{"id":4937,"date":"2017-01-12T12:53:41","date_gmt":"2017-01-12T12:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=4937"},"modified":"2017-02-22T13:33:05","modified_gmt":"2017-02-22T13:33:05","slug":"travel-for-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/winter-2017\/travel-for-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Ideas for Foodies"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Rachel Cavotta<\/p><\/p>\n

L<\/span>et\u2019s face this head on\u2014we love to eat and food is often the centerpiece of our travel itineraries. So why not make it the main attraction by choosing a food tour vacation?<\/p>\n

Imagine a cooking class in Greece where you make feta cheese from goat\u2019s milk, fresh from the farmer next door. Visit Middle East spice shops and bakeries in Brooklyn to learn the difference between babaganouj and hummus. Watch how tortillas are made and taste them, too, at a tortilla factory in Mexico. Taste and learn about the nuances of Champagne in France.<\/p>\n

Check out some of these great options for both food tours and cooking classes that will make your soul crave wonderful cuisine and, of course, adventure.<\/p>\n

[awesome-gallery id=5097]<\/p>\n

City and Culinary Tours<\/span><\/a>\nNew York City, New York<\/h4>\n

When we think of New York City, one of the first things that come to mind is the wide variety of culinary treasures. From trendy high-end restaurants in Manhattan to family-run Lebanese restaurants, serving freshly made humus and falafel, there is truly something for every palate. But with all those wonderful choices and hidden gems, it\u2019s hard to know where to start.<\/p>\n

Liz Young, owner of City and Culinary Tours, understands the overwhelming amount of options available in New York City and uses her experience to guide tour-goers to the best stops in the city. She explains that to get the full New York experience, the tour groups, \u201c\u2026 travel the city by subway and foot on the tour to explore the hidden places many tourists never have time to find, including swanky cocktails in The Garret up a discreet set of stairs from a burger place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each tour is about four hours long and explores a different part of the city\u2019s food scene. With 20 different tour options, it\u2019s hard to choose just one.<\/p>\n

Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue Tour<\/h5>\n

For those looking for unique and family-run Italian, Syrian, Yemeni, and Lebanese cooking, Brooklyn\u2019s Atlantic Avenue is the perfect tour. Visitors get the opportunity to taste homemade kibbe, babaganouj, freshly made pitas with labne and olive oil, straight from a family farm in northern Lebanon, along with many other delicious treats.<\/p>\n

Hidden and Cheap Eats<\/h5>\n

There are also a variety of tours available in Manhattan. Hidden and Cheap Eats teaches visitors to eat like a local. On this tour, you discover the secret tastings spots that include cold beer, burgers, fancy hot dogs, and decadent chocolate for dessert. You can even use your newfound knowledge of Manhattan\u2019s hidden eateries to impress your family and friends on future trips to the city.<\/p>\n

Little Italy and Chinatown<\/h5>\n

Tours of Manhattan\u2019s Little Italy and Chinatown let visitors experience the lasting culinary influences of the immigrants that made New York City their home. On the tour of little Italy, visitors experience traditional Italian pastries and caffe as Italian immigrants did in 1892. Those on the Chinatown tour experience hand-pulled noodles, exquisitely made dim sum, and interesting shopping options.<\/p>\n

You leave these tours inspired and armed with the knowledge of where to go with friends and family the next time you take on New York, like a true resident.<\/p>\n

\"TOURTour de Forks<\/span><\/a>\nNew York, New York<\/h4>\n

Tour de Forks is a boutique travel company based out of New York City that specializes in authentic culinary and vinicultural experiences. Founded by Melissa Joachim and Lisa Goldman, the Tour de Forks tour focuses on the discovery of a destination. The founders\u2019 passion for both fine wine and cuisine paired with extensive research, personal experiences, and a worldwide network of culinary contacts allows their visitors access to the world\u2019s culinary gems.<\/p>\n

This culinary travel company helps travelers create custom itineraries. It\u2019s perfect for couples, families, or friends who wish to travel to Italy, France, Spain, Australia, and South Africa. The detailed itineraries cater to the party\u2019s desired destinations and activity level, making the entire trip run smoothly as visitors enjoy their culinary experience.<\/p>\n

Each year, Tour de Forks provides a four-day culinary adventure for small groups, no more than 12, to foodie hot spots within the United States, including Nashville, Charleston, New Orleans, Sonoma, New York City, the Hamptons, the Hudson Valley, and Santa Fe.<\/p>\n

These group tours allow visitors the opportunity to tour the expansive cultures and cuisine within the United States with the best teachers. In Charleston, there is a cooking class with Nathalie Dupree, an expert in southern cooking. The Nashville tour features John Lasater, Chef at Hattie B\u2019s, who teaches visitors how to make hot chicken. Visitors discover the local food and talent in these destinations, something most tourists don’t get to experience. Tour de Forks provides their guests with a personalized, insider experience to places all around the world.<\/p>\n

\"unsplash.Taste 4 Travel<\/span><\/a>\nPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania<\/h4>\n

Chef Jacqueline Peccina-Kelly, of Chef Jacquie\u2019s Taste 4 Travel, uses her knowledge of fine cuisine and love for Philadelphia\u2019s culinary gems to give her guests a truly memorable experience on their tours of Philadelphia\u2019s Italian Market and East Passyunk Avenue.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia\u2019s Italian Market<\/h5>\n

Philadelphia\u2019s Italian market is the perfect destination for any foodie looking for fresh produce, delicious Italian cuisine, and Philly favorites like Cheese Steaks. Located in South Philadelphia, the Italian market is rich with culture that speaks through its residents and, of course, the food.<\/p>\n

On this tour, Chef Jacquie shows visitors a different side to the Italian market. After growing up two blocks from the market, she has formed relationships with the local shop owners and chefs, providing a behind-the-scenes look.<\/p>\n

Chef Jacquie shares the history of the shops along the route of this wonderful food-fueled community. Visitors get the opportunity to meet the chefs and shop owners to see firsthand their passion and taste their creations.<\/p>\n

You immediately feel at home at the tour\u2019s first stop as you listen to Chef Jacquie\u2019s fun stories over a cup of Italian coffee from Anthony\u2019s Coffee and Chocolate House. Visitors are welcomed as friends to the world-famous Di Bruno Bros. where you taste a variety of handpicked cheeses, charcuterie, and antipasti.<\/p>\n

The tour ends with a lunch at Ralph\u2019s Italian Restaurant, seven-time winner of Best of Philly and the country\u2019s oldest family-owned Italian restaurant. Here you will be able to sit and relax with a glass of wine and reminisce about the foods tasted and new people you met in the market.<\/p>\n

Prices for the Italian Market tour begin at $100 for a group of six and up. For more information visit their website at ..<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3585Mr.Vallarta Food Tours<\/span><\/a>\nPuerto Vallarta, Mexico<\/h4>\n

Getting to taste fresh coconut from the best coconut vendor in the country while you engage with vibrant history and folklore is not on the agenda for a typical trip to Mexico. Vasllarta Food Tours take its visitors through the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to experience the \u201cnon-touristy\u201d taste of Mexico\u2019s delicious cuisine and rich culture.<\/p>\n

With four different off-the-beaten-path tours, visitors can experience the entirety of the city\u2019s culinary soul.<\/p>\n

Original Downtown Tour<\/h5>\n

This guided three- to three-and-a-half-hour tour includes 10 food-tasting stops with the city\u2019s best flavors. Visitors get the chance to visit family-owned restaurants and stands, taste refreshing drinks, and meet the inspiring locals whose passion for their delicious creations is contagious. The stops consist of traditional ceviche tostadas, a tortilla factory in which visitors get to taste a fresh tortilla right off the conveyor belt, traditional drinks, reginal candies for dessert, and much more in between.<\/p>\n

The Evening Street Taco Adventure Tour<\/h5>\n

This tour is fit for any night owl looking for a taste of Puerto Vallarta\u2019s authentic street foods that are served when the sun goes down. \u201cThe Evening Street Taco Tour showcases the vibe of Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife and night tacos,\u201d says Vallarta Food tours owner, Paul Mayer. \u201cIn Mexico, there are different tacos for different times of day.\u201d Full sample portions of churros, marlin quesadillas, and\u2014of course\u2014tacos leave you satisfied on your tour of this unique nighttime food excursion.<\/p>\n

The tour also takes visitors on a bus trip with trusted guides who tell the stories of the local neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

Mex-ology: a Tequila, Taco, and Mexican Cocktail Tour<\/h5>\n

This three-hour walking tour is perfect for those craving a true Mexican Cocktail. The five stops on this tour include a variety of experiences. Watch professional mixologists experiment with traditional flavors, find out how the spirits are made, and even sample some of the classic cocktails. Mayer explains that, \u201cThe Mex-ology tour was created to showcase Mexico’s unique spirits. From Mezcal, tequila, Cerveca and Kahlua, we share the stories and the histories of these drinks and how closely tied they are to Mexican culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tour even includes tips on how to incorporate these classic Mexican spirits into your favorite drinks at home! For more information about the tour visit their website.<\/p>\n

Taste of Pitillal Food Tour<\/h5>\n

The Pitillal community is the perfect place to visit quaint local eateries. This tour consists of nine locations with full portion samples of a variety of local foods including fresh churros and tamales made by the most famous tamale making family in Mexico.<\/p>\n

This tour also explores folklore, and experienced tour guides take visitors to local landmarks and stores, providing insight into the history and culture of Puerto Vallarta. For more information about this tour visit their website.<\/p>\n

These wonderful tours of the beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta begin at $49 and include food tastings and guides. For more information about Vallarta tours visit vallartafoodtours.com.<\/p>\n

\"IKARIA-CLASS-1-SUMMER-2016Glorious Greek Cooking-Ikaria<\/span><\/a>\nIkaria, Greece<\/h4>\n

With the salty freshness of the sea air and bright warm sun as welcome companions, the quaint Aegean island of Ikaria, Greece is the perfect destination if you want to learn about authentic Greek cooking.<\/p>\n

Each spring, Diane Kochilas\u2014cookbook author, chef, and host of Greece\u2019s most popular cooking show What Are We Going to Eat Today, Mom?\u2014and her husband allow guests to visit and cook with them in their country home on this island whose locals have a reputation for extreme longevity. \u201cMost of our guests are American and many are in stressful jobs or interested in Ikaria because of the longevity statistics on the island,\u201d says Kochilas.<\/p>\n

The experience is not only about cooking tips but experiencing life as an Ikarian. On this trip, visitors have the opportunity to make cheese from the neighbor\u2019s goats, visit bee keepers and taste the local honey, and drink the same kind of wine as Odysseus. Dive into the culture and history of this beautiful island by dancing to the unique melodies of Ikarian violins and interacting with the locals who may even share the secret to living a long and healthy life.<\/p>\n

Kochilas and her husband teach hands-on classes with recipes that use a variety of local produce, Greek yogurt, and homemade phyllo pastry. The recipes are healthy and easy to recreate, allowing the visitors to leave with new ideas and inspirations that will no doubt impress friends and family back home.<\/p>\n

Some of the recipes include classics such as Greek salad and stuffed peppers and tomatoes along with more unique dishes like Lamb-Greens with Fricassee\u2014fried lamb with white sauce\u2014with Avgolemono\u2014egg lemon sauce. Paired with each meal is a wine from local wineries.<\/p>\n

Every meal is served in their outside garden, shaded by 150-year-old wild vines and a view overlooking the breathtaking and lush valley and rugged coast of northern Ikaria.<\/p>\n

This culinary experience is $3,250 and includes meals and first-class accommodations in Armentistis\u2014a small local settlement in Northern Ikaria.<\/p>\n

\"Merlot-ChefChef Q Paris<\/a><\/span>\nParis, France<\/h4>\n

Chef Q Paris is the perfect way to experience the fresh markets of Paris as well as the wine from the Champagne and Burgundy providences in France. Wonderful tastes and new knowledge are gained on these tours.<\/p>\n

Market Tour<\/h5>\n

A professional chef takes visitors on a two-hour tour of a traditional French market right in Paris. They tell visitors about how to find some of the freshest ingredients to add to the best French recipe and even some of the items they use daily as they prepare their own magnificent cuisine. Become an expert on the fresh fish and meats offered, learn to identify the best cheeses to serve, and which fruits and vegetables are in season. When visitors go home, it will be difficult to shop at their local grocery stores again.<\/p>\n

Regional Private Tours<\/h5>\n

Chef Didier shares his wine expertise as he guides visitors through two regions of France, including Champagne and Burgundy. During the one-day tour of Champagne, visitors sit back and relax while Chef Didier tells them anecdotes as they enjoy vintage wine tastings in the VIP room. Lunch is at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Reims\u2014a region near Champagne\u2014and guests receive a souvenir to remember the experience.<\/p>\n

In Burgundy, visitors have two days to receive private tours of vineyards and wine cellars with dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant and lunch the next day at one of Bernard Loiseau\u2019s restaurants. An overnight stay in a place recommended by Chef Didier is also a part of the trip though not included in the initial price. During this tour, visitors acquire a true understanding of some of France\u2019s best wine and cuisine.<\/p>\n

The price for the market tour begins $130 while the tour of Champagne is $940 and Burgundy is $1567.<\/p>\n

Experience the World With Food<\/h4>\n

As you plan your next trip, you might want to think about making food the main course. Food tours and local cooking classes are not only delicious but provide a look into the culture and lives of the people who live there. Eating is what brings us together. What better way to experience the world than through each unique, culinary delight you find along the way?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ideas for culinary tours from around the world<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5102,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-winter-2017","category-winter-2017-features"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4937"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5456,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4937\/revisions\/5456"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}