Wineyards & Degustation

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF TRADITION AND PASSION .....…IN A GLASS

ITALY

Famous for its artistic and gastronomic delights, a trip to ITALY is not complete without tantalizing the taste buds. For us Italians, wine is not “alcohol”: is a key part of the dining experience, cultural life, tradition and passion. We take wine-making seriously, so a tour of the country's vineyards will put a lasting mark on your vacation
Italy recently became the top wine producer in the world with twenty major wine-growing regions, and over 2000 indigenous grape varieties.
ALTERNA guides you to visit majestic vineyards of the BAROLO area in PIEMONTE around roman and baroque Torino, and the CHIANTI region in TOSCANA: a trail of renaissance and baroque castles and medieval towers nested on scenic hills, the jewels of the crown of Italian wine kingdom
SAVOIA ROYAL PALACES : discover lovely, perfectly restored UNESCO heritage castles and summer palaces of the Italian royal family Savoia. Gems of medieval and baroque architecture nested in the gentle scenic landscapes of Langhe and Monferrato on the Alps foothills.
CINQUE TERRE & TUSCANY: cultural trails across the colorful traditional fishing villages in Cinque Terre natural park and medieval gems of Tuscany.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The wine tradition in the Czech Republic, and mostly in the idyllic hilly region of MORAVIA is as long as wine itself. In July 2011 a Moravian winemaker won the title of best Sauvignon Blanc in the International Wine Competition of San Francisco, the most prominent of U.S.A.
In the 2nd Century A.C., the Roman 10th Legion based at Vindobona (the modern Wien) built an extensive outpost near the Amber Road in south Moravia: when in year 278, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus annulled the edict that prohibited the planting of grapes in colonies north of the Alps, winemaking began. During the 13th century, monasteries helped to establish large vineyard areas which were planted with the best grape varieties imported from France and Germany
The wine-producing areas are well-known for their WINE FESTIVALS (Czech: vinobraní) which take place around harvest time in September, a unique way to sample hundreds of local wines, traditional music, dancing, cuisine
BOHEMIAN & MORAVIAN CROWN JEWELS : a trail along the gems of baroque and renaissance castles, fortresses and summer palaces of Austro-Hungarian noble families, also by bicycle along the Prague - Wien Greenways path

HUNGARY

Discover the wonders of TOKAJI , a pristine green hilly area nested between Budapest, Slovakia and Ukraina: a region blessed by mild climatic conditions, ideal for some of the best white wine grapes in Europe thanks to centuries of tradition, passion and innovation
Tokaji wine became the subject of the world's first appellation control, established in 1730 several decades before Port wine, and over 120 years before the classification of Bordeaux. In 1703, Francis Rákóczi II, Prince of Transylvania, gave King Louis XIV of France some Tokaji wine as a gift: delighted with the precious beverage, the king offered a glass of Tokaji to Madame de Pompadour, referring to it as "Vinum Regum, Rex Vinorum" ("Wine of Kings, King of Wines"). Beloved by Absburg Emperor Franz Josef, Queen Victoria of England, Napoleon III of France and endless monarchs, even Pope Pius IV. at the Council of Trient in 1562, exclaimed: Summum pontiloveficem talia vina decent! (This is the type of wine that should be on the papal table).
ALTERNA TOURS guides you to wine-tasting in the best traditional cellars to discover Furmint, Harslevelu and Muscat production of delightful and high;y appreciated white dry and sweet cuvee wines.
In combination with WINE SPA treatments, visits of BUDAPEST and the Slovak gems of TATRA MOUNTAINS and medieval castles

Degustation with professional sommeliers and wine-making sessions to discover the best producers as CASCINA ADELAIDE and MARCHESI DI BAROLO
traditional italian cooking courses & workshop with professional chefs:
Flexible and customised packages, guided or independent tours minibus or bicycle for individuals and small groups
Accomodation in bio-farms, wineries and medieval castles

Flexible and customised programs of one and more days, in combination with castles and mansions,tour of traditional breweries, beer spa, biking adventure , folklore & handicrafts , kayak in Unesco heritage towns, ski & snowboard in Winter Olimpic Games slopes, military history and other ALTERNA TOURS packages