FRANCE
Our partner company is based in Provence and offers customized
wine and culinary (as well as other special interests
including fashion, gardens and art) tours to all of the
wine regions of France. These include Bordeaux, Burgundy
(with the Maconnaise and Beaujolais), the Rhone River
Valley, the Languedoc, Cote d’Provence, the Loire
and Champagne and Alsace. An itinerary can include one
or more of the famous wine-growing regions, and can include
fine meals and culinary classes, cultural visits and
whatever else your group would like to do.
For a sample
itinerary ____
SPAIN and PORTUGAL
For Spain and Portugal wine and culinary tours we work with
two companies. Both are excellent.
Vintage Spain offers
gourmet wine tours or rutas de
vino in the main wine regions in Spain, Rioja, Ribera
del Duero, Toledo, La Mancha, Penedés, Priorato,
Toro, Galicia, Jerez and Andalucía, etc. They
have scheduled tours that provide an in-depth discovery
of wine, along with Spanish gastronomy, art, history,
and culture. Their mission is to create an authentic
experience that will show you the breathtaking beauty
of this country and its delicious wines and food.
You can join a Vintage Spain scheduled regional tour,
or they can organize a private wine and culinary tour
from Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Bilbao or San Sebastian.
Or best of all, they can organize a private tour, for
your small
group, or just for two. This can be a self-drive trip,
or with a driver and guide. Vivian will collaborate with
you in designing the perfect trip, focussing on the authentic
aroma and sabor of Espana.
Cellar Tours offers
an enticing menu of small group tours and luxury wine tours
to unspoiled Spain and Portugal.
These specially crafted tours focus on wine, traditional
and creative cuisine, history, art, and architecture. They
cater to wine lovers, history buffs, gourmands, and to
people with a general love of the good life. Call Vivian
when you are ready to have a unique food, wine, and travel
experience in Spain or Portugal.
Classic Rioja and Ribera
del Duero Wine Tour
"Perfect
for wine enthusiasts. This wine tour of Spain's
famous wine regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero
is perfect for enthusiasts who want to see where
the magic of wine begins- in the vines! Vineyard
walks, VIP winery visits to top estates, lunches
at cozy, historic "Asadores" in
wine country, charming accommodation and much
more... "
Barcelona Wine Tour
Weekend, Penedes
"Deluxe
weekend by luxury Mercedes to wine estates
in the Penedes and Emporda, gastronomic walking
tour and city break to Barcelona and plush
17th century villa hotel in the Costa Brava"
Lisbon to Douro Valley
VIP Private Wine Tour
"Luxurious
short tour, designed for wine
lovers, who want to see the best
that Lisbon and Porto have
to offer. You will enjoy a Mercedes
chauffeured tour of Central and
Northern Portugals loveliest
cities and wine country. Highlights
include the Port Lodges, a Private
River Cruise on the Douro... "
Culinary
Vacation in Lisbon & Wine
Country
"Gourmet
food and wine tour of Portugal,
combining a city break
in Lisbon with various
wine tastings and a private
cooking class in a medieval
village in the glorious
Alentejo region. Highlights
include the stunning countryside
of Alentejo (full of cork
trees, perfectly preserved
castles and fortresses),
the marvellous towns of
Evora and Sintra and fantastic
food and wine enroute..."
TUSCANY
For wine trips to the Tuscany region of Italy, we work
with our friend, a native of Tuscany, Maria D’Arrigo.
In Spring and again in Fall of 2007 we are offering two
group departures of a 9 day Wine Tasting Tour of
Tuscany. For each departure we expect to have a small
group of about 6 couples. We will use a villa in San
Gimignano as our home base and we will enjoy an in-depth
exploration of the best of Tuscany. We’ll enjoy
great wines, great meals and spectacular landscapes in
a convivial group. The trip will include all transportation,
guided tours and most meals (wonderful meals). Price
will be determined based on the size of the group, but
we expect it to be approximately $2500 per person. Call
soon if you’d like to be part of a fantastic wine
trip to Tuscany this year.
Our itinerary_________________
OTHER
ITALY WINE REGIONSFor other wine regions of Italy, including
Piedmonte and the Veneto, especially for those seeking
exclusive experiences, VVR Travel works with Cellar Tours
Douro River
cruise from Porto, Portugal to Salamanca, Spain
A trip up a pristine
river to experience the treasures of northern Portugal:
Old World villages, ancient terraced vineyards, castles
and monasteries and the port wine trail.
Highlights
of Itinerary
Day 1
- Sat: USA - Porto
Board your overnight transatlantic
flight to Portugal.
Day
2 - Sun: Porto
Arrive in Porto and embark the Douro Prince.
Two cities, Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto are divided by the
river and a number of impressive bridges span its high banks.
The Douro Prince is docked on the Vila Nova de
Gaia side. The view of the old city of Porto, across the
river, is spectacular. Relax or explore the city on your
own before a Welcome Aboard cocktail and dinner.
Day
3 - Mon: Porto - Bitetos
This morning, discover
Porto's wealth of historic sights on your city sightseeing
tour. Drive through its elegant residential section along
the Atlantic coast, and explore its Old City with steep
medieval lanes and alleys. Depart this afternoon for Bitetos,
cruising through delightful scenery. This evening's highlight
is dinner in the 14th century former Monastery of Alpendurada.
Before dinner, enjoy a Port wine cocktail on the monastery's
terrace with breathtaking views of the river valley below.
