I will be the first to admit it- one of my favorite things about traveling is trying all the different foods from around the world! For those like me, those who believe travel is best experienced through the senses, there’s no journey quite like tasting your way across Europe. From the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux to the sun-soaked olive groves of Tuscany, this is where passion meets palate! Where each destination tells its story through its food, wine, and artistry.
This type of travel style isn’t your typical “eat-and-go” to provide enough sustenance to get you through the day- It’s an indulgent escape designed for those who savor life, exquisite, local flavors, and moments that linger long after the last sip of wine. So let’s take a look at this curated list of the best way to explore a taste of Europe!
France – The Art of Refinement
Let’s start with a country that’s world-renowned for their exquisite flavors and five-star restaurants. France has long been the gold standard for culinary excellence, and for good reason. Start in Bordeaux, where grand châteaux open their cellars for intimate tastings of some of the world’s most celebrated vintages. Continue north to Burgundy, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reach near-mythic perfection, best enjoyed in candlelit wine caves beneath centuries-old estates.
For a touch of sparkle, make your way to Champagne (can you guess what is crafted here?), where sabering a bottle under the Épernay sun feels like a true rite of passage. Cap your evenings with elegant French cuisine. Perhaps a truffle risotto paired with a Grand Cru vintage. Then take a rest at one of the region’s countryside retreats like Les Sources de Caudalie, where vineyards and wellness go hand in hand.
Italy – Passion on a Plate
No culinary journey is complete without a stop in Italy, where food isn’t just nourishment, but love expressed on a plate. Begin in Tuscany, rolling through fields of vines that produce Brunello and Chianti Classico. Here, guests can join a truffle hunt in the forests of Alba or learn the secrets of handmade pasta alongside a Michelin-starred chef in a rustic villa kitchen.
Head next to Piedmont to sip rare Barolo wines straight from the source, or venture south to the Amalfi Coast, where sea breezes and lemon groves frame every meal in pure beauty. Luxury villas like Castiglion del Bosco or Il Borro Relais offer the perfect blend of refinement and rustic charm. These are places where you can raise a glass as the sun dips over golden vineyards and toast the good life.
Spain – A Symphony of Flavor
Of all the places I’ve visited in Europe thus far, Spain has been my stomach’s favorite! Vibrant, passionate, and endlessly creative, Spain’s culinary scene celebrates flavor and flair. Start in San Sebastián, a coastal gem with more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere else in the world. Sample pintxos from bustling old-town bars before indulging in avant-garde tasting menus that redefine Spanish cuisine. And, have you heard of their TikTok famous San Sebastián cheesecake? I’ve tried it- it’s amazing! So please don’t skip dessert!
Continue from there into La Rioja, where wine enthusiasts can blend their own signature bottles, then finish in Barcelona, where tapas culture and seaside luxury meet in perfect harmony. You might even want to stay at the architectural masterpiece Marqués de Riscal, which is part futuristic wine cathedral, part hotel, but either way, it’s a truly unforgettable experience.
*What are tapas? (besides my favorite thing in the world!) Tapas are appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. Using regional ingredients and special family recipes, restaurants, bars, and cafes can specialize in a select few, or a wide variety of tapas to offer guest.
Portugal – The Old World’s Gem
Often overshadowed by its neighbors, Portugal is quietly earning its place as a top-tier culinary destination. In the Douro Valley, terraced vineyards cling to hillsides above a river that glimmers like liquid gold. Cruise through this stunning landscape on a private riverboat, stopping to sample vintage ports and local delicacies.
In Porto, centuries-old cellars welcome travelers for tastings paired with artisanal cheeses and chocolates. The Six Senses Douro Valley offers a luxurious retreat, where spa treatments use wine-infused oils and dining experiences showcase the best of Portuguese terroir. This is not an experience you’ll want to pass up!
Hidden Treasures: Europe’s Best-Kept Gourmet Secrets
Beyond the famous food capitals, Europe hides treasures that every gourmet should experience.
- Slovenia’s Vipava Valley is home to boutique winemakers crafting exceptional natural wines in a landscape of green hills and medieval villages.
- Austria’s Wachau Valley is beloved for crisp Grüner Veltliners and riverside apricot orchards that glow in the summer sun.
- Croatia’s Istria Peninsula offers truffle-rich forests, olive oil tastings, and stunning coastal views that rival the Amalfi — but with far fewer crowds.
Signature Experiences for the Culinary Traveler
Luxury culinary travel isn’t about checking boxes and earning bragging rights amongst your group of friends, it’s about embracing cultures in a different way and allowing yourself to fully emerge all of you senses in each journey.
It’s about savoring a five-course meal aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express as it glides past alpine peaks. Or joining a private cooking class in Provence, guided by a chef whose recipes have been passed down for generations. Perhaps your journey continues on a Rhine River wine cruise, where medieval castles rise above terraced vineyards, or in a Michelin-star kitchen in Paris, where you dine beside the chef’s table. Every experience is intimate, authentic, and entirely unforgettable.
Food and wine are the threads that weave Europe’s cultures together, and the most delicious way to experience its history, art, heart and soul, and the most exciting ones will take a bit of effort to organize. Thankfully, you won’t have to take on all that work on your own. This is where I come in- it’s what I specialize in, and I want to help you plan it!
Let’s Work Together!
I would love to meet you and get to know all about your dream vacation! So, if you’re ready, schedule your first travel consultation with me now! Not quite ready to start planning yet? Get inspired HERE, and check out my Planning Process to see how I work.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this article, and I do hope you’ve found the information in it valuable. Please remember to like and subscribe so that you never miss out on my travel tips and updates! And don’t forget to share this article with everyone you believe might benefit from the information.
Leave a comment below letting me know how I’m doing, or suggest a topic you’d like to learn more about in the future!
Create My Adventure Travel Blog 