Oliver’s Travels Presents: Experiences That Last a Lifetime

There’s nothing like that warm glow of anticipation just before a holiday. You’ve set the ‘out of office’, packing is almost done, all that’s left is to set your alarm for your flight. All that holiday planning is finally coming to fruition, so treat yourself to a cheeky glass of vino to celebrate.

But what really sets your next villa holiday apart from the rest? Sure, accommodation plays a huge factor, but that just isn’t enough anymore. It’s about those unusual and unique experiences that elevate your holiday from average to spectacular. Just because you’ve been to France, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve experienced the culture or traditions – you need to immerse yourself culturally, get off the tourist trail and be among the locals to really make the most of your travels.

Thankfully, when you holiday with Oliver’s Travels, the possibilities are infinite – more than a villa provider, we offer authentic holiday experience thanks to our friends at Winerist.

Winerist are renowned for providing wine and food travel experiences to over 150 destinations. They have a massive selection of hand-picked excursions but they also offer bespoke experiences across all our villa locations.

So what can you expect? Everything and anything. We know it’s hard to think straight with options being thrown left, right and centre, so, to make it easier we’ve picked some of our favourite holiday experiences.

Visit the Majestic Chateaux of the Loire Valley

Château de Chambord

Visit 2 of the most prestigious castles in Loire Valley, the impressive Château de Chambord and stunning Chenonceau on this full-day trip. Soak up the panoramic views and listen as your friendly guide lets you in on little secrets about the French Kings that once lived here. Lunch, aperitif, wine and transfers are included in the price.

Prices from: £124pp
Perfect for: Groups

Explore Lavender and Sunflower Fields, Provence

Lavender flowers

Your Instagram feed will be in flower heaven – the beautiful Provencal lavender fields start to bloom in June and these purple fields come alive. Not only will you be in the heart of the lavender capital but you’ll also get a chance to visit a dedicated museum. After some exploring your last stop will be a sunflower field (during blooming period). Transportation is included in this experience

Prices from: £51pp
Perfect for: Families

Enjoy the Authentic Food and Wine of Bordeaux

Sample the delicacies of Bordeaux

France is synonymous with exquisite wine and moreish food – and this is the perfect taster to explore local flavours. Your day will start at 9:30am where you’ll meet in the centre of Bordeaux. The experience will include chocolate tasting, lunch, a wine tasting class and loads more. Your expert guide will be on hand all day, and transport from the meeting point will be included.

Prices from: £124pp
Perfect for: Couples

Pizza & Gelato Cooking Class in Florence

Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class

Two of the best foods mashed in one day? Yes, really. You’ll learn how to make these culinary delights with a local chef by your side. Everything will be authentic; right to the simplest details of stretching dough to balancing the flavours in the tomato sauce. Once you’re familiar with the pizza, get the notepad ready for Italian gelato – learn how to pick the best products, the development of natural colours and freezing techniques. At the end of the class you’ll get a certificate!

Prices from: £30
Perfect for: Families

Discover the Tuscan Wine Region in your own Fiat 500

Red vintage Fiat 500

Embrace the Tuscan lifestyle with this incredibly quirky experience. Unlike anything else you’ve done before, you’ll explore the Tuscan hills in a Fiat 500. An expert guide will be on hand to deepen your knowledge of the region. The gently curving roads will be a joy, with the occasional panoramic pit stops. All that driving will work up an appetite, but you’ll be able to sink your teeth into some local food and wine – don’t worry, the wine happens at the end, so you can relax and enjoy the wine in peace.

Prices from: £107
Perfect for: Couples

Full-day Puglia Cooking Class

Cook up a storm in Puglia

Rustic cooking at its finest – learn to make local recipes of Puglia and southern Italy. If you love carbs and hearty food, this is the class for you. You’ll learn from one of the best, Rita Guastamacchia, whose passion for cooking shines through. The day will begin sourcing ingredients for the day ahead, once complete it’s time to roll those sleeves and learn to cook pasta! In the afternoon, you’ll visit a fish market to catch the fresh picks of the day, before returning for a fish cooking class. Bon appetite.

Prices from: £128pp
Perfection for: Groups