There’s nothing like an exotic culinary trip to refresh a hungry adventurer’s palate. And with the holiday season just around the corner, this may just be the perfect moment to start planning your next cooking trip. To help you pick the perfect destination for summer 2015, we bring you the finest luxury gourmet regions where you’ll be able to indulge all your senses and taste life at its best and tastiest of flavors.
1. Italian cuisine: The flavorful Dolomites: One of the most scenic Italian regions and a site of stunning natural beauty listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Dolomites are a great spot to treat your inner foodie to some flavorful national dishes and bespoke Alto Adige wines. After a day trip across the marvelous green valleys and breath-taking mountain-scapes, refresh yourself with some delicious gnocchi, dumplings, strudel and home-made wine in a rustic cozy diner in one of the local postcard villages.
2. French culinary masters: A taste of Burgundy: Famous for its wineries and pastries, Burgundyis a real treat for culinary tourists in love with French cuisine. Book your stay in the 14th century castle-come-hotel Chateau de la Barge and get a chance to learn some expert tricks on making a mouth-watering plate of coq au vin, cassoulet, wine-poached pears and boeuf Bourguignon after a tour of the local wineries, markets and cheese tasting sessions.
3. Spicy Mexico: Village food in its yummiestAnother great place to indulge your palate with some appetizing bites, scenic views of ancient pyramids and hot sessions in natural pools set in volcanic rocks, the Tepoztlan region is the ideal spot to try some famous Mexican dishes like chiles en nogada, tamales and pescado. If you’re eager to make the Mexican cuisine a part of your everyday diet, you can sign up for a culinary course and learn the Mexican grub basics from established chefs and gastronomy experts.
4. Sonoma Wine Region: Wine and dine the American way For a real taste of the U.S. life on the coast, try Sonoma. With imposing redwood forests, awe-inspiring nature parks and views of the Pacific coast, zip-line, kayak and canoe excursions and over 400 wineries and numerous rustic diners, Sonoma is the home of world-renowned superior wines and yummy dishes to go with the glass. If you decide to go on an adventure cooking trip in the Sonoma area, don’t forget to visit Buena Vista, the oldest winery in California, try some home-made wines and check out the recently opened Wine Tool Museum.
5. Chinese grubs: A culinary tour classic Although it’s one of the national cuisines that won global popularity and millions of consumers in the past decade, Chinese food still tastes best in China so if you want to take in all the spicy tangs you can spare, pack your bags and hit the Silk Road this summer. A hotpot of different cultures and national identities, Beijing is the best place to go looking for restaurants with the Peking duck on the menu. After a tour of the Forbidden City, Donghuamen Night Market, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and national parks with endangered panda species, wolf down some deep-fried lizards or centipedes for a thorough Chinese cultural experience.
6. Peruvian cuisine: The sacred Inca treasure Bravado adventurers eager to take their culinary experiences to a whole new level should definitely visit Peru and taste its delicious dishes and liquors. After the exploration of the colorful capital and its fascinating museums, markets and other tourist attractions wears you out, treat your belly to some ceviche (national dish of Peru) or marinated veggies and meat prepared the traditional Incan way (the so-called pachamanca). Also, don’t forget to visit the captivating Machu Picchuruins and try some locally made grape brandy (piscos).
7. Traditional Indian dishes: Incense, spice and everything nice: If you’re looking to add some zesty tangs to your gourmet trips, look no further than India. A country with rich epicurean tradition and culture, India takes pride in diversified dishes and flavors that will live up to your highest gastronomic expectations and standards. After a tour of the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple of Amritsar, take a bath in the River Gang and follow up with some refreshing biryani, rajma, jalebi and Gulab jaamun.
