Food & Wine Tours

It's no wonder that culinary travel is a major trend; one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture is through its cuisine. Our Food & Wine Tours are designed to take you to some of the world’s most flavorful locales, like Tuscany and southern Italy, the Champagne region of France, Spain’s Catalonia region, and even the vineyards of Chile. You can’t go wrong when there are so many delicious places to explore—but our expert Tour Consultants are here to help you pick your perfect trip from our many food and wine travel packages.

Along with guided sightseeing tours and stops at top attractions, our food and wine travel packages include experiences that give you an insider’s look at the culinary scene in your destination. (That means market visits, wine tastings, tours of farms and vineyards, cooking classes, and more.) You’ll be able to try famous dishes from kitchens around the globe, like handmade tagliatelle and ragu in Bologna or paella in Spain, as well as new delicacies that your Tour Director will help you uncover.

Our Food & Wine Tours feature small groups of 10-22 travelers, so you can make the most of your shared culinary experiences together. Furthermore, sustainable food practices are at the heart of each itinerary. That means you’ll participate in cultural exchange through cuisine and meet local vendors and producers who promote the preservation of local traditions.

All our Food & Wine Tours are designed to highlight the best eats a region has to offer, but you’ll also have free time to explore your destination—and that means more time for trying new dishes. Your Tour Director is your go-to, no matter where you go; they’ll be able to share tips and steer you toward more incredible bites.

The meals included in our food and wine travel packages are designed to highlight the authentic cuisine of your destination. Along with daily breakfasts at your hotel, you’ll enjoy select lunches and dinners filled with regional specialties (that means handmade pasta in Italy, fresh seafood in Portugal and Greece, and plenty of jamon in Spain) as well as wine tastings and other experiences like farm and vineyard visits. Whether it’s fresh goat cheese in France’s Loire Valley or ceviche in Lima, Peru, the best way to experience culinary travel is through taste! You don’t have to be an adventurous eater, but being enthusiastic about new experiences is a must while on tour.

Of course, if you have any dietary restrictions or concerns, our team can work with you to ensure you get the most out of your Food & Wine Tour.

There’s no single best wine region, but some consistently stand out for the quality of their wines and the experience of visiting them. Here are a few of the world’s most compelling wine regions, and why they’re worth knowing (and tasting):

Tuscany, Italy, is a classic for a reason. Rolling hills, medieval towns, and vineyards produce iconic wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. It’s a place where wine, food, and landscape are inseparable, and where tastings often come with olive oil, pasta, and long lunches.

Sicily, Italy, has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting wine regions. The volcanic soils around Mount Etna produce elegant, mineral-driven reds and whites from grapes like carricante. Add dramatic scenery, ancient history, and bold regional cuisine, and Sicily feels both timeless and cutting-edge.

Bordeaux, France, is synonymous with fine wine. Known for structured reds like cabernet sauvignon and merlot as well as elegant whites like sauvignon blanc, the region offers grand chateaux, historic cellars, and a deep sense of tradition that wine lovers dream of experiencing firsthand.

Argentina is best known for malbec, especially from Mendoza, where high-altitude vineyards sit against the Andes Mountains. The wines are bold yet refined, the scenery is jaw-dropping, and winery visits often include leisurely lunches and warm hospitality that make it easy to linger.

Chile combines pristine geography with exceptional value and quality. Regions like Casablanca produce standout sauvignon blanc, carmenere, and cabernet sauvignon wines. Cool ocean breezes, mountain backdrops, and innovative winemaking techniques make Chile a favorite for both tasting and touring.

Slovenia is one of Europe’s quiet wine stars. Small producers, organic practices, and expressive wines like rebula and sauvignon blanc define regions such as Goriska Brda. It’s intimate, scenic, and refreshingly under-the-radar—perfect for travelers who love discovery.

Croatia offers a fascinating mix of old-world grapes and coastal beauty. Indigenous varieties like plavac mali thrive along the Dalmatian coast, while crisp whites shine in Istria. Vineyards overlooking the Adriatic, historic towns, and fresh Mediterranean food make it a joy to explore.

No, you don’t need to be a sommelier to enjoy one of our Food & Wine Tours. Although enthusiasts will love the insider access, special tastings, and vineyard tours, those new to wine will find these trips offer a friendly introduction to each region’s bites and signature sips.

If you’re brand-new to wine, here are a few terms and must-knows to get you started. While traveling, your Tour Director and local guides, as well as the vintners and sommeliers you’ll meet, will give you an even deeper understanding of their craft.

Body: This describes how heavy or light a wine feels in your mouth.

• Light-bodied wines feel more like water or tea (think: pinot grigio).
• Full-bodied wines feel richer and heavier, like milk or cream (think: cabernet sauvignon).

Tannins: Tannins create that dry, slightly puckering feeling on your gums—like strong black tea. They mostly come from grape skins and seeds and are common in red wines. More tannins usually mean a wine that can age longer.

Acidity: Acidity gives wine its freshness and zing. If a wine makes your mouth water, it’s high in acidity. Acidity keeps a wine from tasting flat and makes it pair great with food.

Dry vs. sweet:

• Dry, essentially, means not sweet. It has nothing to do with how dry the wine feels—that’s thanks to tannins.
• Sweet wines have noticeable sugar left after fermentation (like moscato or dessert wines).

Finish: The finish is how long the flavors linger after you swallow.

• A short finish fades quickly.
• A long finish sticks around pleasantly for several seconds (or longer).

Varietal: This is the type of grape used to make the wine. (Examples include chardonnay, pinot noir, and malbec.) If a label says just one grape, it’s usually the main varietal.

Terroir (TERR-wahr): A French term that describes how place affects a wine—soil, climate, altitude, and even local traditions.
It’s why the same grape can taste totally different when grown in different regions.

DO/DOC/DOCG: These European wine classifications tell you where a wine comes from and how strictly it’s regulated.

• DO (Denominacion de Origen): Used in Spain, this indicates when a wine comes from a protected region with quality standards.
• DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata): Used in Italy, this indicates that a wine follows specific rules about grape types, production, and origin.
• DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita): Used in Italy, this indicates that a wine follows even stricter rules than its DOC counterparts and requires government tasting approval before release.

Similar systems exist in other European countries, like AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee) in France.

Vintage: The year the grapes were harvested, not bottled. Weather matters, so some years are better than others, depending on the region.

Oak/oaked: If a wine tastes like vanilla, spice, toast, or smoke, it’s likely been aged in oak barrels. Oak can add flavor and texture, especially in chardonnay and many red wines.

Balance: A balanced wine means nothing sticks out too much—not too acidic, not too tannic, not too sweet. Balance is often a sign of quality, even if you can’t quite explain why you like it.

Old World vs. New World:

• Old World wines (e.g. from France, Italy, and Spain) often taste more earthy and subtle.
• New World wines (e.g. from Argentina, Chile, and the U.S.) tend to be bolder and fruit-forward.

Along with guided sightseeing tours and stops at top attractions, our food travel packages include experiences that give you an insider’s look at the food scene in your destination. That means market visits, wine tastings, tours of farms and vineyards, cooking classes, and more. You’ll be able to try famous dishes from kitchens around the globe, like handmade tagliatelle and ragu in Bologna or paella in Spain, as well as new delicacies that your Tour Director will help you uncover (think: fresh Greek olives, Sicilian buffalo mozzarella, or Basque ciders straight from the cask).

Our Food Tours feature small groups of 10-22 travelers, so you can make the most of your shared culinary experiences together. Sustainable food practices are at the heart of each itinerary. That means you’ll participate in cultural exchange through cuisine and meet local vendors and producers who promote the preservation of local culinary traditions.

All of our Food Tours are designed to highlight the best eats a region has to offer. But, you’ll also have free time to explore your destination—and that means more time for trying new dishes. Your Tour Director is your go-to, no matter where you go. So, they’ll be able to share tips and steer you toward more incredible bites.

In addition to delicious eats, these tours typically include a stay at a unique property. For example, you might spend a night at an agriturismo, a castle hotel, or an onsen resort. You can check out each tour’s signature accommodation by visiting the tour’s itinerary page.

Our Food Tours make your host country’s signature dishes the main event. Think: Vietnamese cuisine fragranced with lemongrass, steaming bowls of Japanese ramen, salty Greek feta, and the tang of balsamic vinegar in Italy. You’ll experience these fresh, new flavors in night markets, seaside tavernas, rustic osterias, and family homes.

While you’ll enjoy complementary wine and beer on our regular Food Tours, if you’re a wine lover (or a wine novice!) looking to deepen your understanding and appreciation of all things viticulture, our Food and Wine Tours are for you. With these trips, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at both storied and up-and-coming wineries—paired with plenty of tastings, of course. You’ll also get to meet vintners and sommeliers who’ll share the science and stories behind the grapes.

Since 2019, we’ve partnered with America’s authority on all things food and drink to offer immersive tours that take travelers inside Europe’s esteemed kitchens, wine cellars, and culinary events. Ready for platefuls of pintxos and glasses of sparkling cava? Travel like a culinary insider on our exclusive tours with America’s Test Kitchen. These trips visit Spain, Portugal, and Italy, and include unique experiences like stomping grapes in the Douro Valley at the height of harvest season and attending the Alba White Truffle Fair in the Piedmont region.

Regardless of which tour you choose, you can expect daily breakfasts, either at your hotel or at a local cafe or restaurant. In addition, you can expect food walking tours, farm lunches, and select dinners. You can see the exact number of meals offered on each of our tours on the tour description page, so you know exactly what to look forward to every day. While on tour, lean on your Tour Director for guidance on each day’s activities, and don’t forget to check the Go Ahead app for your daily itinerary.

You don’t need to be an experienced cook, or even an amateur, to join us on a Food Tour. Although you certainly can be—and you’ll love rolling up your sleeves alongside experienced chefs and bakers—our Food Tours make every experience beginner-friendly. Whether you’re making pasta or sushi, you’ll have experts by your side to show you the way.

We’ve designed our Food Tours to be welcoming, supportive, and fun for you and your groupmates. All you need to do is come with an open mind.

The meals included with our food and wine travel packages are designed to highlight the authentic cuisine in your destination. Along with daily breakfasts, you’ll enjoy select lunches and dinners filled with regional specialties (that means handmade pasta in Italy, fresh seafood in Portugal and Greece, and plenty of jamon in Spain) as well as wine tastings and other experiences, like farm and vineyard visits. Whether it’s fresh goat cheese in France’s Loire Valley or ceviche in Lima, Peru, the best way to experience culinary travel is through taste! You don’t have to be an adventurous eater, but being enthusiastic about new experiences is a must while on tour.

Please note that in some more remote locations on tour—like Japan’s Niigata region—dietary needs, like gluten-free items, are more difficult to accommodate. Vegetarian and vegan preferences are reliably accommodated.

Our team can work with you to ensure you get the most out of our culinary vacations. If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging into your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Each Food Tour includes a bit of physical activity, whether it’s strolling through a museum, climbing the steps of the Acropolis, or wandering cobblestone streets. That’s why they’re assigned a physical activity level: Low, Moderate, High, or Very High. These ratings give you a better sense of what to expect based on your itinerary.

How to find your tour’s activity level

You can find your tour’s activity level on its page on our website. Just click the activity level (for example, “Moderate”) to read the full description. If you’re already booked, you’ll also find this information under Health Notes in your online account (U.S. travelers/Canadian travelers) or mobile app (U.S. travelers/Canadian travelers).

Use this rating, along with the tour itinerary and our Tour Pace FAQ, to decide if a tour matches your comfort level and travel preferences.

What each activity level means

Low

Perfect for travelers who prefer short walks and a more relaxed pace.

You’ll:

• Walk about one mile per day
• Stick to mostly flat, paved, or indoor surfaces
• Climb occasional, well-maintained stairs
• Stand briefly during commentary or photo stops
• Carry your own luggage
• Get on and off the motor coach without assistance

Example activities:

• Strolling through flower gardens in Amsterdam
• Riding a canal boat in Paris or London

Moderate

Great for travelers who are comfortable with casual walking and some hills or stairs.

You’ll:

• Walk about two miles per day
• Navigate mostly flat ground with occasional stairs or inclines
• Stand for varying periods during guided tours
• Carry your own luggage
• Get on and off the motor coach without assistance

Example activities:

• Touring a vineyard and taking a cooking class in Southern Italy
• Exploring museums in Scandinavia

High

Best for travelers who enjoy staying active and want to make the most of each day.

You’ll:

• Walk 2-3 miles per day
• Navigate cobblestones, stairs, and hills
• Climb stairs often, sometimes without handrails
• Stand for long stretches during walking tours
• Carry your own luggage
• Get on and off the motor coach without assistance

Example activities:

• Walking through ancient ruins in Italy
• Touring historic palaces in Alpine Europe

Very high

Ideal for travelers with hiking or fitness experience who are up for a more vigorous adventure.

You’ll:

• Walk 3-5 miles per day (or more, depending on excursions)
• Navigate rocky paths, steep hills, and uneven staircases
• Climb tall staircases often
• Stand for extended periods during walking tours
• Carry your own luggage
• Get on and off the motor coach without assistance

Example activities:

• Hiking in the Japanese Alps
• Walking through hilltop villages on the Amalfi Coast

Our Food Tours are ideal for solo travelers! Thanks to smaller groups of 10-22 and lots of hands-on activities like cooking classes, solo travelers will have many opportunities to bond with their fellow food lovers over pasta, paella, and so much more.

It’s no wonder that culinary travel is a major trend: One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture is through its cuisine. Our Food Tours are designed to take you to some of the world’s most flavorful locales, like Tuscany and southern Italy, the Champagne region of France, Spain’s Catalonia region, and Japan. You can’t go wrong when there are so many delicious places to explore—but our expert Tour Consultants are here to help you pick your perfect trip from our many food-focused travel packages.

Absolutely! Our collection of Food Tours highlights cuisine, culinary traditions, and agriculture, but we stop at plenty of other must-sees, too. You can expect your food-forward adventure to include visits to local landmarks like the Acropolis in Athens, as well as free time to explore on your own.

Seasonality plays a huge role in what you eat while traveling. Our Food Tours are intentionally timed to align with peak harvests, local food festivals, and the moments when ingredients (and cultures!) shine their brightest. Traveling this way means fresher flavors, deeper traditions, and more chances to connect with the people behind the food.

• Italy and Greece: These countries are best to visit in spring and fall, when markets overflow with fresh produce, olive oil and wine harvests are underway, and temperatures are ideal for lingering meals and vineyard visits.
• Japan: Spring brings delicate seasonal dishes alongside cherry blossoms, while fall highlights mushrooms, seafood, and sake. Both are exceptional times to taste regional specialties.
• Thailand and Vietnam: The year’s cooler, drier months are the most comfortable time to travel, and offer access to vibrant street food scenes, river markets, herb and fruit farms, and rice paddies.