“A taste of…”trips are personally led by Brian Smith and are limited to small groups. We travel to destinations in Europe to enjoy character luxury hotels. We visit food & drink producers, markets, cheese makers, wine makers, chocolate makers, food academies, and more. We visit restaurants that range from Michelin star to local eateries offering rustic plats du jour. Our trips embrace cultural aspects by visiting museums, galleries, music and dance performances and other attractions.
Bespoke itineraries
Using our intimate knowledge of destinations, “a taste of…” trips are original, imaginative, and fun, informative, and balanced. We pay attention to the smallest details and do our best to provide you access to places and experiences not available to average tourists.
Accommodation and Dining
Our hotel partners are chosen with care. We know the owners and have stayed with most of them before. We have exacting criteria for hotel partners and demand professionalism, comfort, friendliness, and style. Our hotels include 5-star, 4-star, or boutiques. We use similar criteria when selecting restaurants, menus, and wines.
Small groups
Most of our trips are for groups up to 12 participants. Numbers are limited to provide intimacy and the ability to adhere to our itineraries with a minimum of fuss. Most importantly, we try when possible to all sit around one table for our dinners. The small numbers ensure that we have congenial groups with like-minded aspirations and desires.
Client care
We look after our clients and always endeavour to deliver a faultless experience from your first contact with us to the end of the trip. Our objective is to have our satisfied guests return and travel again.
Commitment to value
Our trip prices always provide the best value possible. Trip prices cover most costs such as hotel, ground transfers, group meals, tips, drinks, attractions, and local taxes. Any meals or drink not included will be specified. Travel to and from the destinations are not included.
Our founder
Our founder
“a taste of…” was created by travel expert, food enthusiast, and wine ambassador Brian Smith, a Californian who has lived in the UK for over half his life. His enthusiasm for travel, food and drink was gained through living, working, and travelling in America, Africa, Europe, and London. Brian’s passion for food and travel is nurtured through close relationships with hotel owners, chefs, artisanal food producers, and wine growers. Smith is a member of the Royal Automobile Club, where he chaired the club’s food & beverage committee, and was a member of the club’s wine committee. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.