Food & Wine Tour Companies in Europe

Beyond the restaurant reservation

When the travel package is created by specialized food and wine tour companies, travelers enjoy experiences that were curated by experts and go way beyond the typical table reservation at a restaurant. Take a look at some examples below:

Wine tours and tastings: Vineyard visits, cellar tours, structured tastings with renowned winemakers, vertical tastings, and special experiences during the harvest season. These are not tourist-bus itineraries; they are exclusive access to wine estates which do not accept walk-ins.
Food tours: Travelers can enjoy guided walks through historical markets, street-food circuits, farm to table dining, and artisan shops such as cheesemakers, chocolatiers, and olive oil producers. They are all led by local food experts instead of generic tour guides.
Cooking classes: Hands-on sessions hosted in professional kitchens, farmhouses, or private homes. Some examples of what to learn are pasta in Tuscany, paella in Valencia, and pasteis de nata in Lisbon.
Private dining: Exclusive chef's-table dining experiences in private villas, Michelin-starred kitchens, or even more exclusive venues – think of wine caves, rooftops, or even archaeological sites.
Multi-day culinary journeys: Specialized companies can offer itineraries of 3 to 7 days designed around a given food theme. Some examples of such programs are truffle trails, cheese routes, and olive harvest.
Corporate culinary experiences: Playful and/or social options such as cooking competitions, wine-blending workshops, and farm visits planned as team-building activities or parts of an incentive program (see Incentive Travel companies).

Private group wine tasting with winemaker in a European stone cellar

Where to eat and drink across Europe

Wine regions are one of the many elements that build the rich culinary identity for which Europe is known all over the world. Each of those regions offers a distinct terroir and features unique traditions:

France: Some of the iconic wine regions in this country are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Provence and the local gastronomy capital, Lyon.
Italy: Here, the gastronomic scene thrives especially in Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Sicily, Tuscany and Veneto.
Spain: This lively country has many regions which deserve attention in this context, such as Andalusia, Basque Country, Catalonia, Ribera del Duero and Rioja.
Portugal: This small, yet charming coastal country attracts travelers especially to Alentejo, Douro Valley and Lisbon.
Greece: In this sunny and scenic country, travelers looking for wine tours can visit regions such as Crete, Santorini (Assyrtiko) and Peloponnese.
Austria and Germany: Some of the regions which are famous in this context, considering both countries, are Franconia, Mosel, Rheingau and Wachau.
Eastern Europe: While Georgian wine is emerging in the European scene, it is also possible to enjoy Istrian truffles in Croatia and Tokaj in Hungary.

Regardless of the region selected for the travel service, the group will end up with the perfect backdrop for structured tastings, vineyard tours, and gastronomic itineraries which could only be curated and made possible by local specialists.

Aerial view of Tuscany vineyard rows for food and wine tours in Italy

Typical culinary travel clients

Food and wine tours attract a wide range of travelers, and each of them has distinct needs and requirements. Here are some examples of travel groups who may be interested in these itineraries:

Incentive groups: These travelers might want to dedicate a day from their program to local culinary activities.
Wine-club groups and enthusiasts: These groups are often limited to 10-20 travelers and tend to be high spenders.
Destination wedding guests: Large and small groups seeking food tour activities whether before or after the day of the ceremony.
Corporate teams: Team entertainment can be done with private vineyard dinners or customized experiences led by world-renowned chefs.
Individual VIP travelers: Solo visitors can also have a wonderful time by taking gastronomic itineraries curated by a sommelier to enjoy fine food and wine.

If the goal is to combine culinary experiences with reward programs, make sure to visit Incentive Travel companies. In case you prefer to learn more about high-end private dining and exclusive access, browse Luxury Travel companies.

Exclusive private rooftop dinner during a Mediterranean food and wine tour

Food & Wine Tour Companies in Europe

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Beyond the restaurant reservation

Where to eat and drink across Europe

Typical culinary travel clients

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