I’m not one for touristy travel experiences. Aside from a few must-see stops in the cities, my typical M.O. is to get off the beaten path when I’m exploring a new place. And when I am exploring, you won’t find me trotting along with a tour group! There is, however, one exception to this rule: a food tour.
I’ve done a few food tours now, and the experience has been phenomenal. For anyone remotely interested in understanding the intersection of food, culture, and history, a food tour is the way to do it.
Still don’t think it’s for you? Read these five reasons to add a food tour to your next travel itinerary. Trust me, it’s worth it!
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Food tells a story.
Have you ever thought about how much you can learn about a country from its cuisine? The ingredients, cooking methods, and presentation of food can give you insight into the history and traditions that the locals live by.
During a food tour in Venice, Italy, we learned about the significance of the sea in Venetian culture. Our food tour started with a Caffe Corretto (a shot of espresso with a shot of Grappa), which is a traditional drink served to fishermen in the early morning hours when they return from their overnight fishing excursions. As you can imagine, the fishermen are pretty cold when they return to land, and a Caffe Corretto plays a crucial role in warming them up. Who would have thought? I learned all of this on our Venice Bites food tour…I don’t think I would have learned about this cultural tradition if it weren’t for that!
You learn more than just food history on your tours…you’ll also learn lots of history about the city itself! Check out these little tidbits we learned in Venice:
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You learn the best places to eat in the city…and you can go back to the restaurants after!
I always recommend that people book food tours at the beginning of their trip, as you’ll likely be pointed in the right direction for both food and other local experiences during your tour. If you plan for a food tour as one of your first activities, you’ll be able to take what you learn from the locals and prioritize your activities for the rest of your time in the city.
In Stockholm, we were able to take the advice of our tour guide and go explore a neighborhood known for smaller, less touristy restaurants. We even got to check out an upscale “food court”, where we tried a dish from Magnus Nillsson’s restaurant (my Chef’s Table and Mind of a Chef fans will know that name!). We wouldn’t have ventured to that area of the city had it not been for our tour guide’s recommendation, but doing so made for a wonderful afternoon!
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You’ll never get stuck in a tourist trap.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve found a restaurant that I thought wasn’t touristy, only to realize part-way through a meal that I had once again fallen into a tourist trap.
Tourist traps sound so simple to avoid when you’re traveling, but the fact is, it’s actually quite difficult, especially in big cities. The most unassuming of places tend to be the best places to grab a bite. They also tend to be quite hidden, and food tour guides can tell you exactly how to get there. More often than not I’ve been directed down small alley ways or to quiet parts of the city to find these delicious eats!
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You get a local’s perspective of the city.
Experiencing a place as a tourist is one thing, but it is fascinating to learn about what it is like to actually live in the city you are discovering. The sense of community, the blending of tradition into modern ways of life, and the little nuances that make the city unique are all tidbits that you may not otherwise have learned by just visiting the must-see spots.
In Venice, Italy, we learned that the easiest way to spot a tourist is to look for someone who’s had a bit too much to drink. In Venetian culture, it is practically a cardinal sin to over-indulge in alcohol! Our tour in Germany taught us how to spot a locals-only biergarten…locals would never be caught dead in Hofbrauhaus. In Stockholm, we learned about Fika Hour (check out my post about it here), and discovered that the Swede’s work-life balance is one we should all strive for! Hearing a local’s perspective on cultural nuances like these make you feel as if you’ve earned a deeper understanding of what it means to live in a place, rather than just experience it.
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Let’s be honest, you get to eat (and drink) for like two hours straight.
Okay, so if those other four reasons don’t get you excited for a food tour, this one will. I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t like to eat and drink on vacation. A food tour basically guarantees you’ll be eating and drinking the best bites and sips the city has to offer for a few hours. You’ll end your tour full and happy, and with any luck you’ll also have a better appreciation of the city’s culture and traditions.
The food tour industry is exploding right now, and more and more tours are popping up all around the world. If you’re traveling abroad, I highly encourage you to look into what tours are offered in your destinations. If you live near a large city, look to see what food tours are offered near your home. Taking a food tour with the family makes for a great stay-cation or weekend activity! Los Angeles is my next stop!
Want to take any of these food tours? Links to their websites are below!
Have you ever taken a food tour? Where was it, and how did you like it? Let me know in the comments below!
Your advice to book your food tour at the beginning of a trip so that you can learn what meals you like and have the opportunity to check out the area would be useful. This could help you find other things to do during your trip and help you figure out what restaurants and meals you enjoy so that you can eat well while you’re there. In order to do this, you’d probably want to look online at the food tours available in your area so that you can find one that you’re interested in and then set up an appointment to ensure you can fit it into your schedule.
Absolutely! Planning ahead is crucial for that!