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FAQ

What distinguishes Gourmet On Tour from other travel companies??

All the ingredients that make our trips unique, memorable and full of life-changing experiences:

Gourmet On Tour is an award-winning travel specialist for gourmet holidays. Since 2000 we offer food and wine lovers hands-on cooking courses, private wine tours and culinary adventures.

We create one-of-a-kind holidays for foodies to experience an insider view of a region. Each location is selected for its character and authenticity, to make you feel at home as an invited guest and not as a tourist. Each route is carefully designed to immerse you in the local culture.

There will be always amazing food and stunning accommodations, whether you are cooking with a Michelin-starred chef in France or preparing a feast with a local mamma in a Tuscan farmhouse. It is a mix that allows you to sample both, a region’s refined cuisine and its rustic traditions.

How long have you been doing this??

Gourmet on Tour Ltd was founded in 2000 by Judith von Prockl. From those modest beginnings as a pioneer of cooking trips, Gourmet On Tour has evolved into one of the world’s premier luxury culinary travel company. It’s been 15 amazing years, filled with culinary adventures, many happy clients and chefs, and a number of international awards we are hugely proud of…

I need inspiration!

Undecided? We are here to inspire!

Let us know what kind of a course you are looking for, length of stay, country or region, and preferred dates.

Send us your enquiry to ideas@gourmetontour.com and our expert team will cook something up for you.

Who travels on Gourmet On Tour trips??

We attract travellers of all ages; singles, couples, friends and families from all around the world. Our guests are curious and passionate about food. They choose Gourmet On Tour trips for an active vacation that also stimulates the mind and palate. Many are repeat travellers, and also join us at the recommendation of their friends.

I am travelling alone. Which itineraries do you suggest??

Our small group courses on set departure dates are ideal for solo travellers, joining a group.

Click here for information on group tours.

What is the difference between private journeys and group trips??

We offer both, private and small group courses.

Our group tours are scheduled on fixed departure dates, where you would be joining a group. These are ideal for solo travellers and food lovers who like to join a small group of like-minded companions to share the experience with.

Our private journeys are tailored for your party only and offered year-round for a minimum of 2 guests.

If you can’t find your perfect trip or desired destination, or are looking for something a little different, we can custom-design that perfect gourmet experience for you.

First of all, we’d like to get to know you better. The more we know about you and your preferences, the better equipped we’ll be to suggest or create the ideal itinerary for you.

Tell us where you want to go, how long for and when, how many people are in your party.
Are you celebrating anything special – or just enjoying a getaway?
Do you prefer your own privacy or rather join a group?
How intensively do you wish to cook? Are you interested in wine only? Or a medley of both?
Finding the right balance: how much time is free time? Should every evening be planned, or do you want a few nights left at leisure? How much structure should each day have? Are sightseeing and cultural excursions important to you?

Our team has both the expertise and resources to recommend or design trips with just the right balance of gourmet experiences, cultural enrichment and relaxation—or whatever balance you tell us you’re looking for.

Email us for inspiration: ideas@gourmetontour.com

Can the sample itineraries be altered??

Private tours: Our sample itineraries are intended to serve as a “starting point”. These suggested journeys are based on our own expertise and destination experience. You can either book the itinerary exactly as appears o the website or our travel experts can create an itinerary that meets your schedule, interests, and budget. We are dedicated to working with you to ensure that the final itinerary is exactly what you want.

Group tours: Whilst it is not possible to change the general itinerary of a scheduled departure date, our staff and chefs are always dedicated to accommodate any additional requests if possible. If you are looking for a shorter version of our group trips, you could join just part of some tours at a pro-rated price.

Are your cooking classes hands-on??

Definitely! All of our cooking classes are hands-on with a few exceptions of demonstrations.

Can I bring a non-cooking partner??

We understand that many people travel together but don’t necessarily have identical tastes. Thus we welcome non-cooking partners on most trips. They might want to explore the area or enjoy a little downtime during the cooking classes and are welcome to join the meals and excursions. Please see reduced fees for non-cooking partners on the individual trip pages.

Do I need to have any cooking skills to participate??

We cater to a variety of guests – from novice to experienced home cook and even professional chefs. You won’t need any cooking skills – just a lot of enthusiasm and a great appetite!

For the experienced cooks and professionals we will recommend our advanced courses or private 1-on-1 courses with our chefs.

Can you accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions??

We can accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions. Please do let us know in advanced though so that we can recommend or tailor an itinerary and menus to meet your needs.

Will I be certified after taking a course??

No. The featured courses are recreational and do not cater towards certification in becoming a professional chef. However, many schools will present you with their own certificate upon completion of a course.

Can kids go on your trips??

Absolutely! Though our regular trips are restricted to adults 18 and older, we custom-design many of our trips to meet the needs of travelling families. And that doesn’t mean following a purely adult-oriented itinerary. Instead, we create well-balanced trips to meet the needs of both adults and kids. Including many fun-filled activities for curious kids or child-care if needed.

Do you offer gift certificates??

Yes! A culinary tour are a great way to surprise someone with an experience they will never forget. The gift can be for a specific tour or value to let your recipient choose by her/himself. The certificate can be personalised with a special message.

For inspiration contact us at info@gourmetontour.com

Do you work with travel agents??

We are happy to collaborate with qualified travel agencies on commissionable basis for most of our cooking vacations.

Do you arrange air travel and visas??

We do not arrange any visas or travel (air, land or sea), however we will be glad to assist you with any travel information so that you can book air travel directly. Some of the programmes include transfer from airport or train stations; please check the individual course descriptions.

What forms of payments to do you accept??

We accept all major credit cards including American Express, MasterCard and Visa and bank transfers.
We require a 30% deposit to confirm a trip and the final payment is due 60 days before the tour commences. For further details please refer to our general Terms and Conditions.

What is your privacy policy??

We are committed to protecting your privacy. We do not sell, trade or rent your personal information to other companies, except to the provider of your selected course. With your permission, we will keep you up to date via email about services or special offers we think you will find valuable.

What is your cancellation policy??

Cancellation policies vary depending on the course. Please refer to the T&C on your booking form.

A non-refundable deposit of 30% per person is payable at the time of booking which will not be accepted without such a deposit being made.
The balance is payable 60 days before arrival. If the balance remains unpaid, Gourmet On Tour Ltd. reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain any deposit paid.

Cancellation must be made in made in writing to Gourmet On Tour Ltd. and such notice will become effective from the date of receipt by Gourmet On Tour Ltd.
We reserve the right to charge cancellation fees as follows:

• Up to 60 days prior to departure date: 30% payable
• 59 days or less prior to departure date: 100% payable

Once the week has commenced there will be no refunds on unused portions.

Please read closely the terms and conditions featured on the booking form. We strongly advise to purchase travel insurance.

How far in advance can I make a booking??

Most courses are scheduled a calendar year in advance. If the dates are featured on our site, they are bookable. Popular tours and seasons get booked up quickly, thus we recommend making reservations as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
And also check with us for last-minute availability!

Can you arrange corporate team building events??

Host a client. Build a team. Reward your staff.

Whether you are planning a team-building retreat or executive getaway, you will benefit from our access to wonderful locations worldwide.

All of our corporate experiences are tailor-made. With our network of unique venues and the finest chefs and gourmet experts, we serve up nothing but successful events:

Michelin Corporation: A gourmet dinner exclusively for Edouard Michelin, CEO, during the Formula 1 European Grand Prix, Germany.

American Express Centurion Card: An exclusive event, Caviar and Champagne Experience, for Centurion Card holders. London, UK.

Citibank: Custom culinary adventures for clients of the global consumer banking unit. Singapore.

Royal Bank of Scotland: A corporate team-building culinary weekend in Tuscany, Italy.

Waitrose Magazine: A champagne-tasting luncheon at Alain Ducasse’s restaurant in Paris. London, UK.

A Global Consultancy: A recruitment retreat, based at a château in France, with a Michelin-star dinner and private Chablis tastings.

MasterCard: Exclusive culinary adventures for Platinum card holders. Asia Pacific

BNP Paribas Bank: A wine weekend in Bordeaux, chateaux visits, comparative wine tastings and access to private cellars.

And many more….

Contact us at events@gourmetontour.com