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Jan 05
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The Taste Vacations Difference: Small Group Culinary Tours You’ll Never Forget

By Beer, Food, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

When it comes to food and wine travel, not all culinary tours are created equal. At Taste Vacations, we believe a great trip should go beyond checking off sightseeing boxes—it should immerse you in authentic, local flavors, warm hospitality, and memorable moments shared with like-minded travelers.

With over 30 years of experience in the travel industry (including our sister companies Zephyr Adventures and Travel Montana), we’ve crafted a unique approach to culinary tours that food, wine, and beer lovers keep coming back for.

Here’s what makes Taste Vacations the best choice for your next delicious escape:

1. Small Group Culinary Tours With Big Flavor

We keep our groups intentionally small—typically 15 guests or fewer—so you enjoy more personal attention, flexibility, and access to places larger tour groups can’t go. Whether you’re exploring a vineyard in Tuscany or sharing a meal in a local’s home in Georgia, our intimate group size fosters deeper connections and more authentic experiences.

2. Start in the City, Stay in the Storybook

While we often start or end our tours in major cities like Bilbao, Lisbon, or Florence for convenience, we spend the heart of the trip in charming, lesser-known towns that offer both tranquility and character. These hidden gems let you slow down, unwind, and truly taste the culture—without the crowds.

3. Real Local Experiences You Can’t Google

Our itineraries are built around hands-on, immersive moments—not lines and landmarks.

  • Cook a regional dish alongside a local chef

  • Visit small, family-run wineries you won’t find on TripAdvisor

  • Savor meals at under-the-radar restaurants the locals actually eat at

  • Enjoy private tastings, chef-led dinners, or visits to artisan producers

These aren’t your average culinary tours. They’re personalized, curated, and full of flavor—literally and figuratively.

4. Comfortable Luxury in Every Destination

From boutique hotels in French wine country to stylish guesthouses in Portugal’s coastal towns, we prioritize comfort, charm, and local flair. You’ll stay in unique accommodations that reflect the personality of the region, all while enjoying the level of luxury you deserve on vacation.

5. Local Guides Who Feel Like Friends

Every Taste Vacations tour includes a professional local guide who travels with you throughout the experience. Think of them as part concierge, part cultural translator, and part storyteller. Whether you need help ordering a regional dish, finding a quiet wine bar, or understanding a local custom—they’re there to support you.

6. Where We Go: Food & Wine Destinations Worth Traveling For

We lead culinary tours in some of the world’s most delicious destinations, including:

  • Italy – We start our tour in Florence, capital of the Medici, and hit major areas including Chianti, Arezzo, Assisi, and Montepulciano, with a side trip into Umbria.

  • France – We’ll taste a wide range of Bordeaux wines from both the Left and Right Banks

  • Spain & Portugal – Discover tapas, paella, vinho verde, and ginjinha

  • Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia & More

Explore all our destinations here →

💬 What Guests Are Saying

“It felt like traveling with friends—without the stress of planning. The meals, the people, the wine… it was perfect.” – Taste Vacations Guest

“Every day included something I never would have discovered on my own. You can’t put a price on that.” – Spain Taste Vacation Guest

Ready to Savor Your Next Vacation?

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply craving an unforgettable escape, we invite you to join us on a tour that feeds your appetite for travel.

Don’t miss our special public tours that are open to everyone:

Nov 10
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culinary tour seasonal flavors

When to Book a Culinary Tour for the Best Seasonal Flavors

By Beer, Food, Travel Tips, Wine No Comments

Harvests. Truffles. Beer festivals. Timing your culinary tour around the best seasonal flavors can turn a good vacation into a great one.

There’s something magical about traveling when a region is at its taste-peak. When the vineyards are heavy with fruit. When the forest floor yields truffles. When breweries roll out fresh, seasonal releases. For food and drink lovers, the when of your tour can matter just as much as the where. At Taste Vacations, our private culinary tours are designed to let you arrive at exactly the right moment—so you don’t just sample flavors, you experience them when they’re at their freshest and most vibrant.

Here’s a look at how seasonal timing enhances your culinary journey—and how to align it with some of our top destinations.

Harvest Season: Vineyards, Olive Groves & Farm-to-Table

Why It Matters:
 Harvest season means produce, oils, and wines are freshly gathered, at their peak flavor, often followed by local festivals or special events. You’ll taste fruit that hasn’t been shipped halfway around the world—or wine that’s literally just been pressed.

Where You Can Go:

  • On our Tuscany Food & Wine Vacation, aligning your trip shortly after the grape harvest (often late September–October) means you’ll visit wineries when harvest activity is vibrant and wine-cellars still buzzing with pressings.
  • On a Portugal Food & Wine Vacation, timing your arrival post-harvest means you’ll sample olive oils and local table wines fresh from the press.
  • A Georgia Food & Wine Vacation (U.S.) during fall harvest gives you access to apple orchards, cider tastings and local farm dinners—when local produce is abundant.

Booking Tip:
 Plan your tour for late summer into early fall (depending on region) to catch harvest festivals, special tastings and farm tours at their most authentic.

 

Truffle Season & Wild Foods: A Taste of Hidden Ingredients

Why It Matters:
 Few things thrill a foodie like truffle hunting in a misty forest or tasting mushrooms just gathered from the region. These elements give a tour a unique edge and unforgettable memory.

Where You Can Go:

  • In Italy, for example, truffle season in regions like Piedmont or Tuscany (November–December) adds a special dimension. On a private Tuscany Food & Wine Vacation, you can schedule a truffle hunt with a local expert and meal featuring fresh truffles.
  • On our Spain Food & Wine Vacation, timing dinners around seasonal wild mushroom varieties or game hunts gives your group access to rare regional ingredients.
  • Even on a Portugal Food & Wine Vacation, autumn timings bring chestnuts, wild game and regional specialties that don’t appear outside the season.

Booking Tip:
 Book for mid-November through the first half of December (or regional equivalent) if you want truffles, wild mushrooms, and forest-to-table experiences.

Beer & Brewery Festivals: Fresh Brews + Local Culture

Why It Matters:
 Beer festivals and seasonal brewery releases offer fresh-off-the-tap brews, special editions, and local brewing culture. Traveling during these events gives you insider access beyond the standard tasting.

Where You Can Go:

  • On the Belgium Beer Vacation (or a private Belgium Beer tour), plan for the months when spring & fall beer festivals happen. You’ll visit breweries rolling out special festival brews and join crowds of local beer lovers.
  • In the U.S., a private Asheville Beer Vacation or Czech Beer Vacation timed during festival weekends adds energy and local flavor—visiting brewpubs, attending live tastings and experiencing beer culture in context.
  • On our Ireland Brewery & Distillery Vacation, timing around St. Patrick’s season or regional beer festivals gives a deeper cultural layer to your “taste” adventure.

Booking Tip:
 Research local beer festival calendars in your destination and plan your trip for just after—when breweries release new batches and events are lively.

How to Choose the Right Time for Your Private Group

Since private tours give you flexibility with dates, use these guidelines:

  1. Match Season to Ingredient/Drink Theme.
    • Want vineyards at harvest? Go late summer/early fall.
    • Want truffles or wild mushrooms? Choose late fall.
    • Want beer festivals and special brews? Align with festival weekends.
  2. Coordinate with Your Group’s Availability.
     Because you choose your own dates for a private tour at Taste Vacations, you can pick a period when your group is free and when it’s a peak culinary moment.
  3. Book Early — for Access & Value.
    Reserving ahead gives you the best lodging, the best vineyard appointments, and the best brewery access.
  4. Ask About Seasonal Add-Ons.
     When you inquire about a private tour, simply ask us “Can we include a truffle hunt?” or “Will our trip coincide with the beer festival in Brussels?” These special elements often require date flexibility and early planning.

Why It Works for Private Culinary Tours

When you’re traveling with your own group of friends or family—and customizing your itinerary—a seasonal-flavor focus elevates the experience. You’re not just “doing a food & wine tour,” you’re arriving at the moment when the food is freshest, the culture is richest and the region is alive with local activity. At Taste Vacations, we specialize in making these experiences seamless, personal and memorable—so your group eats, sips and connects together in a way that feels intentional, not rushed.

With Taste Vacations, you have the freedom to pick the right moment and travel with your own group. Start by thinking: “What ingredient or drink excites me most?” Then ask: “When is the season for it?” Combine that with your group’s availability—and you’re well on your way to booking a culinary vacation that tastes like no other.

Bon appétit … and happy planning! 

Sep 18
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memorable food and drink destination

Where Food & Drink are Most Memorable in Small Group Settings

By Beer, Food, Taste Vacations, Wine No Comments

When it comes to travel, the most memorable parts of a destination are often the food and drink. But some places truly come alive when explored with a small group of like-minded travelers. At Taste Vacations, we design our itineraries around the culinary heart of a region, ensuring you don’t just taste the highlights—you savor them deeply. Here are some of the best examples:

  • Picture wandering through the vineyards of Bordeaux, where an intimate group size means you can sit at a winemaker’s family table and hear the stories behind each bottle.
  • Explore Belgium, not just sipping famous beers, but gaining behind-the-scenes access at breweries too small to host busloads of tourists.
  • In Mexico, a cooking class with a local chef becomes more than a lesson—it’s a shared cultural exchange where flavors spark conversation.
  • In Italy’s Tuscany region, go truffle hunting, tour a local pecorino (sheep’s cheese) farm in Pienza, and enjoy a a picnic with the local Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, or Nobile de Montepulciano wines.
  • Head south to Chile and Argentina, where you can cross the Andes from one wine culture to another, comparing the crisp Carménères of Chile with the bold Malbecs of Mendoza—all while forging friendships over unforgettable meals.
  • Travel north and you’ll find Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where you might share a glass of Pinot Noir with a winemaker at their kitchen table, or explore Portland’s eclectic food scene as locals do.
  • In Spain, tapas tours transform into evenings of laughter and camaraderie as you wander from one hidden gem to another with fellow travelers who share your passion for culinary discovery.

Food and drink shine brightest when you can slow down, connect, and go beyond the tourist trail. With small group travel, every meal becomes an experience, every toast a celebration, and every bite a story worth telling. Start Planning Your Culinary Journey...

Jun 18
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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!

Apr 30
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Belgium’s Beer Culture

Belgium’s Legendary Beer Culture

By Beer No Comments

If you have a passion for exceptional brews, then Belgium is your ultimate playground. Known as the birthplace of some of the world’s most extraordinary beers, this vibrant country invites you on an exhilarating journey through a rich tapestry of flavors and traditions. Dive into Belgium’s legendary beer culture and discover the unique tastes that have captivated enthusiasts around the globe!

Why Belgium is the Ultimate Beer Travel Destination

Belgium embodies the spirit of brewing like no other country. Its rich brewing heritage is woven into history, culture, and daily life. UNESCO recognizes Belgian beer culture as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” celebrating both the exceptional product and the cherished traditions that enhance lives.

1. Belgium’s Beer Is as Diverse as Its Culture
With more than 300 active breweries producing over 1,500 distinct beer styles, Belgium is a playground for beer lovers. From bold, complex Trappist ales brewed by monks in silent abbeys to refreshing saisons born on Belgian farms, and funky, sour lambics aged in wooden barrels, Belgian beer offers **a range of flavor profiles** that few countries can match.

Every region in Belgium brings its own twist—Wallonia’s rustic farmhouse beers, Flanders’ deep reds and browns, and Brussels’ spontaneous fermentation magic. It’s more than just beer; it’s a full-spectrum tasting experience that reflects Belgium’s multicultural roots.

2. The Trappist Breweries: Beer with Soul
Belgium is home to six of the world’s eleven official Trappist breweries, where beer is brewed by or under the supervision of monks. These spiritual brewing houses, such as Westmalle, Chimay, and Orval, aren’t just iconic—they’re sacred to beer enthusiasts.

Travelers can visit these monasteries, learn about the monastic brewing process, and often sample beers on-site. Tasting a Westvleteren 12 (considered one of the best beers in the world) just a few steps from where it’s made is not just a highlight—it’s like a beer pilgrimage.

3. Historic Cities, Beer Bars, and Beautiful Breweries
From Bruges’ cobblestone streets to Brussels’ lively beer cafés, Belgium is ideal for beer enthusiasts. Many bars feature hundreds of beer options, often served in unique glassware. A visit to Delirium Café in Brussels, once holding the Guinness World Record for beer selection, is a must for any beer traveler.

Plus, Belgium’s brewery architecture is stunning—think centuries-old abbeys, canal-side warehouses, and charming countryside farmhouses. Touring breweries like Brouwerij De Halve Maan or Cantillon is like walking through beer history.

4. Belgian Beer Is Meant to Be Savored
One of the most refreshing things about Belgian beer culture is how beer is treated with reverence, more like fine wine than a casual drink. Belgians understand that good beer is about balance, complexity, and experience.

5. A Guided Belgium Beer Tour Makes It Effortless
Exploring Belgium as a beer enthusiast is amazing, but it can be challenging to navigate the language and logistics. A guided Belgium beer tour is the perfect solution, offering exclusive brewery visits, curated tastings, beer-paired meals, and a knowledgeable guide to uncover hidden gems.

On a guided beer tour, you’ll not only enjoy expertly curated tastings, but also learn how to pair beer with Belgian cuisine, which includes world-class cheese, mussels, frites, and chocolate. It’s a culinary journey that deepens your appreciation for each sip.

Belgium Beer Tour: Trappists and Beyond

Now, you can experience it all firsthand with our new Belgium Beer Tour: Trappists and Beyond, a curated, intimate journey into the heart of Belgian brewing history!

What Makes The “Trappists and Beyond” Tour Different

The Trappists and Beyond tour goes deeper than the classic Belgian beer trail. While many beer tours focus on larger cities like Brussels or Bruges, this journey is about immersing yourself in the quieter, more authentic corners of Belgium, where brewing traditions still follow the rhythms of the land and history.

  • Exclusive Visits to Trappist Breweries:
    We’ll visit several of Belgium’s iconic Trappist breweries, including the revered Orval and Rochefort abbeys, where monks have been perfecting their brews for centuries.
  • Beyond the Trappists:
    You’ll also explore independent breweries, small-town beer cafes, and family-run establishments producing outstanding Belgian ales, farmhouse saisons, and more.
  • Charming Towns and Scenic Countryside:
    Instead of sticking to big cities, this tour leads you through the lush forests of the Ardennes, historic villages, and picturesque farmlands—showing you a side of Belgium many travelers miss.
  • Private Tastings and Insider Access:
    You’ll enjoy private tastings, guided visits, and conversations with brewers who are passionate about sharing their craft.

Who is This Tour Perfect For?

If you love beer, have an appetite for cultural experiences, and prefer traveling with a small group of like-minded people, this tour is designed for you. It’s ideal for travelers who:

  • Appreciate the art and heritage behind every glass
  • Want a deeper, less touristy experience of Belgium
  • Have time to explore and fully enjoy leisurely days filled with tastings, history, and great company
  • Are open to the ease and comfort of a fully guided experience, where all the logistics are handled for you

Get Ready to Raise a Glass

If you’ve been dreaming about traveling to Belgium for a beer-focused adventure, now is the time. The Belgium Beer Tour: Trappists and Beyond offers a rare chance to dive deep into the world’s most storied beer culture with an expertly curated itinerary that blends tradition, taste, and travel.  Join us in 2025 for an unforgettable journey through Belgium—one Trappist brew at a time.