packed local salts, spreads, wine, and ceramics made it home safely.

Food and wine Tour Tuscany

Our trip to tuscany was truly a vacation. Every day was a unique and fulfilling experience on none stop food, wine and site seeing. The villa and Valter, our host, chef and tour guide made it even more special. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to experience Italy.

(Peggy, NC)

David and I can’t begin to tell you what a trip of a lifetimethe trip to Provence was for us. You took care of everything down to the slightest detail. All we had to do is show up and enjoy!!!! All the people that were involved were exceptional!!! The people, the wine, the food and places we visited were tops!!!!!!! We highly recommend the trip and also highly recommend you to everyone. We feel like family.

Smadar, what a wonderful trip! You really have put together the best of Provence. I don’t think I’m speaking just for myself when I say we loved the Bastide. Our tour guide was the best. She loves her region so much, and that came accross in all that she did to show us Provence. We are all still talking about the wonderful experience of lunch at Lolo’s, lunch in Les Halles in Avignon, dinner in the butcher shop, cooking with David, etc. etc. Can you tell that we enjoyed the food? The travels to the hill towns, the Sunday market, Cassis . . . . everything was special.

I’m so glad we found you and Food N’ Wine Vacations.

Ben and Kirsten (PA)

Our trip was fabulous and our tour guide was the very best. She was vivacious, showed her love for all things in Provence – the people, the history, and of course, the food and wine. This was no cookie cutter trip – we felt like we were the only tourists wherever we went. I would recommend this trip to all my friends.

Monica & Henry (NJ)

We are excited to put on paper how much we loved our “Food and Wine”vacation to Provence. From the moment we found your site on by Vid-Saver" href="/review-food-and-wine-vacations-2/">the internet and spoke with you, everything was handled so efficiently and professionally. You were always concerned with our particular needs and requests and you went out of your way to accommodate us.

Our week in Provence was awesome and everything went like clockwork. We loved our guide. We enjoyed all the towns and villages you chose for us to visit. The restaurants, the lunch picnics our cooking by Vid-Saver" href="/review-food-and-wine-vacations-2/">classes with chef Philippe were all amazing and the food delicious.

We look forward to another one of your trips in the near future.

Food and Wine Tour Tuscany

Wendy &david (ohio).

Everything was amazing! Definitely a trip of a lifetime (so far!) The villa was absolutely beautiful. We cooked and ate so much amazing food and wine. It was certainly a packed itinerary, but Dan and I really enjoyed getting to see so much in such a short amount of time. Our chef/guide was an absolute treasure. He made the experience priceless! The weather was perfect. It rained one day, but it was the day we went to the market in by Vid-Saver" href="/review-food-and-wine-vacations-2/">Pistoia and came back to the villa to make lunch and lounge all day so it really didn’t interfere with anything.

The other couple on the trip couldn’t have been better. They were a great couple from New Hampshire.

Dan and I are actually going to try to make a couple of the dishes from our trip for dinner tonight!

Tuscany Wine Tour – Private Group

We had a marvelous time in Italy! Tuscany was our favorite part of the trip—the food and wine tour. We enjoyed every minute of it from staying at the villa and sharing great times with all of the other people to our daily adventures touring the wineries, having fantastic lunches, visiting the villages and learning about their history to the cooking classes. We could not have asked for more!

Thanks to you and Ben for making it a memorable trip of a lifetime!

Hope to see you again in the future!

Customized Tour To Tuscany

Smadar, We had the trip of a lifetime. Paolo and the family were absolutely wonderful. Each day was a new and exciting. Thank you so much for providing us such a beautiful experience. I will send you a link with photos. Thank you again.

One day wine tour for a wedding group in Tuscany

We all had a wonderful time on the wine tour. Our guide was excellent and really knew her stuff. I would say that we liked the second winery much better than the first, but I think for comparisons sake it was good to see the smaller one and then the castle one. We did not get back to the villa until 6:30 that evening so I would certainly say that we all got our money’s worth. WE appreciated the walking tour of Castellina and we saw the Etruscan tombs as well. Thanks so much for arranging this for me and I would definitely use your company again. Everything went off without a “hitch”.

Many, many thanks,

Tuscany Wine Tour

Diane and ken.

Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip to Tuscany. The Villa was beautiful and the food was excellent. The hosts at the villa couldn’t have been nicer. We loved the wine tours and Paolo was an outstanding tour guide. Having the opportunity to be part of two cooking classes also made us feel that we were experiencing the real Tuscany. We also very much enjoyed our side trip to Cinque Terra. Thank you for all your help and for organizing the trip. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Marilyn Rudolph and family

We were delighted to meet you as well – so glad your trip coincided with ours. I’m happy to share some feedback – could go on and on and on, but won’t do that to you 🙂

Our entire experience, from first contact with you helping me to decide between Provence or Tuscany, through all of the planning, and then certainly, our amazing trip to Provence, was above and beyond expectations.

Everyone in my family agrees that our trip could not have been better – the personalized itinerary, the excellent accommodations, the foods, wine and beautiful scenery, and certainly, having Claire as our private guide for the week. Time went all too quickly – it was very hard to leave Provence – we would do it all over again without hesitation.

Thank you so much for helping to create very special experiences and memories that will last a lifetime for my family. I look forward to planning a trip to Tuscany with you – we’ll be back! Again, thank you, and please pass on our very big thank you to Claire!!

Food & Wine, Chateaux & Bordeaux

We had a fantastic time! Champagne was very nice – the lunch was delicious, the champagne very tasty (we both purchased a bottle to take home), the guide friendly and knowledgeable, and the group we were with quite fun.

Bordeaux was amazing the chef and the driver were so friendly and accomodating and the itinerary was much more than we even imagined. Both Laura and I had thought before the trip that we were getting to do quite a bit, but the experience itself was even better (like the walking tour of Bordeaux – we didn’t know prior to arriving that was on the schedule, but we were so pleased with the tour). All the chateaux we visited were beautiful, the wine fantastic and the food (especially the food from the cooking classes) delicious. What really pushed this holiday over the top for me though was the chef and the driver (who besides driving us, was full of information and used our camera to get pictures everywhere we went, so Laura and I could enjoy the tours without worrying about getting pictures).

I would definitely recommend this trip to friends and colleagues (and in fact already have). If this is indicative of your other tours, I can’t wait to go on more!

Paula (Israel)

I just got back from Umbria, Italy. We were a group of friends celebrating our 50th birthdays. The trip was very well organized with attention to details. I can definitely say it was a trip of a lifetime. We truly experienced Italy in a most authentic way. We got to visit many places that were less touristy and off the beaten path, which was amazing, small family-owned farms, wineries and of course fantastic restaurants that were not full of tourists. So we really got the feel of an Italian experience. The day tours were filled with beautiful sites, we got to experience 2 great festivals as well, one was the flower festival in Spello, which words cannot even begin to describe. The other was a medieval festival where the whole town was transformed to that period of time.

When we chose Umbria, most of us had never really heard of it. But it turned out to be one of the most beautiful areas I had ever visited in Italy. I would definitely recommend it. The only negative thing I can say about this trip was that it was too short ! I will definitely be going back there. Thank you Food N’ Wine Vacations for organizing the best trip ever !!

Tuscany Trip Sep 2014

Joe and pam (new jersey).

We want to thank Sam for creating such a unique and wonderful vacation experience to Tuscany for us and our two friends. We had an amazing time and it far exceeded our expectations. We stayed at the magnificent Villa in Chianti. Our hosts did everything to make us feel welcome and at home. Jada’s cooking of traditional Tuscan dishes were delicious. We spent a week experiencing the region including Florence, Chianti, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Montalcino, and Montepulciano with its wonderful and unique history, wineries, restaurants, and points of interest. Each day was full of different adventures and surprises. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the region and made it fun by allowing us to experience it as a local would. It would have been very difficult to create such a special itinerary on our own. We highly recommend Food & Wine Vacations. Thank you for a terrific time!

Amy and Samuel (ilinois)

We took the Culinary Paradise tour in Italy and it was magical. Our guide was perfectly fluent in English, warm, and knowledgeable. We visited out of the way places such as the gorgeous Sibillini Mountains and Bevagna, enjoying the feel of the small medieval towns. Going on a truffle hunt, learning to make pasta (we’ve since made it at home!), and dining outdoors on a farm were among the many wonderful experiences. The delicious food was plentiful—almost endless. (But so healthy I only gained one pound on the trip.) I think my most memorable meal was at a restaurant where there was no menu—we just ate whatever the owner’s mother felt like cooking that night, which I think ended up being eight courses. There were also plenty of vegetarian dishes with fresh produce. A truly authentic experience. Thank you!

if you have Tuscany on your bucket list, this has to be one of the best vacations you could chose – it was one of the best we have ever taken. It offers a great balance of sightseeing and culinary activities. One is treated as a special guest by the gracious staff and experiences the Tuscan lifestyle at a more relaxing pace and informative level offered by the small group size. Also praiseworthy are the lovely accommodations, the pleasant and leisurely travels through picturesque Tuscan countryside, excellent food and fun-filled hands on cooking sessions. Indeed it does deliver on the promise to “make you feel as if you were staying in a home of good friends” and to provide an “unforgettable experience of REAL Tuscany”.

Brigette, PA

My Family and I had the absolute pleasure of exploring Umbria in September. The trip was beyond amazing. Food and Wine vacations offered us an extraordinary opportunity to actually experience Umbria without being “tourists”. Everything was planned perfectly. Our accommodations were magnificent. We were blessed with such an amazing Guide. Luc’s passion and adoration for Umbria made our trip perfect. She treated us as her friends, rather than her clients. The people we met were so passionate about their land and culture and eager to share their food, wine and traditions with us. Everything was a highlight. The truffle hunt and lunch at Stefano’s restaurant was something we will never forget. We even had the amazing opportunity to spend time with his Family watching them made homemade ricotta and pecorino cheese…at their home!

Our afternoons at the organic farm and the Winery, cooking with our hosts, was just wonderful.

Driving to the hilltop town of Casteluccio was indescribable…just amazing beauty.

Our day in Orvieto was a favorite…lunch at Cantina Foresi and then gelato in the square on a outstanding sunny day…blue skies, warm sun and gelato…

The food in Umbria…delectable. We never ordered from a menu… each Chef prepared their specialties for us and everything was divine!

Everything about our trip was magnificent! Such amazing memories.

Thank you Food and Wine Vacations for EXCEEDING our expectations.

Tuscany Tour

Shelley, tzell travel group.

I can say on my behalf that you were a pleasure to work with. You were on top of every detail and returned all calls and emails promptly.

Your company is definitely one that I will use again and will let my colleagues at Tzell know of your exception service for a client looking for a Villa as well as a trip with Food and Wine.

Thank you again for all your assistance in making this a special vacation for my clients.

We had a wonderful week in Provence! Mar was such a great guide. She kept us busy everyday, taking us places and telling us things we would never have experienced had we not been on the tour. I really felt more like a local and not so much like a tourist. The week was a wonderful combination of food, wine and exploration and I felt that I had certainly gotten a lot for my money. I will definitely consider another tour with Food N’ Wine Vacations and will highly recommend it to friends.

Thanks for your attention to detail – you should be really proud of your company and the services your provide.

Tuscany and Umbria

Thank you Sam for such a beautiful trip. My mom and I had the best time ever. We will remember it forever. Thanks again. By the way, what is the name of that palace we stayed at in Umbria? I want to mention it in social media but don’t know the name of it. also I attached a short video of the pictures we took. They came out great there are a couple of you in there they came out super cute too! thanks again

Dreamin’ Amalfi

Dearest Sam, on behalf of our group I would like to tell you how much we enjoyed our day with Salvatore! From the soccer chant singing fish monger to the last limoncello, from the Andrea Bocelliand-like singing on the ride up to the tearful goodbyes (not to mention the food. Mangia, mangia!) absolutely fabulous experience! Grazie!

Piedmont and Lake Como

Rosemary and nick.

We enjoyed Amalfi very much.

The Residenza was lovely – our room was large, the balcony overlooked the town, it was air conditioned and the breakfast was tasty and diverse.

The town was fantastic, as were all the cities. The food, the scenes, the wine, the history . . .

Your guides, Christina and Gianni were personable and knowledgable. We enjoyed our day on Capri/AnaCapri and the tour of Pompeii was so much better than trying to figure it out on our own. Great stories and interesting facts.

Sal was the icing on the cake. What a character! Il mio cugeni Nuovo. He was the perfect person to drive us through the windy switchbacks and cliffs of the coast. We got our share of Nino d’Angelo, but we are fans, now. Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the fish monger (I even gutted an aliche) with him. The day at La casa di Sal on his balcony will not soon be forgotten. Evita and he prepared a fantastic meal.

The winery was historic and quaint. were lovely hosts with excellent food and wine.

Thank you for arranging this tour.

We had a wonderful time! The accommodations were superb, Francois was terrific, and our fellow tour members became instant friends. The choice of vineyards was outstanding–we experienced the spectrum from a small, family-owned, organic vineyard to a large, corporate-owned, prestigious one. The lunches, settings and food, were amazing and the one at Phelan Segur was one of the highlights of our trip.

Taste Burgundy like a Local

Our time in Bourgogne was absolutely perfect! First of all, the house is simply lovely- so beautiful. We were lucky with near perfect weather and enjoyed the beautiful gardens and views. louis and Fabrizio were so welcoming and attentive to our every need. Jean took us on our day tours which were perfectly balanced (just like a Grand Cru!) in terms of history, education, natural beauty and, of course, tastings! It really was a “locals” experience, as we were treated to completely unique people and places off of the beaten path. The wine makers obviously have great respect for Louis and they made us feel so welcome. Beaune is an absolutely delightful town – perfect in every way: GREAT food and wine, adorable little streets with gorgeous old architecture, friendly and welcoming people and just enough to do! We simply had the best time- a wonderful, mother daughter experience!

You made this so easy for us- all we had to do was show up, and everything that you arranged was perfectly suited to us! And when we were fearful that the train strike might affect us, you were there for us despite it being the middle of the night! Thank you, again, Food n Wine Vacations! We are ready to book our next adventure with you!

Tuscany wine tour

Ken and juliana, greek islands, rory & hallie.

Dear sam, this was such a fun trip. The food was to die for, the wine tasting spot in Santorini is unforgettable. We loved loved cooking at katarin’s home and the food tour around Naxos. So happy that the weather was good and we were able to have dinner under the stars. Well done!

Sam, i wanted to send you a note to let you know that my mom and i had a trip of a lifetime. The different activities, places, and hotels way exceeded our expectations. We could have not known about these places and experienced these activities without your local contacts. Every day was like a new adventure. Thank you so much! we are waiting for your Greece trip!

Best of Sicily

Elizabeth, nc.

My Sicilian experience was extraordinary and one I will n ever forget. Thank you for such an exciting itinerary executed to perfection. Hopefully I will be able to schedule another trip with you in the future.

Bordeaux & Dordogne

We loved the trip. Our hotels in Sarlat and Bordeaux were great and the town of Sarlat was the perfect place to base our travels in the Dordogne. Both Jean and Franc were great tour guides. Jean knows history and Franc certainly knows wines. You are to be commended for finding such excellent locals. And you are also to be commended for adding the Dordogne to our itinerary since that was not part of the original plans. We were amazed at the chateaux in Bordeaux that you lined up for us. I have been telling our friends about visiting so many world renowned wineries but some of my personal favorites were the less famous ones. I guess of all of the things that we did on the trip my personal favorite was the visit to Cap Ferret and the amazing lunch by the sea. The beautiful weather that day certainly helped. Our group made 3 trips: Provence, Umbria, and Bordeaux. All have been wonderful.

I am so thankful I took the Tuscany wine tour adventure with you!! It was a trip of a lifetime! Priceless memories! I will always be grateful!

JOIN A JOURNEY WITH A CHARACTER

The food n’ wine travel experience, small groups.

We Really mean it – 8-12 guests on scheduled group departures.

Original itineraries

We design each and every itinerary.

Honest pricing

We do not higher the prices just to ‘give’ you a ‘huge’ discount.

No ‘optional’ extras sold

No surprises during the tour. Upfront price.

Great Value

Combine all the services & experiences, and you’ll realize that you get more for your buck.

Unique Accommodations

Mostly privately-owned estates: Villas, Farms, Historic Palaces.

Exclusive activities

Discover places that are not in guide books.

Beyond the Ordinary

Enjoy real slice of European life.

Local Guides

Your guides are insiders who love sharing their region.

We know your name

We know you by your name. Not by a reservation number.

Complimentary assistance

We provide pre & post trip assistance: Flights, trains, Logistics & ideas. Take advantage of our knowledge and 27+ years in Tourism.

Peace of mind

We take care of all the details. Just book your trip, Pack and Go!

Find a Reason To Go. Get The latest news about our Food and wine vacations

9 Best European Wine Tours to Take in 2024

These european wine tours offer the perfect blend of wine, scenery, and sights..

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Europe is the ultimate destination for wine enthusiasts. Whether you’re exploring the wine regions of France or enjoying the breathtaking views of Italian vineyards while sipping a glass of vino, European wine tours offer an enchanting combination of wine exploration, stunning landscapes, and cultural encounters. Embarking on a small group trip with the world’s most reputable food and wine tour companies simplifies your wine-focused vacation and grants you greater access to European wine producers and growers.

The Best Europe Wine Tours for 2024

There are many food and wine tours in Europe, both land-based wine tours and wine-centric European river cruises, but the best wine tours in 2024 will take you to some of Europe’s top wine-producing countries like Tuscany, Germany, and France. Here are my most highly recommended European wine tours featuring famous wineries, top tourist attractions, and hidden gems.

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1. Tuscany to Cinque Terre: Wines, Villages, and Unforgettable Walks

G adventures.

Vernazza, a Cinque Terre town coast with vineyards on steep hill and buildings

Italy is known for its wines, and on G Adventures’ Tuscany to Cinque Terre: Wines, Villages, and Unforgettable Walks , you get to sample wine and visit a mix of villages and larger cities. The weeklong trip starts in Florence, where you’ll meet your guide and other travelers before setting out on a walking tour of the city to see Giotto’s Bell Tower and Palazzo Vecchio. Day three is when the real adventures begin, though, with a train ride to the village of Riomaggiore for a hike along the beautiful coastal path that link the Cinque Terre villages.

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After exploring Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll also visit medieval towns, enjoy wine tastings at family-owned wineries, and samples regional dishes. The wine tour ends in the Chianti Region, where the Tuscan countryside comes to life with morning hikes and afternoon winery visits.

Length: 7 days
Starting price: $1,799
Average group size: 12 people
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2. Food and Wine in a French Chateau

Lyon buildings, river, and hill in the morning

Younger travelers looking for a fun way to get into wine tours should consider Contiki’s Food and Wine in a French Chateau tour . The trip is a four-day “mini adventure” with just eight people. The culinary tour kicks off in the Beaujolais Wine Region, where you’ll stay in a stunning 16th-century chateau in the middle of a working vineyard. Day one includes time in the nearby village and a three-course dinner.

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No trip to France would be complete without a day all about food, which is exactly what happens on day two in Lyon. The day starts with a foodie walking tour, a trip to a local market, and a cooking class before heading back to the chateau for dinner and more wine. The final day is spent on a Beaujolais Nouveau wine tasting tour from various vineyards around the chateau before bidding adieu to France on day four.

Length: 4 days
Starting price: $725
Average group size: 8 people

3. Rhine Connoisseur: Montreux to Brussels

When you join the Rhine Connoisseur: Montreux to Brussels tour from Tauck , you’ll get both land and cruise-based experiences. The first three days of the trip are spent at a hotel near Lake Geneva. There you’ll visit the iconic Lavaux Vineyards, known for its terraced growing system. Other highlights include seeing the Matterhorn and walking across the PeakWalk by Tissot, the world’s only suspension bridge that connects two peaks.

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After boarding Tauck’s msEsprit river cruise ship, you’ll embark on a cruise to Strasbourg, where everyone can choose their own adventures ranging from from wine tours and tastings to bike tours. As you cruise down the Middle Rhine Valley, you’ll see plenty of historic castles and charming villages. In Dusseldorf, try a walking day tour or a craft beer tour; and in Antwerp, enjoy walking past the Gothic-style cathedral that took almost 170 years to build.

Length: 11 days
Starting price: $6,790
Average group size: Up to 130 people

4. Danube Dreams for Wine Lovers

Avalon waterways.

The Danube Dreams For Wine Lovers from Avalon Waterways is an eight-day food and wine tour river cruise that features stops in four countries known for their wine regions: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. The trip starts in Budapest, where you’ll have the opportunity to either go on a hike or see the city’s wine cellars. Day three takes the group to Bratislava, Slovakia, where the city’s castle beckons you to explore its beautiful hallways and scenic overlooks.

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Other highlights of the river cruise include a full day in Vienna and visits to the iconic Vienna Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Durnstein-Wachau Valley, you’ll take a winery tour that illuminates the spot’s 900-year history of winemaking. The wine theme continues onboard the ship with wine tasting experiences hosted by the onboard Master of Wine.

Length: 8 days
Starting price: $2,899
Average group size: Up to 166 people

5. Chateaux, Rivers, and Wine Tour

Viking river cruises.

French vineyards at sunset with countryside in the background

Step aboard a Viking River Cruises departure with the Chateaux, Rivers, and Wine river cruise tour. The trip starts in Bordeaux, France, where you’ll tour the city and see highlights like the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and Place des Quinconces. The first winery visit takes place in Sauternes, where you’ll visit a chateau to learn how the sweet wine is made.

Along with plenty of vineyard visits throughout the trip, you’ll get hands on with some of France’s most famous food and drinks. Activities include learning about hunting for truffles in Dordogne, blending your own cognac in Cognac, tasting oysters in Cap Ferret, and visiting a local market with the Viking chef to learn about the regional cuisines of France.

Starting price: $2,599
Group size: Up to 190 people

6. Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine Tour

Adventures by disney.

Over the course of a week on the Rhine River Cruise: Food and Wine tour with Adventures by Disney , you’ll visit four countries and have plenty of fun. The adults-only Disney trip opens in Basel, Switzerland, where you’ll start with a Swiss cheese and wine reception on day one of the river cruise. The European wine tour then moves to Breisach, Germany, to sample Riesling wine in Riquewihr.

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Other highlights of the food and wine-themed cruise include a private wine tasting in Cave Historique Des Hospices, which was once a hospital that dates back to 1395; a wine tasting at the Adolf Störzel vineyards, a favorite in the Rudesheim region; and a canal cruise through the vibrant city of Amsterdam.

Starting price: $6,199
Average group size: Up to 158 people

7. Beyond the Vineyards: Sample Northern Portugal and Spain Tour

Road scholar.

Douro Valley vineyards and river viewed from Valença do Douro in Portugal

Portugal and Spain have some impressive under-the-radar wine regions that are on par with Europe’s big hitters like France, Italy, and Germany. With the Beyond the Vineyards: Sample Northern Portugal and Spain wine tour from Road Scholar , you’ll be able to visit some of these hidden gem wine regions and see historic sites over the course of two weeks. The trip starts in Porto, Portugal, with an orientation session and a city tour that includes a stop at Porto’s Cais da Ribeira, the beautiful riverfront path that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Highlights of this European wine tour include a wine tasting in the terraced valleys of Pinhao, the chance to sample sparkling wine in Aveiro, and tasting Albarino wines in the Rias Baixas wine region. History buffs will also enjoy the walking tour of Segovia (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you’ll see the Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar.

Length: 15 days
Starting price: $4,699
Average group size: Up to 24 people

8. Tailor Made Italy: A Foodie Adventure

Abercrombie & kent.

Families in search of a private adventure to Italy will enjoy the Abercrombie & Kent Tailor Made Italy: A Foodie Adventure . The 10-day tour starts in Rome, where you’ll taste your way through the city, make your own pizza, and try local wines. Then the food and wine tour continues to Florence for a wine tasting near the Duomo and a visit to the Podere le Ripi winery for a wine pairing lunch.

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Wine figures heavily into this private European tour, but there’s also plenty of time spent seeing the major sights. You’ll visit both Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery in Florence and the 12th-century Duomo di Parma in Parma. You’ll also learn how to make pasta and pizza from local chefs.

Length: 10 days
Starting price: $18,795
Group size: Just your family

9. Italy’s Treasures Art, Food, and Wine of Italy

Celebrate Italian culture with the Italy’s Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy tour from Collette. The 12-day guided food and wine tour starts in Stresa, Italy, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and beautiful views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains. While in Stresa, you’ll also visit a local cheese maker and try some specialties while sampling local wine. Then take the train to Cinque Terre to visit terraced wineries or shop along the cobblestone streets.

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This tour in Italy continues to Tuscany to see the marble quarries used for for Michelangelo’s statue of David. You’ll also venture to Chianti to try local wine and learn how to make an authentic Tuscan lunch. The trip ends in Venice with a glass-blowing demonstration, a visit to St. Mark’s Square, and a walking food tour to sample local meats, cheeses, and wine.

Length: 12 days
Starting price: $3,144
Average group size: Up to 44 people

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view of fields and mountains on a sunny day in Asolo Italy on a Collette Tours vacation

The Scoop: What to Know About Collette

For more than a century, Collette has been leading award-winning tours.

Europe Wine & Food Themed Trips

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Easy Active
Challenging
Barge Cruising
Food & Wine
Most Popular
Private Yacht Charter
River Cruises
Scheduled Group Tour
Solo Travel
Wildlife & Safari Exploration
Adventure Options
Archaeological Site Visits
Christmas Market Visits
Cooking Classes
Festival Visits
Fly Cruises
Helicopter Tours
Horseback Riding
Land & Sea Exploration
Local Market Visits
Northern Lights
Photography Seminars
Scuba Diving
Small Ship Cruises
Small Ship Sailing
Spa Relaxation
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Urban Exploration
Village Visits
Whale Watching
Wilderness Lodge Exploration
Wildlife Viewing
Wine Tasting
Adriatic Pearl
Adriatic Sun
Avalon Envision
Avalon Expression
Avalon Imagery II
Avalon Impression
Avalon Panorama
Avalon Passion
Avalon Poetry II
Avalon Tapestry II
Avalon Tranquility II
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Avalon Vista
Emerald Azzurra
Emerald Dawn
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Emerald Liberté
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Emerald Sakara
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Emerald Sun
Greg Mortimer
L'Art de Vivre
L’Impressionniste
La Bella Vita
La Belle Epoque
La Nouvelle Etoile
Le Bougainville
Le Champlain
Le Commandant Charcot
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Le Laperouse
Lord of the Glens
M/S Ambassador
M/S Captain Bota
M/S Invictus
M/S Mama Marija
M/S Mama Marija II
M/S Sjoveien
M/S Splendid
M/S Stockholm
Magna Carta
MS Amabella
MS Amacello
MS Amacerto
MS Amadante
MS Amadolce
MS Amadouro
MS Amakristina
MS Amalia Rodrigues
MS Amalucia
MS AmaMagna
MS Amaprima
MS Amaserena
MS AmaSiena
MS Amasonata
MS Amastella
MS Amaverde
MS Amaviola
MS Beethoven
MS Botticelli
MS Fernao de Magalhaes
MS Fridtjof Nansen
MS Gérard Schmitter
MS Gil Eanes
MS Infante Don Henrique
MS L'Europe
MS La Belle de Cadix
MS La Boheme
MS Lafayette
MS Leonard De Vinci
MS Loire Princesse
MS Michelangelo
MS Miguel Torga
MS Mona Lisa
MS Rhone Princess
MS San Spirito
MS Seaventure
MS Seine Princess
MS Spitsbergen
MS Symphonie
MS Vasco de Gama
MS Victor Hugo
MV La Belle de L'Adriatique
MV La Belle des Océans
MV Plancius
MV Vikingfjord
National Geographic Endurance
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Ocean Adventurer
Ocean Albatros
Ocean Endeavour
Ocean Explorer
Rembrandt van Rijn
Renaissance
River Duchess
River Empress
River Princess
River Queen
Royal Clipper
S.S. Antoinette
S.S. Beatrice
S.S. Bon Voyage
S.S. Catherine
S.S. Joie de Vivre
S.S. Maria Theresa
S.S. Sao Gabriel
S.S. Victoria
Scenic Amber
Scenic Azure
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Scenic Opal
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Scenic Sapphire
Scottish Highlander
Sea Cloud II
Sea Cloud Spirit
Seabourn Venture
Shannon Princess
Silver Endeavour
Silver Whisper
Silver Wind
Spirit of Scotland
Star Clipper
Sylvia Earle
Ultramarine
Variety Voyager
Viking Cruises
World Navigator
World Traveller
World Voyager

Greece Island Hopping

Visit Athens, the capital of Greece
See iconic landmark in Athens
Visit the charming town of Naoussa
Relax in Paros' beautiful beaches
Capture the famous Santorini sunset
Sample local wines in Santorini
Enjoy the beauty of Santorini

Classic Italy

Ride the gondola in Venetian canals
Discover the Sistine Chapel
Explore the Vatican Museums
Marvel at the architecture in Siena
Savor authentic Tuscan cuisine
Enjoy the Tuscan countryside

The Enchanting Rhine - From Zurich to Amsterdam

Enjoy panoramic views of Zürich
Walk along Lucerne's famous streets
Visit the iconic Heidelberg Castle
Admire Amsterdam's beauty

Highlights of Croatia

Visit Ancient ruins in Spilt
Visit Diocletian's Palace
Enjoy the coastline of Split
Explore the streets of Hvar
Visit Hvar, a historic port town
See Dubrovnik's historical sites
Taste fresh oysters in Ston

Magna on the Danube - Budapest to Vilshofen

Experience Melk Abbey
Explore Passau
Discover Salzburg
Visit Vienna

Flavors of Portugal & Spain - Cruise Only

Explore Porto's historic old town
Taste Portugal's wines
Visit Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
Hike through Vega Terron, Spain

Turin, Langhe, and Cinque Terre

Explore the city of Turin
Visit the city's main squares
Discover the wine region of Barolo
Taste local wine and cheese
Experience truffle hunting
Walk in Quadrilatero Romano
Admire Cinque Terre
Swim in the Italian Riviera
See the picturesque Santa Margherit

Classic Croatian Adventure

Visit Zagreb with guide
See lakes and stunning waterfalls
Sail the coastline of Split
Visit the Diocletian's Palace
Visit Dubrovnik's historical places
Visit an Oyster Farm in Ston
Visit Hvar, a popular island escape

Enticing Douro

Tour Belem Tower
Explore the Castelo da Pena
Travel to Lamego
Enjoy Sandeman Winery

Aeolian Archipelago

Discover Lipari and Salina
Visit a local winery
Enjoy a scenic hike in Vulcano
Swim in Cala Junco nature reserve
Take a walking tour in Stromboli
Relax on the beaches of Salina

Colors of Provence - Cruise Only

Tour the highlights of Lyon, France
Stop at the home of a local vintner
Learn about olive farming tradition
Take the Artist Experience tour

Taste of Bordeaux - Cruise Only

Explore Bordeaux, a UNESCO Site
Taste distinguished French wine
Tour the Château Latour wine estate
Visit Libourne's colorful market

Venice Extension

Tour Venice's Grand Canal by boat
See monuments and famous churches
Visit Mazzorbo's vineyards
Create your own carnival mask
Explore famous squares and canals
Tour the São Bento Railway Station
Sample Bôlas de Lamego
Soak up the Douro River
Visit the Palacio de Mateus

Treasures of Sicily

Visit the Island of Sicily
Discover the Valley of the Temples
Visit Taormina's ancient ruins
See the Mount Etna in Sicily
Explore the coastal town of Cefalu
Visit Syracuse's Archeological Park
Discover the Zingaro Nature Reserve

Highlights of the Amalfi Coast

Admire the Amalfi Coastline
Explore Positano on foot
Visit Herculaneum and Pompeii
Ride a boat to the island of Capri
Walk the Path of the Gods
Explore the village of Ravello

Rome, Assisi & Magical Umbria Premium Adventure

Visit Roman ruins with a guide
Visit the Umbrian countryside
Visit the historic town of Assisi
Visit local wineries in Montefalco
Enjoy cooking local Italian dishes.

Dubrovnik and Dalmatian Coast

Top europe travel destinations.

Czech Republic
Danube River
Douro River
French Riviera
Mediterranean
Moselle River
Netherlands
Norway Fjords
Rhine River
Rhone River
Russian Arctic
Scandinavia
Seine River
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Europe Trips by Departure Date

2024 Europe trips (618)
2025 Europe trips (328)
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May 2024 (248)
June 2024 (288)
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August 2024 (293)
September 2024 (249)
October 2024 (231)
June 2025 (140)
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August 2025 (143)

Top Experiences in Europe

Europe Cruises (687)
Europe River Cruises (216)
Europe Cultural (159)
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Europe Wildlife & Safari Exploration (97)
Europe Food & Wine (94)
Europe Beaches (63)
Europe Land Tours (36)
Europe Barge Cruising (33)
Europe Active (18)
Europe Most Popular (16)
Europe Private Yacht Charter (16)
Europe Trekking (16)
Europe Scheduled Group Tour (12)
Europe Family (11)
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Europe Honeymoon (3)

Europe Trips by Duration

5 day trips (18)
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Europe Trips by Activity

Europe small ship cruises (411)
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Europe hiking (191)
Europe wine tasting (162)
Europe archaeological site visits (154)
Europe whale watching (124)
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Europe local market visits (76)
Europe kayaking (76)
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Europe christmas market visits (36)
Europe land & sea exploration (32)
Europe adventure options (30)
Europe snorkeling (17)
Europe photography seminars (14)
Europe cooking classes (14)
Europe northern lights (10)
Europe spa relaxation (6)
Europe stand up paddle boarding (5)
Europe horseback riding (3)
Europe festival visits (3)

Why Travel With Adventure Life

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Languedoc-Roussillon
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Lisbon, Alentejo & the South of Portugal
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Solo Travellers

Tailor-made luxury wine tours

Let our experts create your perfect Escape

The bottom line is that it was fantastic. I have been on a number of tours and tastings over the years but this was by far the best. Thank you for organising it for me!

Garry - Surrey, UK

We’re a small team, big on knowledge and passion. We’ve been drinking wines from every corner of Europe for almost two decades. It’s a hard life, but someone’s got to do it 😉 If there’s a vineyard, Château, restaurant or hotel that we’ve not been to, it’s probably not worth visiting.

Book with Confidence

As specialists in luxury wine and food tours, we continue to create and curate exceptional trips for our valuable clients. Anything from a weekend in Champagne complimenting the bubbles of Veuve Clicquot with Michelin starred dining for a group of friends or a team building trip, to a month long adventure through the finest vineyards and cities of Europe for a very special honeymoon. We look forward to your call or e-mail today.

Featured Wine Tours

Hidden gem – château de berne.

Three and four day exclusive Provence wine tours based at the luxury 5* Château de Berne with tours and tastings in premium local wineries and a great introduction to the traditional Provençal cuisine.

Exclusive Champagne

Visit Champagne with our Exclusive Champagne 3 or 4 day package, stay at the 5* Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa and enjoy some premium tours and tastings at prestigious Champagne Houses and delicious local meals

Exclusive Rioja and Ribera

Exclusive Rioja and Ribera del Duero wine tours including accommodation in 5* hotels, premium tours and tastings at renowned wineries as well as fine dining

Featured Destinations

Latest news

Behind the scenes in champagne with the grape escapes team.

To kick off 2024, it’s only fitting that, 20 years after we first started, we go back to where it all began with a few days in Champagne. Still one of our best-selling regions today, we send thousands of our […]

February 21, 2024
Hannah Greaves

From Beaune to Dijon: Grape Escapes team in Burgundy

One of the world’s most famed wine regions, Burgundy holds a golden reputation. Whether you have a favourite corner of Burgundy that you’d like to dive into and explore, or you’re on a mission to discover every hidden gem this […]

The Grape Escapes team take Bordeaux!

A few weeks ago, the whole Grape Escapes team packed their bags and prepared themselves for the annual team getaway to one of our bestselling destinations. This year, we had the chance to visit Bordeaux! We stayed in three luxury […]

December 27, 2023

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Travellers wander through the vineyards of Tuscany

Food tours in Europe

Let the diverse and culturally rich flavors of europe take your taste buds on an unforgettable culinary journey. .

From the chaotic fish markets of Portugal's seaside towns to the spirited tapas bars in Spain , Europe is one of the best regions in the world to explore great food. Cycle to a pistachio farm on the island of Aegina in Greece , learn how to make pasta like a pro in Italy , or indulge in cured meats and truffles in Slovenia on our European food tours. We avoid the tourist traps and introduce you to the real deal: hidden laneway bars, herb-filled homestay kitchens and al fresco cafés only the locals know. Bon appetit indeed.

Italy Real Food Adventure

8 days from 3045.

From Venice to Rome, you’ll indulge in the best things to eat in Italy, with stops in...

Greece Real Food Adventure

9 days from 2712.

Meet passionate cooks and producers on a food adventure in Greece, via amazing ancient...

Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia

8 days from 3179.

Feast on Portugal and Galicia on this food-focussed journey through Santiago de...

Northern Spain Real Food Adventure

10 days from 3852.

Taste your way from Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela, through Logrono, San Sebastian...

Spain & Portugal Real Food Adventure

17 days from 6494.

Discover the delicacies of Northern Spain and Portugal on this food-forward adventure,...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

The Balkans Real Food Adventure

9 days from 2403.

Taste your way through the Balkans on a culinary adventure, stopping in Croatia,...

Slovenia to Macedonia Real Food Adventure

21 days from 7140.

Explore Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia on this Intrepid food tour, enjoying...

European food highlights

Portuguese tart

Desserts don't get any more decadent or more delicious than Portuguese tarts. Filled with a sugary, vanilla custard which is then baked to achieve that perfectly crisp look, these sweet treats are all the rage in Portugal and have been since their creation way back in 1820.

A group of travellers enjoying gelato on a hot day in Rome

While gelato may be famous worldwide, there's nothing like enjoying the icy sweet treat in the country where it originated back in the 1600s. From the classic lemon to the nutty pistachio, Italian gelato can't be beaten when it comes to its spectacularly rich and fresh taste.

A bowl of red ajvar next to flaky bits of pie pastry

Stemming from the need to use up as many red peppers as possible from the annual harvest, ajvar is a savoury relish from the Balkan region of Europe. Usually paired with cheese, pickles, yoghurt, or bread, this colourful condiment is a must-try in Serbia, Croatia, and Macedonia.

Meet our local leaders

'Spain is all about food. Of course, you have the monuments and the history, but when you travel with me it’s about the food. I like to order the food when I take my groups out because I want people to try something new. I choose things like pork cheek stew because this is something that many would not think to try.' – Daniel, Spain

Why choose Intrepid

Real, authentic experiences

We love the highlights, but for us the real magic is found off the tourist trails. Our trips combine iconic sites with hidden gems that you’ll only discover with Intrepid. We’re talking mornings exploring the Taj Mahal, followed by a Mughlai cooking class with a passionate home cook.

Local expertise

Whether you’re perusing markets, hunting down the best street food bites or learning how to cook centuries-old family recipes at a homestay, there’s no better way to get the inside scoop on a destination – and its culinary traditions – than with an expert local leader by your side.

Small groups

Big coaches and flag-toting tour guides don’t cut it for us. With a maximum group size of 12, our groups blend in with the locals and have plenty of opportunities to interact with chefs, street food vendors and group leaders. It also means you can really connect with your fellow foodies.

Stories from the kitchen

Recipes from europe.

Deals of the Week Solo is the new black Up to 50% OFF

Luxury Food & Culinary Tours in Europe

Searching for a luxury food & culinary touring experience? Look no further, as our luxury tours of Europe will allow you to discover exceptional destinations such as Florence and Siena. Taste the adventure and discover new cultures while enjoying premium services and facilities.

48 Luxury food & culinary tours in Europe with 290 reviews

Food & Culinary

Gourmet Rome, Sorrento & Capri

Christmas & New Year

Campania Wine, Food & Heritage Experience

Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Six days to discover the wines and flavors of a unique land

Discover Andalucia, Private Tour by Art, Food & Wine

Turkey Real Food Adventure (11 Days)

If you like food and learning about other cultures and want to see some fabulous sites do yourself a favour & take this fabulous trip. I enjoyed the company of 5 other travellers. We ate constantly and remarked if we went an hour without food! What really made the trip was our guide, Ozan, who not only took great care of us but cheerfully shared his passion for Turkey, the sites, the people, the culture & of course the food. Our trip included an overnight train trip & our first class sleeper cabins were clean & reasonably spacious. In a couple of places accommodation could be noisy (street & other external noises) dependent on room location. Fellow travellers took the Intrepid option of the overnight bus back to Istanbul but told me afterwards they wish they had flown back like I did (for a cost of around AU$70). The cooking class / demonstration in Nuray's home kitchen in Goreme was one of the highlights. As our balloon trip was cancelled (twice) due to high winds Ozan more than made up for it by taking us on a fantastic hike of one of Capadoccia's valleys showing us some hidden treasures. Turkey awaits you - go now!

Wine tasting

Charming Sicily Food & Wine Small Group Tour - 8 days

I really enjoyed the tour!

Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Tour (Maximum 8 Guests)

I enjoyed my Sicily tour so much! Most of the hotels were comfortable and the food was fantastic! Our guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. The scenery is amazing!

10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Grand Tour of Puglia-Basilicata, from Matera to Lecce