5 Flavorful Journeys to Explore Global Cuisine

For passionate food lovers seeking fresh and thrilling tastes, a culinary adventure can open doors to exciting new flavors, whether through exclusive restaurant tips, cooking classes, or meeting fellow enthusiasts. To guide you in savoring the world's diverse cuisines, we've curated five gourmet-focused tours from members of the United States Tour Operators Association, set in some of the most stunning locales worldwide.

Each guided excursion takes away the stress by covering essentials like transport, lodging, meals, and entertainment, offering added assurance through USTOA’s $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. Tour operators meticulously craft each journey to ensure it reflects the essence of the destination while allowing travelers personal exploration. From Morocco's artisanal cheese makers to the rustic truffle farms in Central Italy and the bike-friendly wine regions of Basque Country, USTOA member operators guarantee you’ll savor every moment of your culinary escapade, from farm to table and beyond.

Sipping and cycling through northern Spain

The Basque, Navarre, and Rioja Wine Regions are known for more than just their wines; they are rich in art, history, and exquisite dining options. With charming villages, historical landmarks, rolling valleys, and winding rivers, this northern part of Spain offers endless exploration, best experienced by bike. Join VBT Bicycling Vacations for a week-long guided biking adventure through the Basque, Navarre, and Rioja regions, where you’ll pedal, sip, and savor the local delights.

Your journey begins in San Sebastián, where your guide will welcome you and lead you on a scenic warm-up ride through the Basque hills, stopping at a 13th-century church. Enjoy lunch in the vibrant town of Pamplona and immerse yourself in history with a five-star stay at one of Spain’s oldest hotels. Your biking adventure continues as you glide past the Ebro, Ulzama, and La Oja rivers, exploring idyllic landscapes and quaint mountain villages. You'll visit La Chabola de la Hechicera (The Witch’s Hut), one of the largest prehistoric burial sites in Spain, and indulge in the fine cuisine of Laguardia, tasting wine in its last underground cellar before enjoying a Michelin-star meal at your hotel—one of many unforgettable dining experiences throughout the trip.

For over fifty years, VBT Bicycling Vacations has provided travelers with remarkable biking adventures from their Vermont headquarters to locations across five continents. Guided by local, bilingual leaders, the tour operator handles every detail, from warm welcomes to support vehicles along the route and arranging that perfect romantic dinner. Their tours also include airfare, culturally immersive experiences, and numerous meals, allowing you to focus your energy on enjoying the ride of a lifetime.

Exploring the vibrant flavors of Morocco

Morocco is a vibrant tapestry of sights, scents, and flavors that embody its position at the crossroads of cultures. Not entirely European, African, or Asian, Moroccan cuisine offers a distinctive and delectable fusion of influences. To uncover authentic dishes like tagine and kaliya, a little guidance is often needed. That’s where Club Adventures steps in, presenting a 12-day Morocco Real Food Adventure that reveals the authentic side of this diverse nation, often overlooked by tourists.

From Casablanca to Marrakech, with stops at enchanting kasbahs, imperial cities, and desert vistas along the way, your Club Adventures tour will immerse you in the true essence of Morocco. Engage in cooking classes with local chefs, enjoy home-cooked meals with families, and explore bustling souks, where you’ll learn about the ingredients that shape traditional Moroccan dishes. The experience goes beyond food, as you’ll visit historical sites like the medinas of Fes and Marrakech and hike in the Atlas Mountains, marveling at the stunning Blue City of Chefchaouen and other hands-on experiences.

This Morocco Real Food Adventure is just one of nearly 1,000 diverse itineraries offered by Club Adventures. Founded by AAA to provide authentic, top-quality adventures to the AAA Federation, Club Adventures specializes in small-group tours that deliver exceptional value tailored for AAA members. Whether you prefer “Basix” or Premium options, and travel styles ranging from hiking and festivals to cycling and adventure cruising, you’ll explore the world in a way that suits you best.

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Italy

Italy's culinary scene needs little introduction. From creamy gelato and Grechetto wine to succulent bistecca and exquisite Brunello, the bel paese (or the “beautiful country”) offers a gastronomic legacy that few places can match. With Globus’ seven-day That’s Amore!: Italy By Design tour, you’ll delve into what might be Italy's greatest treasure, discovering flavors from hidden gems far from the typical routes as well as the nation’s most beloved spots, all surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and centuries-old artistic masterpieces.

Your journey kicks off in the heart of it all—Rome—where you’ll gather with your group for a welcome dinner and meet your Tour Director. Enjoy a full day to explore the Eternal City at your leisure, whether visiting the Vatican, wandering the charming streets and cafes of Trastevere, or indulging in the unique cuisine of the Jewish Ghetto. If you choose, join a local guide for an art-focused walking tour. After Rome, you’ll travel to the Umbrian town of Narni, where you can enjoy local specialties like roast lamb and manfrigoli pasta, feeling worlds away from the hustle of the capital.

As you continue your Umbria tour, you’ll visit the ancient and charming town of Spoleto, where you can engage in truffle hunting in the forests, enjoy olive oil and wine tastings in the city center, or travel to nearby Assisi to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis. To wrap up your Italian adventure, you’ll explore Tuscany, tasting world-class wines in the Chianti hills of San Gimignano—known as the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” for its iconic skyline—or joining a guided biking tour through the legendary alleys and famed trattorie of Florence. Your trip concludes with a memorable farewell dinner in Florence with your group, ensuring a perfect ending to your journey.

With over 90 years of travel expertise, Globus offers tours across much of the globe, tailored to meet diverse client needs and interests through a wide range of customizable, all-inclusive options. Guided by a local expert Tour Director, these tours encompass everything from transportation and accommodations to meals and activities, featuring daily YourChoice Excursions, with private tours available for those seeking maximum flexibility and attention. Globus provides unmatched value and adaptability worldwide.

Savor the culinary delights across the diverse regions of France

Renowned for its stunning castles, idyllic beaches, and some of the finest wines in the world, France remains the most sought-after travel destination for a reason. Coupled with a national cuisine that has defined fine dining for centuries, you’re in for an unforgettable getaway. Highlighting four distinct yet equally captivating regions, Tauck’s 13-day Normandy, Brittany, Paris, & the Loire Valley tour invites you to explore a welcoming country rich in elegance and so much more.

Entering through Paris, you’ll immediately immerse yourself in the grandeur for which France is famous, staying at the Waldorf Trianon Palace near the Palace of Versailles. Enjoy tours of Chartres Cathedral and Mont-St-Michel, as well as a delightful stay at a chateau nestled among the lush forests and royal gardens of the Loire Valley. You’ll be treated to a private cocktail reception, dinner, and a hunting demonstration at the Chateau de Champchevrier, along with a chance to view one of Europe’s most significant medieval tapestries.

After lunch and a wine tasting at the Le Moulin Bleu vineyards in the Loire Valley, you’ll head to the rugged coastlines of Normandy and Brittany, where you’ll uncover pivotal wartime history and stunning seaside abbeys, not to mention the rich artistic heritage of the charming villages. Wrapping up your journey with three nights at the exquisite Le Meurice, an 18th-century five-star hotel in Paris, you’ll indulge in some of the best haute cuisine at renowned restaurants, including a memorable farewell dinner at the legendary Fouquet’s on the Champs-Elysées.

With nearly a century of excellence, your Tauck journey features dedicated, experienced Tour Directors committed to ensuring that each escorted tour offers the finest accommodations and cuisine across all seven continents, while providing insightful context to enhance your travel experience. Each of their 100+ itineraries is backed by Tauck’s Global Support Network and Global Response Team, offering 24-hour assistance for any situation, plus the opportunity to connect with locals and access exclusive sites often unavailable to the average traveler. From lavish chateau banquets to the simple pleasure of a glass of wine at sunset, traveling with Tauck will always leave you eager to return.

Sicily: A Culinary Journey Through Time

Sicily uniquely embodies thousands of years of diverse cultures, resulting in a cuisine that stands apart from anywhere else in Italy. The island showcases influences from Northern Africa, Greece, Spain, France, and Arabia, combined with some of the finest seafood and produce on the planet due to its rich biodiversity, and cooking techniques developed over millennia. With Country Walkers’ eight-day Guided Walking Adventure in Sicily, you’ll sample the many elements that make this region so exceptional, with a special emphasis on its wonderfully intricate cuisine.

From Palermo to Catania, you’ll embark on a walking journey through ancient temples, ascend one of Europe’s largest active volcanoes, and traverse several natural reserves. You’ll savor a farm-to-table feast at Daniela Adamo’s Baglio Sant’Andrea, then learn to prepare cassata and other classic desserts. At Planeta Estate in Menfi, you’ll explore the lush grounds and taste more hyperlocal dishes paired with both indigenous and international grape varieties. You’ll also delve into Sicily’s ancient history, visiting Syracuse Archaeological Park, home to the famous Roman amphitheater and an impressive collection of Roman mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, along with over 5,000 tombs at the ancient Necropolis of Pantalica, and so much more.

Founded in a Vermont barn in 1979, Country Walkers has been welcoming travelers with the philosophy that the best way to experience the world is on foot. A two-time recipient of Dinogo’s Traveler’s Choice Award for Culinary Adventures, Country Walkers boasts a vast network of Tour Directors, Tour Consultants, and Local Guides who collaborate to ensure that every attraction, accommodation, and restaurant on their itineraries represents the pinnacle of the destination while fulfilling their promise of “active, experiential, and stunning” adventures around the globe.

While these five destinations are must-visit spots for food lovers, USTOA members provide a wealth of alternative culinary adventures sure to delight your taste buds. Explore USTOA’s tour operator database with confidence, knowing that you and your palate are in excellent hands.