Top Europe Holidays - page 15

Where better to fine-tune your appreciation of French wine than the wine capital of France? Delve into the long history of winemaking in France with a tour of the Wine and Trade Museum in Bordeaux and learn the secrets of Bordeaux’s ‘Grand Vins’. Then, indulge in an expert-led wine tasting, sample fine Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines and discover the difference between Merchant and Chateau wines.

Raise a glass to German beer on this guided brewery tour in Cologne. Follow your guide, a fellow beer lover, as you visit three famous brew houses around the historic city. With space for 10 guests, you’ll get a taste for Kölsch beer, receive insider insights, and explore the fascinating brewing culture of Cologne in a relaxed way.

The Zadar Archipelago is made up of hundreds of islands and islets. Explore some of the region’s most popular spots on this small-group boat tour. Swim in the crystal clear ocean waters of Blue Bay Otrić, explore the protected forests on Ošljak—Croatia’s smallest inhabited island—or grab some souvenirs from the town of Preko. Decide how you want to spend your time swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on the boat.

Learn more about London’s history on this fascinating Jack the Ripper-themed walking tour of the East End. As well as the notorious serial killer, learn about his women victims, who have largely been overlooked by history. You’ll visit former crime scenes and historic landmarks as your guide tells you fascinating stories about Victorian London. Get a close-up look at this part of the city by exploring on foot.

Enjoy a relaxing trip on the water, plus views that most visitors miss, during this intimate sunset sailing trip along the Barcelona coast. As you sail, look out for top sights from the Sagrada Familia and Montjuïc to Barceloneta, all visible from the water's edge. Choose between small-group and private options, upgrade to include live music, and enjoy tapas and drinks along the way.

Kick off the night with a fun group of travelers on a pub crawl of Gdansk, and discover the best local bars and hottest clubs in the city. Learn to party like a Pole as a series of three venues with 2 complimentary drinks, and get exclusive discounts at each place. Skip the lines, forget about cover charges and enjoy the evening worry-free as you experience the legendary nightlife of a city that keeps the party going until sunrise.

What better way to see and learn our culture than through our food? We're passionate about sharing the delightful food and wines that have made Porto become Portugal's Gastronomic capital. Our relaxed but informative Porto Wine Tastings with Tapas are a great way to relax after exploring the city and have a fun time whilst continuing to learn about our proud Wine History in the Porto and Douro regions. You'll leave with happy memories, and you can upgrade to add Vintage 20-year Tawny Ports and Reserva Ruby Port. So you don't need to worry about driving, we can also arrange a private transfer to and from your accommodation in Porto at extra cost.

Don’t just eat Italian food on your Milan vacation, learn how to create it, too. This small-group cooking class puts the spotlight on two classic plates—fresh pasta and tiramisu—that are favorites of both locals and travelers alike. Take part in a lunchtime class to help your personal chef prepare dishes from scratch, while learning about Italian ingredients and the Milanese culture. Wine and soft drinks are extra perks.

There's no better souvenir to bring home from your travels than the gift of authentic Italian cuisine. Learn how to make fresh egg pasta the Italian way with a local chef in his home in a historic palazzo and master the art of fresh pesto, too. Numbers are capped at just six travelers, ensuring an intimate experience and likely the chance to make friends over lunch.

Bulgaria has been making wine for around 5,000 years and boasts a wealth of delicious varietals—many of them found nowhere else in the world and hardly ever exported. Savor the unique flavors of five Bulgarian grapes—misket, Melnik, mavrud, gamza, and rubin—on a tasting led by a local expert in one of Sofia's best boutique wine merchants. Pair their fine flavors with local cheese and artisan breads.

While today Whitechapel is one of London’s most popular districts, once upon a time it was where one of the city’s most famous criminals stalked his victims and carried out his murders. Discover the areas that Jack the Ripper once terrorized while getting a deeper understanding about Victorian London and the still-unsolved murders on this Central London walking tour.

This flexible Montserrat tour allows you to tailor your experience to match your preferences. Choose a guided visit to Montserrat Monastery with time for independent exploration, or enhance your journey with optional add-ons such as a scenic cogwheel train ride, a delicious lunch, or a winery visit complete with tastings.

Combine a trip to the ancient Roman town of Pompeii with a visit to Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano that buried it centuries ago. This day-long tour from Naples offers skip-the-line access and hotel or port pickup for convenience. Choose from larger group tours or upgrade to smaller groups of 18 or VIP tours capped at eight. All options include lunch and a wine tasting.

Pair beer with history on this evening walking tour of Munich, and discover the city's best beer gardens with the help of a local guide. This small-group tour limited to six people, includes beer at your first stop and introduces you to the history, culture, and sights of the beloved Bavarian city. Food and additional drinks are at your own expense.

Escape the crowds on land and admire Croatia's coastline at the most magical time of day on a sunset kayaking tour in Dubrovnik. Exploring in a kayak means that you'll have access to coves, caves and beaches that traditional tour boats can't reach. Plus, you'll enjoy stops to go cliff diving, swimming, and snorkelling, and well as sample some local wine.

See a completely different side of Lisbon during a sunset sailing trip. Exploring by boat allows you to enjoy unobstructed views of Lisbon’s riverside sights—which include the UNESCO-listed Belem Tower (Torre de Belem)—without having to experience the crowds on land. Plus, this cruise includes Portuguese wine to toast to the sunset.

Get out of Yerevan for a day of exploring Armenia on a full-day trip to Khor Virap, Norovank Monastery, T'rchuneri (Bird) Cave, and Areni, a wine-growing town in a scenic landscape. With a guide to help bring each destination to life, you’ll discover history, the natural world, and some of Armenia’s most distinctive wines. This full-day tour departs from central Yerevan and includes entrance fees, light refreshments, and transport in a climate-controlled vehicle.

Spend a day exploring the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley during this small-group wine tour that takes you through the picturesque Portuguese countryside. Your guide picks you up, and whisks you off to the valley, with stops at beautiful Peso da Regua and Pinhão. Enjoy a river cruise and lunch at a local restaurant in Pinhão. You also learn about the area's wine production with tastings at two wineries.

Discover three different Sicilian wineries as you sample tasty regional reds, whites, and rosés. Driving in an air-conditioned car, cruise past picturesque villages, fruit orchards, and lava-made churches as you explore the fascinating region of Etna, known for its volcanic terroirs. Sip samples of the volcano-infused drink in family-run wineries, munching on local gastronomic delicacies, from cheeses to salami.

Check off three UNESCO–listed Loire Valley châteaux in just one day—and make exploring beyond Paris city limits simple—on this full-day, small-group tour. Look forward to visiting Chenonceau, Chambord, and Amboise Châteaux, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Benefit from round-trip transit, included admission tickets, and time to explore with a guide and at your own pace. Then, enjoy a wine tasting before departing.

Learn to cook traditional Italian dishes during this Tuscan cooking class in Siena. From homemade pastas to juicy cuts of meat, a professional chef leads you through a combination of family-favorite recipes and time-tested dishes, culminating with a shared meal and excellent wine. This class is held in a professional kitchen and limited to a small group of 15 people or fewer for a more intimate experience.

Avoid the tourist traps and explore Florence’s food scene like a local on this small-group tasting tour. Sample treats that locals love in the Sant’Ambrogio market area, with a guide on hand to show you where to visit and what to eat. From gourmet fare to street vendors and wine bars, savor the best of the city’s food and drink like a true Florentine.

Get a taste of Spain during a hands-on cooking class in Madrid including wine pairings. Learn how to prepare traditional tapas during a half-day class where you are welcomed with a glass of cava. After cooking dishes such as garlic prawns and stuffed piquillo peppers, sit down to feast on everything you’ve prepared, plus a main course and dessert. Sample different Spanish wines throughout.

Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Zadar has many small islands off the coast that hide some stunning natural sights to uncover. Hop aboard a speedboat on this half-day small-group boat tour and explore Ošljak—the smallest inhabited island in the Adriatic Sea—the historical sights on the Galevac islet, and the pristine beaches of Preko.