The most fantastic food holidays for gourmands
If you're anything like us, food is an important consideration when deciding where to go on your next trip. Part of discovering a new culture, destination or city is delving into its gastronomic scene, eating like the locals, and learning about the history of the area's cuisine.
Anyone who enjoys cooking will love a foodie holiday where you can learn about the local produce, flavour combinations and spices that make a region's food distinctive. A gourmet getaway that includes cooking lessons or demos, like our culinary cruise of Bordeaux, is a great way to learn new skills and bring a taste of your holiday home with you.
There's always time to discover other aspects of a location on a food holiday, too. You can enjoy long walks along dramatic coastlines, an urban adventure exploring a city's culture, or a boat trip to explore hidden towns and villages. And the best part is you can recoup your energy by relaxing and refuelling with delicious local dishes.
Many of the best foodie holidays include activities with celebrity chefs, like our Venice cruise with Monica Galetti and our Bordeaux cruise with Tom Kerridge.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite foodie trips so that you can start planning your next foodie holiday now. Wherever you choose to go, you can be sure you won't go hungry...
Discover southwestern France through its foodie delights
Sarlat truffles, Arcachon oysters and creamy Rocamadour cheese are just some of the culinary treats that await visitors in the area of France that lies between Bordeaux and Toulouse, in the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. As well as a rich cuisine and wine heritage, this is a place with a wealth of history and culture, as seen in some of France's loveliest towns, cities and quaintest villages, including Bordeaux, Rocamadour, Sarlat and Carcassonne.
Wine-tasting opportunities are in ample supply here, at esteemed venues such as Château Coutet, France’s largest and oldest Barsac estate, with world-class vintages that have made its village of Saint-Emilion, a pilgrimage site for wine-lovers. A visit to Bordeaux’s contemporary, sustainably designed Cite du Vin is a fun, interactive way of learning all about the world’s most famous wine regions.
How to visit: An eight-day gourmet adventure in southern France is a wonderful way of taking in Bordeaux, the Lot Valley and the Dordogne through visits to wine estates, a cheese producer and a truffle hunter – which whom you get to go on a truffle-hunting excursion in Sarlat.
Iconic wines you will taste include Blanquette de Limoux, a local sparkling wine similar to Crémant. You’ll also have lots of leisurely meals, both as part of your tour and independently, venture to Arcachon's fish market for an oyster tasting, and browse Sarlat’s fabulous local produce market.
Sail the enchanting Venice Lagoon with James Martin or Monica Galetti
Italy’s Veneto region has colourful, picturesque islands, ornate architecture, magnificent displays of art and a deeply rooted culinary history. Unlike much of Italy, pasta isn’t central to Venetian cuisine, which relies more on rice and polenta, often accompanied by fish caught off the region’s Adriatic coast.
Modern Veneto has seven provinces, each with its own distinctive culture, character and cuisine. Some staples which are found throughout the region, like risotto, are commonly served as a primo or first course.
How to visit: With canals and waterways separating the region's highlights, a cruise is a wonderful way to explore Venice and beyond. Join us on a floating exploration of the region, and you’ll sail through the Venetian lagoon to visit Torcello, Mazzorbo, Burano, Murano, and Venice.
TV's James Martin will join you on this special cruise, hosting a private talk and Q&A session about his life and career, and a cooking demonstration on your luxury ship, the S.S. Venezia.
Alternatively, book on an S.S. Venezia sailing with another culinary icon, MasterChef judge Monica Galetti, who will also give a talk and Q&A as well as joining you on a visit to Chioggia market to see the day’s catch fresh from the boats.
Another wonderful Venetian sailing with a foodie guest is a cruise with Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett. Angela joins you on a trip to the city's bustling Rialto food market, before hosting a special onboard cooking demonstration and answering some of your questions.
A culinary and cultural journey along the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the world's most scenic coastlines, with dramatic cliffs suspended between blue skies and turquoise sea, with pretty, colourful houses adorned with vibrant Bougainvillaea nestled above peaceful harbours. The coast is also loved for its fabulous food served in elegant waterfront restaurants.
Seafood is particularly delicious, with fresh octopus, tuna and pasta dishes served with clams among the traditional favourites. Positano is the Amalfi Coast's most iconic town, with its pink and white houses tumblng down the cliffside. Finding a seafront restuarant here and tucking into some fresh seafood with views over the Mediterranean is the quintessential Amalfi experience.
How to visit: Join Good Housekeeping on an eight-day tour of the Amalfi coast and you'll have plenty of time to discover its restaurants, from Michelin-starred venues to smaller, traditional trattorias.
You'll have the chance to venture inland to the countryside of Campania, where you'll visit a local wine cellar, an ancient olive press and a working farm, where the region's famous mozzarella is still hand-made. Taste some delicious regional produce made here and enjoy a scenic drive through some of the region's smaller towns.
Feast on Rick Stein’s seafood with a stay in his shepherd’s huts or restaurant with rooms
Lazy beach days and long coastal walks are a big draw of Cornwall’s rugged north coast, where the fishing port of Padstow has become most famous for its association with chef Rick Stein, best-known for his seafood cuisine. Among fabulous beaches in this neck of the woods are Harlyn and Constantine, where you might have a refreshing swim or go surfing.
Cornwall's foodie capital has everything from Michelin-starred dining to fantastic pastries and award-winning ice cream. Meanwhile, fantastic things to do in Padstow besides eating include hiring a bike to follow the Camel Trail along the Camel Estuary almost as far as Bodmin.
How to visit: Staying in one of the six wooden shepherd's huts in the grounds of Stein's Cornish Arms near Padstow, you’ll get a three-course dinner and a picnic hamper to take to the beach, with olives, charcuterie, prawns, salad and more.
Surrounded by woodland, the huts have crisp linens, kitchenettes with coffee machines, underfloor heating and patios. You get to fuel up for your coastal adventures with breakfast at the Cornish Arms on both days, and there’ll be a complimentary bottle of Rick Stein rosé (Château Bauduc) awaiting your arrival, as well as a signed copy of his book Simple Suppers.
Alternatively, stay at St Petroc’s, Stein’s restaurant with rooms in Padstow itself, with a seafood dinner, champagne lunch, cheese and charcuterie in Ruby's Bar, bottle of wine and signed copy of Simple Suppers all included. St Petroc’s has only 10 cosy rooms, all dog-friendly if you want to bring a four-legged friend, and a perfect location for walks on the golden sands of Hawker's Cove, St George's Well Cove and Daymer Bay with its kite- and windsurfing.
Taste your way around pretty Puglia
Italy is loved for the quality of its food and wine, with some of the world’s favourite dishes originating from this Mediterranean haven. It's not just about pizza and pasta either — there's fresh seafood, creamy risotto, and a range of desserts that will woo anyone with a sweet tooth.
Puglia, the region at the heel of Italy’s ‘boot’, stands out even in a country with such a strong culinary heritage for its rich and flavoursome cuisine. Here you’ll find olive farms, historic bakeries, and Masserie — traditional stone farmhouses surrounded by sun-drenched vineyards.
The region has a rich agricultural heritage, producing a lot of the country's durum wheat, and is home to some of Italy’s most famous pastas, with orecchiette, or 'little ears' being the most authentic Puglian pasta of all.
How to visit: Good Housekeeping has an exciting six-day tour that will take you to some of the best spots in Puglia to wine and dine, with trips to famous bakeries, olive groves and Masserie with enchanting vineyards.
You'll enjoy various culinary activities, like dining at excellent local restaurants, taking informative cooking and orecchiette-making classes, and tasting locally produced olive oils. You’re certain to come back feeling inspired by the flavours of Italy.
Short breaks Unwind in the Tuscan hills and tour organic vineyards
For more Italian foodie adventures, head to the sun-kissed Tuscan hills. This delightfully rustic region in the heart of the country is known for its traditional dishes and farm-to-table dining. The area's enviable climate makes for bountiful harvests of fresh fruit and vegetables and flavoursome meat, which locals take great pride in.
Tuscans are particularly fond of their meat and cheese. You'll find street food like porchetta and tripe sandwiches and flatbreads with stracchino, ricotta or gorgonzola being sold by vendors on street corners. Of course, this region is also famous for its fine wines, with grand vineyard estates nestled among the Cypress-studded hills.
How to visit: Whisk yourself away to a castle estate nestled high in the Tuscan hills with Good Housekeeping's exclusive four-night break at Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel. You'll enjoy use of the pool and Spa, with its lush gardens.
The Castello di Casole estate has over 25 acres of organic vineyards, and you'll tour them and taste the home-produced signature reds. Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch with wine pairings, with ingredients like oil from made with olives harvested in the estate's 30 acres of olive groves.
Journey through Portugal’s picturesque Douro Valley
Portugal’s exquisite Douro Valley is a picturesque wine-producing region known for its sweeping, sun-kissed hills and rolling vineyards. Dotting these heavenly hills are centuries-old Quintas, historic Portuguese wine estates, where wine flows and sumptuous local produce is served to hungry guests.
Dishes typical of the Douro Valley region include goat stew, Bacalhau à bras (a dish made with shredded cod and potatoes), and of course, the famous Pasteis de Nata, with their perfectly flaky pastry holding a creamy custard filling.
Many Douro Valley cruises begin and end in Porto, where you can while away the hours wandering winding cobbled streets past blue-tiled houses and cafes where you might stop for a plate of salty sardines with fresh bread and a glass of port.
How to visit: Good Housekeeping's eight-day cruise along the Douro allows you to fully immerse yourself in the valley's wine culture, with stops at various vineyards to sample their vintages. Food and wine tastings are a prominent feature throughout this trip, and you'll return home knowing more about Portugal’s gastronomic heritage.
You'll glide along the Douro on the A-Rosa Alva, a boutique ship specifically designed to travel along the Douro with a sun deck for soaking in the views and a sleek onboard spa.
Alternatively, join Good Housekeeping’s eight-day tour of the Douro Valley, where you’ll visit mediaeval hilltop villages and several historic quintas and vineyards to taste their wines and learn about their heritage. You’ll also stop in Aveiro, a city often referred to as the 'Venice of Portugal' due to its network of canals traversed by colourful boats, called moliceiros, and lined with ornate Art Nouveau houses.
Relax in Portofino with chic, seafront dining
Italy's Ligurian Coast has treats for the tastebuds in abundance, along with dramatic cliffs, turquoise coves and brightly-coloured seaside towns framing its beaches. Its best-known town is pretty Portofino, which is a favourite holiday destination for good reason — especially for anyone looking for fine food and exquisite views.
What was once a quaint fishing village now boasts one of the chicest marinas in Italy, where visitors dine in excellent seafront restaurants and wander its quaint, cobble-stoned streets lined with upmarket boutiques.
How to visit: Check in to Splendido Mare, a Belmond Hotel with an exclusive four-night offer from Good Housekeeping. Your stay will include breakfast each day, which you can enjoy either in your room or in the piazzetta, with local specialties like focaccia and frittata with wild herbs or fresh daily pastries with homemade jam.
A highlight will be an included trip to La Portofinese Eco-Farm, a renewable and self-sustainable farm with honey bees, vineyards, olive trees and a butterfly garden. You'll enjoy a farm-to-table picnic here to sample the delicious produce grown and made here.
Explore the Dordogne and Feast on Michelin-starred Cuisine
Dordogne is a classic region for those who love all that is timeless about France, with medieval towns, fairytale-like châteaux, ancient walled cities, honey-hued villages, and magnificent gardens all seemingly unchanged for centuries. There are also prehistoric caves to explore and an array of foodie experiences in which to immerse yourself, including browsing farmers' markets with their stalls laden with truffles and other local produce.
Wonderful cuisine isn’t in short supply here, but there are some super-special venues for truly exceptional meals, among them Carcassonne's Michelin-starred La Barbacane. Here, amidst elegant period decor you can savour seasonal produce sourced from the region's farmers, market gardeners and livestock breeders, such as confit of farmhouse pork loin with cauliflower and capers.
How to visit: An escorted tour of the Dordogne, Albi and Carcassonne is a brilliant way to dig deep into this area of rural France with its walled towns and hilltop settlements. You’ll take in all the regional highlights, including Lascaux’s Stone Age cave paintings, Carcassonne with its medieval citadel, and Marqueyssac’s formal gardens with their views over five châteaux.
You’ll also enjoy a walking tour of charming medieval Sarlat, a traditional flat-bottomed boat ride through the Dordogne River valley, and a look at a world-class collection of work by Toulouse-Lautrec in his home town of Albi. Along the way, your tour will be punctuated by wonderful meals both as a group and under your own steam, along with other gourmet experiences such as sampling some of Cahors’ famous red wine in the town itself.
Take a foodie tour of Bologna and Modena
Bologna has a well-deserved reputation as Italy's gastronomic capital - even earning the affectionate nickname La Grassa - or ‘the fat one’. The capital of Emilia-Romagna is the home of spiced mortadella sausage, tortellini and rich ragu with homemade pasta (or, as the British call it, spaghetti bolognese).
While Bologna might take the crown as the culinary capital of Italy, it's not the only city in Emilia-Romagna where you can indulge in fabulously flavoursome produce and carefully crafted dishes. Nearby Modena produces some more of Italy's most beloved traditional foods, including tangy balsamic vinegar.
How to visit: Join Good Housekeeping for a gourmet adventure that includes a mouthwatering foodie tour of Bologna, where you'll have the chance to learn about this beautiful city through its fascinating gastronomic history.
You'll also visit Modena, where you can spend time discovering the city's history and culture, from the grand Duomo to the Ferrari and Lamborghini museums. Of course, there'll be plenty of chances to indulge in the region's delicacies, with a visit to a local Parmesan factory, a balsamic vineyard, and a family-run Parma ham producer.
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Learn how to cook like Raymond Blanc in Oxfordshire
If you're looking for a foodie staycation with a difference, consider heading to leafy Oxfordshire. This county offers wonderfully flavoursome food, thanks to its agricultural heritage and miles of fertile farmland. One particular highlight is the cheese, with many small artisanal cheesemakers rustling up award-winning varieties like the creamy Oxford Blue.
One of Oxfordshire’s most famous dining spots is Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc’s sumptuous Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons. Wander up a heavenly scented lavender-lined path to a grand honey-stone Oxfordshire manor house, home to Raymond’s cooking school, apple orchard and kitchen gardens, designer hotel and two-Michelin-starred restaurant.
How to visit: For a truly unique foodie break in the UK, you can check in at Le Manoir with Good Housekeeping for a special getaway that includes a seven-course tasting menu in the Michelin-starred restaurant. You'll also take a tour of the gardens and orchards with a senior gardener, learning about the food ethos at Le Manoir and Raymond's passion for sustainable growing practices.
Savour incredible Indian flavours along the banks of the Ganges
India is a country known for its incredible flavours and deliciously diverse cuisine, from rich curries with meat to fantastically fragrant vegetarian food. A Uniworld cruise along the country's longest and most sacred river, the Ganges, will take you through several incredible cities, giving you the chance to discover local delicacies as you go.
Of course, as you taste your way through the country you'll also discover an abundance of breathtaking historical buildings and incredible natural landscapes. There are the magnificent Hindu temples of Kalna, the artisan village of Matiari, the beautiful architectural monuments of Murshidabad and many traditional villages where you can taste unique local delicacies
How to visit: Join Good Housekeeping's cruise along the Ganges following a land tour of India's famous "Golden Triangle" which includes the cities of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.
You'll be joined on board by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, who'll give an exclusive talk about his passion for Indian cooking and join you on a visit to Kalna Market, after which he'll host a cooking demonstration with ingredients from the market.
Mix wine tastings with château and garden visits in the Loire and Normandy
Some of the world’s most flamboyant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals and spectacular gardens await in the Loire Valley, as well as exceptional French cuisine. The Loire has been nicknamed the 'Garden of France,’ not so much for its many gardens and parks as for its abundant vineyards, fruit orchards, and fields of artichokes and asparagus fields lining the river banks. It’s also dotted by vineyards renowned for their award-winning Saumur wines.
From the Loire Valley it’s not far to equally verdant Normandy, where Giverny is home to the house and garden of the most famous of the Impressionist painters, Claude Monet, who drew inspiration for some of his most famous paintings here, including Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies).
How to visit: This no-fly tour immerses you in enchanting French towns including Chinon, where Joan of Arc met the Dauphin, Amboise, with its riverside royal château, and France’s medieval capital Tours, with stylish overnighters in hand-packed hotels en route. As well as some of France's most impressive châteaux, the Loire is home to the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years, the Château du Clos Lucé, and spectacular Fontevraud Abbey.
All of the wonderful regional ingredients grown here can be seen in local markets and sampled in local eateries and in some of the area’s many welcoming wine cellars. Among local vintages are Saumur wines, which you'll get a chance to sample on a guided tour of the iconic Maison Ackerman.
Follow the prosecco trail in Veneto
As much as we love pizza and pasta, there's far more on offer when it comes to fine Italian food. Northern Italy's Veneto region has diverse cuisine influenced by its varied landscapes, ranging from the mountains along the Austrian border to the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Pasta is not the staple here, but rather rice and polenta, which are used to craft favourites like risotto, or as accompaniments to flavoursome meat dishes.
As well as its food, Veneto is also famous for its prosecco, with sparkling wines being produced here from juicy Glera grapes since Roman times.
How to visit: Book a self-driven tour of Veneto's fabulous prosecco region with Good Housekeeping and you'll get to taste these fine sparkling wines as you make your way through breathtaking countryside.
You'll have five wine tastings to look forward to, including at the Andreola-Prosecco Valdobbiadene winery, where you'll sample some of the region's best Prosecco. Between wine tours, you'll have plenty of time to set out and discover some of the region's best traditional eateries and sample the freshest of local ingredients.
Hunt for truffles in Slovenian Istria
Slovenia is a land rich in natural beauty and with a rich culinary heritage influenced by the diversity of its landscapes. Its most iconic attraction is the serene Lake Bled, nestled in the Julian Alps with a backdrop of snowcapped peaks, with a tiny island and a historic church.
It’s a somewhat underrated foodie destination in Europe, but you’ll discover vineyards, wine cellars, Michelin-starred restaurants and cosy local eateries to rival Italy and France. The country is also dedicated to sustainable tourism practices and this is reflected in its food. In fact, with seven Michelin Green Star restaurants, Slovenia is one of the world’s leading destinations when it comes to sustainable gastronomy.
How to visit: Join Good Housekeeping on a tour of Slovenia centred on its food. You’ll begin in Ljubljana, where you can wander the cobbled streets and enjoy its excellent restaurants. You'll also visit the medieval town of Kamnik, the centre of the country's craft beer production, and head into the lush green rolling hills of the countryside, to learn about local herb culture.
A real highlight will be a truffle-hunting excursion in Istria followed by a hearty truffle-themed homestead dinner.
Sample the wines of the Médoc with Tom Kerridge
The Médoc region of France is a real paradise for wine lovers. Nestled between the Atlantic on one side and the Gironde estuary on the other, this peninsula is home to four of the world's most prestigious wine-producing villages, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac and Saint-Julien.
Being surrounded by water on both sides, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Médoc has some excellent fresh seafood on offer. To accompany your wine, how about some Médoc oysters, matured in the salt marshes of the estuary, or some spiced prawns and shrimps fresh from the water?
How to visit: Discover the Médoc and the wider Bordeaux region on a special cruise with Good Housekeeping. You'll take a scenic drive or cycle along the Médoc wine route and taste some of the region's prestigious wine at a historic wine estate. You'll also get the chance to taste some incredibly fresh oysters, straight from the Médoc salt marshes.
Joining you for part of the cruise is Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge who'll host a cooking demonstration and answer your questions in a Q&A session.
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Looking for inspiration for your next holiday? Grab a cuppa and browse our brochure packed with unique escapes.
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