Traveler Stories

Traveler Stories

Discover genuine reviews from past guests sharing the highlights of their journeys, the unique destinations, and the memories made along the way. These stories are a glimpse into the carefully crafted trips we offer, straight from the perspectives of real travelers just like you.

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We really enjoyed the trip. It exceeded our expectations. It was very enjoyable and also extremely educational. The wineries we visited were diverse in size and style but all are making great wine. Having Nicolas along as a Sommelier was great. Thanks for arranging a fantastic trip.

Steve B. (Traveler)

This has been a wonderful experience and an amazing trip!

Everything was well organized and the places we went to were amazing, the food was great and the team was very knowledgeable and courteous. They made everyone feel so comfortable. It was a great experience.

Keisha T. (Traveler)

Excellent - great food and wine; wonderful hotel, cute town; fun tours; good company.

Mark B. (Traveler)

This was a great trip. There were a great deal of wineries and restaurants. My only recommendation would be not to schedule lunch and dinner on the same day because of the slow dinner mode. It ends up being 6 hours of dining. It would also be nice to browse a city for shopping built into the tour midweek.

Janet C. (Traveler)

We were so fortunate to be able to have such an amazing trip in the Piedmont Wine Region of Italy. Our hotel accommodations at La Ribezza were first-rate. We loved all of the activities and experiences that we included as part of the trip. From wine tastings to truffle hunting and gourmet meals to castle tours, we couldn't have asked for a better vacation!!

Bethany H. (Traveler)

This was an excellent trip! Great boutique hotel in a charming town. Very well organized and managed. Love to go on another wine trip organized by Wine Lovers Travel. Gail was wonderful! Thank you Gail and Janis for making this happen! -Randy & Tona

Randall R. (Traveler)

The trip to Bosnia and Croatia was amazing. The food and wine, the restaurants and hotels, the coordination and timing of all the activities, the tour guides--all were above my highest expectations. I thought I was a museum-and-gallery type of tour lover. Turns out I got a great feeling of the people and the culture from this experience of tours, restaurants and, yes, wineries. Thank you for the attention to detail that you and your contacts planned and carried out to make this a trip of a lifetime. Thanks, Gail! Loved every minute!

Carol S. (Traveler)

A great food and wine trip is built around the experiences created and the food/meals enjoyed, wines explored, nice accommodations and ultimately the hospitality and knowledge of the hosts/guides… we ended up with some great local hosts & tour guides. Of course all expertly orchestrated under your guidance… a fantastic trip.

Carl B. (Host)

Overall 5 stars. A wonderful trip. We were almost tired of eating and drinking good wine. Trip Highlights - Hotel Intercontinental in Lyon. Very nice accomodations and great breakfast buffet. Good location. Glad that we were all able to be at the same hotel. Winery Highlights: Cave de Tain, Chateau de la Gardine and Cave de Coyeux (wonderful views). Best Meal: Maison Chenet - Entre Vigne et Garrique Best Tour - Pont du Gard Chateau De Massillan - beautiful hotel. Good food. We did not experience the air conditioning issue.

Rochelle A. (Traveler)

I would definitely do it all over again! Many kudos to you, Ines and Lisa for all your hard work and efforts.

Victor B. (Traveler)

My wife and I recently completed a wine and cultural tour of the Rhone Valley with Wine Lovers Travel. Absolutely the right way to do a trip - everything was top notch; we enjoyed great wine and were accompanied by a winemaker from Paso Robles and a local (American born) sommelier. Gail had everything planned out and when we 'veered' off schedule, she was there to get everything back on track. I could sit here a write many, many paragraphs about this trip but simply put, my wife and I have shied away from preplanned tours as we always seem to find things we like but cannot take time to enjoy because the tour is moving on. The way Gail plans everything out, she makes sure that you also have some time to take in the culture and sights on your own time. Thanks for a great trip.

Don S. (Traveler)

Our trip to Rhone wine country was as good as we could have wished. Our guide whom Gail arranged was world class. Accommodations, group meals, and venues visited were all excellent.

Kevin O. (Traveler)

Wine Lovers Travel organized a memorable trip across northern Spain in the spring of 2022 for the Brian Carter Cellars wine club. I got many glowing reports from those who participated. The trip was well organized, including nice hotels and great tours of wineries and other local highlights. I would recommend Wine Lovers Travel to anyone who loves to travel Europe with a group.

Brian C. (Trip Host)

Guides were excellent overall. The Parmigiano and Prosciutto visits were really great, as was the balsamico. The cooking class was great. The Manaresi visit was really good - more small production wineries like that one would be attractive to me. (Our case from them arrived the next week - they overnighted it to us for absurdly cheap shipping cost)

Dave T. (Traveler)

I absolutely loved this trip. I am not a seasoned traveler but I thought this tour was awesome in all the different areas/things we got to do and see. Especially loved Tuscany and the Parma tours (cheese, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar) were fantastic!!! Our small group was fun and loved getting to know everyone from all the various locations. Gail and Debbie were both fantastic - very well done!!

Chris L. (Traveler)

I thought it was well put together. We covered a lot of ground. It was a great trip! Thank you Gail!

Kelly N. (Traveler)

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this would be more than just a typical wine and food tour—it was an immersive journey into the heart of Italian culture, craftsmanship, and hospitality. One of the most magical highlights was a private concert with an incredibly talented opera singer. Listening to such a powerful voice in an intimate setting was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it set the tone for the rest of our adventures. ... And, of course, the wine tastings were exceptional—a true reflection of the region's deep-rooted wine traditions. As amazing as the destinations were, the experience was elevated even further by the incredible group of fellow travelers. The guests on this tour brought such warmth, humor, and curiosity to every stop, making every meal and conversation even more enjoyable. It truly felt like we were exploring Italy with friends, sharing laughter, stories, and unforgettable moments together.

Debbie T. (Host)


Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Last updated: March 14, 2024

I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING:

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We accept payment via credit card or ACH. Any fees are the responsibility of the traveler.

Program package quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless specifically noted on the itinerary.

WINE LOVERS TRAVEL will make every effort to honor the price as originally quoted, however, under certain circumstances additional costs by a supplier or government may be imposed due to an increase in the cost for one or more of the travel components.

Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges, or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.

Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. Any holds we have placed on your behalf are temporary, hotels and services listed are not guaranteed, prices subject to change. We recommend booking early and quickly.

I acknowledge and accept there are cancellation policies, change fees, and penalties that apply to my travel plans and services, which have been provided to me in writing. I agree to all such cancellation policies, change fees, and penalties, and understand unused portions of travel vouchers are non—refundable.

If for any reason my credit card charges are later declined, reversed, or WINE LOVERS TRAVEL is unable to receive payment for the travel plans and services, I acknowledge that this is a binding contract between myself and WINE LOVERS TRAVEL, and WINE LOVERS TRAVEL shall be entitled to recovery, including reasonable attorneys’ fees in connection with collection.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Travel documents, including passports, visas, and health/vaccination certificates required are your responsibility. Valid Passports are absolutely required for all international destinations and the expiration date should be at least 6 months following the return date of your trip. Some countries require that your passport have two to four blank visa/stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. (For more information, see: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/FAQs.html)

When traveling domestically or internationally, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advise that everyone carry at least two forms of acceptable identification in order to board a flight. Examples: DHS—designated enhanced driver’s license, USA Passport, a foreign government passport. The name, date of birth and gender that appears on the identification card must exactly match the same such data that is listed on airline ticket(s) and booking records. Additionally, a visa and vaccinations may be required. Please note that even when a visa is issued, a traveler may be denied entry since each country’s local immigration officials make the final entry decision. Several factors including past criminal record may contribute to the decision of the local immigration official(s). Should a visa not be issued, WINE LOVERS TRAVEL is not responsible for lost payments made toward the contemplated trip. If traveling to or through Canada, travelers with a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or other conviction record, should always check whether current rules exclude admission, and potential waivers. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL feels it is an invasion of privacy to make such an inquiry. The final decision of entry rests with the immigration or border services officer. (For more information see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/inadmissibility/index.asp

Visit the USA State Department Web site http://travel.state.gov on a regular basis for information regarding incidence of disease, terrorism, safety issues, crime, the need for travel documentation (such as passports, visas, proof of health/vaccination certificates), health hazards, and other restrictions regarding travel to your domestic and/or international destination(s), and re—entry into the United States. Required or advised inoculations you decide to obtain upon the advice of your personal physician, may need to be administered in a series of doses months ahead of your planned departure, and such time element should be considered by you, when making deposits and/or nonrefundable final payments. Visit the Web sites of the USA Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov ; and the International Society of Travel Medicine, www.istm.org. Travel to certain destinations may involve greater risk than others. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL urges clients to remain informed on a daily basis as to current news, as well as to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories issued by the United States Government prior to booking travel to international destinations. Information on conditions in various countries and the level of risk associated with travel to particular international destinations can be found at:
http://www.state.gov
http://www.tsa.gov/.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. Registration is recommended and provided by going to https://step.state.gov/step/

AIR TRAVEL

If WINE LOVERS TRAVEL or its affiliates book your international flights:

Flight confirmation is subject to availability and prices are subject to change after the date of deposit, including price increases in the price of a seat, price for baggage, applicable fuel surcharges, or an increase in a government-imposed fee or tax.

Passport copies are required to confirm international air reservations.

Once purchased, US air transaction prices will not increase, except for potential charges resulting from government-imposed taxes or fees. I consent to pay for such charges and authorize WINE LOVERS TRAVEL to charge my credit card for such additional amounts. This consent applies to all travel arranged by WINE LOVERS TRAVEL at my request, that includes US scheduled air transportation, and may be revoked at any time with respect to future travel for which I have not yet made payment. Five (5) years following the date of execution, this consent expires.

I understand that additional air amenities, including but not limited to, upgraded seating, baggage fees and seat assignment fees, made at my request, are in addition to quoted fare. I consent to pay for such charges and authorize Wine Lovers Travel or its agents/affiliates to charge my credit card for such additional amounts.

Certain suppliers reserve the right to increase prices to cover increased costs, fuel surcharges, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets.

BY OFFERING TRAVEL FOR SALE TO PARTICULAR DESTINATIONS, WINE LOVERS TRAVEL DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT TRAVEL TO SUCH POINTS IS ADVISABLE OR WITHOUT RISK, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR COSTS, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES THAT MAY RESULT FROM TRAVEL TO SUCH DESTINATIONS. PARTICIPATION CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH EVENTS AT EACH TRAVELER’S OWN RISK.

TRIP INTERRUPTION AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE

WINE LOVERS TRAVEL requires Travelers to either purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance or decline to purchase it in writing. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL strongly recommends Travelers buy trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect themselves from unexpected circumstances that may cause them to cancel their trip.

Thirty (30) days prior to the start of the trip, WINE LOVERS TRAVEL requires that Travelers either provide written documentation that they have purchased insurance or sign a written statement that they decline to purchase and understand that they will assume any and all liability for the trip.

Before traveling on a trip, WINE LOVERS TRAVEL also strongly recommends Travelers review their personal insurance and health insurance to ensure they have coverage appropriate to meet their needs, and the needs of their family and dependents, in case of any loss of property or illness, injury or death.

LIABILITY

Although WINE LOVERS TRAVEL will make every effort to adhere to the itinerary, on rare occasions it may be necessary to make an adjustment to these arrangements. Should such adjustment be necessary, a substitute will be offered when and where possible.

If any unusual, unforeseeable or extraordinary circumstances beyond our control, including (but not limited to) war, riots, terrorism, fire, natural disaster, explosion, strikes, lockouts, slowdowns, prolonged shortage of energy supplies, plagues, epidemics and acts of state or governmental action prohibiting or impeding any party from performing its respective obligations under the contract (travel restrictions, quarantines, trade embargoes, closure of airports or seaports and borders) or any other event outside the control of WINE LOVERS TRAVEL which affects the journey arrangements, WINE LOVERS TRAVEL cannot accept liability for any resulting loss, damage or expense and any refund will be subject to deduction of applicable expenses. In case of force majeure and we need to cancel any travel arrangements, WINE LOVERS TRAVEL has the right to retain funds paid, to delay the delivery of the services or end the legal contract without legal intervention by ninforming them of this in writing. Clients are not entitled to any damages unless this would be unacceptable according to measures of reason and fairness given the circumstances. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL is not responsible for any loss, accident, injury, delay, defect, omission, or irregularity which may occur, such as changes, additional expenses, and cancellations due to weather conditions, ferryboat, or other transportation schedule changes and other any changes beyond our control.

PHOTOGRAPHY DURING TRAVEL

WINE LOVERS TRAVEL reserves the right to take photographs and video of guests during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use, re-use, publish, and republish their image, identity likeness, voice, interview, statements, video clips, and sound recordings, and/or photographic portraits or pictures in which guest(s) may be included (an “Image”), for promotional purposes during the program and thereafter. By booking a program with WINE LOVERS TRAVEL, guests acknowledge that WINE LOVERS TRAVEL is the owner of the photographs and video and agree to allow their Image to be used in such photographs and videos, which may thereafter, be used by WINE LOVERS TRAVEL. Guests who prefer that their images not be used must (1) identify themselves to their Tour Guide at the beginning of their journey; and (2) notify their Travel Consultant by email, not later than thirty (30) days following the end of the guest’s journey. In the event the guest fails to comply with both obligations, the guest shall not be exempt from this section. If such written notice is not timely provided, the guests, individually and on behalf of any minor child traveling with them, have granted unrestricted rights and permission for WINE LOVERS TRAVEL to use the Images.

DISABLED PERSONS

WINE LOVERS TRAVEL must be advised during the booking process should there be any person in a traveling party who cannot travel independently or who needs any form of assistance or has any medical condition which could affect their travel, as such person must be accompanied by a companion capable of assisting this person. Areas visited will often not offer access and pathways comparable to those accommodating the disabled in you’re the US. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL cannot guarantee that all activities will be accessible to persons with disabilities and is not responsible for providing alternative activities or making refunds for portions of trip travelers are unable to participate in.

CHANGE REQUEST DEADLINE

We understand that there may be a need to change a component or item of your final booking program and we will try our best to accommodate such requests (but cannot guarantee that such requests can be accommodated and if accommodated that such will not increase the cost of your booking package). We request that you give us as much advance notice as possible of any additional requests or nuances or changes to your program. Prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs, and taxes. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL retains the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. WINE LOVERS TRAVEL retains the right to cancel or vary any itinerary and substitute components of the itineraries and arranged sightseeing due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond WINE LOVERS TRAVEL control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.

COVID-19 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Travelers must provide required health documentation for travel and agree to comply with all health protocols as directed by WINE LOVERS TRAVEL staff during their journey. Noncompliance with these measures will result in not being able to travel or continue on the journey. Guest voluntarily assumes all risks and related expenses in the event that they or any member of their traveling party require testing or quarantine, become infected with COVID-19, or experience travel interruptions or delays.


Wine Lovers Team

Wine Lovers Travel Team

Gail Sherman

CEO of Wine Lovers Travel

Gail is the founder and CEO of Wine Lovers Travel, driven by her love for wine and travel, which inspired her to create a business centered on unforgettable travel experiences. With a passion for uncovering hidden gems around the world and savoring exceptional wines, Gail decided to merge her two greatest passions and share them with fellow enthusiasts like you. Her belief that travel should offer an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience serves as the guiding principle behind every meticulously planned itinerary, ensuring that each trip is more than just a vacation—it’s an unforgettable journey.

Gail’s passion for both the wine and travel industries has enabled her to forge meaningful and long-lasting connections with some of the industry’s top winemakers, sommeliers, hotel owners and insiders in both the US and abroad. Through these connections, she stays ahead of the curve, offering her travelers exclusive access to unique experiences. Her favorite wine, Chateauneuf du Pape, holds a special place in her heart, especially when Mourvèdre is the predominant grape. Its earthiness evokes memories of one of the most enchanting places in France—a fitting sentiment for Gail, who proudly declares herself a Francophile.

Gail Sherman - Founder of Wine Lovers Travel
Lindsey Sullivan

Lindsey Sullivan

Reservation Specialist

Lindsey Sullivan, the Reservation Specialist at Wine Lovers Travel, is here to answer all your questions and help you with your bookings and travel plans! She has been working in travel for almost 3 years now and she loves it. Before that, she used to work as a camera assistant while living in Los Angeles. She now lives in Atlanta and enjoys working from home while taking care of her son. Her favorite place to travel to is the mountains. She loves how peaceful it is and she enjoys looking at beautiful scenery. Her favorite type of wine is Bordeaux because she’s fancy like that.

Amanda Morgan

Reservation Specialist

Amanda Morgan is a Reservation Specialist with Wine Lovers Travel. She thrives in helping customers seamlessly plan all of their travel needs. Before coming to work with Wine Lovers Travel, Amanda was the owner of an event coordination business located in southern California. As a military spouse, she has had the opportunity to travel to many places but her absolute favorite is Sicily. She believes that Sicily not only has amazing landscapes and history but some of the best food and wine in the world. Her favorite wine is a Cabernet Franc because of how versatile it is. It can easily be paired with a chilled tomato salad or a full dinner of grilled lamb and risotto.

Amanda Morgan
Stefanie Colburn

Stefanie Colburn

Marketing Manager

Stefanie Colburn, is the Marketing Manager at Wine Lovers Travel. Stefanie oversees our bi-weekly newsletters, manages partnerships and collaborations, and spearheads our marketing endeavors. Her favorite wine is a Primitivo from Puglia. She holds this varietal close to her heart as it’s where she tied the knot. One of her favorite travel memories includes exploring the enchanting beaches and restaurants of Ibiza with friends.

Christopher Carbaugh - Hoot Host

Website Hosting and Maintenance

Christopher Carbaugh is the founder of Hoot Host, who manages the online presence of Wine Lovers Travel. Christopher, Amy, and the team at Hoot Host have helped Wine Lovers Travel build our beautiful website and assist in marketing efforts too. Hoot Host supports several wineries in South America and Europe, so being part of the Wine Lovers Travel team was an obvious fit. Wine and travel are two of Christopher’s favorite aspects of life. Based in Monterey California, Christopher spends the weekends enjoying the amazing wineries of Central and Northern California. Recently he has been savoring Syrah more than his other favorites. He is also an avid international traveler to popular wine destinations like New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and beyond!

Christopher Carbaugh
Amy Hang

Amy Hang

Website Maintenance

Amy Hang is the lead website developer of Hoot Host. Along with Christopher and the team at Hoot Host, she helps with the Wine Lovers Travel website. She loves learning about the local culture when she visits somewhere for the first time. One of her favorite experiences with wine and travel is wine tasting through the many wine farms in South Africa. Her go-to wine is anything sparkling and rosé!


Wine Lovers Travel at ZinEx

Wine Lovers Travel at ZinEx

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Welcome to Wine Lovers Travel!

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our friends from ZinEX for stopping by. Your passion for fine wines inspires us daily.

We invite you to explore our Trips page, where you’ll find an array of unforgettable wine journeys tailored to delight every palate. Discover the perfect getaway where each sip promises a story and every destination a memory.

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Travel FAQs

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Travel Requirements

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Insurance Quote

Insurance Quote

Wine Lovers Travel’s preferred travel/trip insurance company is Allianz Global Assistance. With over 35 years experience providing travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance is also the preferred provider when you purchase flight insurance from most airlines and is highly rated by AM Best, the rating service for insurance products.

Allianz Global Assistance offers plans that include benefits for many covered situations that result in a trip interruption or cancellation. Their plans also include emergency medical benefits and 24/7 travel assistance. Terms, conditions and exclusion, including for pre-existing medical conditions apply to all plans. Specific plan benefits may vary. Please review your plan details for more information.

You can use the form below to get your personal quote and then purchase directly from Allianz Global Assistance using their safe, secure payment processing. For any questions, you can reach out to us at Wine Lovers Travel.