From food walking tours and cooking classes, to Robot Cabaret shows and fine-dining experiences, these food getaways are sure to satisfy your travel hunger.
The top 10 most-booked food experiences globally, based on 2018 data from TripAdvisor and it’s no secret that Aussies love their food, with many planning their travels around experiencing the very best mouth-watering local cuisines. From a Montserrat food walking tour to a cooking class in Florence, and even a Robot Cabaret Show in Tokyo, here are the 10 most popular culinary experiences from around the world this year.
- Douro Valley Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting, Portuguese Lunch and Optional River Cruise. Porto, Portugal
The UNESCO-listed Douro Valley is famed for its port wine, but with countless wineries to choose from, exploring the region without a guide can be overwhelming. This tour ensures you’ll experience the Douro Valley at its very best, dining on Douro cuisine at a celebrated villa and tasting award-winning bottles at two estates. To see the vineyard-lined Douro River from the water, upgrade to enjoy a cruise by traditional Rabelo boat.
- Montserrat Tour from Barcelona, including lunch and wine tasting in Oller del Mas. Barcelona, Spain
Add some culinary delight to your tour of Montserrat on this day trip from Barcelona. Unlike other tours, this experience includes a Catalan lunch and a wine and cheese tasting session at Oller del Mas, a 10th-century castle set in a 1,000-acre (404-hectare) estate. Enjoy a combination of tours and free time at the monastery and basilica of Montserrat before exploring the cellars of the vineyard. Plus, receive personalised attention in a small-group setting.
- Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Tuscan Farmhouse from Florence. Florence, Italy
Travellers with a passion for Italian food can delve deeper into Florence’s culinary scene during this pizza and gelato cooking experience. Escape the city to a remote farmhouse on a relaxing Tuscan estate where you’ll master the basics of Italian pizza and gelato. The highlight of this culinary experience is eating the fruit of your labours, a great way to interact with other travellers and enjoy authentic Italian fare.
- Tokyo Robot Evening Cabaret Show. Tokyo, Japan
This wacky cabaret show at Robot Restaurant, one of Tokyo’s most popular performance venues, often sells out weeks in advance, so guarantee your ticket by pre booking. It features real robots, kaleidoscopic costumes and high-octane dancing, and offers three showtimes daily to best fit your schedule.
- New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter. New Orleans, USA
Taste your way through the Big Easy on a food tour of New Orleans’ French Quarter, stopping to sample some of the city’s most distinctive foods along the way. Exploring New Orleans food with a guide means you get a behind-the-scenes look into local kitchens, with plenty of tips on where to eat, drink, and sightsee while visiting the city. Bring an appetite for everything from beignets to brisket.
- Rome Food Tour by Sunset around Prati District. Rome, Italy
Stray from the beaten path and visit eateries favoured by Romans on a food-and-walking tour of the Prati neighbourhood. While sampling up to 20 local delicacies, some of which you might miss if exploring independently, you’ll explore the area at sunset and see Rome at daylight and dusk. Plus, a small group limited to 13 means you’ll receive personalised attention from your guide throughout.
- Sydney Tower Restaurant Buffet. Sydney, Australia
Soak in 360-degree views as you dine on a delicious buffet lunch or dinner at Sydney Tower’s revolving restaurant. From your vantage point high above Sydney, the views change as the restaurant slowly revolves during your meal. Large picture windows frame iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and, in the distance, the Blue Mountains. The buffet lunch or dinner includes a range of tasty dishes that is sure to please everyone in your party.
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour. Madrid, Spain
Explore Madrid’s culture through its tapas and wine on this guided tour, limited to a small group of 12 people for an intimate atmosphere. Exploring alongside a guide allows you to discover Spanish specialties you may never have heard of, such as chickpea stew, salted cod, and obscure local ingredients. Unlike some other tapas tours, all food samples and wine are included. Choose from a lunch or dinner departure time for added flexibility.
- Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Restaurant. Queenstown, New Zealand
Ride the Queenstown gondola to a skyline restaurant for a midday or evening meal, and enjoy scenic views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables range. At Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar, perched on Bob’s Peakat Skyline high above the mountain town, settle in for a four-course buffet lunch or six-course buffet dinner of local specialties. Each table in the restaurant’s tiered seating area boasts prime views, including Coronet Peak. On Christmas or New Year’s Eve, enjoy a themed buffet, live entertainment and two luge rides.
- Savannah Culinary and Cultural Walking Tour. Savannah, USA
Eat your way through Savannah on a small-group history and culinary tour limited to 14 people for a more personal experience. With your guide, pop into several restaurants and food stores that specialise in authentic Southern classics, and sample food while picking up bits of Savannah history along the way. After your tour, get a map of your food route, so you can go back to places you liked during your visit.
