The Flavoured Tourism of Food Tours
While many touristic activities are focused in sightseeing, visiting museums and taking photographs, there are some options that aim to mix both touristic voyeurism and culinary experiences. If you are looking for a new perspective on your travels, keep on reading to learn a few things about food tours.
A New Approach to Tourism
In a food tour, travelers are invited to visit historic landmarks, iconic neighborhoods and notable locations with a guide, who is a specialist both in the local history and its culinary culture. From the most traditional dishes to the best-hidden jewels and restaurants, within this approach you get to know many layers of the city all at once. What are the benefits for those who try this tasteful option?
The Secret Paths of the City
With a knowledge that is not always easily accessible for tourists, local guides can lead you to know the local unknown gems, the best places to eat, sleep and visit. This also means you get to try the best of the best in town, for they know the best dishes and the best restaurants that serve them. From artisan products to lesser-known spots, as well as local markets and venues, the specialists provide a unique outtake on tourism that also aids the local economy and sustainable tourism.
Carefully Scheduled Route
Make the most out of your time in a city: the best restaurants are aligned for you to visit them in a row and in the shortest time possible. All of this is already planned for you, so you do not have to check anything beforehand.
A Tasteful History
Food tours are a way to mix culture, architecture and history in a single experience. There is a variety of traditions, anecdotes and ethnic diversity behind each bite, and this is the perfect way to know everything behind the most renowned meals.
Make Your Choice
The wide variety of alternatives within the list of food tours makes it possible for you to choose between walking or travelling by bus, the size of the group joining you and the budget you want to spend, among other things.
You can also pick between different kinds of food tours: while alternatives like street food tours focus mainly on markets and food stalls, options such as fine dining food tours aim at more sophisticated, exclusive venues, perfect for those who already know a lot of the culinary world. Some approaches delve into a particular zone, its main hotspots and highlights (the neighborhood food tours), and others develop a themed programme (the themed food tours), for they trace a map based on a single element: from cheese to chocolate, from wine to beer, you can plunge into a particular taste and its local variants.
Furthermore, cultural or regional food tours highlight the cultural influences in an area (such as the Indian food or the Italian influence).
Before Booking
There are some useful factors to take into account when making your choice, such as:
Dietary Restrictions and Preferences
Whether you are vegetarian, you need a gluten-free menu or you just want to give all your appetite to desserts instead of salty meals, it is advisable you check the tendency of the food tour beforehand.
Number of Stops
Longer tours take their time in each venue they visit, while others try to visit as many places as possible in the shortest amount of time possible. Whether you want a quicker or slower pace, make sure to look for this information in the programme available.
Language
This becomes particularly important if you are travelling to a location which speaks a foreign language. In this case, it is suggested to verify that the guide knows your language and is able to provide a multilingual tour.
Size of the Group
Do you prefer a more private, quiet experience, or do you like the buzz of large groups? While smaller groups usually lead to a more intimate climate, larger groups are good ways to socialize and chat with the people joining your food passion.
It does not matter what type of tourist you are: from hectic travelers to slow paced visitors, from wine-lovers to those with a sweet tooth, you can find the perfect food tour for you.