Discover Europe Food-Farm’s and Wine – 20 Days and 14 Days

Assemble at India International Airport and depart for Singapore. Arrive into Changi Airport and transfer to your central city hotel.

Enjoy a free day in Singapore – perhaps visiting Sentosa Island, the famous zoo or gardens, sampling a “Singapore Sling” at the iconic Raffles Hotel or shopping on Orchard Road. Alternatively relax by the hotel pool. Later this evening return to Changi Airport and depart for your direct flight to Rome, Italy.

Arrive into Rome, the capital of Italy – a charming country where family, food and tradition are central to the way of life. Meet your Italian guide and transfer to your central hotel to freshen up after your flight. Further get to know your travelling companions and sample the delights of Italian cuisine during tonight’s ‘Welcome Dinner’

Today we explore central Rome where the Tiber River gently curves through the city with Ancient Rome on its left bank and the Vatican City and colourful Trastevere area on its right. Highlights include seeing the incredible Roman Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon (with the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome) and Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Basilica. For the rest of the day you are free to relax or further explore Rome – be sure to try the local pizza, pasta and gelato ice cream!

This morning depart for the picturesque region of Tuscany famous for its beautiful landscapes, cuisine and rich tradition. Visit a local vineyard where you can gain an insight into the Italian wine industry and sample wines for which the region is renowned. Tuscany is also known for its olive production and you will be able to taste the local produce. Later travel to the wonderful city of Florence – home of Leonardo da Vinci and other famous citizens.

This morning depart for the picturesque region of Tuscany famous for its beautiful landscapes, cuisine and rich tradition. Visit a local vineyard where you can gain an insight into the Italian wine industry and sample wines for which the region is renowned. Tuscany is also known for its olive production and you will be able to taste the local produce. Later travel to the wonderful city of Florence – home of Leonardo da Vinci and other famous citizens.

Depart Florence this morning and visit the charming Tuscan city of Siena. Stroll the cobbled streets and see the main square where the annual “Palio di Siena” horse race has taken place for centuries. This afternoon we travel to Modena and visit the high

tech Hombre dairy enterprise. The herd comprises 500 pedigree Italian Friesians producing milk which they process into premium Parmesan cheese for domestic and export markets. We will also see the owner’s impressive sports car and motorcycle museum annexed to the farm. Continue to the city of Bologna,

This morning we visit an intriguing enterprise where 1000 donkeys produce valuable donkey milk which is proving to be a viable alternative for infants allergic to cow’s milk. Donkey milk is also processed into cosmetic products – if it was good enough for Cleopatra to bathe in…! After lunch we make a stop at the Ferrari museum – the ultimate for car enthusiasts. Later travel to the unique city of Venice – a network of canals, delicate bridges and quaint galleries and boutiques. This evening you are free to explore and perhaps take a gondola ride on the canal – a quintessential experience!

This morning visit the famous square and basilica of San Marco (St Mark) and Doge’s Palace. Enjoy a break for lunch before departing towards Verona. This afternoon visit the family run Az Ag Boccarone with its 5000 head beef cattle and 500 hectare maize operation. Later continue to Sirmione, a charming village on a little peninsula extending on picturesque Lake Garda for dinner and the evening.

Travel through the scenic countryside of Northern Italy and into the spectacular mountains, valleys and lakes of “picture postcard” Switzerland. Arrive at beautiful Lucerne set amidst the scenic lake and mountainous peaks of Rigi and Pilatus. Take a walking tour of the old city with its narrow cobbled streets, medieval squares and wooden covered bridges, including the iconic Chapel Bridge and water tower, before a Swiss style dinner in one of the lively restaurants.

Overnight stay Lucerne

Enjoy another day in Lucerne. You are free to relax or perhaps explore nearby villages, mountains or rural areas of this delightful country.

This morning we travel across the border into the picturesque Alsace region of France – a famous hub of vineyards and wine production. Travel to the riverside city of Colmar and visit the charming ‘old town’ with its beautiful architecture. You will also see the impressive Haut Koenigsbourg castle high above the Alsatian Plains. Enjoy your first taste of French cuisine over dinner tonight.

This morning visit a nearby dairy farm with a Montbeliard herd producing milk for cheese. Also visit La Graine au Lait, a leading fromagerie processing the milk into Munster cheese. Enjoy lunch at a typical Ferme Auberge – farm restaurant specialising in fresh local produce – then visit a nearby vineyard to learn about wines produced in the region. Return to Colmar, where you have the evening free.

Depart and visit the region’s most important silo for cereals with a capacity of 225,000t. After lunch at a charming farm, continue on to Beaune, the prestigious capital of the Burgundy wine region. It is an attractive town on the plains under the hills of the Cote d’Or. Take a tour including the fascinating Beaune Hospices: take a step back in time as you see how the charity, founded in 1442, cared for the sick and needy. The hospice building is exquisite.

This morning visit a large arable farm (wheat, barley, rape) followed by a winery producing Burgundy wines. After lunch at the winery, visit an interesting mixed farm raising free range chickens and breeding snails. Later return to Beaune with the evening at leisure.

This morning visit a Charolais beef farm and briefly tour nearby Dijon, a culturally rich and architecturally splendid city. This af- ternoon travel to Paris, one of the most beautiful and captivating cities in the world. On arrival take a cruise on the River Seine taking in sights along the way. Enjoy a free evening in this wonderful city – perhaps take in a show (bookings essential).

This morning take a guided tour of Paris seeing iconic landmarks such as the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. This afternoon you are free to further enjoy the delights of Paris – perhaps climb the Eiffel Tower, visit famous galleries or browse the elegant boutiques and stores. Later gather together for dinner in the heart of the city.

After breakfast, depart for the airport and commence your return travel to India. *Alternatively, a free day for those continuing on the Europe tour extension…

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return journey to India or stay on for extra time in Rome or greater Europe – flexible return options.

*An extra night in Paris can be arranged for those joining this tour after our tour of Italy, Switzerland and France

Arrive in the Netherlands, much of which famously lies below sea level (those continuing from France will arrive on the fast TGV train from Paris). Tonight you will stay in the Netherland’s capital city, Amsterdam. From its canals to its vibrant café culture, Amsterdam is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. On arrival take a canal cruise, a wonderful introduction to the city. Dinner at one of the excellent city restaurants tonight.

This morning visit a typical Dutch family dairy farm supplying a local co-op and producing cheese, yoghurt and butter for sale in their own shop. Continue to the interesting Keringhuis Centre to learn how the Dutch manage to keep their feet dry! Look at flood risk management and see the impressive Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier, the world’s largest moveable barrier. After lunch return to Amsterdam for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.

Early this morning visit the fascinating Aalsmeer Co-operative Flower Auction where the world’s flower prices are set and an average of 20 million flowers and two million plants change hands each day. Continue to a Dutch cropping enterprise growing potatoes, sugar beet, onions and grass seed – all 6m below sea level! Also visit a flower nursery to gain an insight into the country’s iconic floral industry. After a break for lunch, cross the border and travel to Cologne, Germany’s fourth largest city and most famed for its magnificent Cathedral “Kölner Dom”. This evening visit a typical German brewery for beer tasting.

Depart on a panoramic journey to Heidelberg and take a cruise on the Rhine River – you’ll cruise along the Neckar Valley passing quaint villages and towns, some dating back a thousand years. It is a charming way to enjoy the sights and also offers fine views of Heidelberg’s picturesque Old Town, dominated by a world-famous castle. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Today is a day of German agriculture starting with the impressive Mannheim John Deere plant – the John Deere product range includes tractors, combine harvesters and planters/seeders. This afternoon visit nearby farming enterprises such as a livestock farm and a crop and vegetable enterprise, as well as enjoying lunch at a typical family-run farm restaurant. As well as meeting local farmers, you will be joined by a agricultural consultant for the day. Later return to Heidelberg for the evening at leisure.

Depart towards Austria this morning, visiting a German vineyard en route. Learn about the operation and enjoy a winery lunch. Next cross the border into Austria and arrive in Salzburg. The ‘old town’ of Salzburg is world famous for its fine baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps – it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Salzburg is noted for its attractive alpine setting, as well as being the birth– place of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for parts of The Sound of Music. Check into your city hotel and enjoy a free evening – perhaps take in a musical dinner show.

After breakfast, depart Salzburg and travel along the famous Styrian Apple Route known for its juices, cider, liqueurs, jams, schnaps and fine brandies – all offered right on the farms. Visit a private apple orchard and enjoy the chance to sample of one Austria’s iconic products – Schnaps! Continue onto Almenland, a beautiful region of vast alpine pastures. “Alm” is the German word for alpine meadows used for cattle and sheep grazing in the summer and Almenland is known as the biggest Alm in Europe. Visit a leading beef or dairy farm in the area. After lunch, travel to Graz in the southeast of Austria. The Schlossberg Hill of Graz is a natural spectacle and vantage point

This morning travel north through attractive countryside to Vienna, the capital city of Austria. With a population of 1.7 million, it is by far the largest city in Austria as well as the cultural, economic and political centre. On arrival, take a tour of Vienna – one of the most musical cities in the world – including sites such as the beautiful imperial palaces of Hofburg and Schönbrunn (also home to the world’s oldest zoo), the Riesenrad in the Prater. Tonight enjoy dinner at a Viennese Heurige (vineyard) restaurant with typical music from Vienna. Vienna unqiuely has 700 hectares of vineyards growing within its city limits.

Today you are free to further explore Vienna – perhaps visit one of the highly regarded art galleries or musical museums, take a walk in the palace gardens, see a show or opera (suggest you purchase tickets in advance), spend time shopping or simply relax for the day.

After breakfast visit an organic farm in the Marchfeld, an area about 10km east of Vienna that traditionally provides the vegetable supply for the neighbouring capital. The farm was christened Adamah, which in Hebrew means fertile soil, arable land. Adamah grew rapidly and now supplies Vienna with thousands of “BioKistl” (organic boxes) per week. The content of the BioKistln is grown where possible on Adamah’s own 90 hectares but what grows better elsewhere is supplied by partner farmers and organic wholesalers.  Adamah  has  grown  from  an organic farm to become a major Viennese organic produce supplier and distributor.

Cross the border into the Czech Republic, a country with a interesting history. Travel to rural Znojmo and visit a cooperative comprising 3200 ha of agricultural land, (90% arable, 50% cereals, 250 ha sugar beet, 200 ha sunflower, also vegetables and 100ha of vineyards). In addition, there are 500 dairy cows, 250 sows and 200 Simmental cattle. Continue to Cizov and see remnants of the Iron Curtain and the communist wire fence in the Podyji National Park. Later arrive in Ceske Budejovice, a famous brewery town, for a two-night stay. Tonight visit the original Budweiser Brewery, one of the oldest and most successful breweries in the Czech Republic.

Overnight Stay South Bohemia

This morning travel to the capital city, Prague, said  to be one  of the most beautiful cities in the world. Architecturally, it is a revelation with some 600 years of architecture virtually untouched by natural disaster. Take a tour of the city including the winding narrow streets of the Old Town, the Astronomical Clock with its twelve apostles showing every hour, the Vltava River and the famous Charles Bridge. Enjoy lunch at a brewery restaurant before visiting the impressive Prague Castle. Later, check in to your centrally located hotel.

Enjoy a free day in Prague to further explore “the City of a Thousand Spires”. In the early evening, relax with a scenic farewell dinner cruise on the Vltava River.

Breakfast and departure