As culinary travel grows, these 6 tours stand out
4 Minute Read
Summary
- Culinary travel is expanding rapidly, driven by travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences through food.
- Six destination tours showcase immersive food-based activities, including cooking classes and locally hosted meals.
- Shared dining and regional traditions reveal each region’s identity and connect travelers to genuine local life.
We used to travel to see the world. Now, more of us are travelling to taste it.
Food travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in the travel industry. CAA North & East Ontario travel agents are seeing this firsthand, with growing Member demand for trips built specifically around culinary experiences.
Beyond the obvious reasons to travel for food—eating a great meal in a beautiful setting—culinary travel reflects a broader shift in how we think about our vacations. Travellers are seeking understanding and looking for unique experiences.
Increasingly, people want new kinds of value from their trips: memories that will last, rather than a corny T-shirt or pictures of that crowded tourist hotspot.
After all, food systems are shaped by culture, climate and history. Meals shared with a story tell a visitor something genuine about a destination's local identity. So, if you want to understand a place, head to its kitchens.
Here are six trips from CAA Member Choice Vacations to take you on a culinary journey. Each is handcrafted by local experts who live in-destination and built around immersive culinary experiences, from cooking classes and live demonstrations to wine tastings and home-hosted meals, bringing travellers closer to local culture.
Gems of Greece: Athens, Naxos & Crete
Taste the flavours of the ancient world on a journey through Athens, Naxos and Crete. Stop by Athens taverns and enjoy meze plates, lamb, moussaka, sofrito, and casseroles straight from the oven. In Naxos, the Mediterranean Diet takes on new meaning, with a lunch of Greek barbecue.
In Greece, olive oil was once considered a gift from the goddess Athena, and in Crete, you'll discover why at a local olive mill. You'll also watch Cretan folk dancing over a shared meal and try your hand at a cooking class in Archanes.
Journey through Spain: Madrid to Barcelona
From the arches of the Alhambra to the Cathedral of Seville, touring Spain's many majestic sights will work up your appetite. Break up a long day of sightseeing in Córdoba, and sit down for an authentic Andalusian treat—tapas. Sharing is sacred with these small plates, letting you enjoy conversation over a communal experience.
This trip also includes a paella-making demonstration, followed by a meal, where you'll learn what makes this famous dish so delicious. Paella is a Sunday tradition that brings the whole family together around the cooking fire.
Portugal's Old-World Charms featuring Douro Valley, Alentejo & Lisbon
Portugal may be a small country, but its culinary traditions are rich. On this trip, you'll explore the Douro Valley, the hills of Porto, the Roman ruins of Évora and the winding streets of Lisbon.
More than that, though, you'll sample the culture that makes Portugal unique. The trip includes a farm-to-table dinner at a winery in the Alentejo region, plus a home-hosted dinner full of local flavours, where you'll truly savour Portuguese hospitality. Sample salt cod, egg tarts, creamy caldo verde and garlicky bifana at the many markets and restaurants that clamour for your attention across this coastal nation.
Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside featuring Italy's Charming Hill Towns
Experience Tuscany like a local on a tour across the countryside. You'll sample hand-crafted pecorino sheep's milk cheese at a local farm in the Orcia Valley, hunt for truffles with a local expert and his dogs, and experience a home-cooked meal in one of Umbria's country homes.
Both sheep's milk cheese and truffles have long been traditions in this region, from shepherds' well-worn tables to the delicacies of Rome. Experience the historical significance as you dine, satisfying both your stomach and your brain.
Flavours of Chile and Argentina featuring the Mendoza Wine Region
Step into South America on a journey through the capital cities and countryside of Chile and Argentina. Cook alongside a local chef, explore gaucho traditions, and wander local markets as you travel. Sample yerba mate, a traditional Argentine tea, and stroll through Buenos Aires to discover its unique flavours.
Outside the big city, discover the rural traditions of the Pampas region with an asado barbecue—a slow-cooked cut of beef, enjoyed communally on the open plain.
In Santiago, pick up a fresh catch and bring it to a local restaurant, where a chef turns it into a delicious ceviche. You'll also want to try empanadas, provoleta, alfajores, pastel de choclo, humitas, and other Chilean and Argentinian delicacies.
Journey through the Heart of Japan: Tokyo to Osaka
Japanese cuisine is world-renowned for a reason, and on this trip, you'll experience it for yourself. You'll bounce from Tokyo to Hakone, then to Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka—widely considered one of the world's great food cities.
From temple trips sipping green tea, a drink steeped in tradition, to Japanese hot pot at the foot of Mount Fuji, this 12-day journey will leave you with a greater appreciation of the craftsmanship that goes into good food. Sushi lovers will also be excited to learn how to make the rolls themselves—a skill to take home that is more valuable than any souvenir.
Make delicious memories with CAA
Ready to taste your next destination? Book your trip with CAA Member Choice Vacations through CAA Travel.
Plus, with your CAA Member Benefit, you can save $100 per person on all itineraries and get a $50-$75 pre-booked optional tour experience credit. Travel savings have never tasted so sweet.
Make your appointment with a Travel Agent today to start planning.
