Wine country · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 historic estate tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Meet at Schutzengel Apotheke for a one-hour German-language tour of a private pharmacy cellar. Descend through old underground rooms, see a former laboratory and medicine cellar, and trace 160 years of pharmaceutical history in a group limited to 10 people.
Spend 7 to 9 hours exploring Setúbal and Arrábida with a private guide such as João, Nuno, Diogo, or Miguel. Visit three wineries, taste Moscatel and Azeitão cheese, tour a tile workshop, browse Livramento Market, and add Sesimbra Castle or Cristo Rei.
“We had a great time on the wine tour with Joao! We went in March for my mom's birthday and he made her feel special every step of the way, whether it was a cake or bottle of wine. Thank you for treating her so well, we won't forget it!”
Leave Albufeira for Silves and the Algarve countryside with an English-speaking guide such as João, Filipe, Carlos, or Cátia. Explore a family winery, learn about cork and local grapes, then taste three wines with regional snacks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
“Carlos our guide was welcoming and knowledgeable. The winery tour was interesting and we learnt new facts about the selection of bottle shapes, the various types of cork and fermentation processes that we did not realise. That in itself made the experience worthwhile. The visit to the castle at Silves was picturesque and the abundance of nedting Storks around the town was joyful. We made new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. We unreservedly recommend this tour which in total took about 4 hours including pick up and return of 6 people in a clean aircon van.”
Travel from Albufeira through orange groves and cork country to a small Algarve winery. Guides such as João, Carlos, and Filipe explain local wine and cork production, then lead you through Silves. Expect about four hours, three wines, light snacks, transport, and time to explore the castle town.
“Filipe was a great host and the tour was fun and informative. Started with a stop to see how the corks are made, Silves town and a tour of the winery, where we learnt about the process of making the wine then finished with 4 wines to taste. The winery was stunning and had a great view during the tasting. Filipe even gave us a restaurant recommendation in Guia as he informed us it’s where Peri Peri chicken was created - which didn’t disappoint! Me & my friends had a great day and would recommend this trip when in Portugal :)”
Travel from Dijon in a small group of up to eight with a French-English Burgundy wine expert. Visit two contrasting wineries, taste 5 to 7 wines at each, drive through Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, and spend about two hours in Beaune.
“Our guide Max was outstanding and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the two different vineyards we visited and enjoyed Max's detailed description of how important the different types of soil and the location on the slope affects the taste and character of the wine.”
Walk through Split with licensed local guides such as Joško, Daniela, and Joseph, focusing on Roman, medieval, and modern history. The two-hour adult group tour visits Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva, Old Town, Golden Gate, Peristyle, and palace cellars. The €10 cellar admission is extra.
“Our guide Josko is very knowledgeable on the history of Split and we really learned a lot from this tour. Josko's tour is a must for visitors in split to fully understand its history.”
Start near São Bento with a local guide, walk through Porto’s historic center, see the tiled railway station and Clérigos area, then learn about port wine in a historic cellar and taste two styles. Guides have included Martin, Paul, Nuno, Alexandre, and Yorick.
“Très déçus. Notre guide André ne maîtrisait pas franchement le français. Commentaires fournis très succincts. Aucun commentaire lors des déplacements pour se rendre aux 4 sites à visiter, même lorsque l'on passait devant des monuments de la ville!! Seule satisfaction : EXCELLENTE et très intéressante visite des caves Graham's très bon accueil, excellent guide, belle dégustation, lieu superbe”
Join Paul, Antoine, or another English-speaking guide from 4x4 City Tours for a small-group ride from Nice to Château de Crémat. You will travel in a 1995 Land Rover Defender, walk through the estate gardens, and taste six red, white, and rosé wines with a sommelier.
“We are really satisfied. The guide was very nice, flexible and gave us an informative ride to our destination.”
Leave Albufeira’s resorts for two family-run wineries near Silves, where you’ll taste six wines with local snacks. Your guide, often João or Carlos, adds wine knowledge and Algarve history, while two hours of free time in Silves gives you room for lunch, shops, and the medieval castle.
“Don’t drink any wine at your lunch because there’s more than enough to drink at the two vineyards. You get snacks too with the wine samples”
At Cantine Mothia, a family member such as Marialena guides you through a restored 19th-century baglio, winery, barrel cellar, and Marsala display. Taste four wines with Sicilian snacks, sometimes five, in English or Italian. The $29 visit lasts about an hour, though tastings may run longer.
“The whole experience was enjoyable - the tour followed by the tasting of very good wines.”
Travel from San Diego to Temecula with a guide such as Dave, Vicki, Sonia, or Stephen, stopping in Old Town and three wineries. Expect six tastings at some stops, a pre-ordered lunch, scenic views, and a relaxed day with hotel pickup from select locations.
“Took the winery tour with my Sister-in-Law and both our Moms, and we had an absolute blast. We were picked up on time, in a nice vehicle, and Dave was entertaining and friendly from the start. Old Towne Temecula was charming to walk through, and this was followed by 3 fantastic wineries - all very different from one another. We had a delicious plated lunch at the first winery, a smaller place with beautiful views. This was followed by a larger, more popular winery that was fun for walking around and taking pictures. Our last stop offered an amazing view of the sunset. We were treated very well by the…”
At Alagna Vini in Marsala, you’ll tour the historic barrel cellar, hear about the winery’s 14 wines, and sample them buffet-style with Sicilian snacks. The 11:30 am tasting is offered in English, with a welcoming owner, helpful staff, and a shop for buying bottles afterward.
“The tasting was very interesting and was very welcoming. Not only the two employees but also the owner himself made me and my group feel very welcome. The wines were explained and there were also small snacks to accompany the wines. Both the wines and the snacks were very tasty. Great value for money. I can only recommend it.”
At Cantina Mazzarosa Devincenzi, your English or Italian guide introduces Abruzzo vineyards, olive groves, and traditional winemaking. You’ll visit the cellar, see Europe’s largest barrel, then taste five wines with olive oil, bruschetta, local cheeses, cold cuts, and Cantuccini with Vino Cotto.
“O local é bem interessante e a guia Sofia foi espetacular! Tornou a visita muito mais proveitosa com seu conhecimento dos vinhos e sua forma agradável de conduzir a visitação. Os vinhos são muito bons e o azeite sensacional!”
Start with a safety briefing and e-bike fitting in Moab, then follow your guide, often Ron, Hayden, or another local leader, along back roads toward Spanish Valley Vineyards. Your route may include petroglyphs and an old spring before a 40-minute winery stop with wine and snacks, then returns to the shop.
“This is a fantastic bike tour!! Hayden is a wonderful guide. The gorgeous hike overlooking the golf course and city was a highlight. We enjoyed wine tasting at the Spanish Valley Winery and bought a few bottles for gifts! Thank you for an outstanding experience!!”
In Prague’s Green Devils Absinthe Bar, an English-speaking guide such as Tomáš or Lucas leads you through 10 absinthes from four countries. You’ll compare blanche, verte, rouge, and macerated styles, watch two serving methods, and learn the drink’s history in a small group.
“The absinthe tasting was one of the highlights of our trip to Prague. We sampled several different styles and preparations of absinthe and learned a huge amount about the drink, how it’s made, and its fascinating history. Tomáš’s passion and deep knowledge of absinthe really brought the experience to life and made it all the more engaging. The absinthe bar itself is also brilliant – very atmospheric and definitely worth exploring, especially the cellar!”
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