Avalon Wine Tours
        Self-Drive Program

        Independant Custom Wine-Tasting Tours

        France *** Italy *** Chile

        Fully customized Itineraries
        Personally designed for you by Peter Smith

        Private Visits to the World's finest Vineyards and greatest Wine Makers.

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        We receive many calls from people who can't join us on a guided tour. If we can't be with you on your trip, at least you can have the benefit of our knowledge and contacts to help you plan your independent vacation. With your custom itinerary designed by internationally-renowned wine expert and writer Peter Smith, you will benefit from our personal introduction to your hosts in the world's best wine regions.

        We'll book your hotels, winery visits and dinner reservations, and we can also arrange rail tickets and car rental. You'll receive detailed driving instructions as part of your custom itinerary, and sketches to help you find some of the better-hidden wineries.

        You'll benefit from our personal introduction to your hosts in the hotels, staying in the accommodation we use on our guided tours. We will suggest the most interesting chateaux and wineries for you to visit, and you'll be expected as friends of ours when you arrive.
        Likewise we will arrange dinner reservations with special instructions to take care of our friends.

        Our motivation is to make sure that your experience is as pleasant as possible, and we hope that you will be encouraged to return for a guided tour with us in the future.

        As we do not make commissions on your reservations, we charge a service fee to cover our time and communication expenses

        Note: We assume an average of 3 visits per day, but if you wish more visits we do not charge extra. However if you spread just a few visits over several days, we calculate fees based on the number of visits rather than the days (i.e. for 3 visits over 3 days we charge for one day).
        We do not charge for days without visits or driving directions.

        Rates per Day of Tour (up to 2 people) Bordeaux, Chile, Argentina or Italy Burgundy
        Hotels, visits and dinner reservations 1-4 days $150.00/day $195.00/day
        Additional people in party (over 2) $30.00/person $40.00/person
        Services of Escort/Wine Expert (subject to availability) $550.00/day $600.00/day
        Services of Escort/Wine Expert (subject to availability) $350.00/half-day $400.00/half-day
        Train reservations and car rental Complimentary Complimentary
        Note: set-up fee is waived for days accompanied by an Escort; only the cost of the Escort is charged.
        Escort expenses may apply in addition: these can be up to $120-140 per day, to cover hotel and dinner, if needed.
        Escort travels in client's car; does not drive. For chauffeur/guide service, please ask about our Private/Custom itineraries.

        Costs:
        Vary depending on the country, region, choices of accommodation and restaurants and your taste in wine!
        Here is a rough guide if you're doing it "right" ...
         Hotels: $120-400 per room, per night
        Lunches: $25-50 per person
        Dinners: $35-130 per person
        Wine: varies too greatly to give you a sensible guide!

        Ask Peter for detailed information

        For our Deluxe Escorted Gourmet Wine Tours click the region of your choice:

        Bordeaux *** Burgundy *** Chile *** Italy
        Avalon Wine Tours Homepage