We love to hear what our customers have to say and to share their thoughts with you.
What an amazing introduction to Croatia! Some well known places, but other out-of-the-way places that you might never find on your own—towns, wineries, and restaurants that charmed and delighted. Accommodations perfect, guides excellent and knowledgeable, and of course a generous and excellent hostess. Couldn’t be better!
Bill R. Berkeley, California
My trip to Croatia was the first time I had taken an organized group tour. I was prepared to have a good trip, but I wasn’t prepared to be blown away. I enjoyed the trip so much it was hard to pick a single ‘favorite experience.’ The Croatian tour has it all: wine tastings in a variety of venues and locations, excellent food ranging from fish to roasted meats to pasta to vegetables to great desserts, walking tours in each of our five locations (including the not-to-be-missed Plitvice National Park), and free time. I can’t find the words to express what a great job Shannon did on putting the tour in Croatia together. Her careful advance planning and continuing work during the tour resulted in a very enjoyable time for all. Bravo, Shannon! I can’t wait to join you on another trip!!
Jan M. Lutsen, MN
What makes the GrapeHops experience special? After being part of two fabulous tours (to Galicia and to Croatia), I think it is in large part Shannon’s ability to build warm relationships with locals, and her passionate desire to share unique experiences with us. We are never just on a tour – we are part of a circle of friends: vintners, local guides, restaurant and apartment owners, coach drivers and more, who are all committed to sharing what is special about their world and welcoming us into their lives for a while.
Judy R. Berkeley, California
“Without doubt, our GrapeHops trips are the best of any we have taken. We are certain to take another GrapeHops tour because they are so good – the locations, the itineraries, the planning, and our leader Shannon.”
John &Moyra L. Houston, Texas
“Our second GrapeHops tour could not have been better. Both Shannon and her co-host Paolo were astutely aware of everyone’s comfort and needs and made sure we were happy and comfortable. Both took it on a truly personal level. There was a very good mix of activities, winetasting and dining in both restaurant and rural/home settings. Also, great people on this trip!”
Margo & Leon S. Laguna Beach, California
“Overall, our GrapeHops week in Piedmont was totally satisfying, possibly our best trip ever. This was our third trip to the region but what made this trip special was the access we were given to small wineries and other artisanal producers – it was incredible to meet winemakers and their families, to meet the olive farmer, the brewers, the cheesemaker, the pasta maker etc and hear their stories. You guys are great.”
Marcia & David B. Pasadena, California
“What a week — with two fantastic leaders our small group discovered the wonders of Galician cuisine in tapas bars, polperias, small city cafes and the dining room of our casa rural; we were wined and dined by wonderful winemakers; we learned about the red wines of the Ribiera Sacra and the albarinos of Rias Baixas; and we laughed together a lot. From a visit to the iconic Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela to a picnic lunch on a terrace in the middle of a vineyard, we experienced the heart and soul of Galicia.”
Judy R. Berkeley, California
“Interesting, Authentic, Exciting. My husband and I have traveled extensively and love to experience food, wine and different cultures. We felt that we had a true immersion experience, off the beaten path, where few tourists visit and traditional food and winemaking practices are still followed. We truly hope to be part of another Grapehops adventure in the near future!”
Margo and Leon S. Laguna Beach, California
“This was our first organized tour and it was so well organized! I saw so many more things than we would have done alone. I’m ready to go again!”
Diana L. from Los Olivos, California
“The tour was informative, fascinating, well organized and gave us a chance to experience three very different parts of Galicia – Santiago, the Ribeira Sacra and the Rias Baixas. I don’t think it could have been much better. In addition the food and wine tasting experiences were delightful.”
Donald M. from Marshfield, Wisconsin
“Thoughtful, generous, flexible and accomodating leaders! A real insider’s view of Venice!”
Palma H. from California.
Going through the photos of our Croatia trip we can’t believe, what we saw, what we ate, and what we drank. It was truly amazing and of course it was all due to Shannon. All our GrapeHops Tours have been great with the latest one (our 4th) always seemingly even better than the last.
John & Moyra L, Houston, Texas
This was our third GrapeHops tour with Shannon Essa. We did not think that the GrapeHops experience could get any better, but Shannon really outdid herself this time! Croatia is a truly beautiful country and Shannon really showed us it’s magic, from the beautiful island ports of Rovinj and Hvar, to the walled city on the sea, Dubrovnik, and many notable stops in between. Plitvice National Park was a highlight – a magical land of waterfalls. The accommodations and local guides were excellent and the food was truly fantastic. We felt that we were able to see the “real Croatia” and interact with the lovely people who live there. Our third Grapehops tour, but it won’t be our last!
Margo & Leon S, Laguna Beach, California
Traveling with Shannon is more like traveling with good friends than a tour. Shannon is tuned in to what her travelers want to do and she finds amazing venues and people to meet and help along the way. Bierzo with Shannon: Wine Spectator cover wine maker, Raul Perez, shares library wines because he grew up with our bus driver; sharing home made “hooch” with a retired gentleman in the mountains; 1000 year old monastery with vintners who are preserving nearly extinct grape varietals; Roman gold mines; amazing mencia wine (mucho); pouring hard cider with the mayor of Longoria at the old Longoria home, awesome food at restaurants that treated us like long-time friends; suggestions and assistance for post-tour plans. Traveling with Shannon is terrific.
Paul & Linda H, Alamo, California
It’s hard to relay just how much fun Shannon’s Croatia tour was without gushing. Shannon does a superlative job of finding the best accommodations, restaurants, wines, guides, local color and not to be missed sights. The people she has befriended across Croatia go out of their way to provide unforgettable experiences. I was blown away by the beauty (especially Plitvice National Park) of the country, the friendliness of its people (who all seem to speak English) and how eager they are to please tourists and share their culture. The balance between seeing well known sights and unique, places you would never find on your own was perfect as was the amount of planned tours and free time. Simply an amazing trip, would love to do it all over again.
Colleen K. Cambridge, Massachusetts
Yet again Shannon and GrapeHops exceeded our expectations. Oviedo and Cacabelos, and their hotels, were great bases with the Oviedo meals and the quaintness / friendliness of Cacabelos and it’s people being memorable. The number, variety and impressiveness of the wineries and Day Trips (from bakeries to Roman gold mines ) was fascinating.
John & Moyra L. Houston, Texas