Europe Travel Guide: Food, Wine, Hotels and More

The glittering Eiffel Tower, the sunset in Tuscany, the azure waters of the Iberian coast. Europe’s amazing scenery, history and culture, wine and food – these are just one of the pleasures that attract tourists from all over the world. Some European countries consistently rank among Americans’ top vacation destinations.

This story provides a curated list of destinations and activities for wine tourists in both countries. This is not an all-encompassing guide, but a selection of our wonderful experiences visiting wine country and major cities.

France and Italy each have dozens of wine regions, thousands of wineries, countless taste experiences and a range of unique activities. Traveling in these countries is not about seeing everything, but about enjoying the best of them. To that end, this edition of the European travel guide outlines luxury hotels in the world’s top wine regions, specialty restaurants with incredible wine lists, and unforgettable experiences that you’ll be talking about long after you open your suitcase and travel. The passport is stored at home again.

France

Whether it’s the first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, the crunching of the perfect baguette or a bottle of champagne in an open-air café, these moments are the reasons why Paris remains the top tourist destination for Americans visiting Europe. Known as one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris is rich in history, art, architecture, fashion and, of course, world-class food and wine. But Paris also offers access to the rest of France, each with its own art and history, breathtaking views, food specialties, and wines. From the unforgettable beaches of Normandy and the luxurious castles of the Loire Valley, to the picturesque town of the Golden Hill of Burgundy and the lavender fields along the French Riviera, France’s charm is manifold.

Paris

Cruising along the Seine is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of this city of light. Aboard Le Calife, guests can enjoy a two-hour tour that includes lunch or dinner. However, what sets this experience apart is not only the delicious classic French dishes and a simple wine list from the main regions of France, but also the charming atmosphere of Le Calife itself.

It took Le Calife nearly two decades to repair and convert from an old cargo barge into a recreational boat. It includes the installation of a glass roof as well as some unique features such as copper bars with stained glass decorations, a spiral staircase, and a grand piano dating back to the end of the 19th century.

Le Calife is conveniently located above the Pont des Arts and across the river from the Louvre. The crew timed the dinner cruise with great precision, passing by the Eiffel Tower almost exactly every night when it lit up and began to flicker.

Willi’s Wine Bar

For more than 40 years, Willi’s Wine Bar has welcomed wine lovers to its location in the 1980st arrondissement, close to the Royal Palace. British expat Mark Williamson founded Willi’s in <> inspired by his passion for then-unpopular Rhône Valley wines. Today, the wine list still focuses on the Rhône Valley, but it also explores the wider world of wine, including some of the more esoteric corners such as Madeira, Sherry, and Tokaj.

With a long wooden bar and comfortable tables and chairs, Willi’s is a warm and inviting place to rest after a day exploring Paris. Every year, Willie releases limited-edition bottle-themed posters on the walls and ceilings. The service is lively and unpretentious, and the staff is always ready to guide visitors through the wine list and menu in English and French.

The kitchen offers elaborate bistro classics with delightful innovative accents, perfect for enjoying a glass or two of wine with friends or significant others or as a full meal. Willi’s Wine Bar is a must-see for all wine lovers visiting Paris.

Burgundy

Visitors to Burgundy should consider staying at L’Hôtel de Beaune, whose stylish rooms and suites are housed in a 19th-century mansion in the heart of Beaune. However, for wine lovers, the hotel’s Bistro de L’Hôtel restaurant is not to be missed.

Chef and owner Johan Björklund writes an ode to Burgundy with the restaurant’s 2,000-choice wine list. There are top wines and rare wines, such as Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet and Rousseau’s Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St.-Jacques. Diners can also turn to sommelier Frédéric Gille and Colin Laurencey for guidance on unknown discoveries.

In addition to Burgundy’s rich wines and selection from the wider wine world, Bistro’s wine list as a whole offers impressive depth, with a wide selection of multiple vintages. But the brilliance of these miniatures is overshadowed by some serious benchmark wine collections, including 1993 vintages each from Comte Georges de Vogüé’s Bonnes-Mares (dating back to 1972) and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s Romanée St.-Vivant (dating back to 13).

The elegant, light-filled rooms of the Bistro de L’Hôtel (seasonal courtyard terrace) are an oasis of relaxation after a day of tasting in the area. Björklund’s menu includes exquisite bistro classics and simple dishes, among which table service with grilled Braisse chicken or flame pancakes stands out, and just one or two ingredients can shine.

Bordeaux

Have you ever tasted a certain wine and wondered how to change it to better suit your own tastes? The Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages makes custom wine production a reality with VINIV Bordeaux, a carefully curated tasting and production experience.

VINIV begins with a home tasting of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, hosted by the concierge, produced by 12 vines owned by Cazes from the different appellations on the left and right banks of Bordeaux. The second tasting of the base mixture of your choice takes place at the VINIV factory in Bordeaux Pauillac. A third and final tasting in Bordeaux or at home allows for a final adjustment of the wine. Both the second and third sessions take place with the winemaker who executes your decision. Meanwhile, a London-based agency works with you to design your own wine label.

The experience can be tailored to individuals or groups, and ends with 288 bottles (24 cases) of wine to drink or cellar.

Provence

La Villa Madie’s terrace sits on the water with world-class views of the Bay of Cassis, unbeatable. But the excellent cuisine and service provided by chef Dimitri Droisneau and his wife Marielle rivals the view.

Droisneau offers three tasting menus and an extensive wine list, highlighting the wealth of the South of France, especially seafood. Just above La Villa Madie, diners can enjoy equally delicious à la carte dishes (and another beautiful terrace) at the more casual La Brasserie du Corton, which is also owned by Droisneaus.

Adjacent to the modern building with these excellent restaurants is the Clos Ste.-Magdeleine, an unrelated elite estate that is only accessible by appointment. For the perfect day in Provence, enjoy a morning wine tasting at the winery, book lunch at La Villa Madie, and take a dip in the turquoise waters of the nearby Calanque de Port Pin in the late afternoon.

The Gorges of Pennafort

Les Gorges de Pennafort is a boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of Provencal vineyards. About an hour’s drive north of Saint-Tropez, down the road from the Château d’Esclans (which I first discovered), the hotel has 13 charming rooms and suites with hammam and spa, swimming pool, tennis court and more.

L’Hostellerie Les Gorges de Pennafort is the hotel’s restaurant, led by Chef Anthony Salliège, which is outstanding. With a range of indoor rooms and a wide terrace, it’s a great place to have lunch or dinner between visits to the winery, even if you’re not staying at the hotel itself. Traditional French cuisine is exquisite, with elegant dishes made with fresh ingredients, accompanied by flowers, herbs and delicious sauces. The menu also includes a wine list of 600 bottles and attentive white tablecloth service.

Village market

The charm of the French village is fully displayed in the weekly market. Early in the morning, the stalls are filled with a variety of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables to local handicrafts, food, flowers, wine, and more. Vibrant colors, sounds and smells can all engage the senses, and even if you’re not shopping, just sitting on the sidelines and watching the pedestrians is a fascinating activity in itself.

Weekly markets are a tradition in dozens of towns and villages in southern France, but not everywhere and dates and times vary from place to place. If you live in a rural area, ask the friendly locals, hotel concierge or the owner of the holiday home to find a market near you. Some of the outstanding markets include Liller am Solgue Market on Thursdays and Sundays, Carpentera Market on Fridays and Apt Market on Saturdays. The town of Coustellet is 5 minutes from the Oppède Olive Oil Museum and has a large market on Sundays from April to December.

Italy

Immersed in the relaxed mindset of Italian la dolce vita (“La Dolce Vita”), the ideal complement to a European holiday. But for many American tourists, coming to the Italian coast is a busy day for art, religious and historical sightseeing in Florence, Rome and Venice. Since Piedmontese and Sicily wines are popular in the United States, tourism in these regions is also booming. In addition to these touchpoints, Italy covers 20 different regions, each with its own culture, landscape, wine, and cuisine. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or getting your Italian entry stamp on your passport, you’ll have the chance to see the sights, sounds and delicious flavors of Bella, Italy.

Venice

Grab a snack in Venice and taste the city’s famous cicchetti: taste the fresh and delicious food of the day, served in bite-sized form. Located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood of Venice, Cantine del Vino già Schiavi is loved by locals and tourists alike for its delicious cicchetti (from creative products to traditional staples) and its wine cellars with more than 500 brands.

On a busy afternoon, get ready to shout out to the bottles (wine list) on the wall and the cicchetti on the counter. Then, grab your plate and glass and grab a seat on the steps across the alley from the St. Troisso bridge. Order, consume and repeat until you’re ready to plunge into Venice’s busy sea of visitors.

Rome

Rome is a vast city full of considerable tourist attractions, including the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica. But part of the charm of Rome’s chaos lies in the smaller details – exploring where tourists mingle with residents, enjoying delicious family-run restaurants, and learning how to operate the city’s Nasoni (aqueduct water fountain) system like a local.

Capture all this and more on a walking tour of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood from “Gourmet Europe”. Historically, Trastevere was known for its artists and bohemian style, but in modern times, it is also known for its gastronomic culture. On this tour, enjoy skip-the-line access to a trendy little restaurant, soak up the atmosphere (and wine) of a synagogue-turned-cellar that dates back to the 11th century, and indulge in croquettes, roasted suckling pig, and organic ice cream. Despite only four hours to explore, it’s easy to be impressed by the Trastevere region with a bite to eat and drink at each stop.

Florence

As the birthplace of the Renaissance and gateway to the classic Chianti, Florence attracts a large number of visitors every year, but Florence is also known for its simple footprint in the historic center.

There are many bridges over the Arno River, winding through Florence. On one side is Florence’s busy city center, home to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, high-end shopping malls and other tourist attractions. On the other side is the Oltrarno area, a quiet neighborhood inhabited by locals and next to artisan workshops, galleries, etc.

No trip to Florence is complete without a tour on both sides of the river. For accommodation, consider the Grand Hotel Minerva, located on the edge of Piazza Santa Maria Novella in central Florence, or the Hotel Lungarno across the river, just minutes from the famous Ponte Vecchio.

With a high level of gracious service, impressive art and design, and exquisite décor, both hotels are excellent starting points for exploring Florence. Grand Hotel Minerva is known for its rooftop pool and terrace, as well as unique rooms, including stunning frescoed suites. Hotel Lungarno is known for its luxurious, well-lit bar and rooms with some of the best views of Florence’s Ponte Vecchio and close to Borgo San Jacopo, one of Florence’s few Michelin-starred restaurants.

Tuscany

Imagine visiting a winery one day and then returning to your base camp (a resort in the Tuscan countryside) for a week to enjoy a poolside aperitif and group dinner with family or friends. For many American wine lovers heading to Tuscany, holiday homes are an attractive option, with everything from rustic farmhouses to luxury homes with on-site staff and luxury amenities.

Located between Florence and Montalcino, Petrolo Winery is one of the many options. The winery owns and manages six detached villas that are available to visitors to Tuscany seeking a “villa experience”. The smallest Feriale II can accommodate only 4 people, while the hotel’s manor villa, La Villa, can accommodate up to 33 people and has exclusive access to tennis courts, swimming pools, and billiards and table tennis. The house has a terrace with panoramic views of the rolling hillside or the surrounding olive groves and gardens. If cooking at the end of the day seems too much, a private chef is available on request.

Piedmont

DuVine’s six-day Piedmont tour offers cycling enthusiasts the chance to experience the best of northwest Italy: rich cuisine, world-famous wines, and breathtaking landscapes that cars can’t capture on wheels on the ground. DuVine’s team offers carefully planned itineraries with attention to small and large details. Guests will enjoy wine tastings at the boutique winery and enjoy gourmet cuisine featuring truffles, hazelnuts and cheeses from the region. and other signature foods. Scenic roadside aperitifs and elegant country accommodation in the evening are popular rest stops along the way. Meanwhile, Duven’s bilingual guides take care of bicycle maintenance, luggage transfers, tickets, and more. It is a journey of vibrant relaxation and luxury.

Sicily

The Planeta family was an early ambassador of Sicily, helping to study and improve the quality of the island’s wines, and then in the 20s of the 90th century brought the island’s wines to the attention of the world. For visitors to the area, they also act as ambassadors for luxury living in the Sicilian countryside, their La Foresteria wine resort.

Most of the 14 rooms and suites have private terraces with views of the surrounding Mediterranean gardens, vineyards and/or the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Active guests can enjoy the estate’s hiking and cycling trails; Enjoy the infinity pool, adjacent beach and massage services. For wine and food lovers, there are wine tastings, including visits to Planeta’s Menfi winery and wines from four other Sicilian estates, live cooking classes and a tasting menu by Chef Angelo Pumilia.

Cantine Pellegrino, one of the few historic wineries that still produces premium masilla wines in vineyards in western Sicily, also produces a range of non-fortified wines made from native and international grapes. Nowadays, most wine and food lovers are probably more familiar with the masala used for cooking, but in the 19th century it was one of the dominant products of Sicily, exported to markets around the world.

Two courses offered by Pellegrino bring to life Masara’s rich past, starting with a visit to the winery’s historic cellars followed by a hands-on cooking class that pairs modern wines (Masera and unfortified bottles) with local dishes. “Wine, Food and Scenery”(called “Cooking School” on the website) is led by a chef who guides classes while explaining the origins of each dish.

“Cucina di Casa” is a new product led by members of the Pellegrino family (launched this summer). The meal includes a selection of dishes from the old recipe of the same name, highlighting recipes passed down from generation to generation.