Top Delectable Destinations for Culinary Experiences in 2024
September 4, 2023
The go-to resource for planning unforgettable travel experiences. Find all you need to know about the top destinations and enrich your life through travel.
Discover Holidays now
Maybe you want to seek out traditional foods in one of Italy’s regions or you dream to finally learn how to cook real Mexican food.
Gone are the days when travelers were only looking to tick sighs off their bucket lists. More than ever, there’s a focus on experiences, and in particular, culinary experiences.
With that in mind, in this article, we are sharing our top vacation destinations for culinary experiences in 2024.
Italy: Live “la Dolce Vita”
Photo credit: Italian Cookery Courses
Pasta, pizza, and lasagna might be famous all over the world, but there’s no place like Bella Italia to enjoy authentic recipes cooked in traditional ways.
Start your tasty tour in Naples, where you can learn the traditional way to make pizza. Nearby, Puglia (Apulia) is known for its orecchiette, as well as focaccia, a precursor to pizza. Venture further north and discover a variety of meat-based pasta dishes, frequent parmigiano, and tasty polenta dishes.
Antipasti (cured meats and local cheeses such as burrata and provolone), followed by a variety of pasta dishes and local fish give you a lesson about Italian food. After a lunch that spans well into the night, you’ll only want to sleep.
Take part in olive picking, taste the golden olive oil, and of course, limoncello. Or you might prefer to indulge in the local wines paired with fantastic cheeses and cured meats.
Now that you are well-fed, you are ready to tackle the majestic site of Pompeii, take in the grandeur of Rome, or shop to your heart’s delight in Milan.
»Read more: Why You Should Go on a Culinary Vacation in Italy
France: It’s all about “bonne cuisine”
Photo credit: Le Calabash
One of the top food cultures in the world, French cuisine is known for its flavor and finesses. Croissants, Salade Niçoise, macarons, and crêpes can now be found in restaurants all over the world, but there’s more to the delicious French food than the staples we all know.
Explore the magical capital of Paris and get macarons from the very shop where the famous filling was added. Check out its fantastic wine regions, discover the castles and traditional foods in the Loire Valley, and head to the French Riviera for some good old sun, fun, scenic drives, and delicious dishes.
Learn the art of cheese making. Or you may want to learn how to bake eclairs, chocolate tarts, and more scrumptious desserts. Head to Grenoble for some extraordinary cakes and tarts made with local walnuts.
And if you want to learn French, why not mix this experience up with a culinary vacation?
»Read more: Why You Should Go on a Culinary Vacation in France
Spain: Tapas are calling your name
Photo credit: Spanish Culinary Tour
It’s hard not to fall in love with everything about Spain, from the sun-kissed beaches to the great hospitality, amazing beaches, and flavorful food.
Paella and gazpacho need no presentation. Lovers of seafood will certainly enjoy gambas al ajillo or pescaito frito, which are found in traditional markets and at street stalls in Southern Spain.
Between hidden gems and famous travel destinations, you won’t get bored here! Start your delicious tour in the Capital of Madrid, famous for its tapas bars. Visit Gaudi’s Barcelona and its Mercado de La Boqueria, the market famous worldwide.
The elegant San Sebastian is another must for foodies. It is home to pintxo, a Basque variety of tapas. Pass by Seville, too, the home of paella.
Greece: Indulge in healthy food and magical landscapes
Photo credit: Oxygen Food Tours
A country steeped in history, with a culinary diversity influenced by occupying peoples and friendly neighbors alike, Greece offers a mix of fine dining, traditional tavernas fare, and excellent street food.
Visit olive groves, cheese making facilities, and organic farms. Source the ingredients from the local farmers’ markets and learn how to whip up traditional mezedes such as tzatziki, dolmades, or saganaki.
Dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea and quench your thirst with local wines, or ouzo. Enjoy fresh seafood with stunning views of the sunset.
Start your trip in Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization, and taste your way through the mainland and colorful islands. Don’t forget to make a stop in Crete and indulge in the healthiest European cuisine.
»Read more: Why You Should Go on a Culinary Vacation in Greece
Portugal: Fish for seafood
Photo credit: Iberian Escapes
Delicious and healthy, seafood is at its best in Portugal. Bacalhau (salted codfish), caldeirada (fish stew), and arroz de temboril (monkfish and rice) are only three incredibly flavorful dishes you should try here.
Head to Algarve and bask in the sun. Happy to report 300 days of sunshine per year, this region in Portugal entices visitors with great weather, outstanding food, flavorful wines, and excellent surfing. Aside from these, the climate is perfect for almonds, figs, and olives.
Want to try more wine? Alto Douro, located in Douro Valley, is just one of the 13 wine regions of Portugal, and the home of Port wine.
Romania: Go beyond polenta in Transylvania
Photo credit: Romanian Thrills
Home to the most scenic road in Europe – the Transfagarasan highway -, Romania is mostly known for being the setting of the (in)famous “Dracula” novel and movies.
With a cuisine that combines the best of Hungarian, German, and Romanian dishes, you are in for a culinary delight and taste overload during a trip to any province.
But Transylvania comes with a charm of its own. Steeped in history and folklore, winters have a magical feel here. Cluj, Sibiu, and Sighișoara are just three of the splendid cities you should explore while in the region.
Enjoy sarmale (meat-filled cabbage rolls) with mămăligă (polenta) and sour cream, taste pomana porcului (pork feast), and don’t forget about kürtőskalács (chimney cake).
Wash down the fat with ţuică (plum brandy) and end the meal with a signature white wine the area is known for. Or ask your host for a taste of their wine as many households still engage in the art of winemaking.
Hungary: Hearty cuisine and great wine
Landlocked in Central Europe, Hungary is a small country, but with plenty on offer: a gorgeous capital city, charming small towns, Lake Balaton (also known as the Hungarian sea), rolling hills, great wines, and scrumptious cuisine,
Located only 85 miles from Budapest, Eger is a gem worth exploring. Known for the locally produced wines and for being the last fortress to fall to the Turks, Eger is easily explored on foot.
The Castle is the highlight of the visit. Its exhibits will keep you busy for hours. The most interesting part – the underground fortification system – can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Spend some good hours in the castle and you get a crash course into Hungarian history. Good food, good wine, and delicious sweets accompany your stay in this charming Hungarian town.
The hearty Hungarian cuisine is particularly known for gulyás, a stew made from pork meat. Other traditional dishes which are a must-try include halászlé, fisherman’s soup; töltött káposzta, stuffed cabbage, and paprikás csirke, chicken paprikash. If you are craving something sweet, try túrógombóc, sweet cheese dumplings; bejgli, spiral strudel; dobostorta, dobos cake, or kürtőskalács, chimney cake.
Slovakia: Small country, great food
Photo Credit: Arachide Flickr via Compfight
Bordering Hungary, Slovakia is another gem to be explored.
Bratislava is the small and very charming capital city of Slovakia. Located on the Danube, Europe’s second-largest river, Bratislava is far from feeling like a capital city.
Devin Castle, located outside of the city and right on the Austrian border, is a great idea for a half-day trip from Bratislava. You can reach it via a cruise on the Danube. After touring the ruins and getting back to the city, enjoy one of the many affordable restaurants featuring local dishes. Within the city, the Old Town is a compact and scenic area, offering plenty of affordable things to do.
If you want to explore a larger capital city, both Vienna and Budapest are within easy reach by land from Bratislava.
The traditional Slovak cuisine is hearty and bears a resemblance to the Hungarian one. The most famous local dish is bryndzové halušky, potato dumplings, served with sheep’s milk cheese. Other must-try dishes include kapustnica, a soup made with sausages and sauerkraut; lokše, baked potato pancakes, and the Hungarian goulash, a hearty pork stew.
United States: Explore the wine regions
From lively cities to snow-capped mountains, deep canyons, and golden beaches, the United States is a foodie destination that will impress every traveler.
Head to California and sample its amazing wines. Napa and Sonoma Counties might be the most popular and world-renowned, but there are plenty of others to check out. Mendocino County in the North Coast region gives incredible Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, and is widely known for its sparkling wines.
And did you know that New York also boasts some exciting wine regions? Long Island, just a couple of hours away from the bustling New York City, is particularly known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Don’t be afraid to taste the traditional American fare: key lime pie, tater tots, cobb salad, pot roast, meatloaf, hot dogs, cheeseburger, or buffalo wings.
Mexico: More than guacamole
Photo credit: Mexico Lindo Cooking
Cook up a storm in a traditional Mexican kitchen. Get fresh ingredients from local markets and learn recipes that have been handed down for many generations.
If you’ve always wanted to savor tamales and tortillas, now is your chance to also learn how to cook them and impress your friends and family when you get back from your culinary vacation.
No trip to Mexico is complete without visiting the magnificent Chichen Itzá archaeological site and exploring the stunning Riviera Maya.
Venture further away from the beaches and explore Oaxaca, rejoicing in its culture, traditional mezcal, food, and crafts.
Costa Rica: Mouth-watering local food
Photo credit: Mariordo
Adventurous, romantic, family-friendly, and boasting a fantastic climate year-round, Costa Rica has become one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.
And while many travelers visit for the sun, sand, surf, and yoga, one thing rarely makes the list: its fantastic food!
Thanks to its tropical climate, a lot of food is grown here. And because of the sustainable practices, you’ll be thrilled to know that what you eat is sustainably produced, sourced, and served.
Along the Caribbean coast, the cuisine has a Creole influence, while in Guanacaste, maize is a staple thanks to the heritage of the ancient indigenous peoples.
Choose a finca (farm) and stay in an eco-lodge. Take time to tour the farm and sample the local food. Rice and beans remain the staple dish. Patacones (fried plantain), tamales (corn-based dough mixed with cheese, vegetables, and meat, wrapped in banana leaves), and ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice) are well-known even abroad, but they taste spectacularly different here.
Argentina: Barbeque, wine, and tango
Photo credit: Gonzalo Rivero via Wikimedia
A rich history, stunning landscapes, and tango make Argentina a vibrant place to visit. Another important reason to visit the country is its incomparable cuisine, which goes beyond asado (barbeque) and dulce de leche.
Known for being the first wine producer in the country, Mendoza is an outstanding destination for wine tours. Its cuisine features a blend of Spanish and Italian influences, and a tasty staple is patitas aliñadas (pork or beef cooked in the oven and served with bread, butter, and sauces, such as chimichurri).
Head to the northern part of the country, in Salta province, and indulge in empanadas, savory pockets of dough with various fillings.
And while you might want to pack your tango shoes to visit Buenos Aires, the country’s capital is an unmissable stop when it comes to food. Pasta, pizza, and meat are present in the multitude of award-winning restaurants. Empanadas are also delicious here and so is choripan (chorizo sausage with bread and chimichurri sauce)
Canada: Poutine and European flair
Photo Credit: *_* Flickr via Compfight
If you are craving some European flair but lack the funds to fly to Europe, head to Montreal. With lots of good restaurants, stunning architecture, and extensive public transportation, Montreal is an excellent choice for a culinary vacation destination that won’t break the bank.
Montreal offers a lot of free things to do, which helps a lot when the budget is a concern. You can visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, enjoy one of the many festivals which take place throughout the year, and explore the city’s Underground Pedestrian Network.
When it comes to food choices in Montreal, you will have endless options. Try the many poutine options, such as fois gras poutine, reggae poutine, poutine grilled cheese, or go for a classic fish & chips, and finish the meal with a marshmallow and Nutella pizza or maybe a banana, bacon, and Nutella waffle. If you are after dishes from around the world, try the Vietnamese beef pho, or the Mediterranean falafel.
Jamaica: Exotic cuisine on a budget
Photo credit: Karolyn
With low-cost carriers such as JetBlue offering flights from the US to Montego Bay and a variety of affordable accommodations and activities, Jamaica is a very interesting option for a budget-friendly culinary vacation in the Caribbean.
Spend your time lounging on the beach, snorkeling, or hiking to amazing waterfalls.
Located only 45 min drive from Montego Bay, you can find Falmouth and the amazing water that turns blue because of the microorganisms that live in it. And yes, you can swim in the water.
As for the dishes that you must try in Jamaica, jerk chicken is definitely one you should not miss. Treat your taste buds to callaloo, which are steamed vegetables with onion, garlic, tomato, and thyme, and don’t forget out the patty, and the plantains. Finish the meal with gizzada, a flavorful dessert with a gooey sweet coconut center, and coffee.
India: Discover hidden places and exotic dishes
Photo credit: Master World Holidays
One of the largest countries in the world, India offers a mix of vibrant culture, dazzling cities, and spectacular landscapes.
Escape the business of Mumbai or Delhi and head to Kerala. Discover palm-lined beaches, a tropical climate, coffee and tea plantations, and exotic dishes.
Influenced by Malabari, French, and Arabian cuisines, the food in Kerala is unique and includes a lot of non-vegetarian dishes. Savor erissery (pumpkin and lentil stew), nadan kozhi varuthathu (spicy chicken fry), karimeen pollichathu (fish baked in plantain leaves), kallumakkaya ularthiyathu (mussel stir fry) or prawn curry.
Vietnam: Savor exotic and invigorating cuisine
Photo credit: Asia Queen Travel
In Vietnam, even luxury experiences won’t break the budget. Discover the amazing street food in Hanoi during a walking tour, learn to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes, visit old temples, travel by bamboo boat, and even practice Tai Chi.
Pho and spring rolls are quite classic by now, but bun cha (marinated pork, grilled, served with noodles) is what the locals prefer for lunch. Finish the meal with a che (sweet pudding with a variety of toppings).
Feel like trying something exotic? Hot Vit Lon (fertilized duck eggs that are boiled) is what you are looking for.
Thailand: Experience a flavor overload
Photo credit: Pink Chili Cooking Class Bangkok
Thailand brings to the table busting markets, fascinating culture and history, and mouth-watering dishes in exotic settings. Discover enchanting Bangkok during a walking street food tour of the Bangrak district, cross rivers on long-tail boats, and explore its interesting temples.
Prepare your taste buds for a serious kick because Thailand is famous for its spices. Enjoy tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), try tom kha kai (chicken in coconut soup) or yam nua (spicy beef salad), and don’t forget about the khao pad (fried rice).
Don’t feel like sampling the ill-famed durian? Then stick to the less adventurous banana leaf sticky rice or roti (yes, it comes from India).
Looking to explore mouthwatering destinations but don’t want to break the bank? Discover the world’s best affordable culinary experiences!