Last updated October 13, 2023
Regardless of where one goes, he or she will be both eating and drinking there. This routine, part of our daily existence, happens whether on the road or staying at home.
Yet in travel many of us transform these “routine” experiences into special moments. For many, they become favorite travel memories.
Whether it’s fancy dining or finding the place the locals eat, taking specific culinary tours, tasting the local wine, or attending health and wellness retreats, travelers can experience food culture during their travels.
In some cases, travelers center their vacation decisions around food. For those who search for food-specific travel, here are five active culinary food culture adventures designed to transform the mind, body and soul.
1. Enjoy a Wine Tasting
Wine is global. Grapes are grown across the world and seemingly segmented into classic old world regions and exciting new world destinations.
Although a walk down an aisle of your favorite wine store can take you across the globe in your imagination, it is actually being there — on site at a vineyard — that makes for the travel memory.
Hemingway said, “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world.” Speaking frankly, he may have never spoke a bigger truth.
Touring the vineyards, meeting the winemakers to learn the process, and tasting the finished product makes for a great part of any holiday. So for old world travels to places like Santorini, don’t miss the experience to sample local Greek Wine.
Maybe it is time to finally plan that Tuscan Holiday and take a week to discover Chianti. New world food culture adventures can easily be found in South Africa, Australia, Chile and beyond.
2. Sign Up for a Food Culture Tour
As a growing segment inside the travel industry, food tours provide a unique way to explore a new destination.
Food culture tours often provide historical context to the region’s cuisine, while guides often share local vignettes about the destination itself. Today no place seems to be without a food tour.
From tasting the tacos of Centro Historico in Mexico City to learning the history of Key Lime Pie on a Florida Keys food tour, or exploring the culinary back streets and what to eat on your adventures in Lisbon, definitely research a food culture tour during your next travel excursion.
3. Search for the Stars
Even when spending a holiday in an all-inclusive resort, or traveling to a yoga retreat, don’t miss the opportunity to appreciate an authentic local dining experience.
A quick conversation with a concierge or an on-line search usually offers the best ways to discover some of any regions highly regarded or “best” restaurants.
Whether it’s the 5 stars on Trip Advisor or searching for a Michelin star restaurant in the area, enjoying a dinner out can make for one if the fondest memories of any holiday.
It doesn’t need to be fine-dining either. Some of the best meals can come from the food culture stalls in Singapore or perhaps searching the perfect Fish and Chips in London.
4. Take a Food Culture Cooking Class
As global cuisine and international ingredients become more readily available to the public, so does the opportunity to prepare a dish tasted on a recent trip at home. But it takes more than just the right ingredients.
A certain knowledge is needed to understand how to properly prepare the dishes too. Cooking classes can teach just that. Food culture classes offer the opportunity to work with acclaimed chefs to prepare local and unique cuisine.
But there is no need to wait until after one already books a holiday. In fact, entire retreats are designed to focus on regional cooking classes, too.
How does the opportunity to cook and discover the Amalfi Coast for nine days sound?
5. Rejuvenate at a Wellness Retreat
For some of us, holidays may translate to a guilt free dessert. Apparently, the average American may gain as much as eight pounds on a holiday, too.
If this sounds familiar, perhaps now is the time to look at food culture differently. Wellness retreats allow you to get active and adventurous, while also offering culinary options.
Health and wellness retreats can transform a mindset, rejuvenate the soul, and also provide initial weight loss for the body through a culinary program.
A Taste of Place
Food culture can provide some of the most memorable experiences of any travel holiday.
With any of these options — either as an add on to an existing holiday plan or as the focus of the holiday itself — you may set yourself up for one of the most delicious and memorable travel experiences you’ve taken in some time.
Are you looking to book a gastronomic adventure? Vacayou’s travel concierge team can help you discover, book and plan your foodie vacation experience.
About Vacayou
At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior. And that’s why we’re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. But the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We’ve made it much easier for you to search, discover, and book wellness and active vacations. With Vacayou’s Instant Book, your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away.
Start the trip of your lifetime today, with Vacayou. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
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