Skip to main content
All Posts By

Sarah Wohlner

Jul 22
Love0

Eat This City: 3-Day Food & Drink Guide to Lisbon

By Food, Taste Vacations, Travel Tips, Wine No Comments

This guide is for travelers seeking to extend their stay in Lisbon after our Portugal Food & Wine Vacation. This 3-day food and drink guide to Lisbon will take you from iconic bites to unexpected sips—with a few sunset views along the way.

Lisbon isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s a feast for your tastebuds. From buttery pastries fresh out of 100-year-old ovens to wine bars tucked into cobbled alleyways, Portugal’s capital is a dream for food and drink lovers.

 

🍳 Day 1: Bold Breakfasts, Big Views & Classic Sips

Morning: Design-Driven Breakfast Crawl

Start your Lisbon adventure with style—and coffee.

  • The Folks: Minimalist, warm, and buzzy. Try their scrambled egg tartines or the Turkish eggs.

  • Seagull Method Café: Small but mighty. Get the pancakes with ricotta and honey or a savory brunch bowl.

  • Dear Breakfast: Sleek, calm, and great for solo travelers. Order the croque monsieur or matcha pancakes.

Pick one—or hop between them for a progressive Lisbon breakfast tour.

Midday Snack: A True Local Bite

Stop at As Bifanas do Afonso for one of the city’s most beloved pork sandwiches. This humble spot serves juicy bifanas (marinated pork in a papo seco roll) that are simple, spicy, and perfect with mustard.

Afternoon: Sips + View

Then, stroll to Largo das Portas do Sol, a scenic overlook where you can enjoy a cocktail or vinho branco at a plaza-side kiosk. This is the ideal lazy afternoon spot to people-watch with a breeze off the Tagus River.

Dinner: Alfama Flavors & Fado Feels

Book a table at São Jorge—not the castle, but the restaurant tucked into Alfama. Order the grilled octopus, which is smoky, tender, and perfectly Portuguese.

After, grab a small glass of Ginjinha, Lisbon’s signature cherry liqueur, from a hole-in-the-wall shop like A Ginjinha Espinheira near Rossio Square. Sip it standing up like a local.

 

🧀 Day 2: Pastéis, Local Wines & Rooftop Sunsets

Morning: Custard Tart Showdown

Start at Pastéis de Belém, the legendary origin point of the pastel de nata. Then compare with Manteigaria next door, beloved for its caramelized top and perfectly creamy center. There’s no wrong answer—just different styles.

  • Insider tip: Add cinnamon and eat them warm. Always warm.

Afternoon: 

  • Wander into the Cais do Sodré neighborhood for lunch at Sol e Pesca, a quirky restaurant built inside a former fishing tackle shop. Choose from a menu of Portuguese conservas (tinned seafood) paired with crusty bread and crisp white wine.

    • Try: Spiced mackerel + Vinho Verde

Dinner: Contemporary Lisbon at Antù

Set in the Alfama section, Antù blends industrial chic with upscale casual vibes. Think modern takes on Portuguese staples, moody lighting, and inventive cocktails.

 

🥂 Day 3: Hidden Cafés, Theater Bars & Rooftop Toasts

Morning: Slow Start at a Secret Café

Sleep in, then make your way to Teatro da Garagem. Behind this cultural center is a quiet café with excellent city views, a creative vibe, and surprisingly good food. Sit on the patio with a sandwich and espresso—or wine, no judgment.

Afternoon: One Last Toast at the Top

Before dinner, revisit Largo das Portas do Sol if you loved it, or head to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte—another incredible lookout, often with musicians and couples watching the sun drop.

Grab a drink from a nearby kiosk or mobile bar and take it all in. Try a Porto Tonic—white port + tonic water, typically garnished with citrus and mint. It’s light, slightly sweet, and totally refreshing.

Dinner: Farewell Meal with a View

Tucked into a quiet alley near Santa Apolónia, Taberna Sal Grosso feels like eating in a local’s living room. It’s cozy, affordable, and full of flavor. The menu changes frequently, but expect creative twists on Portuguese comfort food like slow-cooked pork cheeks, octopus rice, or roasted pumpkin with goat cheese.

Or lean into spontaneity and ask a local for their favorite tasca (small tavern). Lisbon is full of hidden treasures waiting to be found.

 

Final Must-Trys (If You Missed Anything…)

  • Conservas (Tinned Fish): Try spiced sardines or octopus at Sol e Pesca.

  • Queijo da Serra: A soft, buttery sheep cheese from the mountains.

  • Craft Beer: Grab a pint at Dois Corvos in Marvila, Lisbon’s craft beer district.

  • Pro Tip: Reservations are highly recommended!

Hungry Yet?

Lisbon knows how to feed you—heart, soul, and stomach. We highly recommend spending at least three days exploring, as this city delivers layers of flavor at every turn.

📌 Save this 3-day food and drink guide to Lisbon for your next adventure—or send it to a travel buddy who owes you a bifana.

 

 

Jun 18
Love0

Pairing Food With Local Drinks: 8 Cities That Get It Right

By Beer, Food, Spirits, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

One of the best ways to explore a destination is through its flavors. It’s not just about what’s on your plate, but in your glass. Around the world, some cities go above and beyond, offering local pairings that are more than just delicious—they’re cultural experiences.

Whether it’s a flaky pastry paired with fortified wine or street tacos served with smoky mezcal, these 8 cities perfect the pairing game, giving food-loving travelers something to savor and remember. Let’s talk about pairing food with local drinks.

1. Porto, Portugal

Pairing: Pastel de nata + Tawny Port
Why it works: Portugal’s famous egg tart is a sweet custard dream, and when you pair it with a chilled tawny port, the caramel notes sing. In Porto, you can hop between pastry shops and historic port lodges in a single afternoon.

Pro tip: Visit Café Majestic for coffee and a tart, then cross the river to Graham’s or Taylor’s for a port tasting with cheese and chocolate or let us organize a perfect tasting for you.

2. Cape Town, South Africa

Pairing: Bobotie + Chenin Blanc
Why it works: Bobotie is a spiced meat pie with sweet-savory flavors that shine next to a crisp, slightly fruity Chenin Blanc—a South African favorite that’s having a global moment.

Pro tip: Visit Franschhoek or Stellenbosch for a taste of the Cape’s best pairings, included on our South Africa Wine & Safari Vacation.

3. Brussels, Belgium

Pairing: Moules-frites + Saison beer
Why it works: Mussels in white wine sauce, served with golden fries, call for something dry and effervescent. Enter: saison—a Belgian farmhouse ale that’s bubbly, slightly funky, and perfect with seafood.

Pro tip: Pair each course with a different Belgian beer. You’ll find entire menus dedicated to beer pairings here.

4. Tbilisi, Georgia

Pairing: Khinkali (soup dumplings) + Qvevri wine
Why it works: Georgia is the birthplace of wine, and its amber-hued, skin-contact wines made in clay vessels (qvevri) pair beautifully with hearty local dishes. Khinkali—juicy, meaty dumplings—balance perfectly with the tannic bite of an unfiltered Rkatsiteli.

Pro tip: Try a wine bar like Vino Underground to taste traditional qvevri wines alongside small plates like lobio and sulguni cheese.

5. Mumbai, India

Pairing: Butter chicken + Indian craft beer
Why it works: Mumbai’s vibrant street food and bold curries need refreshment, and India’s exploding craft beer scene delivers. A hoppy pale ale or mango-flavored wheat beer cuts through rich dishes like butter chicken or pav bhaji.

Pro tip: Visit Bombay Canteen or Gateway Taproom for regional dishes paired with creative cocktails and local brews.

6. Bordeaux, France

Pairing: Entrecôte à la Bordelaise + Left Bank red
Why it works: Bordeaux may be famous for its wine, but the food deserves equal praise. A juicy steak in a red wine-shallot sauce sings with a classic Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot blend from the Médoc.

Pro tip: Go beyond châteaux—try a casual wine bar in the Chartrons district to sample regional bottles with cheese, pâté, and duck confit.

7. Mendoza, Argentina

Pairing: Empanadas + Malbec
Why it works: Mendoza’s empanadas (often filled with spiced beef and olives) are baked to golden perfection and practically demand a glass of inky, bold Malbec. The wine’s dark fruit and spice echo the smoky meat and flaky pastry.

Pro tip: Tour vineyards on bike in the Uco Valley, stopping for empanadas and asado lunches with mountain views.

8. Adelaide, Australia

Pairing: Kangaroo loin + Barossa Shiraz
Why it works: Adelaide’s food scene is fearless, local, and bold—just like its wines. Kangaroo, a lean, gamey red meat, pairs perfectly with the spicy intensity of a Barossa Valley Shiraz.

Pro tip: Head to the Adelaide Central Market for snacks, then take a short trip into wine country for cellar-door tastings with seasonal lunch pairings.

From the dumpling houses of Tbilisi to the wine cellars of Adelaide, these cities prove that food and drink are made to be enjoyed together. So next time you travel, don’t just ask what’s for dinner. Ask what goes with it.

Want to learn more about pairing food with local drinks? Check out our featured travel destinations!

May 15
Love0
Portugal tour

Portugal Tour Served Up Beauty, Bacalhau, and Bottles of Wine

By Food, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

I recently had the pleasure of guiding one of the most memorable tours I’ve ever experienced—our Taste Vacations Portugal Food & Wine Tour—and I’m still smiling just thinking about it.

We stayed at the stunning Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão—easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. With views of terraced vineyards and the Douro River right outside our windows, it was already magical. Then on Day 2, the power went out… across the entire country! But if you’re going to lose electricity for 12 hours, this was the place to be. The peaceful atmosphere, incredible scenery, and good company made it a night to remember.

While in the Douro, we enjoyed a wonderful tasting at Quinta da Aveleda, where gorgeous gardens and top-tier wines set the tone for the days to come. As one guest put it, “The excursions, wineries, and restaurants were exquisitely curated!”

Portugal Tour cooking class

Next, we headed to Porto, where the energy picked up and so did our appetite. We took a cooking class with the charismatic Chef Hugo, diving into traditional Portuguese dishes, like bacalhau and caldo verde soup, while sipping wine and laughing together in the kitchen. It was hands-on, delicious, and so much fun. Of course, no trip to Porto would be complete without tasting its namesake—Port! We enjoyed generous pours and learned just how special (and diverse!) these fortified wines truly are.

To round out the tour, we traveled to the Alentejo region and visited the walled town of Évora, with a stop in the tiny village of Monsaraz for a lunch I’ll never forget. At Sabores de Monsaraz, we were treated to an unforgettable lunch prepared by Dona Isabel, a small but mighty Portuguese woman who served us delicious home-cooked dishes—including fava beans and a homemade mint digestif that still have us talking. “Each meal had something special,” one guest shared. “The curation of the dining experiences was extraordinary!”

Portugal tour winery stop

Throughout the tour, I was joined by our amazing local guide, Francisco, whose deep knowledge of Portuguese history, wine, and culture brought every experience to life. His passion and insight made the trip even more meaningful.

What made this journey truly exceptional, though, was the group itself. “The trip exceeded our expectations. We had an amazing group of people on the trip, and everyone became quick friends,” said another guest. And that’s what Taste Vacations is all about—connecting over great food, exceptional wine, and unforgettable experiences.

Portugal tour boat tour

From vineyard views to home-cooked meals, the Portugal tour offered us warmth, flavor, and hospitality at every turn.

If Portugal’s now calling your name—trust us, it’s worth answering.

Apr 01
Love0

The Ultimate Guided Public Tours for Culinary Travelers – 2025 Public Tour Locations

By Taste Vacations No Comments

At Taste Vacations, we’ve spent over a decade curating incredible private and public tours, specializing in food, wine, and craft beer tours worldwide. Most of our trips are private—designed for couples looking for a romantic wine and safari getaway in South Africa or larger groups like a wine and beer magazine publisher’s exclusive retreat. But a few times a year, we roll out the red carpet for our fixed-date public tours—and they are nothing short of spectacular!

These tours are perfect for solo travelers, couples, or small groups who want to immerse themselves in amazing food and drink experiences while making new friends along the way. With intimate groups of just four to twelve guests, you’ll get all the luxury, insider access, and incredible flavors of our private tours—plus the bonus of fun travel companions who share your passion for food, wine, and adventure.

For 2025, we’ve lined up four mouthwatering, bucket-list-worthy public tours:

🍷 A Wine Vacation in Washington State

Dates: April 30 – May 4

Sip your way through Washington’s top wine regions, meet award-winning winemakers, and indulge in perfectly paired gourmet meals—all against the backdrop of stunning vineyard landscapes.

🍻 A Belgium Beer Vacation

Dates: August 17 – 23

Raise a glass in Belgium, the holy land of beer! Explore historic breweries, taste some of the best brews on the planet, and discover the art of beer and food pairings in charming Belgian towns.

🍇 A Food & Wine Vacation in Georgia

Dates: September 15 – 25

Did you know Georgia is the birthplace of wine? This under-the-radar gem is home to 8,000 years of winemaking history, mouthwatering feasts, and some of the warmest hospitality you’ll ever experience.

🌶️ A Food Vacation in India

Dates: November 10 – 18

Spice up your life with an unforgettable food tour of India! From sizzling street food stalls to royal Rajasthani feasts, this tour is a flavor explosion of epic proportions.

For a behind the scenes look at our process for planning tours, and more in-depth details about the 2025 fixed date small group trips, have a watch below:

If you’re craving adventure, delicious bites, and fantastic company, these tours are calling your name!

Visit TasteVacations.com to get all the details and secure your spot. But hurry—our public tours can sell out fast!

Jan 13
Love0

Plan Smarter, Travel Better: When to Start Planning Your Next Vacation

By Taste Vacations, Travel Tips No Comments

Planning a vacation can be just as exciting as taking the trip itself. Deciding where to go, what to see, and what experiences await you makes the journey begin long before your bags are packed. But when is the best time to start planning your next getaway? The answer depends on your destination, your goals, and how much you want to save or splurge. Here’s a guide to help you plan smarter and travel better by choosing the right time of year to start planning.

1. Popularity of the Tour

  • High-Demand Public Tours: If the group tour is to a popular destination or during a peak season (like Europe in the summer or South Africa in the autumn), it’s best to book 12–18 months in advance. For example, our popular tours often fill up due to limited spots, especially because we only run small-group public tours. Our current public tours are listed on our main tour page.
  • Private Tours: If you want to book a private tour, availability is still a variable. For example, our tours include accommodations in boutique hotels or unique lodges, which may have limited availability.

2. Time for Preparation

  • Booking early allows more time to handle logistics, like acquiring visas, renewing passports, getting vaccinations (if necessary), and planning pre- or post-tour extensions (which we highly recommend!).
  • It also gives you time to adjust your budget for the trip or arrange time off work.

3. Flexibility with Flight Arrangements

  • Booking a group tour earlier allows you to align your flights with the tour’s start and end dates. Flight prices are typically cheaper when booked several months in advance, so planning early can save money.

4. Cancellation Policies

  • Always check the tour operator’s cancellation and refund policies. Some group tours offer flexible terms or risk-free bookings if you book early, which can provide peace of mind in case plans change. Our policy states that if we cancel a tour, you can receive a full credit or refund. If you cancel your reservation with 90 days or more advance notice, you can apply all payments to another Taste Vacation in the same calendar year or the following year.

5. Waitlists for Sold-Out Tours

  • If the tour you’re interested in is already sold out, joining a waitlist early may secure your spot if cancellations occur.

Bottom Line

For tours, earlier is always better when it comes to booking. It ensures you get your preferred dates, accommodations, and experiences while potentially saving money with flights. However, for last-minute travelers, staying flexible and monitoring cancellations can still lead to incredible opportunities.

Planning ahead allows you to fully enjoy your trip, free from last-minute stress and logistical hurdles! If you’re ready to start getting excited for your next vacation, email us today!