Strictly Small Groups – August 2018 Policy Change

by Dawnielle Jacobson | Aug 14, 2018 | news

Strictly Small Groups with David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe Tours

I am making a change to my small-group policy to better serve you.

The State of Tourism in Europe

During the last eight months, I’ve traveled all over Europe to both small, out-of-the-way destinations and big travel sites. If there’s one thing I’ve seen in common, it is the surge of tourism. Europe is now inundated with tourists seeking to see the great sites: Venice, Rome, the Alcázar, the Cliffs of Moher, the Eiffel Tower, Castle Neuschwanstein, and more. The European Union reports that 167 million tourists spent one or more nights there in 2017. For many popular locations, that was a 15 to 20% increase over the previous year. So far in 2018, Spain is the top destination, with Italy running a close second. These visitors are not just from North America; a vast majority hail from Japan, China, Korea, and India. Folks from these countries must be getting great travel deals at home because I have seen their presence increase by 100% at major tourist destinations in the past five years.

Residents of popular tourist destinations are fed up with mass tourism. They complain that the daily influx of tourist crowds has taken their towns away from them and turned them into a theme-park atmosphere. Many municipalities are taking steps to limit the influx of travelers and tourism. For example, the popular seaside destination known as the Cinque Terre (Liguria, Italy) is working on plans to limit the daily number of tourists that can enter the region. The Cliffs of Moher, once a lonely pasture in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland, is now expanding their parking lots and limiting the number of visitors per day. The Alcázar, in Granada, Spain, has put a cap on the daily number of visitors making it impossible to enter without an advanced reservation. This year, 25,000 people a day visit the Vatican Museum; the hallways are jammed with tourists participating in the daily “cattle-call” that ends at the Sistine Chapel. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower, hosting 20,000 tourists per day, is in the midst of a massive renovation to handle and control the crowds. These are just a few examples of the crowded troubles I’ve seen at popular tourist sites over the last few months.

Tourism in Europe is growing by leaps and bounds and it’s only projected to get bigger. The big bus tours and cruise ships account for much of the crowds at popular tourist destinations. Cruisers who take a shore excursion for five hours are certainly not receiving an authentic European travel experience, and the fifty passengers on a big bus will spend much of their time at highway toilet stops, tacky tourist shops, and mediocre restaurants.

The Benefits of Small-Group Travel

I’ve always been an advocate for small-group travel and have limited my publicly advertised tours to 32 or fewer passengers. Really, over the years, my average size group has been about 10 to 12 travelers. However, beginning today, David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe groups will consist of strictly small groups ranging from 6 to 18 comfortable and happy travelers.

Many tour organizers put fifty people on a fifty-passenger bus and drive through Europe like cattle packed in a freight train. These folks travel in an “Americanized bubble” and are only let out on occasion to see the real Europe. Even then, they travel in large packs being herded from one sight or shopping venue to another by their “kickback hungry” drivers and guides. When buying gifts, souvenirs, meals, and even snacks, these group members often pay inflated tourist prices. Yes, they see Europe (from a slanted perspective), but they never EXPERIENCE Europe.

I am confident my small groups are more mobile and quicker on their feet than the typical big bus groups and this allows us to see, do, and experience more. We provide a unique travel experience by ensuring that you are treated as individuals seeking to learn about your destination. My strictly small group tours may cost a bit more than going with the big buses and huge tour companies, but your ultimate experience will be much better. Small group travel is the only way to go!

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Reminder: Discounts on the Christmas Markets Tour

Don’t forget to sign up for my Christmas Markets Tour by August 19, 2018 to receive a $100 discount. Currently, my Christmas Markets Tour is selling for $3189 per person.  If you are a single traveler, I’ll reduce the single room supplement to $359, a $200 savings off the advertised price.

Head over to my website to sign up today.

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Cheap Flights to Germany in December and a Christmas Bonus from David

by David McGuffin | Aug 11, 2018 | news

Christmas Markets Tour

Flights are selling at record low prices from the USA to Munich for the first week of December.  These roundtrip fares to Munich are selling, right now, from $645. Check out the price on: Rome2Rio, Orbitz or at your favorite air carrier’s website. Find a fare and snag it, then join me and Charlotte for our Christmas Markets tour in December.

You’ll need to depart the USA on Saturday, 12/1/18 to arrive at the Munich Airport (MUC) the next morning (12/2/18).  We will pick you up at the airport and whisk you away to Salzburg to begin the tour!  Schedule your return flight for Sunday, 12/9/18. 

To sweeten the pot, I will add an early Christmas bonus to all who sign up right away.  Join my tour and pay your deposit by August 19, 2018, and receive a $100 discount on the tour.  Currently, my Christmas Markets Tour is selling for $3189 per person.  If you are a single traveler, I’ll reduce the single room supplement to $359, a $200 savings off of the advertised price.

Go To David’s Christmas Markets Tour Page

Christmas Markets pop up all over Central Europe during the first weeks of December. These outdoor markets feature unique decorations, beautifully handcrafted arts, and endless opportunities to sample some great food and countless varieties of glüwein, punch, and spiced drinks, served piping hot in souvenir mugs.

But there is more to this tour than snow-sprinkled markets!  You’ll enjoy visiting many destinations that, during the busy tourist season, are packed shoulder-to-shoulder with sweaty tourists.  Traveling off-season means easy access to the castles and sights in Salzburg, Schwangau, Rothenburg, Munich, Nürnberg, and more.  There has never been a better time to visit Europe’s winter wonderland destinations.

All our tours are designed for strictly small groups ranging from 6 to 18 travelers. This means we can travel off the beaten path and under the big bus tour radar and experience Europe on a unique and personal level. Eating well is also a priority, and you’ll get your fair share of fine food sourced locally by excellent chefs. I’ve spent years poking around Europe’s nooks and crannies looking for unique restaurants, clean hotels with character and cozy B&Bs. Our tours include all tips and gratuities to drivers, local guides, and your tour leader. Finally, we’ll never nickel and dime you with extras and add-ons. The advertised price is the price you pay. 

So, what are you waiting for?  Why not take a vacation to Europe in December?  Head over to my website to sign up today.

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Wines of Tuscany: Super Tuscans

by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jul 6, 2018 | news

Super Tuscans

Super Tuscan… what is that supposed to mean? A new super hero, a WWF wrestler or a very hot Italian super model? Well, in the world of wine, Super Tuscan could mean all of the above. Simply put, Super Tuscan is a purely concocted term referring to red wine made in Tuscany that does not conform to the wine classification system imposed by the Italian government. In 1963, a group of Italian winemakers got together to find a way to raise the quality standards for Italian wines and classify regional wines according to local wine-making traditions. Their goal was to provide a way to gauge the quality of a wine and its production area and to determine if it was made in a consistent style and quality. The Italian wine experts defined three wine rankings: DOC, DOCG, and VdT. For more on this classification system see my article: The Wines of Tuscany.

This may have been a good idea, at least on paper, but in Tuscany, the new classification system overlooked many wine producers. In fact, the Chianti DOC limited vintners to making some mediocre to poor red wine. Even worse, the “rules” for the Chianti Classico region stipulated that vintners were to use 10%-30% of white wine to mix with their red and to limit the time the blend stayed in the barrel to mature. In the end, this wine was young and fruity, but certainly, nothing to submit for competition on the international market.

By the late 1960s, many Tuscan winemakers were fed up with these silly rules imposed by the Italian government. So, a small group of vintners, led by Marchese Piero Antinori, decided to strike out on their own and produce their wine outside the DOC/DOCG classification system. In other words, it would be classified as vino da tavola, or table wine. These guys abandoned the rules and created a Sangiovese-based wine mixed with international varietal grapes such as: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Additionally, they played around with various types of barrel-aging with casks made from French and other international oaks. After years of experimentation and aging, these wines began to get the attention of some wine critics. Great wines were “born” with names such as Tignanello and Sassicaia. But, they could only be called table wine, even though they tasted great and cost a small fortune.

Many think the actual term “Super Tuscan” can be attributed to Robert M. Parker Jr., the noted wine advocate who began rating wine on a 100-point scale. Through his writing, critiques and high point-ratings, he boosted the appeal of these no-named wines produced in Tuscany, drove up their cost and called international attention to a new ‘breed’ of wine.

With no rules to follow, the vintners put their newly created Super Tuscan wines in a totally new category outside any specified DOC. The only thing everyone could agree on was there were some amazing wines being created in Tuscany’s Chianti region.

In 1992, the Italian government “wine regulators” finally saw the light and introduced a new official wine classification, ITG (Indicazione Geografica Tipica). It includes the Super Tuscans and many other wines previously not defined in the DOC classification system. Additionally, new DOCs were added, such as DOC Bolgheri, that allowed for non-native grape varieties.

Let’s take a look at a few of the best (and priciest) wines and a few affordable bottles.

Here are some of the top Super Tuscans:

• Sassicaia – This is the wine that started it all. Recent vintages sell for $150. !985 vintage goes for $4000+.
• Tignanello – This was the first Super-Star Tuscan and is named for the vineyard where the grapes are grown. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are blended for this wine. $60-$250 depending on the vintage. (Antinori)
• Solaia – All grapes grown in a single vineyard containing Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Recent vintages run $120-$300. 1998 vintage goes for up to $650.
• Ornellaia – Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Sells for $125-$500 depending on the vintage and designer label.
• Masseto – Made only from Merlot grapes grown in a single vineyard. Depending on vintage it sells for $350-$800 a bottle.
• Redigaffi – 100% Merlot grapes. Robert Parker gave the 2000 vintage a score of 100 points. Plan to pay $650 to $800 depending on the vintage. There is a younger “rosso” version selling for $120-$300.

Don’t worry, there are some affordable Super Tuscans out there as well. Next time you are at your wine shop, pick up one of these bottles:

• Castello Banfi Centine Toscana – This Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend is good and approachable. $10-$15 depending on the vintage.
• Podere Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana – The three reds, Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tre Rosso is made from grapes grown on three (tre) estates, in Castellina, Radda, and Morellino di Scansano. Sells for $20-$25.
• Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana – Named for the “seven bridges” that cross the Arno River on the road from Arezzo to Florence. Sangiovese and Merlot make up this blend. Plan to pay about $35.
• Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Bolgheri – This is the “little sister” to the famous Ornellaia mention above. Made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. About $60.

All of the Super Tuscan wines are RED and meant to be consumed with fatty food such as salami, cold cuts, prosciutto, steaks and meaty pasta dishes. Give one a try the next time you are looking for a good bottle of red wine.

Outro

If you found this article informative, please share it with your friends, family, coworkers and associates. If you have something to add, just leave a comment in the box below.

Do you want to learn more about traveling to Europe? There is a wealth of information and special discount pricing on my tours at https://davidmcguffin.com/.

David McGuffin is Founder and CEO of David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., based in Middleburg, Florida. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. David spends his time in Europe organizing and leading small group and independent tours to European destinations. In business since 2001, David has provided exceptional travel opportunities to several thousand satisfied customers. You can find out more about David and his European tours at his website, https://davidmcguffin.com.

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Big Savings on Upcoming Tours

If your schedule is flexible, join us on an upcoming tour and take advantage of big savings.

TASTE O’IRELAND, August 19-28  $500 discount – 4 seats remaining

THE BEST OF SCOTLAND & WALES, Sept 4-13 $400 discount – 4 seats remaining

THE BEST OF ITALY, Sept 16-29 $500 discount – 4 seats remaining 

THE BEST OF ITALY, October 14-27 $500 discounted – 3 seats remaining

BATTLEFIELDS OF FRANCE & BELGIUM, October 16-26 $500 discount – 4 seats remaining 

For more information about the tours on sale, click here.

Tours to Italy

Interested in sampling a local Super Tuscan? Join us on one of our upcoming tours.

Essence of Italy – A 9-day tour with stops in Rome, the Cinque Terre, Pisa, Volterra, Siena and Florence.

Tour dates:

2018: September 16-24, October 14-22.

2019: April 7-15, May 5-13, June 30-July 8, September 22-30

Best of Italy – A 13-day tour. All the destinations of the Essence of Italy, plus Venice, Lake Como and Milan.

Tour dates:

2018: September 16-29, October 14-27.

2019: April 7-20, May 5-18, June 30-July 13, September 22-October 5

Tuscany Villa Vacation – Enjoy a relaxing stay in a Tuscan villa with day trips to Volterra, Siena, San Gimignano and Lucca. Begin and end your tour in Florence.  

Tour dates:

2019: May 24-June 2, September 13-22

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Big discounts on 2018 tours!

by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jun 24, 2018 | news

Big Savings on Upcoming Tours

If your schedule is flexible, join us on an upcoming tour and take advantage of big savings.

TASTE O’IRELAND, August 19-28  $500 discount – 4 seats remaining

THE BEST OF SCOTLAND & WALES, Sept 4-13 $400 discount – 4 seats remaining

THE BEST OF ITALY, Sept 16-29 $500 discount – 4 seats remaining 

THE BEST OF ITALY, October 14-27 $500 discounted – 3 seats remaining

BATTLEFIELDS OF FRANCE & BELGIUM, October 16-26 $500 discount – 4 seats remaining 

For more information about the tours on sale, click here.

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Wines of Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino

by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jun 8, 2018 | news

Brunello di Montalcino

Of all the DOCG wines produced in Tuscany, my favorite is Brunello di Montalcino. Like the other Tuscan wines I’ve discussed in previous articles, this too is Sangiovese-based and produced under strict local and state regulations. The town of Montalcino is about 25 miles south of Siena nestled among rolling hills, wheat fields and of course, vineyards galore! “Brunello” is the local name for the Sangiovese grape grown in this region. 

These grapes are grown under an age-old process that involves excessive pruning to ensure low yield per hectare (10,00 square meters or 2.47 acres). The old adage citing quality above quantity is surely the rule here in these vineyards. Only wine produced in the Montalcino region can be called “Brunello.” The combination of soil, climate and vintner knowledge and experience has made this wine world famous. It is thought the word “Brunello” is derived from the root word “Bruno”, which means “brown.” For many years experts thought that the Brunello grape was a unique variety; however, in 1879 a group of experts pretty much agreed that the grape was actually Sangiovese. Since that time, 100% Sangiovese wines produced in Montalcino have been called Brunello.

Brunello di Montalcino is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes that have gone through an extended period of maceration to allow flavors and colors to be extracted from the skins. The resulting juice is placed in aged oak casks for fermentation for at least two years. After two years, the wine can remain in the barrel or be bottled. It must also remain in the bottle for a minimum amount of time. Regardless of the bottling, the wine must be held a minimum of five years from the time of harvest. Brunello di Montalcino “Riserva” must be held a minimum of six years before release, including at least six months in the bottle. Exceptional vintage years include those produced from harvests in 2015, 2012, 2006, 2004, 2001, and 1997.

Brunello di Montalcino’s long aging process makes for excellent body and intense ruby and garnet colors. It possesses complex aromas consisting of wild berries, leather, vanilla and wood/oak. This one goes well with fatty cold cuts such as salami and sausage, steak, red meat, and wild boar, as well as hearty ground meat tomato-based pastas. This is not a wine to sit around and sip on a hot summer afternoon! To fully appreciate it, you need to consume it with food. Be sure it is served at cellar temperature (64-68 degrees F) and has had some time to breathe after being uncorked.

Rosso di Montalcino is also a quality wine with DOC status. Produced from the same Brunello grape, it must be aged at least one year with no oak barrel requirements. Some people refer to this as “Baby Brunello”, however, I tend to think of it as an economical alternative to the more expensive Brunello.

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Tours to Italy

Interested in sampling a local Brunello? Join us on one of our upcoming tours.

Essence of Italy – A 9-day tour with stops in Rome, the Cinque Terre, Pisa, Volterra, Siena and Florence.

Tour dates:

2018: September 16-24, October 14-22.

2019: April 7-15, May 5-13, June 30-July 8, September 22-30

Best of Italy – A 13-day tour. All the destinations of the Essence of Italy, plus Venice, Lake Como and Milan.

Tour dates:

2018: September 16-29, October 14-27.

2019: April 7-20, May 5-18, June 30-July 13, September 22-October 5

Tuscany Villa Vacation – Enjoy a relaxing stay in a Tuscan villa with day trips to Volterra, Siena, San Gimignano and Lucca. Begin and end your tour in Florence.  

Tour dates:

2019: May 24-June 2, September 13-22

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Wines of Tuscany: Nobile di Montepulciano

by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jun 1, 2018 | news

Nobile di Montepulciano

Photo credit: Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Tuscany’s oldest and most renowned wines. It is made from Sangiovese grapes grown around the town of Montepulciano in Southeastern Tuscany. Locally, the Sangiovese grape is known as Prugnolo Gentile, but it is still just the Sangiovese grape grown in the soil surrounding Montepulciano. Sangiovese has to make up at least 70% of the wine. The remaining 30% can only be made with other grape varieties grown in Tuscany. Typically, the main varieties will be Canaiolo, Colorino, Mammolo, and sometimes, depending on the vintner, international grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

There are four varieties of wine produced around Montepulciano.

• Nobile di Montepulciano (commonly known as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). This wine must be blended as mentioned above and aged for a minimum of two years before being distributed.
• Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva must follow the same rules but must be aged for a minimum of three years.
• Rosso di Montepulciano is a younger, fruitier wine still made with the same grapes but with no aging requirements.
• Vin Santo is a sweet wine meant for sipping as a digestivo or for dipping cantucci or biscotti cookies. The grapes for Vin Santo are picked and then hung out to dry to produce a concentrated grape juice that is sweet and syrupy. Here, too, there are various levels of Vin Santo di Montepulciano. The first is made with Malvasia and Grechetto grape varieties that are aged a minimum of three years. Vin Santo di Montepulciano Riserva is made with the same grape varieties and is aged for a minimum of five years in oak barrels. Occhio di Pernicce Vin Santo di Montepulciano must be made with at least 50% Sangiovese grapes, with the remaining 50% coming from other regional grape varieties. Occhio di Pernicce must be aged for six years in oak barrels. These wines are only produced as red wine Vin Santo.

The typical Nobile di Montepulciano is usually high in acidity and tannin. As they are aged in oak barrels, these wines are often more elegant and classy with a velvety finish. Because of the high acidity and tannins, these wines pair well with tomato-based sauces, fatty cold cuts such as salami and prosciutto, and Tuscan specialties like wild boar ragu and beefsteak Fiorentina.

Top Producers 

The top producers in the area are:

Avignonesi – producing superb Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di Montepulciano and Vin Santo. If you can get your hands on it, try their “Grandi Annate” and Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo, which are fantastic.

Poliziano – the Nobile wines from this estate are great, but “Asinone” really stands out as a fantastic wine.

Corte alla Flora – try their Riserva for a special, more refined blend.

Boscarelli – for a splurge, try “Il Nocio”.

La Braccesca – this is a part of the Antinori family holdings, and any wine from this estate is top notch.

Many agree the best vintages are:

• 1980s: ’85, ’88
• 1990s: ’95, ’97, ’99
• 2000s: ’05, ’06, ’07
• 2010s: ’10, ’12

Visit intovino.com to see the full chart and learn more about Vino Nobile.

Not to be confused with…

One Final note. There is another wine with a similar name that is often confused with Nobile di Montepulciano. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a red wine made from the Montepulciano grape, which is grown in the region of Abruzzo in the east-central part of Italy. This wine is good and easy drinking but far inferior to Nobile. In the past 20 years it has gained a reputation as one of the most widely exported DOC wines from Italy.

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Tours to Italy

Interested in sampling a local Nobile? Join us on one of our upcoming tours.

Essence of Italy – A 9-day tour with stops in Rome, the Cinque Terre, Pisa, Volterra, Siena and Florence.

Tour dates:

2018: June 24-July 2, September 16-24, October 14-22.

2019: April 7-15, May 5-13, June 30-July 8, September 22-30

Best of Italy – A 13-day tour. All the destinations of the Essence of Italy, plus Venice, Lake Como and Milan.

Tour dates:

2018: June 24-July 7, September 16-29, October 14-27.

2019: April 7-20, May 5-18, June 30-July 13, September 22-October 5

Tuscany Villa Vacation – Enjoy a relaxing stay in a Tuscan villa with day trips to Volterra, Siena, San Gimignano and Lucca. Begin and end your tour in Florence.  

Tour dates:

2019: May 24-June 2, September 13-22

Your Adventure Starts Here!