APL International Cooking Schools and the Institute of Gastronomy offer luxury vacations to the gourmet traveler with our city-centered tours in Spain, Turkey, and France. The discriminating traveler can indulge a passion for food, wine, history, and culture while staying and learning about the stunning locations they visit.

While not designed as cooking school vacations, with the tours participants will spend a little time learning to prepare, cook and present intriguing traditional dishes and learn new techniques, in addition to having the opportunity to explore the history and culture of the grand European city they have chosen, whether Bordeaux, Istanbul, or Granada.

These new tours are offered in addition to our Cooking Vacations located at our own properties in Nova Scotia, Canada, Costa Rica, and Spain.

We use cuisine and food culture as a way to introduce you to the rich history and civilization of the city and country you visit. We personally lead each tour, giving you the benefit of our decades spent exploring the worlds of gastronomy and culture. Our tour itineraries feature frequent cultural excursions such as guided tours of the Alhambra Palace and the food markets in Granada, wine tastings at chateaux in Bordeaux, and exploring the Spice Bazaar, churches, and mosques of Istanbul as well as a unique tasting of the new, excellent wines of Thrace. Each tour offers a wealth of cultural experiences, fine dining, and great wine.

The combination of luxurious hospitality, fine food and wine, and tour leaders who count among the most knowledgeable gastronomes in the world make for an unforgettable vacation experience.