Castles · FOOD & DRINK
Capped gates and coach seats fill weeks ahead, and the good ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Review of a 13-hour Loire Valley day trip from Paris with Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois, wine tasting, transport, and practical tips.
“It was a great experience from start to finish. Our guides Emma and Jamina were amazing and super sweet and great storytellers! Overall a super experience!”
Review of Château de Pommard's $35 Burgundy tasting, with four wines, vineyard lessons, garden access, practical tips, and renovation limits.
“The different soils were interesting and there is a nice garden beside the parking lot. Easy parking.”
Taste Alicante wines and local tapas inside Santa Bárbara Castle, with sea views, expert guidance, and a choice of classic or premium pours.
“We loved the experience, our guide Mario was so lovely and made the experience very enjoyable. The wines were really nice and it was fun to pair the wines with the foods for the tasting. Would definitely recommend.”
Review of Montalcino’s castle wine tour, Brunello tasting, Tuscan lunch, guides, value, timing, and practical tips before booking.
“Amazing wine tasting experience with a delicious lunch in a spectacular setting”
Cruise Lake Garda from Sirmione to Bardolino for castle views, three regional wines, snacks, and a swim near Villa Canossa.
“Really enjoyed this cruise! The wine tasting is in a bar in one of the cute lakeside towns but we got to taste 3 lovely wines with some nibbles. Stopped by stunning castles and went for a dip off the boat into the lake (with noodles on board for those of us not as confident in the water!). Really recommend!”
Tour Tenuta Santa Maria in Valpolicella, see its villa and cellars, and taste four Amarone-area wines with an expert sommelier.
Ride a 1995 Land Rover from Nice to Château de Crémat for six wines, sea views, local stories, and a relaxed three-hour tasting.
“Excellent tour with insights of the surrounding areas, stories about the castle, and info on the wine. Great ride there and back with our guide who had extensive knowledge of the region.”
Review of Banff’s Eat the Castle food tour, with five tastings, drinks, hotel history, chef access, pricing, parking tips, and booking advice.
“Excellent! The food, drinks, Sue and Nicole, the various kitchen staff, the chef's demonstration were all wonderful.”
Review of Olala Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion half-day tour, with a medieval village walk, château tasting, small group, and practical tips.
“Very nice tour! Our guide René was so nice and helpful , provide us with so much information and good humour!”
Taste four Alicante craft beers at Santa Barbara Castle, with local snacks, expert guidance, and sweeping city views for $21.
Taste Alberta at Banff Springs Hotel with chef encounters, five pairings, castle stories, and behind-the-scenes access in a small group.
“The tour guide Amanda was wonderful! The tour is set up very efficiently. Being offseason our group was small (7), so it was very personal and cozy. The tour featured small servings paired with a drink to complement in several of the hotel’s restaurants. As we made our way around the hotel, we would pause and discuss historical facts which was great. At each meal we met the chef(s) and sommelier who gave us their personal history, information about the food and drink. The food was 5 star quality and taste and the service was excellent. Put this on your must do list as this is a tour not to…”
See Milan’s Duomo rooftops, cathedral, Galleria, La Scala, Sforza Castle, and taste gelato on a small-group guided tour.
“We really enjoyed our tour! Angela was a great tour guide and explained everything clearly. We had enough time to look around and enjoy Milan as well as seeing the sights. It was nice having a small group of only 15. The gelato was yummy too. Well recommended!”
Review of a full-day Loire Valley trip from Paris with Château de Chambord, two winery visits, wine tastings, and lunch.
“Our driver, Lionel was excellent. He explained all well. He spent extra time to make sure we have comfortable journey.”
Explore Nuremberg Castle, churches, bridges, local secrets, and red beer on a 3.5-hour small-group tour with a local guide.
“Darius was awesome! Our tour was so informative and personal! He took his time and let us have some free time to explore. The whole time he seemed like our best friend and we knew him for a long time. We actually met a lot of his family during the tour. We had dinner at his family restaurant and what a nice experience. Book this tour !”
Tour Château de Luc, explore its 14th-century cellar, and taste organic Languedoc wines while learning about Occitan wine history.
“Nous avons passé un très bon moment dans un lieu chargé d'histoire, accompagnés et guidés par Jeanne, qui nous a transmis sa passion, son expertise du vin et et surtout sa passion pour son métier et son (ses domaines) avec simplicité et authenticité ! De plus leurs vins sont variés, excellent et avec un super rapport qualité/prix. Je vous recommande vivement de découvrir cet endroit et toutes les activités annexes. A bientôt”
A keep, a citadel, a palace with battlements, or a day trip to reach one.
