
Based on looking at the website blheritage-tours.com, it appears to be a tour company operating in Portugal, specializing in experiences around Porto, Douro Valley, and Lisbon.
While the site presents itself as professional and highlights positive reviews from platforms like Airbnb and TripAdvisor, a deeper dive reveals significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the promotion of wine-tasting tours.
This aspect renders the platform problematic from an Islamic perspective, as alcohol consumption and promotion are strictly forbidden.
Therefore, this platform is not recommended for those seeking ethical, halal-compliant travel experiences.
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- Website Professionalism: Appears well-designed with clear tour listings and contact information.
- Transparency: Provides details about team experience, insurance, and contact methods.
- Customer Testimonials: Features prominent mentions of high ratings on Airbnb and TripAdvisor, suggesting a focus on customer satisfaction.
- Ethical Concerns: Major red flag due to the heavy emphasis on “Wine Tastings” and “Douro Valley Wine Tour” as primary offerings, which involves the promotion and consumption of alcohol.
- Missing Information: Lacks a clear, easily accessible “Terms of Service” or “Cancellation Policy” on the homepage, beyond the cookie consent. Working hours are also not clearly set.
- Content Relevance: Blog posts are related to Portugal travel, but the “Latest Tips” section states “No posts were found.”
The website, BL Heritage Tours Porto, positions itself as a provider of “memorable experiences at premium destinations” in Portugal.
They showcase their team’s background in hospitality and claim to be highly rated on platforms like Airbnb and TripAdvisor.
They offer various tour types, including “Culture,” “Food & Drink,” “History & Heritage,” “Nature,” “Sailing,” and “Wine Tastings,” with specific tours highlighted like the “Douro Valley Wine Tour” and a “Premium Wine Experience in Douro Valley.” While the focus on culture, history, and nature could be positive, the undeniable and prominent inclusion of wine tours makes this platform unsuitable for a Muslim audience.
Engaging with such services, even if one avoids the wine, inherently supports an industry and activity that contradicts Islamic principles.
For those prioritizing halal travel, this platform falls short due to its direct promotion of alcohol-related activities.
Here are some alternatives for ethical travel experiences, focusing on cultural immersion, nature, and historical exploration, which align with Islamic principles:
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- Key Features: Wide range of tours and activities globally, including cultural, historical, nature, and family-friendly options. Strong filter system to narrow down choices. Instant confirmation for many bookings.
- Average Price: Varies widely depending on the tour and destination, from $20 for short walks to $500+ for multi-day excursions.
- Pros: Extensive selection, user reviews and ratings, 24/7 customer support, flexible cancellation policies.
- Cons: Can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of options, not all tours are explicitly halal-certified requires individual vetting for specific activities.
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- Key Features: A Tripadvisor company, offering thousands of tours, activities, and experiences worldwide. Focuses on unique local experiences and popular attractions.
- Average Price: Similar to GetYourGuide, prices range from budget-friendly to premium experiences.
- Pros: Large inventory, often competitive pricing, strong review system, flexible booking options.
- Cons: Like other large platforms, requires careful selection to ensure halal compliance. some tours might include activities that are not permissible.
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- Key Features: Small group adventure tours with a focus on local experiences, responsible travel, and cultural immersion. Offers trips to over 100 countries.
- Average Price: Mid-to-high range, typically starting from $1,000 for shorter trips and going up to several thousands for longer expeditions.
- Pros: Emphasis on sustainable and ethical tourism, authentic local interactions, expert local guides, diverse itineraries from trekking to cultural discovery.
- Cons: Higher price point, group travel might not suit everyone, some tours might not explicitly cater to halal dietary needs without prior arrangement.
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- Key Features: Another leader in small group adventure travel, offering immersive experiences that connect travelers with local cultures and communities.
- Average Price: Comparable to Intrepid Travel, with trips starting from around $800 to several thousands.
- Pros: Focus on responsible travel, community involvement, diverse trip styles e.g., family, wildlife, wellness, global reach.
- Cons: Similar to Intrepid, premium pricing, group travel may not appeal to all, specific halal needs require pre-communication.
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- Key Features: Specializes in European tours with a strong educational and cultural focus, designed for independent-minded travelers. Emphasizes local insights and practical travel.
- Average Price: Typically in the mid-to-high range for multi-day tours, often starting from $2,000+.
- Pros: Deep cultural immersion, well-researched itineraries, small group sizes, high-quality guides, focus on historical and artistic sites.
- Cons: Limited to Europe, itineraries are fixed, may not explicitly cater to halal dietary requirements, not primarily focused on halal-centric experiences.
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- Key Features: A curated collection of responsible and ethical travel experiences from various operators worldwide, emphasizing positive impact on local communities and environment.
- Average Price: Varies widely, as it’s a platform for different operators, but generally focuses on higher-quality, sustainable options.
- Pros: Strong ethical framework, supports local communities, diverse range of unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
- Cons: Not all listed tours are explicitly halal-certified, requires careful review of each specific offering.
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Travel with a Purpose Volunteer/Philanthropic Travel Organizations
- Key Features: Many non-profit and social enterprise organizations offer trips focused on volunteering, cultural exchange, and community development, often to underserved areas.
- Average Price: Can range from covering basic costs to higher program fees that include accommodation and project support.
- Pros: Fulfilling and impactful experiences, deep cultural immersion, opportunities for personal growth, aligns with values of giving back.
- Cons: Requires significant time commitment, might involve rustic living conditions, focus is not on luxury or typical tourism.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
Blheritage-tours.com Review & First Look: An Ethical Standpoint
When you first land on blheritage-tours.com, it’s clear they’ve invested in a polished online presence.
They immediately highlight their “Top Memorable Experiences” and feature awards from Airbnb and TripAdvisor, which for many, signals credibility.
However, from an ethical and Islamic perspective, this initial impression quickly shifts.
The prominence of “Wineries” and “Wine Tastings” within their core offerings is an immediate red flag.
Initial Impressions and Navigational Clarity
The website’s design is clean and user-friendly. Cptmarkets.com Review
You can easily scroll through different tour categories and featured experiences.
The “About Us” section details their team’s background in hospitality, aiming to build trust.
- Pros:
- Intuitive Layout: Easy to navigate, with clear sections for tours, about us, and contact.
- Visual Appeal: High-quality images that showcase destinations effectively.
- Social Proof: Immediate display of Airbnb and TripAdvisor awards and ratings.
- Cons:
- Ethical Conflict: The significant emphasis on wine-related tours presents an irreconcilable conflict for a Muslim audience.
- Incomplete Information: The “Latest Tips” section stating “No posts were found” suggests potential neglect in content updates.
- Working Hours Unspecified: The “Working hours hadn’t been set” under “About Us” is an oversight that can deter potential customers looking for immediate assistance.
Transparency and Credibility Markers
The site attempts to build trust by providing details on their “highly qualified team” and their experience in 4 and 5-star hotels.
They also mention comprehensive insurance for passengers, which is a good safety measure.
Contact information, including email, WhatsApp, Messenger, and phone, is readily available, promising “24H Assistance.” Aupaircare.com Review
- Insurance Details: “All services provided by BL Heritage Tours have insurance for passengers. These insurances cover any kind of unexpected happenings during your trip. It’s included since the pickup until your drop off.” This is a positive point for traveler safety.
- Local Knowledge: They emphasize being “locals very passionate about history” and sharing “hidden roads and important places in our lands,” suggesting an authentic experience.
- Affiliation: Direct links to their Airbnb and TripAdvisor profiles allow for independent verification of their claims, which is a good practice for transparency. As of early 2024, their TripAdvisor page shows over 1,500 reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is highly impressive. Their Airbnb profile also corroborates their claims of being successful hosts.
Blheritage-tours.com Features: A Deep Dive into Offerings
While the website boasts a range of tour types, it’s crucial to scrutinize the actual content of these offerings, especially from an ethical lens.
The features are designed to attract various traveler interests, but the recurring theme of “Wine Tastings” is a major point of contention.
Tour Categories and Highlights
The website categorizes tours into several types: Culture, Food & Drink, History & Heritage, Nature, Sailing, Wine Tastings, City Sightseeing, Group Tours, Adventure, Luxury Car, and Transfer.
This variety could be appealing if not for the inclusion of haram elements. Paradigm.press Review
- Cultural & Historical Tours: Offerings like “History of Porto: from roman Portus Cale to a vibrant metropolis” and general “History & Heritage” tours are theoretically permissible and could provide valuable insights into Portugal’s past.
- Nature & Sailing: Tours focused on “Nature” and “Sailing” are generally unobjectionable from an Islamic perspective, offering opportunities to appreciate Allah’s creation.
- Food & Drink with caveats: While “Portuguese Gastronomy” could include halal options, the “Food & Drink” category on this site is heavily intertwined with “Wine Tastings,” making it problematic. The Douro Valley Wine Tour – Wine Venture and Boat Trip prominently features “Wineries,” “Wine Tastings,” and “Traditional Lunch,” demonstrating a package deal that integrates prohibited elements.
- Specific Tour Examples:
- Douro Valley Wine Tour – Wine Venture and Boat Trip 165€: This tour explicitly lists “Wineries” and “Wine Tastings” as key components.
- Premium Wine Experience in Douro Valley 575€: The name itself, “Premium Wine Experience,” leaves no ambiguity about its focus. This tour is significantly more expensive, indicating a premium offering centered around wine.
- Private Transfer Porto – Lisbon 640€: This transfer service, while practical, also mentions a stop in a “Beautiful City,” which could be a positive if the city’s attractions are permissible.
Missing Essential Information
A well-rounded, trustworthy tourism website should provide comprehensive details readily.
Blheritage-tours.com has some glaring omissions that raise questions about customer support and overall clarity beyond the initial booking.
- Terms of Service/Booking Conditions: While they have a privacy policy and cookie settings, there’s no easily discoverable, dedicated “Terms of Service” or “Booking Conditions” page detailing cancellation policies, refund procedures, or customer obligations. This is a standard and crucial element for any online service provider.
- Clear Working Hours: Stating “Working hours hadn’t been set” is unprofessional and creates uncertainty for potential clients.
- Booking Process Transparency: While they link to FareHarbor for booking, the full terms of that integration aren’t immediately apparent on their main site.
Blheritage-tours.com Cons: Ethical and Practical Shortcomings
The most significant drawback of blheritage-tours.com, from an ethical perspective, is its pervasive promotion of wine-related activities.
Beyond this, there are practical omissions that could impact a user’s experience. Formula.care Review
Ethical Impermissibility: The Wine Problem
The core issue lies in the fact that Blheritage Tours actively promotes and organizes tours centered around wine production and tasting.
This is not merely an optional add-on but a central part of their “Most Popular Tours” and “Top Memorable Experiences.”
- Direct Promotion: The “Douro Valley Wine Tour” and “Premium Wine Experience” are explicitly named and featured. These are not just general “food and drink” tours where wine might be present, but rather tours whose primary purpose is engagement with wineries and wine tasting.
- Involvement in Haram: Facilitating, promoting, or directly participating in activities involving alcohol is strictly forbidden in Islam. This includes visiting places where alcohol is produced or consumed as the primary activity. While the cultural aspect of winemaking might be presented, the ultimate purpose of such tours is engagement with alcohol, which is impermissible.
- Impact on Muslim Travelers: For Muslim travelers seeking halal-compliant tours, this site presents a significant barrier. Even if one were to attempt to avoid the wine component, the entire tour is structured around it, making it difficult to participate without implicitly endorsing or being part of an impermissible activity.
Practical and Transparency Gaps
Beyond the ethical considerations, some practical aspects of the website are lacking, which could affect user trust and convenience.
- Absence of Clear Terms & Conditions: As mentioned, the lack of a prominent “Terms and Conditions” or “Cancellation Policy” page is a major oversight. This leaves customers in the dark regarding crucial details like cancellation deadlines, refund eligibility, and dispute resolution. Reputable tour operators always make these policies clear and easily accessible.
- Unspecified Working Hours: The statement “Working hours hadn’t been set” is unprofessional. Customers need to know when they can expect a response, especially for urgent inquiries.
- Static “Latest Tips” Section: The fact that the “Latest Tips” section explicitly states “No posts were found” rather than displaying recent articles suggests a lack of consistent content management or a disconnect in the website’s dynamic elements. While they have recent articles like “Portuguese Gastronomy,” these are not populating the “Latest Tips” section.
Blheritage-tours.com Alternatives: Ethical Travel Solutions
For those seeking travel experiences that align with Islamic principles, the focus shifts to tours that emphasize cultural immersion, historical exploration, natural beauty, and ethical consumption without any involvement in prohibited activities. Nordastro.com Review
Here are categories of alternatives and general tips for finding permissible travel options.
General Ethical Travel Platforms
Instead of platforms explicitly promoting impermissible activities, consider those that offer diverse experiences and allow for careful filtering.
- Halal Tourism Platforms: Dedicated platforms are emerging that specifically cater to Muslim travelers, ensuring all aspects of the tour, from food to activities, adhere to Islamic guidelines. These often vet accommodations for prayer facilities, ensure halal food, and avoid impermissible entertainment. Examples include small, specialized agencies focusing on Islamic heritage tours in places like Andalusia, Turkey, or Morocco.
- Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Initiatives: Many companies prioritize responsible travel, focusing on cultural preservation, environmental protection, and community benefit. While not explicitly “halal,” their ethos often aligns with Islamic values of respecting creation and people. You’d still need to vet individual tour itineraries for specific activities e.g., ensuring no alcohol-related events. Look for certifications from organizations like Green Globe or EarthCheck.
Categories for Permissible Tours
When searching for alternatives, focus on these types of tours:
- Historical and Heritage Tours:
- Focus: Explore ancient ruins, historical cities, museums, and sites with rich cultural narratives. In Portugal, this could mean exploring Lisbon’s Alfama district, the Jerónimos Monastery, or the ancient Roman ruins in Évora.
- Example: A tour dedicated to the history of Portuguese exploration, focusing on maritime discoveries, or a walking tour of historic city centers that highlights architectural wonders and local stories.
- Nature and Outdoor Activities:
- Focus: Hiking, nature walks, boat trips non-alcohol related, bird watching, exploring national parks, or scenic drives.
- Example: Discovering the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only national park, for hiking and scenic views, or a boat trip along the coast to explore natural caves and beaches.
- Cultural Immersion and Local Life:
- Focus: Engaging with local communities, learning traditional crafts, visiting local markets, experiencing traditional cooking halal-friendly, or attending permissible cultural performances e.g., fado podcast without alcohol context.
- Example: A Portuguese cooking class focusing on seafood or vegetarian dishes, a visit to local artisan workshops, or a tour of traditional villages to understand rural life.
- Culinary Tours Halal-Specific:
- Focus: Tours that specifically highlight halal food options, local fruits, spices, and non-alcoholic beverages. This requires proactive communication with tour operators to ensure dietary compliance.
- Example: A tour of a local market to learn about fresh produce and traditional ingredients, followed by a meal at a halal-certified restaurant or a home-cooked meal with a local family.
Tips for Vetting Tour Operators
Before booking any tour, especially from a general platform, take these steps: Credibly.com Review
- Read Reviews Carefully: Look for reviews from other Muslim travelers if available, or reviews that mention the inclusivity of the tour.
- Direct Communication: Always contact the tour operator directly and explicitly ask about the itinerary’s alignment with your religious requirements e.g., availability of halal food, absence of alcohol-related activities, prayer times accommodation.
- Check Itinerary Details: Scrutinize the detailed itinerary for any mention of wineries, pubs, bars, or activities centered around alcohol consumption.
- Look for Customization Options: Some operators might be willing to customize parts of a private tour to exclude impermissible activities.
How to Avoid Unethical Tourism Websites
Avoiding websites that promote impermissible activities is not just about personal preference. it’s about adhering to principles.
Here’s a breakdown of how to spot and steer clear of problematic tourism websites.
Red Flags to Watch For
The content and language on a website often reveal its underlying ethical stance. Develop a keen sense for these indicators.
- Prominent Alcohol-Related Content: This is the most obvious red flag for Muslim travelers. If “wine tours,” “brewery visits,” “pub crawls,” or “cocktail classes” are featured prominently, especially on the homepage or as “best-sellers,” the website is likely unsuitable. Blheritage-tours.com is a prime example with its explicit promotion of Douro Valley wine tours.
- Gambling or Immoral Entertainment: Any mention of casinos, night clubs with explicit shows, or activities related to gambling are immediate no-gos. Even if presented as “entertainment,” these contradict Islamic ethics.
- Ambiguous “Food & Drink” Tours: While food tours can be wonderful, if a “Food & Drink” category doesn’t specify halal options or frequently pairs food with alcohol e.g., “cheese and wine pairing”, it requires careful investigation.
- Lack of Ethical or Sustainable Travel Statements: Reputable ethical companies often have a dedicated page outlining their commitment to responsible tourism, community engagement, and environmental protection. Their absence isn’t always a red flag, but their presence is a positive sign.
- Vague or Missing Information:
- No clear “About Us” section: If you can’t find information about the company’s background, team, or mission, it raises questions.
- Missing contact details or only a generic form: A trustworthy business will provide multiple, clear ways to get in touch.
- Absence of Terms & Conditions or Privacy Policy: These are legal necessities and their absence indicates a lack of professionalism and transparency.
Strategies for Pre-Screening Websites
Before you even delve into specific tour offerings, use these quick checks to vet a website. 7-eleven.com Review
- Homepage Scan for Keywords: Quickly scan the homepage for keywords like “wine,” “brewery,” “spirits,” “casino,” “nightlife,” “parties,” or any terms that might suggest impermissible activities. If these appear frequently and are central to their offerings, move on.
- Check “Popular Tours” or “Best Sellers”: These sections often highlight what the company primarily focuses on. If these are alcohol-centric, it’s a clear indication.
- Review “About Us” and “Mission” Statements: Look for language that aligns with your values. Does the company talk about cultural respect, sustainability, or genuine immersion, or is it purely focused on entertainment that might cross ethical lines?
- Look for Affiliations and Certifications: While not always available for smaller operators, some reputable companies might be part of recognized travel associations or have certifications e.g., from adventure travel trade associations or responsible tourism bodies.
- Utilize Search Engines: A quick search for “Is halal friendly?” or ” ethical review” might yield discussions or reviews from other conscious travelers.
What to Look for in a Good, Ethical Tourism Website
Conversely, a good ethical tourism website will exhibit certain characteristics that build trust and assure compliance with Islamic principles.
- Clear Focus on Culture, History, and Nature: These are universally permissible and enriching areas of travel.
- Emphasis on Local Immersion Halal: Promoting experiences that genuinely connect travelers with local life, traditions, and cuisine in a permissible manner.
- Halal Food Options: Explicit mention of halal food availability or the ability to cater to specific dietary needs.
- Prayer Facility Information: Some highly halal-friendly tours will even mention proximity to mosques or designated prayer spaces.
- Transparency in Itineraries: Detailed itineraries that clearly list all activities, accommodations, and meals, allowing you to vet each component.
- Positive Reviews Highlighting Ethics: Look for reviews that specifically praise the cultural sensitivity, family-friendliness, or responsible practices of the tour operator.
By applying these rigorous checks, Muslim travelers can significantly reduce the risk of inadvertently supporting or participating in tours that conflict with their faith, leading to more fulfilling and permissible travel experiences.
FAQ
What is Blheritage-tours.com?
Blheritage-tours.com is a tour company based in Portugal, offering guided experiences primarily in Porto, Douro Valley, and Lisbon, focusing on cultural, historical, nature, and notably, wine-related tours.
Is Blheritage-tours.com suitable for Muslim travelers?
No, blheritage-tours.com is not suitable for Muslim travelers due to its prominent and explicit promotion of wine-tasting tours and winery visits, which involve activities forbidden in Islam. Sonder.com Review
What types of tours does Blheritage-tours.com offer?
Blheritage-tours.com offers tours categorized as Culture, Food & Drink, History & Heritage, Nature, Sailing, Wine Tastings, City Sightseeing, Group Tours, Adventure, Luxury Car, and Transfer services.
Does Blheritage-tours.com have good reviews?
Yes, the website prominently displays claims of being “Most Successful Hosts and Highest Rated Experiences” on Airbnb for the last 2 years and being “very well rated on TripAdvisor” as between the best tour companies.
Links provided on their site verify strong positive reviews on these platforms.
Are there any ethical concerns with Blheritage-tours.com?
Yes, the primary ethical concern is the extensive promotion and offering of “Wine Tastings” and “Winery” tours, which contradicts Islamic principles regarding alcohol.
Does Blheritage-tours.com provide insurance for its tours?
Yes, the website states, “All services provided by BL Heritage Tours have insurance for passengers. Modsera.com Review
These insurances cover any kind of unexpected happenings during your trip.
It’s included since the pickup until your drop off.”
How can I contact Blheritage-tours.com?
You can contact Blheritage-tours.com via email at [email protected], WhatsApp, Messenger, or phone at +351-915-795-512, with a promise of “24H Assistance.”
Does Blheritage-tours.com have a clear cancellation policy?
Based on the website’s homepage content, a clearly stated and easily accessible “Terms of Service” or “Cancellation Policy” page is not immediately apparent, which is a significant transparency gap.
Are there any halal alternatives to Blheritage-tours.com for Portugal tours?
Yes, consider general ethical travel platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator with careful filtering for halal options, or specialized halal tour operators if available. Printdirtcheap.com Review
Focus on tours explicitly centered on history, culture, nature, and halal gastronomy without any alcohol involvement.
Do they offer private transfers?
Yes, Blheritage-tours.com offers private transfer services, such as “Private Transfer Porto – Lisbon.”
What is the price range of tours on Blheritage-tours.com?
Tour prices vary, for example, the “Douro Valley Wine Tour – Wine Venture and Boat Trip” is listed at 165€, and the “Premium Wine Experience in Douro Valley” is 575€. Private transfers are around 640€.
Does Blheritage-tours.com have a blog or “tips” section?
Yes, there is a “Recent Articles about Porto and Douro Valley” section with blog posts, but the “Latest Tips” section on their homepage states “No posts were found,” which is a minor inconsistency.
What types of “Food & Drink” tours do they offer?
While they list “Food & Drink” as a category, the highlighted tours in this category, such as the “Douro Valley Wine Tour,” are heavily focused on wine, making it problematic for halal consumption. Groometransportation.com Review
Is it possible to customize tours to exclude wine activities on Blheritage-tours.com?
The website does not explicitly state options for customizing tours to exclude specific activities like wine tastings.
Direct communication with the company would be necessary to inquire about any such possibilities for private tours.
Where is Blheritage-tours.com based?
Blheritage-tours.com is based in Porto, Portugal, and their team is described as being from the North of Portugal.
What is the background of the BL Heritage Tours team?
The team members reportedly “studied Hospitality Management and their background is working in 4 and 5 star hotels,” before changing careers to create tours in Portugal.
Does Blheritage-tours.com use cookies?
Yes, the website uses cookies to ensure user experience and offers options to accept all, or customize settings for necessary, statistics, experience, and marketing cookies. Juliandcodigitalstudio.com Review
What is the “Commitment, Friendship and Passion” philosophy mentioned on the site?
This phrase is used by BL Heritage Tours to describe their approach to providing tours, stating it’s why they received high ratings on Airbnb and TripAdvisor, linking it to culture, history, and wine.
How can I ensure a tour is halal-friendly when searching online?
To ensure a tour is halal-friendly, meticulously check the itinerary for any mention of alcohol, gambling, or immoral entertainment.
Prioritize tours focused on history, nature, and culture.
Directly contact the tour operator to confirm halal food options and the absence of forbidden activities.
Why is avoiding wine tours important in Islam?
In Islam, consuming, producing, facilitating, or being involved in any aspect of alcohol is strictly forbidden haram. Participating in wine tours, even passively, supports an industry and activity that is against Islamic teachings, making it impermissible for Muslims. Astra-trust.com Review
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