Around Europe in six delicious cheeses

Crumbly cheddar, silky-smooth ricotta, tangy halloumi...there’s no shortage of mouth-watering cheeses to try in Europe! 

20 January marks National Cheese Day, so what better time to celebrate the many delectable cheeses you could encounter on a Back-Roads Touring escape? As well as seeking them out for yourself at local restaurants and cafés, you might also have a chance to indulge in a cheese-tasting session with a local artisan.  

So, if you’re dreaming of a small group tour filled with culinary delights, let us inspire you with these six un-brie-lievable picks... 

Greece is renowned for its flavour-packed cuisine – and that includes ample dishes which feature cheese as their main ingredient. 

It’s not just mesmerising myths and ancient relics you’ll discover on our Greece: Legends and Landscapes tour. It’s also brimming with culinary treats. This is especially true of idyllic Naxos: a jewel of the Cyclades Islands and the birthplace of Graviera Naxou cheese.  

You’ll find Graviera available throughout your Greek escape, but only this specific variety in Naxos. The pressed cooked cheese matures for at least 90 days and has a richer taste thanks to the medley of plants and fragrant herbs eaten by the local cows and goats. Devour it as part of a cheeseboard. Or why not try it fried and drizzled in sweet honey? Heavenly!  

If pizza counts among your most-loved dishes, don’t skip trying tantalising and oh-so-creamy mozzarella in its native country. This classic Italian cheese has been around for centuries! In fact, records show that the very first varieties were made back in the third century by a group of Benedictine monks. 

On our Enchanting Southern Italy tour, you’ll not only have the chance to sample Mozzarella di Bufala atop a margarita pizza. You’ll also visit a local farm in Paestum, Campania and learn all about this unique cheesemaking process. Enjoy a masterclass on how to prepare light, fresh mozzarella and meet the resident buffaloes who provide their milk for this local delicacy. 

Venture to the rolling hills of County Cork on our Emerald Isle tour and you may just get to savour a particularly unique cheese... 

Gubbeen, a creamy semi-soft cow’s milk cheese, is a local favourite. It’s produced by the Ferguson family on their farm in West Cork and matured for a month or so to give it its smooth texture and rich nutty notes. They also produce a wonderful smoked variety that’s delicately cured in a traditional smokehouse.  

If our Irish adventure sounds alluring, why not seek out some Gubbeen Farmhouse Cheese as a souvenir during your journey? You’ll spot it on sale in selected cheese shops, including Sheridans Cheesemongers in the heart of Dublin.  

Is there anything better than topping homemade pasta with a dusting of delicious pecorino? This classic Italian hard cheese originally hails from Tuscany and is a staple ingredient of many of the region’s culinary gems. 

A gastronomical highlight of our Tuscan Treats tour (of which there are many!) is Pienza. This idyllic city is awash with majestic medieval architecture and enveloped by rolling hills dotted with sheep. It’s these same sheep that provide the milk for the sumptuous Pecorino di Pienza you’ll taste on day six. The experience? A decadent cheese and wine tasting at a charming local shop featuring Pecorino supplied by a nearby farm.  

France is undeniably a powerhouse of the European cheese industry. While many are famed for their strong flavours (and even stronger smells!), there are a few French cheeses which are milder and subtler in taste. 

Camembert is a well-loved option and one you’ll likely come across if you embark on our La Belle France tour. This sumptuous soft cheese, which tastes wonderful spread on fresh crusty bread or baked in the oven, originally hails from Normandy. It was first produced in the 1790s by a local farmer and is often compared to Brie – another fantastic French cheese worth seeking out during your visit.  

Perhaps one of the most famous cheeses to be produced in Spain is Manchego. This firm, aged cheese originates from La Mancha: a vast, flat region south of Madrid that’s bordered by the stunning Toledo mountains. Manchego doesn’t just get its name from its geographical location, though. It’s also made from the milk of native Manchega sheep. 

Guests on our Iberian Inspiration tour pass through La Mancha, stopping off at a local bodega in Valdepeñas. There, you’ll have the chance to sample local wines accompanied by a light lunch where Manchego cheese is sure to feature. It’s additionally served in many tapas restaurants, so you’ll likely have ample other occasions to sample it if you choose our spectacular Spanish escape.  

Discover our full collection of Back-Roads Touring 2024 tours which all feature wonderful gastronomical experiences.