The Most Underrated Foodie Destinations in the World
Food travel is as popular as ever, but many of the world’s most famously delicious destinations have been spoken about ad infinitum, so we wanted to take a look at some of the more underrated vacation spots on the foodie map.
We all love a food tour in Italy or a unique Japanese dining experience, but it’s no news that these countries have great culinary tradition. Here at Culture Trip food plays a big part in everything we do. Our immersive, authentic trips place great value on the importance of local grub in bringing you closer to your destination, its history, culture and people. From cooking classes in family homes to market visits and street food tours, our trips have always got a tasty snack or two up their sleeves. We also place great value on discovering the undiscovered and introducing Culture Trippers to new, fresh travel ideas. So here’s our selection of tasty tours in the world’s most underrated culinary destinations – perfect for all you foodie travellers out there.
Georgia, for incredible bread and ancient wine traditions
If Jordan is up-and-coming on the wine scene, Georgia is the ultimate OG. This off-the-beaten-path country, high in the Caucasus Mountains, is known as ‘the cradle of wine’, with experts believing it’s the oldest wine-producing nation on Earth. Our nine-day itinerary places a huge emphasis on food and drink, starting with a traditional Georgian lunch of khachapuri – a scrumptious cheese-filled bread – in Tbilisi. On day three we’ll head to the largest market in Georgia, a cornucopia of fresh fruit, pickles and spices. We’ll be met there by a local chef who’ll give a guided tour of the market, purchasing the ingredients required for a cooking class back at her home. The wine experience kicks in on day four, when we’ll take a qvevri workshop to learn about ancient underground fermentation techniques, and have a wine-accompanied lunch with a traditional toastmaster. You’ll also get to visit a local family for home-baked bread and churchkhela, a sausage-shaped sweet mate from nuts and thickened grape juice. On day five, after a day hiking in the stunning Lagodekhi National Park, you’ll have a scenic picnic lunch and go for a well-earned post-hike tasting session at a local winery.
From US$1199
Next available from 18th May 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Tbilisi, Georgia
ENDS AT
Tbilisi, Georgia
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Croatia, for the freshest oysters around
Southern Europe is home to some of the world’s favourite cuisines, exported the world over. Italy, Spain, Greece and France have all always been top of the food chain when it comes to culinary tourism, but if you’re looking for somewhere totally fresh, we suggest Croatia. We mean fresh literally, by the way, since this place has a huge coastline, naturally accompanied by an incredible seafood scene. Our eight-day trip traces the shores, and islands, from Split to Dubrovnik. We’ll explore the gorgeous pine forests and olive groves of the Lumbarda region, an underrated wine region that you’ll get to discover by sampling traditional grk, Pošip and plavac varieties. The foodie highlight comes on our last full day, however, in the unassuming town of Ston. This place is famous for two things: the oldest salt pans in Europe, and some of the finest oysters on the planet. You’ll get to sample the latter fresh from the ocean. Slurp down as many as you like before we head on to Dubrovnik.
From US$2169
Next available from 28th Apr 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Split, Croatia
ENDS AT
Dubrovnik, Croatia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Ireland, for hearty dishes and even heartier beverages
Let’s face it, you don’t associate Ireland with good food. Drinks, perhaps. This is arguably the greatest non-wine alcohol destination on the planet. A freshly pulled pint of Guinness in Ireland is one of life’s great pleasures, while there are brilliant local distilleries all over the country for whiskey connoisseurs to obsess over. Our week-long trip on the emerald isle features the brilliant Guinness Storehouse museum in Dublin – the tour ends with a crisp pint from the rooftop sky bar – and a tasting session at Dingle Whiskey Distillery. It also debunks the myth that Irish cuisine is nothing to write home about, with every meal focusing on hearty, delicious local dishes. Most notably is our visit to the small, quirky town of Kinsale. Notable for its colourfully painted streets, this is actually the gourmet capital of Ireland, and you’ll be guided on an amazing food trail around the town. Prepare to have all your misconceptions thoroughly disproven.
From US$3059
Next available from 13th Apr 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Dublin, Ireland
ENDS AT
Dublin, Ireland
DURATION
7
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
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