A trip through a destination’s cuisine is one of the most enjoyable ways to get to know it. Every meal’s ingrained custom, the background of each dish, and its distinctive flavors all contribute to the narrative of a region and its people. Enjoy delicious regional food and perhaps even pick up a few cooking skills for your next culinary adventure.
Below are some of the world’s most exclusive luxury food tours to elevate your next travel experience.
- League of Travelers
Developed by Roads & Kingdoms in partnership with the estate of Anthony Bourdain and celebrity chef José Andrés, this unique culinary tour operator provides a close-up view of world food culture. Driven by Bourdain’s conviction that cuisine serves as a means of exploring a culture, these trips delve deeply into locations such as Italy, Spain, Thailand, Japan, and Georgia. A journey through the untamed Asturias area of Spain, the home of chef José Andrés, is one of the early highlights. Not only will you enjoy delectable meals, but Andrés’ nonprofit organization, World Central Kitchen, will also get 5% of all sales earnings supporting hunger relief efforts.
- The Presidential
Travel across the picturesque Douro Valley of Portugal in style by boarding The Presidential. Known for its legendary train ride that begins and ends at Porto’s São Bento station, this experience allows visitors to indulge in the best Ports the area has to offer as well as exquisite meals cooked by renowned chefs such as Henrique Sá Pessoa and José Avillez. This opulent dining experience is enhanced by the historical significance of the train, which dates back to 1890 and has housed popes and members of the nobility. The Presidential’s final season will sadly air in the fall of 2022, so don’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime trip across the rural areas of Portugal.
- Paragon by Modern Adventure
Paragon by Modern Adventure provides a range of thought-provoking culinary experiences for those who think that travel has the ability to effect positive change. A prominent figure in the field, such as Kyle Connaughton of the three-Michelin-starred Single Thread in California or Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil, one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, hosts each small-group tour. As their tour leader, Connaughton advocates for The Culinary Institute of America’s scholarship program, which enables aspiring cooks to pursue their studies in Japan. Paragon combines a love of eating with a strong social conscience.
- Le Blanc
Le Blanq offers luxury culinary trips that challenge the boundaries of flavor and endurance by fusing fine dining with cycling. Visitors may experience thrilling bicycle rides in breathtaking terrain across the globe, including the undulating hills of Italy and the picturesque coasts of South Africa. Legends of the cycling world like Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish MBE lead these trips, and gastronomic masters like Niklas Ekstedt and Alain Passard provide the cuisine. Le Blanc promises a unique fusion of adventure and culinary enjoyment, whether you’re an avid cyclist or prefer to bike slowly.
- Maria Luigia’s Casa
Belonged to Lara Gilmore and her husband Massimo Bottura, the renowned chef of Osteria Francescana, Casa Maria Luigia in Emilia, Italy, is the ideal retreat for foodies. Located in the heart of the Italian countryside, Osteria Francescana’s unique dishes are served to visitors every night for supper. Casa Maria Luigia provides a variety of activities for people who want to savor more than just a taste of Bottura’s artistry, such as guided pasta-making lessons, excursions of nearby cheese and vinegar producers, and even private performances at Pavarotti’s former residence. Why not take a Ferrari for a spin in the center of Italy’s automotive capital if you enjoy fast cars?
Bottom Line
From the serene beaches of Japan to the picturesque alleyways of Bologna, luxury food excursions provide more than simply mouthwatering meals—they’re about experiencing a place’s soul via its cuisine. Imagine yourself riding through sun-drenched Mediterranean scenery, enjoying a port in Portugal, or mastering the art of pasta-making in Italy. These encounters are about genuinely engaging with the people, histories, and customs that go into making each dish unique; they are about more than just sampling food. If you have an equal love for food and travel, this is the ideal time to engage in a gastronomic experience that will create enduring memories. Salutations!