Customer Testimonials

“You have made Spain come alive for us! All your planning has paid off for a tour we will never forget. Thank you for a job well done!”

- Joy and Bill Kromer (PDG Governor 1997-1998), Kansas

“The organization of the wine tours was great. We thought that the difference in the two wineries was wonderful. The Mercedes was a wonderfully crafted vehicle and a very comfortable and quiet ride. Can Bonastre was delicious! It was also very nice of the chef to come out and greet us. The scenery was fabulous!!! Outstanding dinner at Kresala!! Service was also great!! The Casa Fuster was magnificent. And what a view from the balcony of our suite!! Would absolutely recommend Cellar Tours. Your company and your choice of locations and businesses for our itinerary was: Very professional, very thought out - right down to the smallest details! My wife and I enjoyed every moment and will cherish the memories from this 'excursion' for a lifetime!!”

- Daniel Carlson, North Carolina. Luxury Honeymoon Barcelona December 2007

“I wanted to thank you on behalf of all three of us for a delightful day with Chef Jaume. We had an incredible day touring the market and cooking. Everything was wonderful and you exceeded our expectations. Thank you so much for making sure we had a great time and we will recommend you to anyone who is visiting Spain! Thanks for giving us wonderful memories!”

- Elisa Verhille, San Francisco. Luxury Gourmet Experience, Barcelona November 2007

“Great selection of wineries. We had an absolute blast at San Leonardo, which is one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen, and had the unexpected bonus of getting to play with the dogs. And the lunch and tasting at Roagna was one of the highlights of the entire trip. We had so much fun at Giolito cheese producer, and absolutely loved the truffle hunters, who gave us a beautiful book as a wedding gift. Stellar quality of service at Gabbia d'Oro, and the location cannot be better. And we very much appreciated the welcome gifts! Worth every penny of the price. We felt completely pampered, and also very privileged to meet the people we got to talk to at the various wineries, etc., who were so passionate about everything they were doing, whether it was wine, food, cheese, truffles, etc. We learned a lot, and it seemed like every day we had an experience where we'd look at each other and just gasp because we couldn't believe that we actually were getting to do something like this. It really turned out to be a fantasy honeymoon from beginning to end.”

- Jody Frease, Mountain View California, Piedmont and Veneto Food and Wine Honeymoon November 2007

“The wine program was very professionally done, but the food was the shocker--the offerings went on and on, and though our opinion was probably influenced by the fact that it was our first "tapas" experience in Spain, it was all quite well done. Our standouts, not in any particular order: Cooking with Jaume, Picasso Museum, Remirez de Ganuza, Talai Berri, Tablao Carmen Flamenco (!) Yes, very touristy, but it made an emotional impact on us both. Pepe, Guggenheim, Barcelona, and everything about it. Can't wait to return. Absolutely would recommend Cellar Tours--this tour was a perfect blend of wine, food, culture, music and art--our most educational tour ever. And all arrangements were executed flawlessly.”

- Tim and Janice Filice, Gilroy, California. Luxury Gourmet Tour Spain, November 2007

“I thought the organization was first class and the follow up, constant correspondence and timely response to all questions was great. It was very much appreciated. When you are booking a tour on line with an organization that you are not familiar with, it does make one leary at times. Cellar Tours made it an easy, very comfortable experience. I would absolutely recommend you again. I found you to be a 1st class, professional organization providing exactly what you promised and ultimately what we expected. I would look to booking more than a one day tour with Cellars the next time I am in Italy. Thank you for giving us a great wine experience in Montalcino!”

- Barbara Baird, Toronto. VIP Montalcino Wine Tour, November 2007

“The tour was absolutely fantastic - it exceeded our wildest expectations. Roagna was absolutely the high point of the trip. The opportunity to get to spend 3 - 4 hours with Luca, the lunch that he personally cooked including pasta made by his 96 year old grandmother. What an incredible experience. Both Drivers were just outstanding. They really went out of their way to make the trip a wonderful experience. JK was a terrific choice in Florence - we loved it. Splendido in Portofino was spectacular final location for the tour - fantastic. Cibreo was fabulous. I can easily see why many consider it the best in Florence. Simona was terrific and the fact that she was following up on our experiences each day and making sure everything was going well was an unexpected and exceptional level of customer service. The keepsake book was wonderful, we carried it throughout the trip and it was our daily activity guide. We will definitely recommend Cellar Tours to several friends interested in similar trips - First class experience from beginning to end. ”

- John & Mary Ryder, Texas. Luxury Italian Gourmet Tour October 2007

“We were thoroughly pleased with our two-week, gourmet trip to Spain. Cellar Tours was very professional and extremely attentive to detail. It is quite obvious that they have a strong passion for this, which leads to their striving for excellence. Genevieve and Jessica were always helpful, personable and accommodating. They did their best to ensure we enjoyed our vacation. And they well succeeded. It was always a pleasure dealing with them. Our initial driver, Jose, was superb and assisted in our enjoyment of Spain. We wish we could have had him for the entire trip. We dined in many delicious restaurants, savoring the varied cuisines of Spain. Each meal was quite large, diverse and very tasty. We visited nine wineries, tasting some exquisite wines and being made to feel very welcome. The hotels, especially the Maria Christina and Casa Fuster, were luxurious and we were well pampered. A trip to La Perla Spa in San Sebastian was also another highlight. For foodies and wine aficionados, I would unconditionally recommend these vacations. We have so many great memories of our trip and will definitely look to Cellar Tours for another vacation, to a different country, in the future.”

- Richard Auffrey, Passionate Foodie, Massachusetts. Luxury Food and Wine Tour, Spain October 2007

“Our trip was absolutely fabulous - we hated to come home. Vince and I cannot thank you enough – this truly was the trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to go back. The tour was outstanding. We loved every aspect of it – the places we saw, the people, the country. We learned so much. The only downside is that we are now rather picky when it comes to ordering wines. We have almost become wine snobs and are very choosy. But we have learned to appreciate some wonderful wines. Elisabetta was a great driver/guide. She was so very warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. She should get full congratulations. The walking tours were very good and truly informative. They also were flexible – if we wanted to do something they had not planned, they were willing to meet our wishes. Villa la Massa was magnificent. We could have stayed there for an entire week. The rooms, the hotel, the river running beside it, everything. We have already recommended you to some of our wine friends. We have literally raved to them about yourselves and the tour. We cannot wait to do another – we have never been to Spain and we are hoping to attempt Spain perhaps in 2010. That is unless we cannot tear ourselves away from Italy. We are truly in love with the country, its people, wine, food, etc.Anyone can contact us by email and we would happy to recommend you. ”

- Vince & Valerie Pritchard, British Colombia. Luxury Veneto and Tuscany Tour September 2007

“Overall the tour was outstanding. Loved the walking tour in Siena. Your guide there is extraordinary. Really outstanding. LOVED Marco. A true professional. Enjoyed his company very much. We asked him to join us on the Pecerino and Truffle tours. The wine academy was the highlight of the trip for Steve. Massimo was knowledgeable about food and wine -- but about lots of other things as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the cooking class with Pamela. Marco joined us for class and even made pasta. That was fun. Everything went quite smoothly. As always, your attention to detail is excellent. The book is great. We showed our book to the family that we were staying with in Tuscany. Everyone was very impressed. ”

- Sherri Leopard, Colorado. Gourmet Tuscany September 2007

“Fernando, our driver guide, was extremely helpful and always had our best interests at heart. He was always concerned about our enjoyment of the trip and made sure that we were aware of the various options available to us. Our time at Esporao could not have been any better. The tour was tremendous and included the tower museum along with the Esporao wine making facilities. The lunch was absolutely phenomenal. Enough can't be said about the quality of the food served along with the pairing of the wines chosen. Overall, this was a highlight of the trip. The cruise was a very enjoyable portion of our tour. The break for lunch was enjoyable and the stop at Pacheca was extremely interesting as they explained the various wines made at the Quinta as well as the differences between the various versions of Port wine. We enjoyed Oporto and spent the morning there. It was a marvelous city. We think that the tour was very well organized and was both enjoyable and worth the price. We felt as if Cellar Tours was concerned at all times about how our tour was progressing and if we were enjoying ourselves. ”

- James & Diana Haynes, New York. Luxury Gourmet Tour, Portugal September 2007

“We loved the organization of the tour, Simona was super helpful and planned everything in a personal way tailoring each itinerary to our personal preferences. The descriptions and keepsake book were helpful and really added a special touch to the itinerary. We really enjoyed Poggio Antico the lunch and the wines were fabulous and the beauty of the Capannelle winery. The cooking class in Venice was definitely one of our most favorite experiences! We loved our hosts and the hands on experience of it all! We had so much fun with them as they made us feel very comfortable and treated us like family at the same time! We HIGHLY recommend your company and feel like you went "above and beyond" our expectations! We felt like true "VIP's" wherever you had arranged for us to go and you truly made our 25th Anniversary a special one!”

- Judi and Ray Malone, Texas. Venice and Tuscany Gourmet Tour September 2007

“We thought the tour was very well organized - our tour guide Elisabetta was always on time or early to pick us up. The transition from each place to the next was seamless and we didn't feel like we were rushed at any point. Elisabetta always went above and beyond to make sure that our experience was the best we could have. for example, drove us to Pisa just so we can take a few pictures of the Leaning Tower, although it wasn't part of the itinerary but was on the way to Florence. Paradiso di Frassina was a unique experience. The owner was very passionate about his wine and his scientific research on music in vineyards and we felt his enthusiasm. The owner of Salcheto walked us through his vineyard and explained the history of their wine. Petra was our favorite because it was so grand yet unique. Badia Coltibuono was the absolute best restaurant and food we had in all of Italy. Everything from the atmosphere, to wine pairing and obviously the food was delightful. We would highly recommend Cellar Tours to our friends and family if they ever decide to tour Italy and hopefully they'll get Elisabetta too and have the same great experience we had. ”

- Wendy Kuo and Michael Ding, New York. Food and Wine Tour Tuscany August 2007

“We enjoyed the two wineries and our visit to the Castello Di Terriccio was one of the highlights of our trip. The meal was excellent, the atmosphere ideal and the accompanying Castello Del Terriccio wines were very good. We should have taken the name of the restaurant because it was superb. We enjoyed our tour and would recommend Cellar Tours. Your firm was well organized, pleasant and professional before, during and after our tour. Thank you for arranging a lovely tour for us and your choice of Castello Di Terriccio was excellent. We look forward to using your services in the future. ”

- Julia and Jim, Toronto Canada- Maremma Wine Country Tour June 2007

“Dan and I cannot tell you what an incredible experience it was. We had an amazing time, from start to finish. It was a bit of a splurge for us, but we both agree that it was worth every penny. Ameriga was such a pleasure to be with. Her knowledge of not only wine, but Italian culture in general, was incredible. And Domenico, our driver, was a perfect gentleman. The organization, in our opinion, was flawless. We honestly can't think of how it could be improved. We loved both of the wineries. We especially liked that the first winery was larger and more commercial, and the second was a smaller, family-run winery. It was a nice contrast to see them both. The meal was incredible! We are still talking about how delicious it was. And the experience of dining with the actual winemaker is one that we will never forget. The trip was perfect and we are already planning on booking another tour with Cellar Tours the next time we travel to Europe. ”

- Sarah Krech & Daniel Marsh, Missouri- Luxury Piedmont Excursion June 2007

“The organization was spot on. The holiday was relaxed from the beginning. We thought the keepsake book was not only helpful but a wonderful souvenir. The little side trips were of great interest and gave a break in the journey. Firstly the driver/guide was an essential part of the tour, and of course having someone to speak the language made you feel more comfortable wherever you go. Andres was always punctual, friendly and professional. It was all first class and highly professional. All the meals were of superb quality, helped along very nicely by Andres's love of wines! Everything was wonderful. All were beautiful places to visit as were the surrounding areas. We both saw Spain as a young person’s place to visit, but instead discovered a beautiful Spain, with superb food and wines. Most certainly we would recommend Cellar Tours. ”

- Robert and Yvonne Taylor, United Kingdom- Luxury Rioja & Basque Lands Tour May 2007

“We loved the wine tours. Our favorite was Luca (of course). Our second favorite was Petra. The tours were quite special and the selection of wineries were all excellent. Gian was great. He took very good care of us. We particularly enjoyed Ombrone. Dal Bolognese was also excellent. Our favorite is dinner on a terrace in our room so L'Albereta gets kudos for offering this option. Maria at the Wine Academy was great. You guys did a great job. The attention to detail was incredible. ”

- Margaret Parker, San Francisco, USA- Luxury Italian Wine Journey May 2007

“Badia di Passignano - an outstandingly good visit. David and I will always remember that visit with great affection. The whole experience was truly wonderful. Castello del Terriccio - another very good visit, wonderfully conducted by their glamorous and knowledgeable Swiss marketing manager. The wines were outstanding. Poggia Antico and Le Logge restaurants were outstandingly good. Cecchini in Panzano was outstanding - a real highlight. Definitely. I was amazed at how good everything was, given the short notice we gave you. So, we will definitely use you again, and I would definitely recommend you to others. Once again, Simona, many thanks for organising such a great program for us. Cellar Tours is a very impressive operation and I look forward to using your services again at some stage. ”

-Alison Lansley, Melbourne, Australia – Tuscan Gourmet Food & Wine Tour, April 2007

“Our trip was absolutely wonderful! It was obviously very thoughtfully organized and went very smoothly. Our anniversary gifts were a nice surprise! We enjoyed all of the wineries we visited and appreciated the way you arranged for several different types to visit. All the guides at the wineries were extremely warm, welcoming and informative. We especially enjoyed Ornellaia. Enoteca Pinchiorri was an amazing experience. We also enjoyed our wonderful hosts at Ombrone. Our guides Chiara and Emanuela were fabulous! We would of course highly recommend Cellar Tours to anyone wishing for a worry-free, luxurious gourmet wine trip in Tuscany. We are already showing everyone our anniversary book you made for us and everyone is quite impressed with it. You really did think of everything when planning our trip and it made our anniversary quite memorable. Thank you so much for all your hard work. ”

- Brett & Debbie Barker, Reno, Nevada -Ultra Luxury Tuscany Tour, April 2007

“The wines were great. We particularly enjoyed Roagna (the wine and the entire visit were fabulous, one of the highlights of the trip, we are really glad we ventured into Piemonte for this! We enjoyed this visit immensely!). You have a real gem in Elisabetta. She is such a good representative for Cellar Tours. She was very professional and personable. She was a joy to be with and we learned a lot about Italy and the areas from her. We loved the Castle in Montalcino and really enjoyed JK Place in Florence. Also the setting at Ostelliere was wonderful. We have already recommended Cellar Tours and are looking forward to using you again in the future for perhaps an introduction to Spain or further enjoyment of Italy which we have fallen in love with. Everyone at Cellar Tours has been very helpful and professional and made the trip of a lifetime a reality for us. The locations and sites chosen were all top of the line and yet also very special and unique.”

- Sabrina & Matthew Shumsky, Cypress, Texas- Italy Grand Gourmet Tour, April 2007

“Excellent- great job. We enjoyed meeting the local winemakers and the local people, most enjoyed the small towns in the Rioja region. Laguardia was the town we liked most. One of our favorite moments of the tour was the wine making visit at Pares Balta in the Penedes region. We recommend Cellar Tours! ”

- Robert and Eileen Gutierrez, Texas. Luxury Food and Wine Tour in Spain, October 2006

“All we can say is that we had a fantastic time on our Prosecco Tour with our guide, Angelo. The tour was wonderfully organized, didn't feel too frenzied, yet we still felt like we learned a lot and were able to enjoy the overall experience. Also, the restaurant that Angelo took us to was amazing. It ranks high for both of us on our all time list of dining experiences. The food was great, the view was wonderful, and the service was impeccable. Thanks again for all your help and great organization. I will definitely recommend it to others who travel in Venice. ”

- Yael & Jonathan Denbo, New York. Prosecco Wine Experience, October 2006

“We both enjoyed the tour very much. Highlights were the company, the excellent organisation and the cultural visits including the wine museum.We thought all of the wineries were excellent. We loved San Sebastian, Madrid and the classical buildings.We would definitely recommend Cellar Tours. Your presentation of materials was the best, the detail was superb. ”

- Isabel and Bob Appelby, Victoria, Australia- Spanish Wine Odyssey Tour September 2006

“I wanted to let you and Simona know how much Sheilla and I enjoyed our 50th Anniversary Romantic Wine Tour of Italia. This trip was by far the most beautiful and well organized trip we have taken. Frankly each day was filled with more surprises and new and wonderful food and wine. We loved all of the hotels with marvelous services and beautiful rooms. We really enjoyed all of the villages, the historic tours, the personal wine vineyard tours and tastings. The introductions to Tuscany and Almalfi Coast cooking was not to be forgotten. Also a special note for our Mercedes driver for the eleven days was very important to our trip. He was fluent in English, knew much about the regions and had a great sense of humor for our American sometimes humor and fun. There are tours and then there are very special tours. This was very very special because you and Simona put in your personal touch and your personal interest into every aspect and every detail of our very memorable 50th Anniversary celebration. All together with the beautiful Tour Book and the many pictures we took, our memories of a very special and very romantic 50th Anniversary will not be forgotten. Sheilla and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ”

- Rich and Sheilla Klein, Houston. Luxury Italian Gourmet Tour October 2006

“Wow! What a fabulous vacation we had! I don't even know where to begin.... Our most memorable evening (and there were many) was definitely our first night in Rome at the International Wine Academy. We loved the location and sipping Prosecco on the terrace overlooking the Spanish Steps. Ian was a fabulous host and really gave us a great overview of Italian wines. What a great way to begin our trip! We loved all of our winery visits and they were all unique and informative. My personal favorite tours were Petra and Poggio Antico and of course we loved the wine at Ornellaia. They were all great and we really learned a lot about Italian wine production. L'Andana was amazing. We also really enjoyed Siena and the Grand Hotel Continental. Our driver, Andrea, was just fabulous. He really enhanced our experience and made the hours in the car pass quickly. All of the restaurants, lunches and dinners you arranged were amazing, although I am afraid that they took a toll on our waistlines! We really appreciate all of your hard work. We could not have planned such a fabulous trip on our own. Everything truly exceeded all of our expectations! I could go on and on.”

- Kim and Paul Ariano, San Diego. Luxury Food and Wine Tour Italy September 2006

“The quality of the hotels was excellent, particularly Lapa Palace and the Convent hotel in Evora. Vintage House was also lovely. Pacheca was fantastic - good tour, great descriptions of their work, great tasting. The enthusiasm and detail of the owner was one of the highlights of our trip. The real joys of Esporão were the location, the wines and the restaurant. Sintra was gorgeous, Obidos was gorgeous, Evora was gorgeous, the boat ride down the Douro was great. Victor, our driver/guide, did all towns on the tour and he was remarkably good. He gave us great details of the places we were visiting, he knew the answers to 95% of the questions we asked and had reference to find out the other answers while we explored the towns. He did a good job of guiding us, giving us insight and advice, but leaving us alone time to explore the different towns.”

- Cheryl and Chris Davin, Massachusetts. Portuguese Wine Journey September 2006

“The bound itinerary is quite wonderful and will be cherished as a remembrance of our trip to Spain. It’s impossible to choose our favorite winery because they were all so different. Certainly, Pares Balta and Clos de l’ Obac stand out for us because of the extended period of time they spent with us. It’s obvious that you only visit the most friendly and personable wineries. We were glad to have the Mercedes van for the trip to the wineries which was more spacious for a longer drive. Casa Fuster hotel was wonderful. The breakfast each morning had such variety, great hotel bar, and the nicest rooftop deck. Every detail of the tour was truly first-class and honestly you could not have done more for us! The most impressive part was whatever we mentioned as an interest in seeing or doing was provided immediately. We loved the balance of the meals included on the tour and the ability to go on our own. The food was wonderful and we will always remember the ice cream with olive oil. The bike tour was fabulous and a great way to see Barcelona in a few hours. We stayed close together, had time to talk about the city, take photos, and even share a beer by the ocean. It could not have been any better! Everything met and exceeded our expectations!”

- Scott and Pamela Kucsma, New York. Ultra Luxury Catalonia Tour August 2006

“Simona, we are back home after our wonderful excursion to Italy. The Cellar Tours part was fantastic, well planned and executed - we couldn't be more satisfied. Our driver, Georg, was great, as were all our hosts at Il Mosnel, Uva Rara, and Bersi Serlini. I've attached some quick photos because I couldn't resist.”

- Richard & Pauline Proszowski, Illinois. Franciacorta Wine Tour, Sept 2006

“The wine tour of Chianti was one of the highlights of the trip. Filippo was the best. Very personable, engaging, knowledgeable and just great company. Our family not only learned about Italian wines but got a great history lesson on the Chianti region. The tour of Paneretta was outstanding. Gagliole was good but not on par with the tour of Paneretta. The stop in Radda was perfect. It was everything that I expected after reading so much about the small villages of Tuscany. I could have taken every meal at the place that you recommended for lunch. Great setting, wonderful food and wine and a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon. I can not thank you enough for the great day in Chianti!!. I will be back and would not hesitate to recommend Cellar Tours to others.”

- Tom Brown, Massachusetts. Chianti Wine Tour July 2006

“Andrés was fantastic! After our miserable flight it was great to see someone who made us feel immediately relaxed. He was always on time, kept us informed about where we would be going and even helped us with our Spanish (which isn't very good!) We didn't know if we would be able to stay awake for the cooking class because we had so little sleep, but actually we really enjoyed it. It was lovely for us to be able to cook Basque food, and in fact we tried making a Marmitako last night. San Sebastian is a beautiful place. As you know I was hoping to propose to Diana and the place felt perfect for it - I'm sure we will be back there as soon as possible. Everything was so well organised. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a holiday.”

- Diana Coke, United Kingdom. Basque Country and Rioja Gourmet Tour July 2006

“Just to let you know I had a long conversation with an American Express Merchant Services Manager yesterday about our tour and how impressed we were with yours and Jessica's organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to really deliver a first class luxury tour. They were happy to hear some good news about a merchant. It seems they normally only get bad news. I asked them to pass on my comments to Concierge Services so that they could spread the word when people ask for food and wine tours. Hope it helps. You guys really deserve it.”

- Ken and Kathy Plato, Texas. Spanish Wine Journey June 2006

“Badia a Passignano was fantastic and we had a wide range of wines to taste over lunch. Elisabetta was excellent!! Very professional, friendly, punctual, organised, resourceful, has a lot of initiative.....I can't think of more adjectives! She truly is a gem!!! Guido was excellent too. Very punctual, alert, informative, always pleasant and smiling. Restaurants were lovely. We enjoyed them all, especially Ombrone and would definitely go back! ”

-Marinna Indot, Malaysia. Ultra Luxury Tuscany Tour June 2006

“We enjoyed all of the wineries, but particularly liked Loja de Vinho in Sintra, and Casal Branco. The owner of the former was extremely entertaining and interesting about the wines, and we could happily have stayed and talked to him for the rest of the afternoon. Sofia and her husband Jochen, and Dina their winemaker at Casal Branco, were wonderful, relaxed hosts and great fun, and they clearly love what they do and are fiercely proud of it. Luis our driver looked after us very well. He was thoroughly professional and punctual, and friendly but without ever being intrusive; he probably got used to us dozing in the back of the car in the afternoons after a tasting! The Douro Valley is quite extraordinary and just as beautiful as the photographs suggest. I think our two favourite episodes were the day spent at Casal Branco, and the trip to the Douro Valley. Would recommend Cellar Tours as very efficient and informative at the office end, and all proceeded smoothly and according to plan once we reached Portugal. We felt that we were being looked after at all stages, and that is the personal service that one expects to pay for.”

-Louise and Kevin Studd, United Kingdom. Portuguese Gourmet Tour July 2006

“The tour was amazing and we had an amazing time. It was so well organized, we forgot about what was coming next but Paulo our driver did not! He kept us posted and on schedule. My favorite wineries were: Quinta da Pacheca and the one that makes Xistu, the owners were so lovely and friendly and we had such an amazing time with them. We also loved the visit to the Palace in Bussaco. How amazing is it to be able to drink wine that has been produced the same way for the last 50 years? And that roughly tastes the same? If it hadn't been for Paulo, we wouldn't have made it anywhere! He was friendly, professional, organized, interesting, knew all the best places, etc. It was a pleasure to spend time in the car with him, and he indulged in my dad's curiosity of the sights we passed in the car, adding little facts about the things we were seeing. Amazing hotels. Would obviously recommend Cellar Tours and I wish I could be more specific than saying it was amazing and well planned.”

Marianna and Richard Sackler, USA. Douro Valley Wine Journey, June 2006

“I came across the Cellar Tours website whilst searching the web for a romantic and somewhat original idea for proposing to my lovely girlfriend. I had already chosen the Lake Como region as being a spectacularly picturesque location and really wanted to make the proposal itself special. I contacted the team at Cellar Tours and everyone was immediately enthusiastic and helpful. I decided a day trip to the Franciacorta region was just what I was looking for and also chose to go with one of the suggestions from the team of copying a picture of my girlfriend to a Jeroboam of the Brut from Contadi Castaldi local wine. The organisation and communication throughout was excellent and in particular during the planning stages when it is important to feel things are under control. All of the wines were excellent with the Saten, Passito Sebino and Pinodise proving the most popular (Maree has a sweet tooth). L'Albereta was very beautiful and had a very 'upmarket' feel to it. The balcony to ourselves was perfect and provided spectacular views and the most perfect setting for our proposal. So finally, thank you very much for all your efforts. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the entire day and a huge reason for the success of the day was down to you and the Cellar Tours team. We will be spreading the word on your good work to all of our friends and encouraging everyone to visit beautiful Italy. ”

- Vince and Maree Lane, New Zealand. Franciacorta Wine Tour and Wedding Proposal April 2006

“Simona showed great devotion to the job, always going out of her way for any request. She also demonstrated her breadth of knowledge of the wine and her true love of the wine and the region. The selection of wineries was good because of the variety of size and style. By far, the most memorable was Roagna because of Luca, our wonderful meal there and the amount of time he was willing to give us. His sincerity shines through and we felt like we were visiting friends. The Piedmont countryside was my favourite. Everywhere I looked was a painting. Monterossa was also a delightful town. Memories include our unbelievable meal at Roagna Vineyard, Sitting in the gazebo with drinks at sunset at Villa Il Tesoro. Absolutely would recommend Cellar Tours. There was every effort made to make us feel satisfied. Simona and Luigi were delights and our other guides were also so good. ”

- Maria Grau, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Piedmont and Tuscany Tour April 2006

“We enjoyed all the wineries because it felt as if we got a good sampling of the different types of businesses, wines, and varieties in a region. Our favourite stands out as Miguel Merino’s because of the personal attention and because he was has a likable personality. Honestly, we liked everything. There was just enough scheduled with just enough downtime. We got to do everything we thought we would like to do and saw even more than we expected. We loved the San Sebastian area and Barcelona. The Rioja Region was wonderful as well. We didn’t get to spend too much time in Madrid, but we’re intrigued to spend more time in the future. We loved meeting and spending time with the guides, drivers, winery owners/guides. That was the best thing—the fact that it was like travelling and meeting up with friends of a friend who were all willing to show us around their home town. Everyone was friendly and helped make our trip so unique!”

- Joshua Ford, Las Vegas. Spanish Gourmet Tour December 2005

“You were such a pleasure to deal with so understanding of all our issues - I can't thank you enough for your caring and flexibility. The hotels were outstanding. The service aspect of each of the hotels was exemplary with exquisite care being given to every detail. Simone was also a delight. I was blown away by his knowledge of Florence and the Uffizzi. I felt like I was walking with the encyclopaedia Britannica. The restaurants...what can I possibly say? Pinchiorri is an experience one is not likely to forget. The food, the wine, the service - world class. ”

- Maria and Umberto Contestabile, Virginia Beach. Tuscany Wine Journey October 2005

“I just wanted to tell you both what an awesome trip we had! And to thank you for everything you did to make it come together. We couldn't have come close if we had tried to plan it without your expertise. I would be happy to give a word of reference to anyone who may ask me about your company. Hopefully we will be able to do it again sometime sooner rather than later. ”

Thanks again and I wish you great success!

- Carla Grewe, Saint Louis. Italian Luxury Wine Vacation July 2005

Boa tarde and good afternoon!

“Just a very quick note to say thank you for helping to make our visit to Porto and the Douro a memorable one. My friends and I enjoyed ourselves immensely, and the visit to Quinta de Ventozelo was a highlight for all of us. Gen - Please pass on our regards to Catarina, as she was the perfect guide for us! Mauricio - Please let me know when you have distribution of your wines in the UK, and where we might be able to purchase them. Thanks, and good luck. ”

- Paul Evans, Senior Product Manager, First Drinks UK - Douro Valley Custom Tour July 2005

“My parting comment regarding 'above and beyond the call of duty' still sticks. The trip to Chinchon was highly organized which obviously afforded you to have a relaxed air when talking to the members - something they very much appreciated. The excursion was obviously a roaring success. You took us out of the hustle a bustle of Madrid and really set the tone for the rest of the limited time there. The relaxed nature of the afternoon tasting wines and nibbling on local cuisine further allowed complete strangers seated with each other to communicate and develop bonds which had not previously existed. As yourself Genevieve, Borja (the sommelier) was an excellent communicator and injected lightheartedness into the proceedings which further made everyone feel at ease. The food was great, the wine was wonderful. I'm especially happy to recommend Cellar Tours as a reliable company offering a quality product. It really was a pleasure to meet you - and I very much hope the opportunity will arise again.”

- Steve Kidney, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, UK. Spanish Wine Event May 2005

“We had a wonderful trip. We now know to book many MORE days we need and would request our guide and driver again. We will definitely tell our friends and be back again as well as use you in other countries in the future. ”

- David Abele, Minneapolis. Chianti Wine Tour, Italy May 2005

“I can't seem to find the words to describe the wonderful time we had in a city so full of life, beauty and warmth. Thank you, Genevieve, for arranging the best vacation of my life. My husband and I found you and your associates to be not only highly professional and informed but warm and caring as well. We plan to use your services again some time this year. ”

-Marc and Susanna Fantich, Texas. Spanish Food and Wine Vacation January 2005

“Simon and I had a marvelous time on both of our tours. We, honestly, could not have asked for anything more. The regions were beautiful, the drivers were wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable, the cars were great and we truly enjoyed the special treatment. Not to mention the most fabulous wines we sampled while on the tour. We were extremely pleased with our tours. Thank you. Again, thank you for the wonderful tours. I will recommend Cellar Tours to anyone even contemplating a wine tour. ”

-Robin and Simon Elleston, Massachusetts. Portuguese Wine Excursion September 2004

“We really had a wonderful and memorable tour in Spain. It could only be done with your effort and your excellent professionalism. Your name remains on our list as a consultant forever and whenever we are planning to have a tour in Europe, we like to get in touch with you first. We all wish you to have more prosperous business and we have no doubt whatsoever that you'll achieve your goal in the near future. Thank you again for everything you've done for us!”

- Dr. Kyudong Peter Uhm, New Jersey. Spanish Wine Journey September 2004

“Genevieve, I want to say that everything that you arranged for us was outstanding. The quality and service was outstanding in all cases. I truly appreciate the time, flexibility, and personal attention that you and your co-worker provided to us. The superior level of service that you afforded us is uncommon these days and I look forward to working with you again for another trip. I will not hesitate to highly recommend you to others who may be travelling to Europe”

- Bruce Shaffer, Virginia, USA. Portuguese Wine Tour September 2004

“We wanted to thank you very, very much for the superb tour. It was by far the best tour I ever had and trust me I have travelled across the world. Every single aspect of the tour was perfect. The hosts that we met (which were the most gracious), the food, the tour through the cellars, everything was perfectly done. After the tour, we have a more enthusiastic appreciation to Spanish wines. So, my thoughts concerning the tour: PERFECT!!! Not only I'm recommending everyone the Cellar tour, I'll take more tours with you in future trips to Spain. Again, thank you very much for making our trip to Spain the most memorable one. Thanks! ”

- Jose Marquez, Texas. Penedes Wine Tour June 2004

“Genevieve, thank you so much for setting this tour up for us, we all had a really great time. The tour was wonderful and we can't say enough about Anabela, she was fantastic! Very knowledgeable, informative and a real pleasure to be with. I'm sure you have lots of great guides but she must be one of your best. With so many places in the world that we haven't been it's hard to think about going back to the same place again, but we all want to get back to Portugal again. My only regret about the trip is only being able to bring back 2 bottles of port. Thanks again, hope we can use your service again soon, and please say hello to Anabela for us. ”

- Jim, Judy, Joe and Barb, Huntington Beach, Ca. Portuguese Wine Tour June 2004

“Just to say many thanks for arranging our guide in Porto. We had an excellent sun soaked day with Costa Ferreira, during which we learnt some history, enjoyed tremendous views of the city, drank a lot of very good port (of course), had an excellent lunch at a recommended restaurant (which we returned to later in our trip), and drank a lot of very good port (did I already say this?). The lodge of Ramos Pintos was a particular highlight! Snr. Ferreira was charming and obviously rightly proud of Porto. Please pass on our thanks and recommendations." ”

-Edward Duncan, United Kingdom. Port Wine Tour February 2004

“Words cannot express my gratitude for the magnificent trip you organized for Occasions Caterers. We must have been an intimidating customer (a high-end catering firm from Washington, DC, asking for a four-day culinary tour of Catalonia.) We doubted that we would find a tour operator who would understand our specific desires: exposure to the most trend-setting local chefs; a charming "out-in-the-countryside" dining experience; tours of the best local wineries; and a seminar with a local up-market caterer. How lucky we were to have found you! The choices you made were absolutely perfect. I hope that we will have the opportunity again to visit the Iberian Peninsula. If we do, you will be our first call. Please feel free to use Occasions Caterers as an enthusiastic reference for any other groups planning a similar trip. Once again, Genevieve, please accept my sincerest gratitude for all of your efforts.”

- Eric Michael, President, Occasions Caterers, Washington DC. Catalonia Food and Wine Tour January 2004

“I was very impressed with the whole organisation of the tour. When booking activities over the internet there is always a level of concern as you really don't know what a company is going to be like and whether everything is going to run smoothly or not, however from our correspondence I felt confident that Cellar Tours was a very professional, well managed organisation and therefore was happy to commit our hard earned cash! I would definitely recommend Cellar Tours to others." ”

-Karen Murray, Scotland. Spanish Wine Tour April 2004

“The view at Finca Valpiedra was memorable. The organization of the trip was superb. Everything went like clockwork, a credit to you and your driver. The company was marvellous, the tastings very informative, the hotels eclectic and interesting, the Guggenheim, the meal with the Count, and the sing song after with the "lads", were the aspects I enjoyed the most on the trip”

-B. Wyse, Dublin, Ireland. Spanish Wine Journey April 2003

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