Tastings · SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Good self-guided tastings fill weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ once you are in the room.
At Staropramen’s Smíchov visitor center, follow a self-guided interactive tour through the brewery’s story, with Josef Paspa, a key brewmaster from its past, as your virtual host. Allow about an hour, then choose one drink or four tasting glasses. Food is available in the brewery bar, and some bookings include a meal.
“This was a great experience and well worth the money!”
Set out from central Florence on a self-guided e-bike route to Fiesole, olive groves, and a family-run vineyard near the Arno. John sets up your bike, helmet, and GPS route, then you ride at your own pace, stopping for coffee, wine, food, and views before returning via Piazzale Michelangelo.
“We took our 3 teens on this adventure and we all had a blast. 3 of my family members race mountain bikes so it was easy for them. My daughter and I had never been on an E-bike before so needed to get use to how heavy the bike was. The ride starts and ends in the city so you have to do a lot of starting and stopping and maneuvering around people and traffic. Once you are out of the city, it is a fantastic way to see the countryside. John was great to work with and the map was super easy to follow. Definitely stop at the winery.…”
Start with hotel pickup from Blenheim or Renwick, then collect a bike, helmet, lock, and wine map at Vines Village. Staff help shape your route before you pedal between up to 12 nearby wineries. Expect easy roads, cellar-door tastings, cafés, and flexible timing. E-bikes, child bikes, and baby seats cost extra.
“Great day, what a fantastic way to visit the wineries!”
You’ll be collected from your Blenheim or Renwick accommodation and taken to The Vines Village, where staff fit your bike, helmet, vest, lock, and basket. With a detailed wine map and local advice, you choose the cellar doors and lunch stops. E-bikes, tandems, kids’ bikes, and free bottle collection make this a flexible six-hour outing.
“A truly wonderful experience with so many opportunities to taste the vast array of wines available in the region. The electric bikes made getting from cellar door to cellar door a much more pleasant experience!”
Visit Bruges Beer Experience in the Old Town and explore Belgian brewing with an iPad Mini audio guide. Learn about Trappist and abbey beers, fermentation, women and beer, and food pairing. Add a €6 tasting, while children up to age 12 can follow a fun tour about the Bruges bear.
“tutto ottimo, soprattutto per la presenza di un'audioguida in italiano non così scontata in Belgio. Per il resto se nel reparto bar ci fosse una più ampia scelta di cibo sarebbe molto apprezzato da chi predilige bere a stomaco pieno”
Use seven food vouchers, a city map, and QR-code audio guides to explore Bologna independently. Stop for local specialties such as Tigellone with ragù, mortadella, gelato, chocolate, wine, coffee, and Parmesan. A host or greeter explains the route in English, Italian, or Spanish, then you set your own pace.
“This is a really good price for a full experience of not just the food tasting but also the walking around the city, exploring monuments and important spots in town. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't have the chance to try some pasta on the tour, and the pizza was not the best I've had in Italy, but besides that, pretty good food and experience.”
Ride from Queenstown into the Gibbston Valley on a standard bike or e-bike, following the Arrow and Kawarau rivers to wineries, a cheesery, tavern, bridges, and the Kawarau Bungy Bridge. Around The Basin supplies transport, bikes, helmets, a safety briefing, and a winery map. You choose the stops and return by scheduled shuttle.
“Everything was well organized. The bike and helmet was in good shape. The trail along the river was gorgeous and it was a nice ride of about 60-75 min to the first winery. Plenty of scenic stops along the way to take a break or take in the scenery. The final stop at The Church was a great place to hang out with a final glass of wine while waiting for the pickup van. I would definitely do this again.”
Start at Básico Gastro Bar, then follow a supplied route through Alcudia Old Town to four food stops. At each, choose one of two tapas and a full drink, with WhatsApp help if needed. You set the pace, but must finish by 21:00. Expect easy walking, local wines, sangria, friendly service, and coffee or a soft drink at the final stop.
“Great day walking about the old town. Great range of tapas and drinks. Very enjoyable and good way to try different tapas that wouldn’t necessarily pick. Coffee and ice cream to finish was excellent and refreshing”
The lists most people start from.
