Port day · WINE TASTING SHORE EXCURSIONS
Vineyards sit inland and ships sail on time, so the good ones keep the drive short and the pours honest. These 15 tastings list the estates, the number of wines and whether lunch comes with them.
Travel from Port Douglas into the Atherton Tablelands with guides such as Brett, Chris, Dale, or Glen. Expect breakfast, lunch, fruit, nuts, ice cream, coffee, spirits, beer, wine, and a creekside platypus watch across seven small-group stops.
“Loved this tour it was a full day and the tour guide Dale was so informative., he was a fountain of knowledge.”
Meet your guide at Picton’s i-SITE and ride a comfortable minibus through the Koromiko Pass to Marlborough’s cellar doors. You’ll visit four or five wineries when time allows, with guides such as Bruce, Lucinda, Lisa, John, or Marsley sharing local wine knowledge. Lunch costs extra, and the group is limited to 11.
“Fantastic tour!! Our local driver/guide was awesome!! Lucinda was very knowledgeable of both the local area and everything associated with the wine making process. She also was very concerned with everyone’s comfort and well being. We started with a visit to a chocolate factory and then 4 wineries with lunch at one of them. Awesome tour!!!!”
Travel privately from Split to Krka National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle, walk its waterfall trails for about four hours, then visit Sladic Winery for three wines, local prosciutto, and cheese. English-speaking guides may include Goran or Rocco, though guide assignment can vary.
“Water fall and walk were wonderful. Was not the experience that I was expecting. The picture shows that you can swim in the water by falls and that is not the case. Our guide was not very good. I was not impressed and offended with his raunchy jokes.”
Travel by private vehicle from Katakolon to Olympia, where you explore the museum and ancient Olympic site with a guidebook rather than an included licensed guide. Continue to family-run Magna Grecia for wine, olive oil, and homemade food, then stop at Agios Ilias Beach for sea views.
“Olympia was one of our cruise stops. Pickup from cruise port was good. Our favorite part of this tour was the visit to the Kostas winery and farm. The family is warm, the wine and food were fabulous and we were able to bring some wine back. *Details should clarify you need Cash to pay for winery visit. Olympia itself was ok, not so much to see. We enjoyed the museum more than the ruins. We had to navigate with a book and ruins are quite diminished compared to other historic sites we have visited. Niki was a very knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed our conversations with her. Petro was…”
From Picton, ride an air-conditioned bus through Marlborough’s wine country and choose your stops. Taste wine, visit Omaka’s aircraft and classic-car museums, eat among the vines, or browse chocolate and local gifts. Drivers share local tips, but reserve tastings and allow extra time for cruise-day delays.
“Our driver offered great recommendations for venues and shared local knowledge. We were also lucky enough to score the same driver for the entire journey.”
Meet your guide at Picton i-SITE at 10am for a 4 to 6 hour minivan tour through Marlborough. Taste Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, low-alcohol wines, chocolate, and local produce, with stops at Saint Clair, Forrest, Nautilus, Rarangi, and The Vines Village.
“Our tour was wonderful and tour guide Paul was fantastic! We were in a small vehicle and Paul took us all around the area and even added in the beach and coastline. We stopped at three wineries had lunch and a rive around the area. Very enjoyable day.”
See Kefalonia’s stalactite-filled Drogarati Cave and turquoise Melissani Lake, then stop at Myrtos Beach and enjoy a 105-minute local wine tasting. Guides such as Maria add island stories during the air-conditioned ride. Cave entry costs about €13 extra.
“The caves were absolutely beautiful and Maria was an excellent guide. Thoroughly enjoyed this excursion!”
Travel from the cruise port or hotel to Lindos, a family pottery workshop, a Rhodes winery, and the UNESCO-listed Old Town. English-speaking guides such as Diana and Georgos lead the day, with free time for exploring. The pace is active, and the Lindos Acropolis ticket and lunch cost extra.
“Quite a bit of traveling but the highlight would have been the ruins which are a very long uphill climb with minimal time allowed to do it. The tour doesn’t lie but also doesn’t reveal the inherent difficulty. Otherwise the tour met expectations.”
From Picton’s i-SITE, you’ll ride in an air-conditioned minivan with up to 11 people to four Marlborough wineries and Makana Confections. Guides such as Gavin, Keith, Phil, and Paula share local stories, arrange tastings, and adjust the route around your ship’s schedule. Lunch costs extra.
“Gavin was the most amazing tour guide. We made friends with our wonderful tour group. The wineries were beautiful and the wine was delicious! A fantastic experience overall!”
Travel from Naples or Salerno port to Pompeii for a two-hour guided visit, then continue to Vesuvius National Park for two hours of free time. Port pickup, entry tickets, onboard commentary, and lunch for Naples departures are included. Guides have included Raffaello, Titi, and Bruno.
“The guide was prompt and waiting for us outside the cruise port. We made our way by bus to Pompeii… it was a little hectic with numbers of people but was a good experience. Next we went to have lunch just before the entrance to Vesuvius. It was AWESOME! The food was tasty, servers busy, and views were amazing! Definitely recommend this trip AND TiTi and Bruno were excellent!”
Travel privately from Livorno to Greve in Chianti, Panzano, and a Tuscan winery with an English-speaking driver-guide. Taste Chianti Classico wines and olive oil, then add a local lunch at your own cost. Guides such as Carlo, Giovanni, Mario, and Leonardo have received especially warm praise.
“Our driver Carlo from Prestige Picked us up on time and was such a gentleman and so knowledgeable- He stopped at the right places and took pictures of us and wanted us to be happy with everything- and kept asking about our feedback- The winery was amazingly beautiful and the girl Giovannia was so knowledgable as well and so accommodating- truly an experience to remember”
Spend six hours exploring Santorini with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of 18 people. Visit Profitis Ilias, Megalochori, the Castle of St Nicholas, and Anhydrous Winery for wine and food pairing. Morning and afternoon departures are available.
“The views are spectacular but the crowds were overwhelming! The first part of the tour was boring. Oia was overcrowded and unbearable.”
Leave Messina’s port with a private guide such as Marco, Maurizio, or Mariolina, then head toward Mount Etna for crater walks, honey and olive-oil tastings, and views across Sicily. Finish at a family winery for cellar visits, a traditional lunch, and four Etna wines before returning to port.
“Antonio our driver/guide is informative and funny. Lively conversation throughout the day. Accommodated special requests to stop at Greek theatre. Honey, olives, and olive oil tasting was fabulous. Highly recommend”
Travel by private car from Messina, Catania, or Taormina to Mount Etna with a local guide such as Marco, Massimo, or Alberto. Visit lava craters and a honey shop, then enjoy Etna DOC wines and traditional food at a mountain winery. A cable car and 4x4 ride to 3,000 meters costs extra.
“WOW! Our trip to Mt. Etna exceeded expectations. Primarily due to our fantastic guide, Alberto! He is local not only to the area but to the mountain itself! He was highly prideful of Sicily and especially passionate about Mamma Etna. He was kind, sweet, and extremely knowledgeable. I don't know if this travel company allows requests, but if you can, definitely ask for him. 5/5, BEST, TOP!”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Lisbon’s cruise port for a four-hour private minivan tour. Visit Sé Cathedral, Graça, Alfama and Belém, then stroll Baixa and sample pastel de Belém, vinho verde, cod cake, port and cheese. Guides may include Rodrigo, John, Vlad, Harald, Edgar or Louis.
“Edgar did a wonderful job as our guide. He was very attentive and helpful to our special needs. Pick up was at the pier which was especially convenient.”
Pick the call, or the kind of day you want out of it.
