Europe Travel Tip: Volunteering in the Vineyards

Certain types of work have a romantic appeal that transcends the extremely difficult labor involved; archaeological excavation and grape harvesting head the list. Still, come autumn, a reasonable person's mind is likely to suffer visions of fine wine and truffles. Since the harvesting of truffles is a pig and dog world, that leaves the adventurous person with a healthy imagination to lust after a good day's work in the vineyards at harvest time, with a nod toward that legendary table set up under the shade of the giant oak, its worn planks groaning under the weight of food provided by village women who've slaved all day making it.

Ok, snap out of it. If you're still hot on the idea of lots of sweaty labor and good food and drink, read on. Even though working in European vineyards has gotten more difficult with EU rules, volunteering might do the trick. We have some resources for you in Wine Harvests in Europe - Working and Volunteering in the Vineyards