Tantalising culinary trips
One of the most authentic ways to experience a destination is through its food. Local dishes and delicacies can reveal so much about a place, giving an insight into its history and traditions. Whether you are a connoisseur who's sampled plenty of gourmet dishes, or you're an enthusiastic foodie who loves to try new things, you'll be tantalised by our handpicked selection of culinary-focused trips.
This tour of Venice's beautiful canals is a great way to explore the variety of the islands and sample local delicacies as you explore. Between your scheduled visits - which include private visits to the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica - there will be time to savour authentic Veneto specialities. A highlight of this exclusive cruise is a gala dinner cooked and designed by celebrated chef James Martin. There will also be a talk and Q&A hosted by James, where he'll share insights into his life and career as a celebrated chef.
Alternatively cruise the Venetian Lagoon with Angela Hartnett
On this foodie inspired tour of Tuscany and Siena you'll discover the regions culinary delights, with city tours, wine tasting and farm-to-table dining experiences. Explore the medieval city of Siena and taste the famous Sienese cakes at a local pasticceria. Delve into Tuscan wines with visits to Ricasoli Wine Estate and tastings of Chianti and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The tour ends in style with a hands-on cooking class at a family-run farm, where you'll learn traditional techniques to recreate Tuscan flavours at home.
Slovenia is fast gaining popularity as a foodie destination, with a strong beer- and wine-producing tradition and delicious specialities like olive oil and truffles.
This five-night tour takes you to gorgeous Ljubljana, the beautiful Triglav National Park, famous Lake Bled and the majestic Triglav National Park. You'll visit Kamnik, the centre of Slovenia's craft beer production, the Vipava Valley, where you'll taste some local wines and Istria, where you'll go on a truffle-hunting expedition. Slovenia has a number of Michelin-starred restaurants - such as Strelec Restaurant in Ljubljana and Hiša Franko in the Soča Valley - which you might wish to dine at during your trip (not included).
All the areas we visited were amazing. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and also very flexible; changing the itinerary to work around the rainy days as much as possible.
- Guest on the flavours of Slovenia tour, May 2024
Italy's gastronomic capital is a treat for food-lovers. The wider Emilia-Romagna region is known for its rich and varied culinary treasures, especially the capital Bologna, home of ragù sauce (known outside Italy as bolognese), tortellini pasta and mortadella sausage. On a guided tour of the city you'll learn about its history through gastronomy and sample some renowned dishes for yourself.
Also on the itinerary is Modena, famous for its balsamic vinegar, where you will do a vinegar tasting and take a cooking class with a local host. You'll also visit Parma ham and Parmesan producers, and of course get to sample these mouthwatering products as well.
Sample delectable port wines on this unforgettable cruise through the Douro Valley, a sun-kissed region of Portugal that is the world's oldest demarcated wine region.
A number of food and wine tastings are part of your itinerary, allowing you to sample delicious authentic cuisine and discover the country's winemaking traditions. You'll visit Quinta da Avessada, where you'll enjoy traditional Portuguese food, wine, and entertainment, and Quinta da Roeda, for a port wine tasting. You'll also stop at Régua, a city central to the region's port production, and Pinhão, surrounded by vineyards and wine-producing quintas.
It was our first experience of a cruise and we were very pleased with the trip. The staff were helpful and the route of the trip was very good. We loved the food and drink onboard. The river itself was fascinating and very interesting offering wonderful scenery. Even though the weather was not good it generally did not detract from the experience.
- Guests on the Douro river cruise, April 2024
If a cruise perhaps isn't your thing, why not join this escorted land tour through the Douro Valley and Porto? Your eight-day itinerary begins in the city famed for its port, where you'll have the opportunity to taste the fortified wine.
Other foodie experiences throughout this tour include visits to a traditional bakery with a demonstration and tasting, a sparkling wine cellar with small plates in Lamego, no fewer than five wine tastings and even lunch at a local Quinta with a talk from the owner.
Visit olive farms, bakeries and vineyards, enjoy delicious tastings, and take a pasta-making class on this immersive culinary tour of the Puglia region in southern Italy.
Puglia is known for its delicious fresh produce that thrives in the region's warm and sunny climate. Sample regional specialities as you tour this beautiful region, including olive oil produced near Ostuni, bread baked in Altamura and orecchiette pasta produced in Bari, which you'll also learn how to make from a local signora. A highlight of the trip is a cookery masterclass at a local masseria, where you'll learn to prepare authentic Italian dishes before feasting on your creations at a traditional dinner.
The tour guides Fabrizzio and Marius were excellent. We really enjoyed the vineyard and olive farm visits. A lovely touch was being given a bottle of wine at the vineyard and the ice cream later.
- Gourmet Tour of Puglia, June 2023
Cruise through Bordeaux & the Médoc wine region with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge. Sail along the beautiful Médoc region. Enjoy wine tasting experiences at local vineyards and the beautiful Château Royal de Cazeneuve wine estate which includes sampling some fresh oysters, a real regional delicacy. Tom will join you onboard for part of the cruise to host a cooking demonstration and answer your questions in a Q&A session.
Sicily may be the Mediterranean's largest island, but you'll get to explore it all on this eight-day tour - where culture, archaeology and gastronomy combine.
Visit a traditional 'Agritourism', a rural house serving farm-to-table produce for a delicious light lunch during your journey from the small town of Piazza Armerina to Taormina. You'll also have free time in Taormina and Ortigia Old Town - perfect opportunities to feast upon freshly-caught seafood in a trattoria, or discover local street food delicacies.
Sail aboard the luxurious S.S. La Venezia ship on this exclusive eight-day river cruise of the Venetian Lagoon. You'll have exclusive access to iconic landmarks, including an atmospheric lighting ceremony at St Mark's Basilica and early morning entry to Doge's Palace.
A highlight of the trip is the company of celebrated chef and MasterChef judge Monica Galetti, who'll give a special talk, and Q&A and join you on a trip to Chioggia's vibrant local market.
