The Best Foodie Holidays in Europe

There’s more to do in Northern Italy than drink wine, cook pasta and try every food imaginable soaked in olive oil – but who said a holiday can’t be focused on food? Between morning cappuccinos and late-night gelato, you’ll have your schedule and plate full when you visit cities like Milan, Rome and Florence. Come back home with the skills to make your own pasta by hand when you take a culinary class and more during this delicious nine-day Culture Trip dine and dash through Northern Italy.

If you think of Italy’s mainland as an all-you-can-eat buffet, then consider the island of Sicily an exclusive restaurant serving up a masterful multi-course tasting menu. Spaghetti with sea urchin; salty sardines; a crispy panino. Every delicious meal is only improved by a bubbly Aperol spritz. Capers, pistachios and sun-dried tomatoes will fill your plate and every pocket of your stomach. Explore the full range of Sicilian flavors during this eight-day Culture Trip tour of Sicily.

It’s impossible to visit Southern Italy and not take part in an unofficial food tour. The scent of lemons and olive oil will follow you from the moment you reach Sorrento, spurring you to slip into shops to sample limoncellos and oil-soaked veggies. Just when you thought you were full, Puglia’s bread and handmade pasta will find more stomach space. And we haven’t even mentioned the seafood. You might as well join an official Southern Italy food tour that adds in a street food tour of Naples, like this Culture Trip one.

When it comes to culinary European tours, Georgia is ready to wine and dine you like no other country can. It’s a place where wine was first-known to be fermented and these ancient traditions are still practiced today. Between the vino, the ancient baking practices and fresh farmer’s markets featuring other handmade goodies, you’ll have a lot on your plate when you visit Georgia. Bring an apron on this Georgia foodie tour; you’ll need it for the traditional cooking masterclass.

Cross continents on our 12-day Rail Trip that traces the historical, cultural and culinary evolution from Spain to North Africa. We’ll start in the capital, Madrid, for gazing at splendid architecture with a glass of Rioja in hand and a table of tapas devoured. Then we hop onboard the train south to Andalusia, firstly stopping at the remarkably historic city of Cordoba. The foodie highlight of the European leg of this trip is without doubt Seville, one of the best culinary cities in all of Southern Europe.