Today we're chowing down, filling up, and falling in love with the most mouthwatering gastronomic delights in the absolute best of the best foodie destinations in the world.
Cuisine defines cultures, creates bonds, and brings people together all over the globe, and that's precisely why we've curated some of our favorite excursions around the famous dishes of the world's most vibrant cities, regions, and nations.
If you're anything like us, food is a big reason why you travel. So if you're looking for a bit of guidance on where to go next, we've got you covered.
Basque Country
Home to a unique variation of tapas, the absurdly delicious pintxo, this less explored region of northern Spain nestled on the border with France offers delectable delicacies behind every door. Not only will you eat some of the world's best food, but you'll also do it with locals, far beyond the tourist trail.
We could tell you the food's pretty good here or back that up with hard data. How's the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the entire world sound? Not too shabby, eh?
Oaxaca
Oaxaca's culinary scene is an explosion of vibrant flavors and rich cultural traditions. From the iconic mole, a decadent sauce made from a blend of chiles and spices, to the crispy tlayudas and seasoned chapulines, Oaxaca's cuisine is a true reflection of the region's diverse and vibrant culture. But Oaxaca's food scene isn't just about savory dishes—it's also a hub for sweet treats like pan de yema and nieve de garrafa. And, of course, to wash it all down, there's mezcal, the agave-based spirit that's as bold and complex as the cuisine itself.
If this sounds up your alley, join us on a foodie adventure to southern Mexico, where we'll explore the best restaurants, markets, and street food vendors in search of the most delicious, mouthwatering eats in the Americas. It's a veritable feast for the senses that will leave any food lover feeling exhilarated and satisfied.
Crete
With its rugged coastline, crystal-clear waters, and sun-kissed beaches, Greece's largest island is a paradise for nature lovers. Yet, that's not the only thing that makes Crete so special; this is a gastronomic wonderland just waiting to be explored as well. From hearty traditional dishes to fresh seafood, Crete's cuisine is a reflection of the island's rich cultural heritage. The complex flavors are exemplified in dishes like dakos, a traditional Cretan bread topped with tomato, feta cheese, and olive oil, and kalitsounia, small savory pies filled with herbs and cheese.
Of course, no trip to Crete would be complete without sampling the local wines and spirits. From the crisp and refreshing white wines to the potent raki, a distilled grape-based spirit, Crete's drinks are as diverse and flavorful as its cuisine. It's no wonder TripAdvisor named Crete one of the top foodie destinations of 2023.
Mexico City
With energetic, vivid street culture and the tastiest tacos and tequila this side of, well, anywhere, Mexico City has become the ultimate foodie destination. It's a beautifully exhilarating megacity just waiting to be explored, and explore it we will. We’ll have the chance to sample authentic homemade mole and seafood tostadas and even toss down some pulque, a uniquely Mexican sour alcoholic drink made from different species of Agave plants.
On our short trip south, you'll hit some of the best restaurants, markets, and taquerias around, all in search of the most delicious, spicy, mouthwatering eats in the Americas.
Japan
Japanese cuisine is renowned for its fresh, seasonal ingredients, umami-rich flavors, and visually stunning presentation. From delicate sushi to hearty bowls of ramen, it offers something for every taste bud. Traditional dishes like tempura and yakitori showcase Japan's rich culinary heritage, while desserts like mochi offer a perfect blend of sweetness and subtlety. With an emphasis on harmony and balance, Japanese cuisine is a unique culinary experience that celebrates the beauty and complexity of the country's culture.
On our nine-day tour of Japan, we'll explore some of the country's best food. From the bustling food markets of Tokyo to the fresh seafood of coastal towns, Japan's diverse and flavorful cuisine is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you with unforgettable memories.
Tuscany and Rome
We'll try wine in Florence, learn to cook in San Gimignano, go truffle hunting in Tuscany, and take a food tour of Rome. And that's just scratching the surface of this culinary adventure—after all, you can't really go to Italy without packing on a few; we're only human.
So, try the pizza, eat all the pasta, and relax that belt a bit. This is one of the most popular trips, and for a good reason, it's a tour de force of cuisine, culture, architecture, and history. It's one of our favorite foodie destinations.
VIETNAM
We mentioned street culture earlier; now, it's time to step it up a notch. In Vietnam, the streets are a bewildering, sweltering, motorbike-mad hive of commerce, chaos, and food. Glorious, glorious food.
This Southeast Asian nation may be home to the most impressive and diverse array of street food on the planet. From iconic phở or bánh mì to Bourdain's favorite Bún bò Huế, Vietnamese food is complex, spicy, and oh so delicious. On our 9-day adventure, we'll tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh and Ha Long to Hoi An as we eat everything in sight.
Barcelona & SOuth of FrancE
We’ll kick things off the right way with a glass of red as we learn to cook as the French do in the South of France. Think olive oil, goat cheeses, and a healthy-delicious mash-up of local fishes. From there, it’s on to Spain for more of that fine European eating.
Tapas, tapas, tapas! Barcelona’s got a lot to offer, but it sure is hard to overlook those preposterously mouthwatering little slices of bread topped with everything from meats to cheeses or even octopus. Of course, when we’re not devouring tapas in Spain, we’ll be salivating over paella, the rabbit, chicken, duck, or seafood-infused rice dish originating from nearby Valencia. It’s safe to say that this is one adventure neither lacking in class, wine, or oh-so-good food.
Colombia
It's hard to mention Colombia without bringing up the coffee. After all, it's consumed all over the world, so we might as well give it a go. On our adventure, we'll check out where it's grown in the hills outside Medellin before we drink up the caffeinated goodness. Combine that with homemade rums and more local eateries than you can imagine, and you've got a recipe for a savory good time.
Now, that’s not really enough for us, so we’ll also meander through one of Medellin’s coolest neighborhoods to find us a Michelin star experience as well. Talk about tasty.
Amalfi Coast and Puglia
Head to the south of Italy for extraordinary seafood pasta, and you won't be sorry. This famous dish is a mix of prawns, mussels, clams, and scallops tossed in homemade tomato sauce and spaghetti. Top it off with some gelato overlooking fairytale towns high above the Mediterranean, just a splash of limoncello by the beach in Capri, and you've got one spectacular trip ahead. If that's not enough, how about we mix it up in the kitchen ourselves and give home cooking a go in Lecce?
Some think of this trip as a gallivant across Europe's most spectacular coasts, and while that's undoubtedly true, it's far more than that. It's an eight-day explosion of flavors, so good they'll make you weep.
Turkey
Turkey is one spectacular fusion of cultures, architectural styles, and flavors. This gastronomic adventure combines elements of Aegean cuisine, Anatolian cuisine, and Black Sea cuisine. So, from Istanbul down to Cappadocia and Izmir to Bodrum, we’ll dive into the colorful, savory, spicy, and sweet.
Sample appetizer mezes, delightfully spiced dolmas, absurdly good meats, and even Turkish flatbreads. But, of course, no trip to Turkey would be complete without the desserts, so we’ll ensure you get your fill of savory baklava and Turkish delights as well
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