Christmas markets around Europe provide a great opportunity for a relaxing winter weekend break. By planning a trip away with Grape Escapes to France, Italy, Portugal and Spain you could avoid dashing to the shops on Christmas Eve for last minute presents or to stock up on quality wines for the festivities and get ahead of the Christmas rush for a great price. Prices start at £180 per person.

Champagne is more than just Christmas bubbles – it's a region to enjoy leading up to Christmas too! Join Grape Escapes' Champagne Tasting in Epernay- taste 24 Champagnes in 24 hours to sample an array of world class champagne whilst taking in Epernay's fabulous annual Christmas festival and markets as it explodes in a riot of lights, colours and flavours. Most of the festivities centre around the famous and elegant villas in the 'Avenue de Champagne', housing the world's most prestigious champagne producers. Price of the tour starts from £299 per person.

It is a British tradition at Christmas to serve the fortified wine, Port. The wine comes from the spectacular terraced hillsides of the Douro valley in Portugal and takes its name from Oporto which lies at the mouth of the Douro River. The bustling suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia lies opposite Oporto on the steep south bank of the river and is the true home of Port. The Flexible Porto two Nights Tour visits two port lodges and includes tasting approximately 14 different wines. By the end of which guests will be well informed on the processes put into making the produce and how to judge its quality, visitors can even bring back some of the local port to enjoy with your minced pies. The price of the tour starts from £253 per person.

22 December to 5 January the town of Logroño in Rioja opens its' Christmas stalls in the Plaza del Mercado where visitors can find plenty of crafts, unique gifts, delicious food and mulled wine. The Flexible Two Night Rioja Wine Tour explores two Rioja bodegas, tasting up to eleven appellations in the medieval town where the gastronomy is hearty and full bodied much like the Riojas paired with the meal. Bilbao is a short distance away with an easily accessible airport and is a great city where culture-vultures can soak up the dynamic architecture of the Guggenheim museum designed by Frank Gehry. Prices from £464 per person.

The Two Night Flexible Florence Wine Tour can be teamed with visiting the Christmas Market 30 November - 18 December. Several squares in Florence host Christmas markets, starting with the traditional 500 year old annual Christmas market known as the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt in Piazza Santa Croce. Enjoy a festive atmosphere and a chance to buy authentic handmade gifts, such as woolens, ornaments or toys. There will be plenty of food, sweets and of course mulled wine! Enjoy a day of wine tasting in the world-renowned Chianti Classico region, each estate offers guests a variety of the Château's wines to taste, including their Grand Reserves. The tour starts from £399 per person.

For more information call +44 (0) 1763 273 373 or visit www.grapeescapes.net

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For more information please contact:
Representation Plus
Felicity Beckett
Tel: +44 208 877 4504
E-mail: felicity@representationplus.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Grape Escapes is a specialist wine tour operator, offering wine tours to France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Grape Escapes offer a broad range of wine tasting tours and trips to vineyards in Ribera del Duero and Rioja in Spain, Tuscany in Italy, Porto in Portugal and the main French wine regions: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, The Rhône, The Loire and Provence. Grape Escapes run numerous wine tasting trips for individuals, groups (social groups, hen weekends, wine clubs, car clubs, and birthday trips among others) as well as wine tasting trips for corporate clients. www.grapeescapes.net

Prices Include

• All prices are based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin / double room.
• A £25 per person early bird discount applies to bookings confirmed and paid over 60 days before travel.
• Single supplements are available upon request.

Prices Exclude:

• Given the wide range of travel options, the package price does not include travel.

Why book with Grape Escapes:

• Personal Service: At Grape Escapes, we believe that there is no substitute for individual knowledge and experience which enables us to deliver a truly personal service to all our customers.
• Quaility: We believe that our customers deserve the best value and service, irrespective of whether they are spending £200 or £20,000 on a trip.
• Lowest Price Guarantee: We are so confident that not only do we offer high quality tours, but that we offer the best value on all of our packages that we guarantee that you will not find a comparable tour package priced cheaper anywhere on the internet. If you do, we will refund you 100% of the difference.
• Financial Protection: All tours booked with Grape Escapes are protected by either ATOL or ABTA.
• Flexibility: We offer a very flexible range of holidays within each of the regions that we visit. The flexibility offered by Grape Escapes isn't just limited to the tour dates, but also includes the type of accommodation and travel method you prefer.