Top 10 cooking & food vacations

Cooking and food vacations peel away the layers of a country’s culture, so that you can release its true flavours. Learn how to make focaccia in Umbria using recipes handed down through generations. Use spices in Sri Lanka that have been freshly picked from a plantation dating back centuries. And soak up the sun while learning about ceviche and cerveza in Mexico. Here are our top ten treats on the menu.
See all our Cooking & food vacations Vacations Give us a call

1. Spain

The Basque country, Spanish Pyrenees and Andalucia are astounding foodie destinations, with not only fine local ingredients and Michelin star restaurants, but also a wonderful sense of community and regional tradition around gastronomy. The Spanish pair their food with fun, too, and vacations here combine food with yoga, walking or cultural visits.

Our top selling trip: Cooking and walking vacation in the Spanish Pyrenees
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Spain

2. India

There is a north south divide when it comes to cooking and food vacations in India. In the North you have Mughal traditions still found around Delhi and tantalising Rajput ones in Rajasthan. Head south to Goa and Kerala for more tropical and colonial influences. It’s all about spicing up your life.

Our top selling trip: India small group vacation, a food adventure.
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in India

3. Umbria, Italy

Don’t let Umbria be overshadowed by Tuscany, because these Etruscan landscapes and small hilltop towns are a feast of fine ingredients. From olive oil to organic honey, cured meat to a bevy of beans. And fine wines of course, Orvieto being one of the top towns to visit on a gastronomic vacation.

Our top selling trip: Umbria cooking vacation, Italy
See all our trips: Umbria cooking and food vacations

4. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is all about ancient traditions, and food is no exception. From the fish markets of Negombo to the chena cultivation techniques around Dambulla, the spice-growing region of Matale to the tea plantations of the Highlands, indigenous ingredients and culinary culture make for the perfect foodie experience here.

Our top selling trip: Sri Lanka small group tour, a food adventure
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Sri Lanka

5. Thailand

Although Thai curries are almost as common as fish and chips in the UK now, nothing beats learning about their spices, traditions, local produce and inimitable recipes than at the lemongrass roots. There is so much to choose from here, you can easily spend two weeks on a foodie adventure in Thailand.

Our top selling trip: Cooking vacation in Thailand
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Thailand

6. Mexico

This is a country that has received UNESCO World Heritage status for its food alone, which means it’s hard to know where to start. A food vacation sorts out your ceviche and cerveza, mole and mescal, with a lot of tacos and tamales in between.

Our top selling trip: Mexico small group vacation, a food adventure
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Mexico
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Cooking & food vacations or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
phone
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
email

7. Vietnam

Imagine traveling from Hanoi to Hoi Chi Minh City with food as your main point of interest. Historians move over; here come the hedonists. With regional cuisine variations, experience the likes of bun rieu broth in the north, hot chillies in the center and the tropical flavours of the south.

Our top selling trip: Vietnam small group vacation, a food adventure
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Vietnam

8. Peloponnese, Greece

There is no better way to slow down in Greece than by going on a cooking vacation, learning the simple joys of making moussaka and hummus, picking olives, or wining and dining in a local farmer’s taverna. One of the highlights is the €5 challenge, where you’ll browse the market in Kalamata for ingredients for the afternoon’s cooking lesson.

Our top selling trip: Vegan vacation in Greece
See all our trips: Cooking vacations

9. Cambodia

Run amok, carouse with Khmer cuisine and feast on fruits of every flavour on a food or cooking vacation in Cambodia. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the country’s culture, traditions, etiquette and colonial influences. Cambodia is a country where you will always feel replete.

Our top selling trip: Cambodia small group tour, a food adventure
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Cambodia

10. Finland

Most people head to Finland for the vast wilderness or the chance to meet Santa, but it’s also pretty great for a foodie break, and an expert food tour could take you around the culinary hotspots of Helsinki or to the country’s wild forests to forage for fungi and berries. Either way there’ll be plenty of time to sample Finland’s craft beer and potent local liqueurs too.

Our top selling trip: Helsinki city break, winter sports and gastronomy
See all our trips: Cooking and food vacations in Finland

More about Cooking & food vacations

Cooking & food holidays guide
Cooking & food vacations guide
Our mouthwatering cooking and food vacations travel guide is guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling as you delve into our best and worst travel dishes.
Where to go on a cooking & food holiday
Where to go on a cooking & food vacation
Weather and seasonality are a major consideration when it comes to deciding the best time to go on a cooking and food vacation.
Top 10 food holidays in Europe
Top 10 food vacations in Europe
From pasta making in the Tuscan hills to a Georgian bread making in the shadow of the Caucasus Mountains, her are our top 10 food vacations in Europe.
Cambodia cooking & food holidays
Cambodia cooking & food vacations
Food in Cambodia is a revelation. Fish, curry, pork, and some of the most divine spicey pastes you could hope for; welcome to the world of Khmer cuisine.
Sicily food and cooking holidays
Sicily food and cooking vacations
A Sicily food tour makes for an introduction to one of Italy’s most distinctive and dangerously delicious cuisines that is sure to become a long-lasting relationship.
Sri Lanka cooking & food holidays
Sri Lanka cooking & food vacations
Sri Lanka is a foodie paradise, where fresh local ingredients, sizzling spices and fusion recipes create a diverse and delicious culinary scene.
Vietnam cooking & food holidays
Vietnam cooking & food vacations
It is within the kitchens, the markets and on the streets where you'll discover the one true tie that describes Vietnam's cultural identity: its food.
Things to do on a cooking & food holiday
Things to do on a cooking & food vacation
Take to the streets, experience stay at home cooking or just let a friendly local show you the ropes; there's plenty to do on a cooking and food vacation.
Worldwide food trends
Worldwide food trends
We share ideas on new things to try, tips for cooking, unusual ingredients and secret foodie hot spots to help you spot a trend from a fad.
Cooking & food holidays advice
Cooking & food vacations advice
From complete and utter Italian immersion to keeping it local and getting together round the fire; we’ve asked our experts for their top vacation advice.
Responsible cooking & food holidays
Responsible cooking & food vacations
Find out more about Fair Trade, sustainable communities, fish stocks, bush meat and our responsible tourism tips before you peruse the menu.
Give us a call

More relevant guides

Special interest
Written by Catherine Mack
Photo credits: [Page banner: Brooke Lark] [Paella: Kaitlin Dowis] [Market - Sri Lanka: LoriQoPB] [Italy: Alex Mozz]
Vacations that you view will be shown here. If you'd like any help contact us.