A bon vivant is defined as a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment, especially with respect to food and drink and also a good fellow, a jovial companion, a free spirited person.

You know who you are.  You’re the one who takes secret pleasure in a wrong turn on a country road where the only place to stop for directions is a farmer’s stand selling fresh local produce.  You’re the one who insists on literally walking that extra mile down a cobblestone street to follow your nose to what you know must be a fabulous bakery.  And you firmly believe that a growling stomach is travel’s ultimate reward – for it always leads you to exotic flavours and fresh food ideas.  You know who you are, and so do we.  You are a Bon Vivant.

Call it a culinary compass or a gourmet gut-feeling, but it’s what makes us ticket, and we’re only too thrilled to be able to share this passion with you.  Inside this special section, you’ll find a collection of adventures to suite any foodie’s fancy, whether it involves sailing the high seas with a Master Chef, exploring a small European town and discovering the delicacies of its local artisans or plucking grapes straight from a vine in a family-owned vineyard.

Although we hope to satiate your appetite with a few ideas below, don’t let this limit your imagination.  Give us a call to discuss your perfect Bon Vivant holiday.  We pride ourselves on Inspired Travel Solutions.

Home to Italy’s most famous wine, the Chianti region with its gently rolling hills is the perfect venue to learn about & taste Tuscan wines! You will taste some wonderful wines while exploring this world-renowned area located between Florence and Siena. You’ll also benefit from a hands-on cooking class to introduce you to the local pasta and sauces.

Day 1 Arrival
On arrival pick-up your rental car and make your way to your hotel in Siena where you will enjoy a welcome drink and some time to relax and explore your new surroundings. Tonight you will enjoy a Welcome Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Siena. (D)

Day 2
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before heading off for a visit in Chianti and a stop at one of the most renown Cantinas of Chianti Classico where you will enjoy a guided tasting. Afterwards, we suggest that you consider spending the afternoon in the City of Siena, world famous for its Palio, visiting the Duomo or simply sitting on the Piazza del Campo, sipping some wine and watching people and the world go by. (B)

Day 3
This morning, after breakfast, you will discover some of the secrets of Tuscan cuisine with a cooking lesson held in a local villa. An entire menu will be prepared and then served for lunch. In the afternoon we suggest a visit to the medieval city of San Gimignano. One of the most charming and picturesque of all the Tuscan hill towns (and that’s saying a lot). San Gimignano is noted mainly for its medieval towers which dominate the town and has been declared by UNESCO to be part of the World's Architectural Heritage. (B.L)

Day 4
After breakfast this morning make your way towards Montalcino for a visit with a guided tasting at an historical cellar of Brunello. Afterwards take time to visit the historical centre of this town and perhaps visit the castle of Montalcino, which to this day remains practically intact. We would also recommend a visit to the Abbey of Sant'Antim, one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy, and located only 9 km from Montalcino.
Today marks the end of this Little Taste. Return your rental car or ask your travel agent about extending you stay in Italy with CIT Tours. (B)

7 days from $1689 per person. Experience the trip of a lifetime as you board an antique wine train through the famous Colchagua Valley. Visit esteemed wineries, such as the Casillero del Diablo, Concha y Toro and Veramonte and learn about wine production first hand as you observe stunning views of the Andean Mountain Range. Conclude in Vina del Mar, where you can admire the marvelous coastline and La Campana National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Day 1: Arrival Santiago
Friday - Reception at the airport in Santiago and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour around Santiago starting at the Cerro Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia Hill), where the city was founded in 1541 and San Cristobal Hill. Afterwards visit the Government Palace "La Moneda", and Plaza de Armas, where we will see important national monuments such as the Cathedral, City Hall, Mapocho River and different residential districts to give you an overview of the city.

Day 2: Santiago - Wine Train
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer by bus to the San Fernando Train Station, from where the Wine Train will take us on a scenic journey through the Colchagua Valley. Enjoy Chilean music and a typical cocktail on board. Later, sample some of the best wines of the Colchagua Valley. Arrive at Santa Cruz, where a folklore group will welcome you with a traditional dance ("Cueca"). Visit the vineyard with your guide and learn about the key aspects of wine making. Lunch included. Afterwards, visit the Colchagua Museum, one of the most important private museums in Chile. It has a large collection of pre-Columbian items, religious artifacts, silver articles of the Mapuche people and colourful carriages. Return to Santiago for your overnight. (B, L)

Day 3: Santiago - Concha y Toro
Sunday - Breakfast at your hotel. Depart south towards Pirque, where the Concha y Toro vineyard is located. This vineyard is one of the biggest in Chile. Tour around the "Casa Patronal" where you can admire the beautiful park and lagoon. Continue on to the vineyards and visit the "Castillero del Diablo", observing the keep process. You will have some free time after the tour to purchase some wine at the shop. Return to your hotel in Santiago for your overnight. (B, L)

Day 4: Santiago - Valparaiso - Vina del Mar
Monday - Breakfast at your hotel. Departure towards the coast. On the way, it is possible to observe the changing landscapes and vegetation in the Curacavi and Casablanca Valleys, as well as the Cordillera de la Costa (Coast Mountain Range). Arrive at Valparaiso, the commercial port of Chile. Visit La Sebastiana, the former home of the Nobel Prize winning poet, Pablo Neruda. Later we drive past the National Congress, Pedro Montt Avenue, the Italian Park, Victoria Square and the Cathedral. The tour continues along the coast to Vina del Mar, which is also known as "The Garden City." Places of interest are the Floral Clock, Wulff Castle, Municipal Casino, Peru Avenue, Acapulco Beach and Vergara Pier. The trip continues along the coast passing through the beaches of Las Salinas, Renaca and Cochoa. Overnight in Vina del Mar. (B)

Day 5: Vina del Mar Coastal Areas
Tuesday - Breakfast at your hotel. Depart towards the coastal route until we reach Con-Con, another beautiful beach area. From there, the trip goes to Olmue, a quaint, typical small town in the interior. Here we enter, La Campana National Park, declared "Biosphere Reserve", by UNESCO. We will spend 2 hours trekking in the park, observing panoramic views of the Andean Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. This park shelters endangered species of the endangered species of the Chilean Palm. Return to the hotel in Vina del Mar. (B)

Day 6: Vina del Mar Coastal Areas
Wednesday - Breakfast at your hotel. Depart from Vina del Mar to visit the main resorts and beaches. Stpp at Algarrobo, a stunning beach area with a handicraft market nearby. Later visit El Quisco and El Tabo, renowned for its peaceful waters. Arrive at Isla Negra (Black Island) in the afternoon, followed by the Veramonte Vineyard, one of the most important vineyards of the Casa Blanca wine route. There one can see how Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are produced. Return to your hotel in Vina del Mar. (B)

Day 7: Depart Santiago
Breakfast at your hotel. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your departing flight home. (B)