Olives. pepper and artichokes at a market in Catania, Sicily
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A growing number of travelers are choosing immersive food and wine experiences to understand better and connect more deeply with the places they visit.
“Food is one of the most authentic ways to understand a place because it reflects history, geography, traditions, and community all at once,” says Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington, a company specializing in luxury tours.
“The experiences travelers remember most are often the ones they didn’t know to look for and often revolve around food and culture,” she adds.
Research from the IMARC group identifies culinary tourism as one of the fastest-growing segments of the hospitality industry. This trend includes such diverse activities as:
- Visits to food and wine producers
- Tours of historic public markets
- Participation in local food festivals
- Dining at destination restaurants
- Touring food and beverage trails
- Visits to food museums
- Taking hands-on cooking workshops and classes
- Booking farm stays
According to a 2026 Skyscanner report, travelers are increasingly opting for “supermarket safaris” over restaurant reservations, not only in search of local brands and flavors unavailable in their own countries but also in search of authenticity.
Consequently, Kensington and other luxury small-group tour operators are developing specialized itineraries across the globe that showcase the fundamental connection between food, wine, history and local culture.
Culinary Travel: 10 New Small Group Tours
Friends taking a traditional Mayan cooking class
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Here is a capsule summary of 10 new culinary tours in this rapidly expanding niche:
From Kensington Food & Wine Collection
Greece: A Taste of Island Life – Sifnos & Paros
This tour of Sifnos and Paros, which begins in Athens with a private visit to the Acropolis, promises a genuine sense of Greek island life. This itinerary includes visits to neighborhood markets, family-run tavernas, cooking traditional recipes in a local home, and visiting a multigenerational winery.
Croatia: Croatia Island Hopping Adventure
This route from Dubrovnik to Split via Korcula, Hvar, and Solta Island emphasizes the region’s agricultural heritage through tastings of local olive oil, honey, and wine. Travelers engage with producers dedicated to ancestral traditions, visit family vineyards to sample rare indigenous varietals, and enjoy authentic farm-to-table meals.
Japan: Flavors of Northern Japan – Tokyo to Hokkaido
This food and wine itinerary includes an introduction to Tokyo’s back-alley food culture, tastes of the coastal flavors of Sendai and Matsushima Bay, and a visit to Hokkaido, renowned across Japan for its seafood, dairy, and agricultural heritage with sake tastings, fresh fish markets, and a visit to a family winery in Yoichi along the way.
From Smithsonian Journeys Food & Wine Walking Itineraries
Trails of France: Walking The Vineyards of Burgundy
On this nine-day journey, guests take guided walks to wine estates, legendary châteaux, markets and explore some of the most beautiful villages in France.
Trails of Spain: Walking the Vineyards & Towns of Rioja & Basque Country
Set in the Basque Country in northern Spain, this tour allows guests to follow the Camino de Santiago and explore the vineyards of Rioja, the culinary riches of Bilbao, and the geology of the Basque coast.
Trails of Italy: Walking the Vineyards & Villages of Tuscany & Piedmont
This tour offers the opportunity to explore two of Italy’s most prestigious wine appellations and sample iconic regional foods. The tour includes a stay at an agriturismo near San Gimignano.
From Abercrombie and Kent Tailormade Journeys
Starting in Lima, guests dine at venues ranging from gourmet restaurants to traditional rustic haciendas, sampling dishes that reflect the country’s unique blend of cultures. Experiences include mixology classes, a Peruvian cooking masterclass, meeting with local corn farmers in the Sacred Valley, learning about indigenous ingredients and ancient cooking techniques, and visiting a liquor distillery.
Vietnam: Cultural and Culinary Adventure
Guests discover the many flavors of Vietnamese culture and cuisine, sampling local favorites, meeting with farmers in the Mekong Delta and eating mouthwatering meals at Michelin-starred restaurants. The journey includes a cooking class to learn regional specialties, sipping Hanoi’s famous egg coffee at a cafe, and sampling noodles from street vendors.
From Passage Journeys Inaugural 2027 Journeys
Florence at the Table by Carla Capalbo
Led by Carla Capalbo, an authority on Italian food, wine and regional culture, this curated tour provides an insider’s perspective to the country’s rich heritage. It includes olive oil tastings, vineyard visits, a tour of a local market, and a hands-on cooking class showcasing traditional Tuscan recipes from handmade pasta to rustic sauces, led by an expert chef.
The Living Provence by Joseph Rosendo
Led by storyteller and travel expert Joseph Rosendo, this tour through France’s Provence region is designed to go beyond sightseeing to foster a more personal connection with the destination. In addition to exploring historic towns like Aix-en-Provence and Arles, it offers opportunities to engage with local traditions, enjoy Provençal cuisine, and discover the region’s vineyards, markets, and Mediterranean coastlines.
Waiter taking food order from group of friends in Japanese Izakaya
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As a group, these tours reflect a shift in travelers’ tastes: moving from seeing a place and its iconic attractions to savoring its food, history and culture. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply a curious traveler, you’ll find a culinary tour to satisfy your craving.
