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Traveling through Europe or across a continent on a wine tour is a wonderful way to learn a little something about fine wines and vineyards while seeing the sites. Packaged sightseeing tours have been around for decades, but recently wine tours have been gaining popularity for those interested in not only culture, but gourmet food and drink as well.
There are several regions of the world that are particularly well known for the fine wines; France and Italy, of course, as well as places like South Africa, Australia and Argentina. Wine tours offer a combination of structured stops at various wineries with free time and some included tourists spots, giving you a balance of activities. Many people who choose a wine tour as a way to travel do so with a group of friends or another couple to increase the fun.
One of the greatest advantages of wine tours is the chance to get a bit more out of your visits to the local wineries. You usually have the opportunity to taste some wines that aren’t available to the general public and a short lesson in wine appreciation or the vintner’s art.
There are as many wine tours available as there are types of wine, so be sure you know what you really want out of your experience, then shop around. Wine tours vary not only according to what area you are traveling through, but by how much you want to immerse yourself in the wine tasting experience.
Standard Wine Tours will usually include stops at several local wineries that are well known for tastings that include a brief history of the wine specialties for that region. You may also learn a bit about the particular vineyards and grapes and get a short tour of the aging barrels, processing area, etc.
Reserve or Private Wine Tours are arranged for small, exclusive groups. These include visits to wineries, including various Chateaux in France, that aren’t generally open to the public. You may stay in a five star hotel or on the actual estate of the winery. Accompanying you will be a renowned wine expert who will be your guide and give you an in-depth education on the wines of the region. You’ll be invited to taste rare vintages and are allowed in the vineyards during harvest and crush.
Wine Tour Cruises give you the chance to truly relax and enjoy your wines. Traveling by sailing yacht, you’ll visit picturesque ports along areas like the Mediterranean coast, visiting famed local wineries. At each stop you’ll be able to try the wines with local specialty dishes and soak up the local color. While traveling, you can sun on the deck and get to know your fellow travelers.
The hardest part will be deciding which part of the world you want to see. Since any wine tour you go on will showcase the best wines of that region, you should select a part of the world you’ve been wanting to visit with or without the wine. Then you can choose which of the wine tours within that region you would enjoy the most. You’ll come home with wonderful memories and a new appreciation for fine wines.
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