Just imagine . . . gazing over 2000 barrels of a renowned First Growth . . . tasting by candlelight in vaulted 12th century cellars . . . staying at a private Classified Growth chateau as their exclusive guests . . . or walking through a Grand Cru vineyard with a world-famous winemaker . . . These are just some of the extraordinary experiences that await you on a French Wine Explorers tour.
As part of a small group of wine lovers, you’ll receive a warm welcome and personalized tour and tasting at the most renowned chateaux and exclusive boutique producers. Would you like to taste the latest vintage in the barrel? The winemaker would also like your opinion of a library wine he just brought out. For wine enthusiasts, it just doesn’t get any better than this.
On the wine road, each day holds new and exciting experiences. One day will combine winery visits with a cheese or olive oil tasting, while the next day you'll explore a charming medieval village, Roman ruins or beautiful gardens. Your travels take you down the backroads, past ancient villages and romantic castles to discover all the authenticity and flavor of France and Italy along your route.
Between tastings, it's time to indulge. Enjoy sumptuous Michelin-starred meals with superb premium wines, and stay at the most beautiful luxury hotels, villas and chateaux. Stretch out in air-conditioned comfort on a deluxe coach, as your guide answers your wine questions with impressive expertise and a smile. Every detail is carefully planned to make your wine vacation an exquisite, unforgettable experience.
In Europe, great wine and great food goes hand in hand. What better way to learn about the fabulous cuisine of France, Italy or Spain than on a custom-designed, private culinary tour?
Here are some of the culinary tour opportunities available to our guests as customized, private tours for groups of 4 or more:
France
Cooking & Wine in Province: the perfect combination sun-drenched Provencal cooking classes, wine tasting classes and winery excursions. Chateau or luxury hotel accommodations available.
Cooking in Province in residence: stay at the lovely bed & breakfast of a noted chef, with daily cooking classes, special tasting (cheese, olive oil, etc.), market visits and excursions.
Cooking and Wine in Bordeaux: learn to cook succulent Southwest cuisine and explore the great wines of Bordeaux (both world-renowned chateaux and smaller family estates). Chateau or luxury hotel accommodations.
With an incredible variety of beautiful scenery and world-class vineyards, the French wine regions offer countless wonderful wine touring options. Whether you prefer the prestige of visiting the greatest Grand Cru estates, or the more casual fun of tasting at the best boutique producers, there is a French wine region to suit your travel style and wine preference. Cities like Beaune, Reims or Avignon offer fascinating cultural sights to enhance your trip, and a few days in Paris can easily be added onto your trip. Choose from scheduled or customized tours in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, Provence or Rhône.
Italy
Cooking & Wine in Tuscany: combine tasting at fine wine estates in Chianti Classico or Brunello with cooking lessons by noted chefs. Enjoy market visits, olive oil and peccorino cheese tasting, and accommodations at luxury villas or hotels.
You can combine regions on one tour, or even add on some wine touring in Italy. "Fall in the region of Tuscany is a time of gracious fecundity, when vineyards are heavy with black fruit. Honeyed light falls on scarlet-berried bushes and on paths littered with chestnuts glistening like polished lumps of mahogany."
What better time to discover the greatest vineyards of Tuscany than during La Vendemmia, the grape harvest? This is a very special time in Tuscany, filled with gaiety and excitement, and steeped in colorful local traditions. The vineyards are bustling with activity, the weather is delightful, and the autumn sun bathes the spectacular scenery in a wash of golden light.
On this special harvest tour, you'll share in the excitement as you visit Tuscany's most prestigious estates. Beginning in Florence, you'll travel through the lovely backroads of Chianti Classico and visit the beautiful city of Siena, then enjoy tastings at the finest estates of Brunello and Vino Nobile de Montepulciano (like highly-rated Poggio Antico and Avignonesi). Watch peccorino cheese being made at the farm, and enjoy free time to explore the medieval villages of Pienza and Cortona along the way. Then on to coastal Maremma, where you'll enjoy VIP tastings at the very best Super Tuscan vineyards: Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Tua Rita and Petra. You'll even get a chance to try your hand at grape-picking, if you wish!
Spain
Cooking & Wine in Central & Northern Spain: designed for those who would like to "taste" a bit of Spain, with cooking, wine tasting and sightseeing. Olive Oil tasting in Toledo, cooking in San Sebastian, climbing the medieval wall in Avila and a "tapas tour" of old Madrid are highlights on this tour.
VIP Spain Cooking Tour: professional cooking classes in Madrid, San Sebastian, Barcelona and the Costa Brava; olive oil tasting, a visit to a Basque cheese farm, wine tasting in La Rioja and ultra luxurious accommodation in small, charming Relais & Chateaux.
Two gorgeous, luxurious villa-hotels have been specially chosen for this program: the fairytale-like Locanda dell' Amorosa, and then in the Maremma, the elegant and lovely Villa Il Tessoro. Sample the finest local cuisine at top restaurants, including several meals at the wineries you'll be visiting. A pre-tour extension to explore Florence is available, or take a few days afterward to discover the jewel-like city of Lucca.
If you prefer, we can create a custom-design a private wine trip in Tuscany or elsewhere in Italy exclusively for your party on the dates of your choice. See more about customized private wine tours.
Faculty Information:
Cooking classes are held by highly qualified teachers.
Other Activities:
Besides cooking classes we offer wine tasting classes, wine tasting tours!!!
Facility Information:
Cooking classes are held in spacious, cosy and modernly equiped kitchens.
Also see Vacation Schools in:
Cooking schools
Europe
France
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