Our favorite food destinations
Food is one of our favorite reasons to travel. What says more about a culture than what they eat?
Last week, we shared some of our top destinations for food travel. This week, we continue with some of our other favorite food destinations.
So many of our clients are gastronomes and wine lovers. Going to a new destination for food and experiencing a different culture on a plate is one of the joys of traveling!
Food capital of Spain: San Sebastien
The Basque city of San Sebastián is a true food lovers paradise. It has been called not just the food capital of Spain, but one of the best gastronomic cities in the world. Donostia, as the city is known to the local Basque people, sits on the north coast of Spain. It is home to countless Michelin-starred restaurants, pintxo bars, markets and gourmet food shops. Actually, it has one of the highest number of Michelin stars per square foot.
The San Sebastián food scene is all about the freshest local produce and items. The markets of San Martín and La Bretxa are great stops for those curious to see these special products (and even sample them). For most Spaniards, eating is an essential part of spending time with friends and family. This is so true in San Sebastián, where going out with friends or family always revolves around food.
Porto, Portugal
If you’re a foodie, then you’ll love tasting your way through Porto. It’s considered the heart of Portugal’s gastronomic scene. Porto is a charming city with a rich and multifaceted food culture. From its fresh seafood to the hearty dishes of the nearby countryside, there is so much to taste when you visit Porto. The home of Porto wine, the city is also full of dazzling architecture, typical tiles, and all set along the beautiful river side. The city is being recognized and gaining popularity by travelers for being an affordable destination with good year-round weather. Coupled with a great food and wine scene and its size (small enough to see a few days) its a great city break.
Perhaps worth the trip alone is the signature dish of Porto, the francesinha. Consisting of chunky slices of chorizo, ham, or steak—sometimes all three—layered between two slices of thick bread, melted cheese and sometimes a fried egg on top, its not the prettiest dish in Portugal. However, its an institution in Porto!
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most vibrant cities. Full of elegant and special restaurants that range from Michelin quality to European vibes, you can also find a wealth of typicaly Moroccan gems here. Marrakech is also the epicenter of Moroccan street food. Go to any of the souqs or the Jemaa el-Fna to find snak kiosks with such tasty and unique food items as merguez (Moroccan spicy sausage) and teyhan (stuffed camel spleen). In more traditional restaurants, gastronomes cannot miss trying Bessara, a local broad bean soup, simple and delicious. Or perhaps the national dish of tagine – a traditional clay pot in the shape of a cone.
More than just vibrant souks and markets, there is amazing architecture, museums and sites you cannot miss in Marrakech. Coupled with its gastronomic scene, its one of our favorite destinations in this special country.
Istria, Croatia
If you appreciate good food and wine, Istria has an abundance of hotspots where you can indulge in unforgettable gourmet experiences. The region is famous for its beautiful beaches, lush fields and hills, and tiny towns rich in historical and cultural heritage.
Istria is also a region full of vineyards and olive groves. Although Istria is best known as a tourist destination with crystal clear beaches and a pleasant climate, it has in recent years been “discovered” as a top gourmet destination for gastronomes and wine lovers. Though we still visit the region for its natural beauty, make sure to also indulge in Istria’s world-renowned wine, olive oil, truffles, and cuisine.
Traveling for food
We hope that some of these destinations inspired those of you gastronomes and wine lovers to plan a trip. We cannot wait to show what we can organize for our food loving clients in these special spots.
Contact us to start planning today!
