The Most Underrated Foodie Destinations in the World
Content and CRM Executive
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.
Jordan, for Arabic street food and an up-and-coming wine scene
Middle Eastern cuisine has been on a global rise for a while now, but most of the plaudits usually go to Israel or Turkey. Don’t overlook Jordan, though. From the bustling streets of its ancient cities to old Bedouin desert cooking techniques, food plays a huge part in the culture here. Our eight-day trip features plenty of highlights for foodies, starting with an incredible street food tour in Amman. Expect to sample some of the best hummus and falafel around, as well as a local specialty or two. We’ll wash that down with a Jordanian wine tasting – this place isn’t famed for alcohol, but there is evidence of ancient wine production here, and forward thinking contemporary producers have made Jordanian wine the impressive new kid on the block. You’ll also get the truly once-in-a-lifetime experience of visiting a local family home in Umm Sayhoun, where you’ll learn how to whip up classic Jordanian meals, from appetiser to dessert.
From US$2379
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Amman, Jordan
ENDS AT
Amman, Jordan
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
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$1167
Next available from 24th Sep 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Tbilisi, Georgia
ENDS AT
Tbilisi, Georgia
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Peru, for authentic cooking experiences and a foodie tour for the ages
Central and South American cuisine is beloved by many, but Mexico’s street food and Argentina’s barbecue culture tends to steal the headlines. Peruvian culinary culture is just as vibrant and exciting, as our nine-day tour of the country showcases. We start the trip in the city of Cusco, where you’ll get a guided visit of San Pedro market, followed by a traditional cooking class. You’ll make a classic pisco sour, an appetiser and a main course, munching down your creations before heading to Three Monkeys Coffee for a tasting session. On the other side of visiting Machu Pichhu, the Sacred Valley and Colca Canyon – plus another coffee experience – we’ll end up in the gorgeous old city of Arequipa. This place is known for its picanterias – traditional lunchtime restaurants – and we’ll embark on an amazing food tour, hopping from one to another sampling traditional dishes. It’s the perfect way to end our Peruvian extravaganza.
From US$1824
Next available from 1st Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cusco, Peru
ENDS AT
Arequipa, Peru
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
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$1844
Next available from 29th Mar 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Split, Croatia
ENDS AT
Dubrovnik, Croatia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Ireland, for hearty dishes and even heartier beverages
Let’s face it, you don’t associate Ireland with good food. Drinks, perhaps. This is arguably the greatest non-wine alcohol destination on the planet. A freshly pulled pint of Guinness in Ireland is one of life’s great pleasures, while there are brilliant local distilleries all over the country for whiskey connoisseurs to obsess over. Our week-long trip on the emerald isle features the brilliant Guinness Storehouse museum in Dublin – the tour ends with a crisp pint from the rooftop sky bar – and a tasting session at Dingle Whiskey Distillery. It also debunks the myth that Irish cuisine is nothing to write home about, with every meal focusing on hearty, delicious local dishes. Most notably is our visit to the small, quirky town of Kinsale. Notable for its colourfully painted streets, this is actually the gourmet capital of Ireland, and you’ll be guided on an amazing food trail around the town. Prepare to have all your misconceptions thoroughly disproven.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Dublin, Ireland
ENDS AT
Dublin, Ireland
DURATION
7
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Read Next
Film & TV
The Best Star Wars Locations You Can Visit With Culture Trip
Places to Stay
The Most Unique Accommodation You Can Stay at with Culture Trip
Film & TV
The Coolest Movie Locations in the World You Can Visit
Film & TV
The Best Indiana Jones Locations You Can Visit with Culture Trip
Places to Stay
The Best Luxury Desert Camps in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Places to Stay
The Best Hotels Near the Dead Sea, Jordan
Places to Stay
The Best Hotels Near the Dead Sea
Sports
A Traveller's Guide To Hiking, Biking and Scuba Diving in Jordan
See & Do
Floating in the Salty Waters of the Dead Sea
Places to Stay
The Best Wellness Retreats in Jordan
Guides & Tips
Here's Why Everyone Loves Queen Rania of Jordan
Bars & Cafes
Best Rooftop Bars and Patios in Amman for Spring and Summer
