Aardvark Travel Directory

Connoisseurs of fine food and wine usually cite one characteristic that is shared with the best wines and foods all over the world. For the foodie and wine lovers, the following are top destinations for food and wine travel!

Italy

When you think of Italy, you think of food and wine. And if you want to experience Italy in its truest form, you should consider an Italian food and wine tour. They will give you the experience of a lifetime, sampling the food, wine, and history from your favorite of many Italian wine regions. Let us help you pick the right one for you.

–Tuscany

There are many areas where you might choose to take your Italian food and wine tour. One of these regions is Tuscany. You should choose Tuscany if you want to enjoy the Italian mountainside with excellent Italian food and wine. The Tuscan people have been making wine for centuries. Touring the area through food and wine could be a dream come true. Sample “new” and “old” wines of Tuscany, watch some of the world’s best olive oil being made and experience dishes full of these perfect Italian flavors.

–Milan

Another area where you might choose to take an Italian food and wine tour is Milan. You should pick Milan if you want a more exquisite and elaborate wine and food experience. The region of Milan is known for its truffles and Chianti wines. This dry red wine goes absolutely with the area’s gourmet dishes rich with truffles and truffle oil. Consider a day of cooking lessons whilst you are there, so you’ll never forget the perfect cuisine you experience on this great food and wine tour.

–Sicily

Another area that offers excellent Italian food and wine tours is Sicily. Sometimes called The Island of the Sun, Sicily is regarded as the more exotic destinations of Italian culture. Sicily is a melting pot of Italian, Greek, Spanish and even Arab influences, making it a special place to experience wine and food. They give specialties like seafood and Mediterranean cuisine, that pair excellently with their rich, warm red wines.

Bordeaux, France

Ever a strong contender for top spot on the wine tasting list, Bordeaux is one of the exceptional wine growing areas in the World, with many famous and incredible wines on offer, you shouldn’t be disappointed with this one. Make sure you book far in advance for the big vineyards like Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, but there are also a few smaller ones who open their cellar door to the public for tastings. Having eaten in Bordeaux regularly, one knows when one has food with special ingredients long before it arrives at your plate: simply watch the pride by which the food is delivered to your table by the waiter.

Margaret River, Australia

With Caves Road in Margaret River being lined with vineyards nestled amongst huge Karri trees, it’s no wonder this sleepy town 3 hours from Perth has become so popular in recent years. Best known for food and wine. There are the big vineyards such as Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate, as well as smaller beauties such as Lenton Brae and The Growers Handcrafted Wines. The area is famous for its powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, but they also do a very decent Semillon Sauvignon Blanc!

Douro, Portugal

The Douro is home to Port wine, and they do make an exceptional one. If you like Port, this is the place to visit, especially as the roots of Port production can be traced back to the Douro. The Fonseca Winery and also Quinta Do Crasto are both worth a visit. Sometimes a Douro tour can revolve solely around sampling a specific dish or food item at various locations

Napa Valley, USA

Napa Valley is home to over 200 wine producers, and as well as being a fantastic area for producing fine wines, Napa Valley also provides a host of fabulous hotels, top restaurants, and lush day spa’s for some relaxation after a hard day tasting wine. Restaurants for best foods that include many special dishes are found here.

Marlborough, New Zealand

Situated on the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Marlborough is New Zealand’s most famous and fast growing wine region, producing fantastic Pinot Noir, and holding the annual Marlborough Wine Festival. Various luxury resorts are offering its guests cooking sessions with their star chefs. The package would comprise the resort stay and good foods meals, with one or more live demonstrations by the celebrity chefs where guests will be shown how to prepare a various dish or dishes.

If the economy has you rethinking that road trip across the United States, then turn your thoughts to the high seas. With food and lodging included in the ticket price, cruising the high seas has never been a better bargain. Cruise vacations have now made it possible to explore various exotic and beautiful places around the World. Starting from the famous rivers in Europe to the South Pacific Islands, there are a whole lot of places which are accessible through cruising.

The following are some suggestions on a few cruises to some very interesting places. You can choose the best suitable for you.

Western Caribbean

Consider a five-night cruise to the Western Caribbean. Starting at around $379 a person, you leave Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and head out to George Town in the Cayman Islands and then to Cozumel, Mexico. This trip offers the best of the Caribbean world. Residents of the Cayman Islands enjoy the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. With lenient tax laws, it has more registered businesses than residents. As for Cozumel, they say that this area has a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul – the best of all worlds.

Eastern Caribbean

Start off with a visit to the Big Apple – New York City, New York. After taking in a Broadway show and staying up all night in the city that never sleeps, you can choose to leave for the Eastern Caribbean from two cruise terminals: Brooklyn or Manhattan. Ships leaving from both terminals are bound for the Eastern Caribbean, one of the most popular spots for North American vacationers. Typically, cruise ships make stops in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos during the summer. There you will find some of the best beaches in the world, each location with its own special flavor.

Alaska

For sights you have never seen, consider a seven-night cruise to Alaska. Starting at $529 per person, you will board in Seattle, Washington, and then head out to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. Remember that all prices are based on double occupancy and airfare is not included. Once in Alaska, take in all you can. Try to do Juneau in a day, seeing the glaciers, wildlife, having outdoor adventures and shopping.

In Ketchikan, you have the choice of hiking the Deer Mountain Trail or taking an interisland ferry to Prince of Wales. In Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, you will find something you may not expect in Alaska: lush green shrubbery, beautiful flower gardens and trees of every kind. This garden city is surrounded by the ocean and mountains. The city itself is full of historical sites as well as entertainment and seafood restaurants.

Mexico

There is probably no place quite as exotic as the Mexican Riviera. A seven-day cruise, starting in San Diego, California, can start as low as $499 per person. From Southern California, you will cruise to the following ports of call: Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. In Mazatlan you can tour the Sierra Madre Mountains where they begin on a peninsula extending into the Pacific Ocean. You might also walk its miles of beaches or break out your fishing rod and join fishermen from around the world. In Puerto Vallarta, called the “soul of Mexico,” you can visit some prestigious art galleries or dine in fabulous restaurants. In Cabo San Lucas, “the jewel of the Baja Peninsula,” you will find fabulous sporting opportunities like world-class golf courses designed by Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones II.

Europe

Even Europe is within reach these days. Consider a seven-day cruise with stops in Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens/Piraeus, Izmir, Nafplion and Venice. Prices are as low as $699 for an inside cabin or as high as $1,349 for a suite. Venice is one of those world-class cities that you should see before the high tides destroy it. Before you start your cruise, spend a day on its canals and take in the sites you have read about. Four days in, you will find yourself in Athens and Piraeus, Greece. Take in the sights of the largest shipping port in the world against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea. The final day will find you checking out Izmir, Turkey, home of the famous International Fair.

Australia

If Europe is not exotic enough, consider a cruise to Australia – the land down under. For as little as $485 a person, you can leave Sydney, Australia, and spend three days on the seas, visiting Burnie and Melbourne. Burnie is a large port with some spectacular scenery including beautiful waterfalls, nature areas, art galleries and even the Lactos Cheese Factory, offering a fascinating facility tour.

In Melbourne, you will find more than you can take in. It has everything you would expect from a world-class city, including beautiful buildings, art galleries, wonderful shopping districts and special events – like the country’s richest horse race, rugby and cricket. Because the city is home to people from more than 100 countries, you will find restaurants from Italy, Greece, Middle East, Africa and, of course, Australia.

Whether you’ve been on cruises before or this is your first jaunt, you’re bound to enjoy one of the most relaxing ways to see the world.

Are you an avid traveler who wants to explore and enjoy the breathtaking views of mother nature? Or, do you simply wish to visit beautiful international territories while having a smooth, hassle-free, and memorable journey? Well, enthusiastic travelers in the 18 years – 35 years age group, can now enjoy a sumptuous trip with Contiki.

From quick breaks to some epic journeys, the “Popular Contiki Tours” help you to make a trip to your dream location. Contiki Tours, being a prestigious Travel Corporation company operates in the major global continents like Australia, Europe, Russia, Egypt, New Zealand, South America, North America, and Asia.

Are you now excited to enjoy an unforgettable trip, filled with unexpected adventures, life-changing memories, and great sightseeing? Well, if yes, then look no further as you have landed on the right page! In this article, we are going to reveal the insightful details on the “Top 6 Popular Contiki Tours”. So, keep reading the following sections and discover more information.

1. European Discovery: From the breathtaking views of the Austrian mountain range to the sumptuous beauty of Germany, to a quick visit to the eternal city of Rome – you will get to cover a total of eight international countries in a single trip. Here, your heart-pounding adventure starts with a visit to the following locations, such as London, Amsterdam, the Rhine Valley, Munich, Austrian Tyrol, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne, Paris, and much more too. Note, it’s a complete 11-day long Contiki tour that offers you great accommodation facilities and a wide variety of mouthwatering food menus.

2. Travel Australia with Contiki: Australia is a place of vast open plains, rousing city scenes, endless natural beauty, magnificent culture, & an enviable attitude of native Australians. This country is best-known for its vast interior desert wilderness, popular landmarks (including the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House), and its unique animal species. Contiki organizes a range of trips where you will get an incredible opportunity to visit and explore Australia.

As you probably know Australia is famous for its marvelous beaches and reefs. Thus, to enjoy the unconditional beauty of the East Coast of Australia, you can embark a tour to the famous Australian “Beaches and Reefs” (a Contiki-organized tour). Note, it’s a two-week trip that allows you to party in Surfer’s Paradise and helps you to learn/enjoy surfing.

This particular trip broadly covers the following locations of Australia – Sydney, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Currumbin, Noosa, Farmstay, Fraser Island, Cairns, and Townsville. Additionally, if interested, you are recommended to conduct a short wine tour to the Hunter Valley region from Sydney, Australia via minibus. Here to note, Hunter Valley region, located in New South Wales, is widely popular for being the best-known wine region of Australia.

3. Croatia Island Escape: Enjoy an 8-day based island hopping around the beautiful landscapes of Croatia. In this trip, you will visit the most popular tourist hotspots of Croatia, for example, Hvar, Dubrovnik, and Split etc. Also, throughout this trip, the inherent beauty of Adriatic Sea will keep you entertained and bless you with a refreshing and relaxing environment!

4. ‘Sweet As’ South: Do you want to visit the best locations of South! Well, from Christchurch to Queenstown to Lake Ohau – you can now have an incredible adventure with this “Popular Contiki Tour”. In this trip, you will kick-start your journey while heading towards Dunedin and then you’ll visit the adventurous Capital of the World – Queenstown. The famous locations that will be covered as a part of this trip include – Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Moeraki, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka, Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier, and Arthurs Pass etc.

5. Asian Adventure: Looking forward to enjoying a well-planned trip to Asia? If yes, then you will be glad to become a part of this Contiki tour. This is a 14-day based exclusive tour that offers you an incredible opportunity to visit the following Asian tourist spots – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pakbeng, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap etc. So, get ready to explore the limestone caves of Laos, visit the sacred old Monks in Thailand, and lighten up your tastebuds with a range of delicious Asian cuisine.

6. London Explorer: Contiki’s London Explorer is a short and precise tour where you will definitely enjoy the local tourist attractions of London within a period of 3 days!

If you are looking for cruise holidays that offer culture, natural attractions and adventure then visiting South America could be for you. The continent is a clutter of 15 countries, but you will never get bored visiting each one of them as every country you visit has something special and exciting to offer. And with a Holland America Line cruise, you can pick the itinerary that suits your needs to ensure that you have a wonderful experience as you journey around South America.

There are also plenty of cruise deals on offer to ensure that your entire South American journey does not break the bank either. If you intend to visit the continent for a spot of culture, then Rio de Janeiro is sure to be on your planned itinerary.

Boasting some of the mainland’s most famous landmarks – such as Christ the Redeemer – as well as a host of museums, historical sights and even the biggest library in Latin America, you will be able to spend hours exploring all that the city has to offer.

On the other hand, if you prefer getting up close with some of the native wildlife, a cruise around the Galapagos Islands is a must. With a wide variety of species that are not found anywhere else in the world, you will be able to discover South America’s truly unique creatures.

Keep your eyes peeled for the marine iguanas which often take to the sea for a swim, or cast your eyes to the skies to discover some of the birds which are resident on the islands. Among them are the frigate bird, which is easily identifiable by its red chest, as well as blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins.

What’s more, you may enjoy all of the sights and discover South America’s beautiful sounds from the comfort of a five-star luxury cruise liner when you book with Holland America.

Vacations to South America are typically a once in a lifetime experience, which means that people who visit here often want to get the most out of every location they discover on their travels. If you’re considering a vacation to this continent, use these tips to help ensure that you have a magnificent time. It has such a wealth of different environments that you can go from trekking across glaciers to wandering out into the desert within days. Many people set out on a trip to South America for an extended period travelling, so I’ve put together a list of top tips to remember when heading out there.

1. Make Sure You See It All.

As there are so many fantastic places across the continent, it’s easy to get stuck in one place. Buenos Aires is renowned as somewhere where travelers get stuck and end up spending all their trip. While this will undoubtedly be a great experience, it’s such a shame to go so far and then only sample one place. With places like Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, and Machu Picchu just a sprinkling of what’s on offer you’d be a fool to only get a taste of one of them.

2. Travel By Bus 

This may seem an obvious one, but often people are apprehensive about bus systems abroad, especially with the kind of distances you’re talking about here. However, the buses in South America are, on the most part, incredible – it’s like riding in the lap of luxury. It also gives you a chance to chat with locals when you’re on the longer journeys and get some insider tips. The only place this doesn’t apply is in Bolivia where you may find yourself sharing a seat with a chicken.

3. Ask The Locals 

Following on from the previous point, the beautiful place to get information about your destination is from the people who live there. 99% of the people out there are friendly and will be more than happy to chat with someone from faraway lands. This is how you will discover the secrets that aren’t discussed in the guide books like little local restaurants or small clubs. You might even just have a fantastic chat with someone who has great stories and gets a genuine insight into the life of a Peruvian.

4. Consider Doing Brazil Separately 

You don’t need a map to tell you how big Brazil is. It takes up nearly half of the entire continent and will be almost impossible to fully explore as part of a trip around South America unless you’ve got an exceedingly long time.It certainly warrants a trip in itself, and I would recommend giving it its own time with a separate trip. I don’t mean the whole place – Rio and the south coast are in touching distance of the rest of the continent but going up to Salvador, Brasilia and beyond requires a huge amount of effort.

5. Don’t Miss Patagonia. 

It certainly is a long way to go and can be expensive if you do it at the last minute. However, it will be the best decision you ever made and the best money you ever spent.

By 1900, much of the African continent was already appealing to seven different European countries and their nationals. While the interest then was majorly for the purposes of control, and exploiting resources, the same magical and natural beauty that met them, keeps inviting millions of tourists to the continent every year.

This magic, the vast natural landscapes, breathtakingly beautiful flora and fauna and the warm nature of the inhabitants of the continent, easily makes it one of the great safari destinations in the world.

Here is a close look some top tours in Africa that you should experience at least once in a lifetime.

1. Namibia and Botswana Tour

Namibia is otherworldly beautiful while Botswana presents the best of game viewing in private reserves, all of which are thrilling scenes to experience. The combination of these two into a single safari easily sums up a tantalizing tour of Southern Africa.

Some of the great sights in Namibia are the Kalahari Desert with its approximately 5000 endemic plant species, the enchanting 160-kilometre long and 27-kilometre wide River Canyon and the beach resort of Swakopmund with its expansive sandy beaches.

While Botswana stands out with its calm reserves that teem with wildlife, the Chobe River, which is a great location for an African river cruise, is just as thrilling. Other locations in Botswana that together, constitute this great safari route include the astonishing Kubu Island, Makgadikgadi Pans, which are the largest salt pans in the world and the Kgalagadi Trans-Frontier National Park with all its almost 4 million hectares of natural beauty.

2. The Mara Serengeti tour

The Maasai Mara National Reserve in South Western Kenya offers 151,000 hectares of breathtakingly beautiful vistas and abundant wildlife in endless plains. The great migration that involves some two million wildebeest, zebras, lions every year, happens here! It is a spectacle like no other. Captivating to the observer, but presenting the raw struggles wild animals endure to survive.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is the other half of the coin that is the Mara Serengeti Ecosystem. This expansive savannah in North Western Tanzania is about 1.5 million hectares of majorly African grassland savannah. Like the Mara, the chances of spotting the big five is more real here than in any other location in Africa.

3. Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park in South Western Uganda is home to the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. The 33,000-hectare park, a strip of steep mountains enveloped in a bushy and steamy jungle, is one of the most ancient habitats in Africa, probably surviving even the last Ice Age.

It has a very broad altitude span that ranges from about 1100 meters to 2600 meters. This unique feature, coupled with its antiquity, has resulted in an unbelievably wide diversity of plant and animal species.

It is home to some 120 mammal species and 350 bird species. The showstopper however, remains the 350 mountain gorillas that inhabit this stretch. The trek within the forest to track these stunning apes is the highlight of any visit to Uganda.

4. Cape Town to Tanzania by train

For a long time, the train was the glamorous means of travel, and then things changed. In Africa however, you can still explore the best of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, entirely by train. This 22-day tour takes you through the best of Southern Africa with the possible sighting of the Big 5, great landscapes and wondrous sites as well as a beach getaway in the exotic tropic island of Zanzibar.

Some of the highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime tour are the vibrant South African city of Cape Town and the captivating Table Mountain nearby, a leisure tour of the fascinating Victoria Falls as well as scuba diving and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean.

The culmination of the tour and especially the relaxing bit on the powder-soft sands of the Zanzibar beaches make it an outstanding experience.

Africa is full of epic promise. The safari experiences are as delightful as they are diverse and, there is a lot to see and do. While wild animals now remain confined in parks, reserves and conservancies, decent sighting is still a walk in the park, literally. Moreover, the warm and welcoming nature of the local people will set even the most edgy person at ease. And, there is a lot to learn from the local cultures.

Common, go ahead and experience any or all of these top tours in Africa.