There’s no shortage of places around the world where you can get drunk. But when it comes to trying the best quality alcoholic beverages and learning all about their history and manufacture, there are a few select places that stand out. Below are 10 examples of travel destinations that are famous for being alcohol capitals.
Champagne, France
There are many famous wine-producing regions within France, however one of the most renowned is the Champagne region. This is located 90 miles east of Paris and is the only place in the world where sparkling wine can carry the ‘champagne’ label.
It’s possible to enjoy tasting sessions and tours at many of the world’s most famous wineries here including Mumm, Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Mercier. There are also plenty of cathedrals and chateaus to explore across the region.
Munich, Germany
Munich is the home of Oktoberfest – the world’s most renowned beer festival. This festival is held over two weeks and is an opportunity to try beers from all across Bavaria.
If you’re visiting Munich outside of October, there are many other beer-related attractions that you can experience including the beer halls and various brewery tours across the city. This guide delves more into the beer culture of Munich. Other things to do in Munich include touring the BMW factory and the historic Nymphenburg Palace.
Kentucky, USA
Many of the most iconic bourbons in the US are distilled in Kentucky – including Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam. You can tour many of these distilleries by taking on the Kentucky bourbon trail – a circuit across northern Kentucky made up of various famous distilleries.
Louisville is a great city to visit in Kentucky for sampling the state’s greatest bourbons in one place. It’s also got plenty of historic distilleries of its own that you can visit. Check out this travel blog for more information about visiting Louisville. Churchill Downs and Mammoth Cave are some of the other popular Kentucky attractions.
Tequila, Mexico
The famous Mexican liquor gets its name from the city of Tequila – located 65 km northwest of Guadalajara. There are many tequila distilleries and blue agave farms here where you can take tours to see how the spirit is made, as well as tasting samples. The National Museum of Tequila, a museum dedicated to the drink, can also be found here.
Guides such as this one offer some great tips on what to see and do when travelling to Tequila. Most of the attractions in the city are oriented around the drink, but there is also historic architecture and amazing restaurants to explore.
Pisco, Peru
Pisco is a Peruvian spirit made from a combination of grapes. It originates from the city of the same name, where there are still many local vineyards. There are vineyard tours that you can take, where you also have a chance to taste the spirit.
While in Pisco, there is a lot more that you can see and do. You can take a tour to the Ballestas Islands where there could be a chance to see dolphins and sea lions. You can eat freshly caught local fish at many of the city’s restaurants. Or you can explore the nearby desert including the ancient ruins of Tambo Colorado.
Speyside, UK
Over half of Scotland’s malt whiskeys are produced in an area known as Speyside. This includes famous names such as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan. Distillery tours are available for almost all of these whiskeys.
Beyond trying and learning about the various whiskeys of the area, it’s worth exploring some of the local history and natural sights. There are many castles in the area, as well the historic town of Elgin where you can find the ruins of a 1000-year-old cathedral. The beautiful forests and mountains are meanwhile worth exploring via mountain bike (although preferably not after a few whiskeys).
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin has a rich history of ale production. There are a few beer tastings and brewery tours that you can partake in while in Dublin, including visiting the famous Guinness storehouse. On top of this, there are several whiskey distillery tours that you can book including the famous Jameson distillery, as well as the Irish Whiskey museum.
While in Dublin, make sure to visit other attractions such as Kilmainham Gaol Museum and the Little Museum of Dublin to explore the city’s history.
Adelaide, Australia
Wine is produced all across Australia. However, Adelaide is often regarded as the country’s wine capital and is definitely worth a visit if you’re a wine lover. Barossa Valley contains some of the most renowned vineyards and wineries, which you can take tours of. The city is also home to the National Wine Centre of Australia – a museum dedicated to the wine of Australia.
What other attractions can you enjoy in Adelaide? A browse around the historic Adelaide Central Market is definitely recommended. You should also consider taking a trip to Kangaroo Island, where you can see kangaroos and other Australian wildlife.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto’s Fushimi district is known for its production of sake – Japan’s famous rice wine. There is no shortage of places to try traditional sake in Kyoto. The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is just one great place to taste sake and learn about its history. There are also famous breweries such as Kizakura that you can take tours of, as well as sake tasting bars across the city with English-speaking bartenders.
Of course, there is so much more to do in Kyoto beyond trying sake. The city is known for its preservation of history and tradition – other attractions include visiting the historic temples, attending a geisha show and drinking tea at a tea house.
Franschhoek, South Africa
Franschhoek is renowned for being South Africa’s wine capital. Here you’ll find many notable wineries including Boschendal. Eikhof and La Motte. A hop-on hop-off tram is one of the most fun ways to explore these wineries, while also allowing you to take in the impressive landscapes around Franschhoek.
If you love hiking, make sure to leave time to explore Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve where there are many scenic trails. There are also many great restaurants worth trying in the town of Franschhoek.
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