Food Travel is a relatively new term, but that hasn’t stopped it from being one of the most popular aspects of tourism today. A survey from a few years back found that 45% of respondents have participated in at least five different culinary activities on a single trip and 93% have had at least one authentic dining experience in the past two years.
If you’re thinking about planning a culinary-themed trip, you’re not alone! The demand for culinary travel in recent years has led to the industry evolving very quickly. And in a good way. Today, anyone planning a food-themed trip has so many choices!.
There are great offerings when it comes to food tours like cooking classes and food festivals. And the best part is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to splurge on a gourmet food tour of a famous city or keep things more low-key with a cooking class, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
Enough talk, let’s get to the 10 different types of food tours you can take today.
1. Budapest Food Tour
While Budapest has no shortage of casual cafés serving hearty goulash and chicken paprikash, those seeking a fine dining experience can choose from among Budapest’s seven Michelin-starred restaurants.
A culinary tour of Budapest is simply the best way to indulge in the local Hungarian foods and wine that showcase the diverse culinary traditions of Central and Eastern Europe. Magyar cuisine is known for its spicy, rich and vibrant flavors.
Fresh ingredients, grown and raised in the surrounding regions and delivered to local market halls, form the basis of the tasty meals you’ll enjoy in Budapest. Jewish cuisine has made a comeback in the city’s old Jewish quarter, District VII district, one of the city’s culinary hotspots.
Do not forget to take in the visually stunning architecture, which is a mix of old and new, with styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Gothic Revival.
2. Santorini Food and Wine Tour
Although Santorini is home to several towns and villages, the island’s cuisine revolves around a few local agricultural staples that grow particularly well in the volcanic soil: fava beans, white eggplant, cherry tomatoes, capers and zucchini.
Typical dishes include fried zucchini or tomatoes, dips made from eggplant or fava bean puree, chlorotyri, a spreadable goat cheese exclusive to the island, and fish that’s as fresh as it gets.
In addition to the local dishes that make Santorini’s cuisine so unique, you’ll also find plenty of classic Greek dishes such as moussaka, pastitsio and soutzoukakia (Greek meatballs).
Wine tours are also incredibly popular on Santorini. You’ll learn more about wine production in the region and get to taste famous local wine varieties like Assyrtiko.
If you want to make the tour extra special, you can opt for an evening excursion that includes a visit to a hilltop winery and the best view of the sunset over the caldera.
3. London Food Tour
From battered, snow-white fish with chunky chips at Poppie’s (a local favorite), a delicious bacon and egg bap at Borough Market, afternoon tea on a Thames river cruise, or a half-day seafood course at Billingsgate Fish Market, London has it all. You can explore its diverse neighborhoods and stop at the locals’ favorite spots for the best London food.
You’ll get to hear the stories behind London’s iconic dishes and learn about the city’s unique history along the way. Most culinary tours in London often include stops at culinary hotspots like Soho and Fitzrovia, where you might run into your favorite celebrity or, even better, dine with a celebrity chef.
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4. Mexico City Food Tour
In Mexico City, there are two food worlds that coexist side by side: the restaurants and the street food vendors. If you don’t know your way around the city, it can be hard to know which sidewalk grills, market stalls, taquerías and cantinas to visit.
Therefore, you need to choose your culinary trip carefully to ensure that you avoid the tourist traps and visit the places that the locals know and love. How do you do that? There are many different ways to plan a culinary trip, but I have found that the best way is to work with a personal travel consultant.
You need someone who is attentive enough to grasp your specific culinary needs (and fantasies), and who also has the expertise to put together the perfect food tour for you.
Once that’s set, you’ll be able to explore the different neighborhoods of Mexico City, try new and delicious foods, and meet the people who make the city’s food culture so special. You can even learn a thing or two about Mexican cuisine, history, and culture along the way.
So what are you waiting for? Find a guided food tour that suits your interests and get ready for an unforgettable experience in Mexico City!
5. Rome Food Tour
Rome’s food culture is rich and varied, with something for everyone. From savory to sweet, the dishes in Rome are sure to delight and inspire you. The best culinary tours will take you through some of the city’s food-centric neighborhoods like Testaccio, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere. You’ll stop at traditional eateries and sample local specialties such as tiramisu and cacio e pepe.
You can even find tours that cater to specific dietary needs and preferences.
You’ll also get to meet the chefs and restaurateurs who are keeping Rome’s culinary traditions alive and get a glimpse into the deep culture and astounding heritage of this region.
By the end of your experience, you’ll have learned more about a city’s cuisine and boosted your confidence to explore on your own.
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6. Ireland Food Tour
Today, a new generation of Irish chefs and food artisans are taking Ireland’s millennia-old culinary traditions and bringing them into the 21st century. An Irish food tour is the perfect opportunity to cruise through historic food markets and experience the evolution of Irish cuisine. And with nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, Ireland also has some of the most delicious seafood you’ll find anywhere.
Fans of off-the-beaten-path activities can choose to harvest seaweed by hand or even craft cocktails using foraged botanicals.
You can also sign up for an authentic “rural” sheep farming experience in Ireland’s charming and picturesque Mayo County. Here you’ll visit the working sheepdogs, herd flocks of wild sheep and watch traditional sheep shearing techniques.
For those who want to stay closer to the action, you can choose to discover the history, culture and vibrant gastronomic scene of Cork and Dublin.
7. Paris Food and Wine Tour
What’s the best way to experience superb French cuisine while exploring Paris?
Join a culinary tour of Paris, sign up for a wine tasting experience, indulge in a dinner cruise, or even take a cooking class! You’ll get to savor fantastic cheese, chocolate, wine, champagne, and French pastries. You’ll also explore iconic Parisian neighborhoods like Les Halles, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Le Marais.
Depending on which experience you choose, you might even go on a day trip to the beautiful vineyards of the Champagne region or revel in the secrets of French baking by taking a behind-the-scenes look at how delectable French bread and pastries are baked.
Everyone should experience the mouthwatering, delicious cuisine of Paris firsthand at least once in their lifetime.
8. Buernos Aires Food Tour
From the local parillas with their sizzling steaks to the sidewalk cafes serving fabulous Malbec wine and delicious empanadas, a culinary tour of Buenos Aires is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the city’s passionate culture and flavorful cuisine.
The best place to start is San Telmo, the city’s most charming and oldest barrio ( district ). It is an amazing way to spend an afternoon. San Telmo is characterized by its old cobblestone streets lined with quaint cafes and restaurants, tango parlors, art galleries and antique stores. The aroma of grilled meats and spices fills the air, and tango music emanates from the open windows.
Other great locations for a food tour include La Boca and La Recoleta, where you’ll not only sample iconic Argentine dishes but also learn more about their history and cultural significance.
9. Glasgow Food Tour
Glasgow has emerged in recent years as a culinary destination that’s both innovative and respectful of tradition. The city’s West End and Finnieston district offer an array of world-class restaurants, each with its own unique take on Scottish cuisine.
From cozy pubs serving up toasted sandwiches and creamy bowls of Cullen Skink (a thick Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions), to upscale restaurants offering unique takes on Scottish classics, Glasgow is a food lover’s paradise.
A culinary tour is perfect for you to explore, see and taste the best of Glasgow.
10. Belgian Food Tour
With immensely gratifying, scrumptious dishes, Belgium has become a paradisiacal destination for foodies around the world. For one, it is widely believed that French fries are a Belgian invention. Whether that’s true or not, it’s undeniable that Belgians make some of the best fries in the world. Do not get me started on their chocolates. There’s a reason chocolate tours and workshops are so popular here.
From sampling sweet delicacies such as pralines and truffles to making your own chocolates under the guidance of a chocolatier, the
In addition to familiar offerings like mussels, frites, waffles, beer and chocolate, those who prefer a more formal dining experience are in for a treat. Belgium is the proud home of over 100 Michellin-starred restaurants! Whether you are in Brussels, Antwerp or one of the other wonderful Belgian cities, you can look forward to an outstanding gastronomic experience.
How To Plan a Culinary Trip
Take the hassle out of planning your next culinary-themed trip.
All of the cities on this list have huge metropolitan areas, and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of restaurants and cafes. So where do you start? Which one do you try first? Maybe you’ve heard that you should book a food tour. But how are you supposed to know which one to choose? The last thing you want to do is plan your whole trip based on some random online reviews!
That’s why working with an award-winning travel specialist like me makes all the difference. My insider knowledge and experience planning dozens of culinary trips take the pressure off your shoulders. You can sit back, relax and enjoy the perfect culinary experience during your trip! Click here to learn more about my culinary travel services.
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