WINE AND GOURMET

The most tasteful cuisine and refreshing drinks are meaningless without the inspiration and traditions of the cultures that lay behind their creation. The wine and gourmet tours of Cultural Crossroads combine enriching experiences, not only to the palette, but also to the soul and spirit.

We understand that you want to discover travel destinations through food and wine, to taste something new or something traditional. That is why we offer a vast variety of wine and gourmet tours – from the most sophisticated French cuisine to the nouvelle Andean creations, and from the Italian wines and gourmet landscapes to coffee and chocolate adventures in Guatemala.

The journeys of Cultural Crossroads are a delight to the most demanding wine and gourmet traveler. These programs always balance time to relax and savor the spirit of the local cuisine with a variety of enriching cultural heritage visits, creative classes, insider tips on cooking and world famous sommeliers teaching their art at exclusive wine tasting events.

• Gardens and Gastronomy in France
  

  This “colorful and tasty” program has been designed especially for Cultural Crossroads travelers who are particularly interested in discovering the secrets of French cuisine and some of the most interesting gardens including many private gardens not normally opened to the public. Cultural Crossroads travelers will enjoy a cooking demonstration by a well-known Chef, wine and olive oil tastings, and a private visit to a Renaissance castle which is now a private residence. We also visit a workshop that creates Provencal fabrics, a glass blowing museum, the impressive estate and winery of Val Joanis, and a class with a perfume expert in her laboratory in one of the most famous perfume factories of Grasse. Of course, every day will include local French cuisine.

• Treasures of Art in the Loire Chateaux Country
  

  Amboise will be our home for 6 nights, a perfect location in the heart of the Loire Valley, which is often referred to as the center of the French “Art de Vivre” because of its long tradition of elegant chateaux and delicious food. Cultural Crossroads travelers will follow our expert study leader, from castle to castle from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance to the 18th and 19th century, we will discover treasures of art, exceptional parks and gardens, arts and crafts of the region and enter the fascinating history of the châteaux country.

• A Guatemalan Valentine
  

  What’s the buzz about Guatemala? Spend Valentine’s Day tasting the world’s finest coffee and chocolate as you travel in a small group!

  Guatemala truly has it all: a vibrant indigenous culture, spectacular natural beauty, the UNESCO world heritage city of Antigua, dramatic Mayan ruins, and the warmth and charm of its proud people. Immerse yourself in the traditions of the highlands via a hands-on exploration of two of the flavorful, aromatic stars of the Guatemalan table: coffee and chocolate. Meet farmers and artisan roasters, master weavers and museum directors, chocolate makers and contemporary chefs. Visit local markets and cook, eat and drink with friends who invite us into their lives and homes, offering an extraordinary insider’s look into the heart of Guatemalan culture.

  Our extension to Copán, Honduras let’s you delve deeper. Attend a cacao seminar at a 100-year-old converted farmhouse, engage in a lively conversation with an archaeologist during a home-hosted Maya meal, and explore the ancient ruins of the Mayan city of Copán, with its splendid hieroglyphics and dramatic ruins.

• From Plant to Palate - Coffee and Chocolate in Guatemala
  

  Indulge your thirst for knowledge and your passion for coffee and chocolate on this 8-day cultural journey to Guatemala. Immerse yourself in the “coffee: from crop to cup” experience, learn how to make chocolate in a hands-on class and take a morning gastronomic market visit. You will have an opportunity to discuss and see the oldest recorded books in Guatemala on the subject of coffee and chocolate, hear the pros and cons of Fair Trade, and celebrate your journey with the Coffee & Chocolate inspired tasting menu created by Jose Luis of La Gastroteca. A feast for the senses! You will also be hosted for a wine and chocolate reception by the Director of the Museum of Modern Art in Guatemala City before having a private tour of the Museum.

• Gourmet Fusion in Peru
  

  For eleven days delve into the cultural heart of Peru via a hands-on exploration of its world-class gastronomy and rich cultural traditions. From Lima to the Sacred Valley, we meet organic farmers, cook with distinguished chefs, visit art collectors and spend time with local friends who invite us into their homes and their lives, offering us extraordinary access rarely granted to foreign visitors. Whether this is your first time to Peru or your fifth, the journey to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is compelling. An overnight stay below the site at one of South America’s most stunning eco-lodges allows us to savor our experience with time to reflect upon Machu Picchu’s visual grandeur, rich history and mysterious allure. An extension to Puerto Maldonado is recommended for those with an appetite to experience the brash, natural world of the Amazon. Our lodging is at the upscale, eco-friendly Reserva Amazonica. A twilight boat ride, a suspended canopy walk, a two-mile hike to Lake Sandoval, highly trained naturalist guides and great food make our jungle experience second to none. Fly to Arequipa to explore Peru’s “white city” with its stunning views of 19,000-foot volcano Misti, which towers over this pretty colonial town. From here, Colca Canyon is within easy reach. Witness the majesty of giant condors soaring on thermal currents and hike along ancient Inca routes between rural villages while nestled in rustic, charming lodging near the canyon.