Now that we’re all done dressing up for Halloween, it’s officially time to prepare for the Holiday season. If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan like me, I understand how much you love the holiday season and want to make the most out of it. As much as I like hanging out with my family for Christmas Eve dinner and singing Christmas carols at the top of my lungs during car rides, I think it’s best the perfect time to plan a culinary vacation.
For those who don’t know, culinary vacations are one of the hottest travel trends in 2022. It’s when vacationers and travelers plan their travels based on the new food items and cuisines they want to explore, try, and learn about. While some people like me do it for the love and passion for food, many others do it to grow on their local food blog websites.
With the Holiday season approaching, many families wonder what they can do differently to make this time even more special. This is a serious concern among people who don’t have bigger families and friend groups to spend the holidays with. This is when it becomes ideal for exploring the culinary destinations of the world while learning about how different cultures celebrate the holiday festivities.
If you’ve made up your mind to be out and about this holiday season, here are the top culinary destinations you should check out.
Mendoza, Argentina
I developed a passion for exploring vineyards and regions with famous wines around the world when I explored a small wine distillery for a wine-tasting event in Virginia. After that experience, I wondered how fun and exciting it would truly be to go on a similar experience abroad, especially in a country that’s known for its exquisite collection of wines and lots of appetizing food.
Some research on the internet led me to Mendoza, Argentina, which has everything you want to explore during the Holiday season. Mendoza, Argentina, is the ideal culinary destination for people who like to enjoy the full package, including large portions of scrumptious food, lots of laughs, an unlimited supply of delicious wines, and multiple adventures throughout the experience.
One thing Mendoza is known for throughout Argentina and the entire world is its highly famous and luxurious wineries and wine-based restaurants. While wines are the best part of all these restaurants, they also serve elaborate multi-course meals for lunch and dinner, impressing anyone who visits them for the first time.
With all the stunning views of the Andes, there’s no doubt that Mendoza will make the perfect spot for you to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas, especially if you’re looking to spend some quality Holiday season as a couple. You can even plan this trip for your significant other as a Christmas present, especially if you’re into grand gestures. Make sure to take lots of aesthetically pleasing pictures of your food as you dive into the tender steaks and creamy cheesecakes.
Paris, France
When you think of Paris, food is the last thing to come to mind. While it’s one of the top places to give you an incredible travel experience with all its historical monuments and architecture, luxurious brands, shopping malls, and the classic Eifel Tower, Paris is also an extraordinary culinary destination if you plan your food itinerary smartly.
When you’re looking for the top foodie destinations in France, the first thing you should do is try to speak to the locals. The locals and French residents in Paris are likely to know best about the food scene in the city, especially if you’re looking to try all the famous French pastries that you’ve always heard about.
Eating locally throughout your trip to France will instantly amplify your sightseeing experience, whether you’re traveling solo or with loved ones. The best part about this travel experience is that you’ll find authentic French croissants and macrons nearby the Eiffel Tower on a local stand. Similarly, if you’ve watched Emily in Paris, there’s a high chance you’ll want to try all the cuisines that make France the fascinating and special country it is.
For example, your trip would be incomplete if you didn’t explore a foodie destination in France that serves items like escargot or fried frog legs. If you’re looking for a food-related activity to make the most out of your culinary vacation in Paris, make sure you head towards all the famous street food markets in the city. This is where you’ll see all the local food magic you’ve been wanting to explore.
While you can go on this adventure on your own, you can also book a tour of these markets to try out all the foods and beverages that make Paris such an incredible travel destination.
Tuscany, Italy
Many tourists and vacationers often try to choose between Italy and France when planning a culinary vacation. While your budget may influence your choice, if you have a flexible spending budget, I recommend you visit both destinations. It’s because France is all about trying new food and enjoying its aroma, while Italy is more about learning all the intricate cooking methods and the history of multiple European cuisines that originated in the country. For instance, macarons are a French pastry today. However, they were first introduced by two nuns in Italy, who eventually branched out to France.
The Italian food scene is one of the best, especially if you travel to Tuscany during the holiday season. Whether you want to try a fresh bowl of pasta made from scratch or the authentic Margherita pizza with the aroma of fresh herbs and tomato sauce, Italy is the place you should go to.
The best part about traveling to Italy during your culinary vacation is that you won’t necessarily have to spend much on food when eating locally. It’s because most eateries in Italy are significantly reasonable and affordable for travelers compared to France and other European countries.
San Sebastian, Spain
If you ask me about my favorite foodie destinations in the world, I’d have to say Spain is on top of my list. The local cuisine in Spain is all about an instant burst of flavor and energy, especially if you like your main courses a bit spicier and healthier. Unlike American food, the best foodie destinations in Spain significantly focus on serving the perfect portion size with a high protein content without compromising on taste or texture.
San Sebastian is one of the best foodie destinations in Spain. Despite not being as extravagant as the restaurants in Paris or France, the local Spanish cuisine in the city is worth every bite. San Sebastian is truly heaven on Earth for a foodie like me who like to munch on homemade snacks and appetizers by the beach.
The city consists of multiple high-end restaurants with spectacular bars and cafes that serve gourmet-style authentic Spanish food to welcome international travelers. If you’re not necessarily a fan of fancy cuisines, San Sebastian is one place that you should check out, especially when traveling solo for the holidays.
New York City, The USA
Culinary vacations don’t necessarily have to be international when you can spend the most enjoyable holiday season in a different state than yours. If there’s one city in all of the United States that celebrates the holiday season like no other, it’s New York City. From its Christmas celebration to the festivities on New Year’s Eve, New York City’s holiday scene is known among the masses all over the world.
Therefore, if you’re on a limited travel budget this holiday season, you can always take a quick road trip to New York and try all the culinary spots that are now making their name in America. NYC is home to some of the best chefs worldwide. It’s where you can try some noodles, snacks, pizzas, hotdogs, hamburgers, and any dessert that comes to mind.
However, remember that NYC gets unimaginably cold during the holiday season. Therefore, make sure you pack accordingly and always have a caffeine fix sorted to keep you warm throughout your time walking through the NYC streets. Furthermore, if you have a local food and travel blog to update, NYC is one of the best spots to get started.
Tokyo, Japan
As a true sushi fan, I have to say that Tokyo should always be on your culinary vacation list, especially during the holiday season. Tokyo is one of the most hospitable cities worldwide, known for its local food markets and authentic sushi freshly served with multiple sauces in Japanese restaurants. If you’re looking to try new seafood before the end of this year, Tokyo should be on your top foodie destination list.
If you’re looking for more insights on some of my greatest travel experiences around the world, feel free to check out my local food and travel blog website at Irina Bukatik. Feel free to share your comments and concerns with me today!