Travel to wine destinations in America, Europe & beyond!

Planning a trip is sometimes as exciting as the journey itself: researching the chosen destination, discovering unique, cannot-be-missed spots, and daydreaming about the smells and flavors we will indulge in, help us anticipate the joy and holiday bliss even before we arrive in foreign lands.

Here’s a short list of destinations to consider if you are already thinking of a wine escapade:

Bordeaux, France

Don’t just take our word for it: Bordeaux, the quintessential wine city in France, has recently been named the “Number 1 Destination to Visit in 2017” by three -yes, three- renowned international media: famous travel guide Lonely Planet, Los Angeles newspaper L.A. Times and American news channel CNN's Travel section.  

A short drive away from fantastic beaches, the highest sand dune in Europe, and world-famous vineyards and châteaux, this bourgeois melting-pot in the southwest of France is the perfect excuse to skip tourist-flooded Paris, and discover the French art-de-vivre with a less hectic pace:

  • Right in the heart of town, surrounded by the magnificent Stock Exchange building and facing the Garonne river, Bordeaux’s incredibly picturesque Miroir d’eau (“water mirror”) is the world's largest reflecting pool and makes for some unique photo opportunities.
  • The Cité du Vin has recently opened its doors and it has already charmed 300,000 visitors with its modern design, hundreds of wines available, panoramic restaurant, fantastic exhibits, and free conferences with celebrated personalities from the wine world.
  • Take a wine-tasting cruise on the Garonne to see the UNESCO-listed city and its world-class vineyards from a different perspective.
  • Go on a leisurely walk over the 17 arches of the Pont de Pierre (one for each letter in Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s name) to take in the views of the aptly nicknamed Moon Harbor (Port de la Lune).

Bordeaux is almost 600 km away from Paris, but don't let that discourage you: it will only take about 2 hours to get from Paris to Bordeaux on a high-velocity train (TGV), so you can make it a same-day escapade if you are pressed for time. However, try as you may, one day will not be enough to unveil all the secrets and incredible treasures Bordeaux has to offer, so we strongly suggest you extend your stay to at least 3 days, if not a week. Come discover the city, its beaches and vines, indulge in gourmet meals and superb wines, and see for yourself why international media are obsessing over this French enclave.

best bordeaux wine tours - Wine Paths

 Miroir d'eau, Bordeaux 

Douro Valley, Portugal

This breathtaking valley in northern Portugal is not only listed as UNESCO World Heritage but it is also the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Accessible by boat, train, car and even helicopter, the Douro Valley is an impossible-to-miss destination on every wine lovers’ bucket list, and it is clear why: the winding river, the glorious landscapes of terraced vineyards, the fantastic local food, the quaint quintas and Porto, lots of it.

Plan ahead so you can do all of these and more!

  • Indulge in a comparative Porto tasting
  • Visit a few wine-producing quintas nestled in the gloriously remote countryside
  • Spend a few nights at a wine hotel in the charming Portuguese towns that dot the region
  • Join the grape harvest in September and take part in a lagarada (barefoot grape-stomping), one of the oldest wine-making traditions in the valley
  • Go on a river cruise to enjoy the magnificent views
  • Have lunch at a traditional Portuguese taberna in Régua, the capital of the Douro region or in the small town of Pinhão, hidden in the heart of the valley
  • Learn about the rabelo boats and why the wine barrels they used to transport down the river were never completely full.
best wine tours in douro valley - Wine Paths

Photo credit: titoalfredo via Visualhunt.com /  CC BY-NC-SA 

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Granted: some people only think of South Africa as the lush land where savanna animals run free and can be photographed from the safety of a safari jeep. Others, include beaches, rugby, Nelson Mandela and the apartheid in the equation, but more and more, discerning travelers are considering South Africa as a top food & wine destination, and rightly so.

Stellenbosch is a mere thirty minutes drive from Cape Town, yet it is already far enough from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is unofficially known as South Africa’s Wine Tourism Capital and its wine route is the country’s oldest. Along this route, there are over 150 wine farms eager to share their best vintages, production’s secrets and stunning landscapes with you. Immerse yourself in the vine life and discover the soul of the region's Winelands with unique cellar-door experiences conceived to please the wine lovers and amateurs alike.

For those looking for an original approach to wine tourism, there are several award-winning wine estates that offer typical “Pinotage & Biltong” pairings which combine two South African essentials: their flagship grape -a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut- and their dried, cured meat specialty -made of beef, game or ostrich.

If you still feel like a safari cannot be left out of your South African trip, then consider joining a sustainable safari around a large wine estate property to discover their biodiversity program, vines and history.

best wine tours in south africa - wine Paths

Photo credit: hugo.workandplay via VisualHunt.com /  CC BY-NC-ND

Salta, Argentina

In this northern Argentinian province, landscapes are unusual and breathtaking: a road trip down the main route will offer memorable sights and stops, like the Quebrada de las Conchas and its incredible Anfiteatro or the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). The deserted land is covered in cacti and reddish rock formations that transport you to an altogether different time and place. Alpacas roam freely and locals dress in the typical and colorful clothing of the altiplano (high plain). In the namesake capital city, the High Mountain Archaeological Museum features Incan artifacts and, one at a time, it exhibits the incredibly well-preserved mummies of three young kids that were offered to the gods in sacrifice, by the Incans themselves over five hundred years ago.

Salta, and more specifically, the Cafayate Valley is the land of Torrontés, the only 100% Argentinian grape variety, which produces an incredibly perfumed dry white wine. The country’s most recognized grape, Malbec, is also king in this region that has fantastic sun exposure -Salta is sun-drenched year-round- and little UV protection due to the altitude, which results in thick-skinned grapes and incredibly rich and fruit-forward red wines. The world’s highest vineyards (at 3111 m.a.s.l.), and the oldest working winery in Argentina, are located in the Calchaquí Valleys, in the heart of Salta’s Wine Route. For a pairing made in heaven, match their wines with local specialties such as empanadas salteñas or Argentina’s quintessential dish, a thick, juicy steak.

luxury tourism in argentina - Wine Paths

Salta, Argentina – Photo: Barbara Pintos ©

Penedès, Spain

Penedès is both a Catalonian region and a Spanish wines Denominación de Origen, DO (“Designation of Origin”), and it has long been considered one of the country's best wine-producing regions after Rioja. Its name may not necessarily ring a bell in itself, but its main production certainly will: cava. Yes, Spanish sparkling comes almost entirely from Penedès, one of the most ancient wine-making areas in Europe; then, it goes without saying that a visit to this breathtaking region a mere 30 minutes from Barcelona, will be bubble-filled.

Penedès is a magnificent region with fantastic beaches, imposing mountains and seemingly infinite vineyards that make for a singular countryside landscape. Local wineries and cava producers have contributed to bringing international fame to the area thanks to their sparkling wines.

These are but a few of the original activities you can expect to take part in when visiting the region:

  • Join a “Make your own Cava” workshop: learn everything you need to know about Spanish bubbles, including the famous disgorgement process and… get your own label on the bottle!
  • A Phylloxera plague decimated vineyards around the world in the late XIX century and to this day, remains a black chapter in wine making history. In Penedès, however, they host a yearly festival in Sant Sadurní D'Anoia to “celebrate” the pest: the Festa de la Filoxera. This 2-day event is unique in the world: people dress up, they parade giant representations of the sap-sucking insects down the streets, they fire firecrackers and share -what else?, lots of bottles of cava. A truly incredible insight into the Catalonian culture and traditions.
  • If instead, you are looking for an exclusive, luxury experience, then a helicopter ride over the vineyards and the Mediterranean Sea should be at the top of your list. Land in the vines to join the winemaker for a special tour of his winery and a superb wine tasting.
  • If you are visiting at the end of August, make sure you join in the celebrations of the Festa Major de Vilafranca (literally, “the Major Party of Vilafranca”), one of the most popular and spectacular festivals in Catalunya. Get ready for fireworks, music and dances in the streets, colorful parades and human towers galore.
  • Speaking of which, don’t miss the harvest season’s most impressive event: the Castellers de Vilafranca, for a grandiose representation of teamwork, strength and concentration.

Penedès is definitely a memorable destination for fine wine, culture and nature lovers.

best penedes spain wine tours - Wine Paths

Cava cellar in Sant Sadurní D'Anoia, Spain – Photo: Barbara Pintos ©

 

These 5 incredible destinations around the world should be enough to get you started with your next wine adventure planning.

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