Top Foodie Tours for Group Travel

Italy is still top dog when it comes to food, and whichever part of the country you visit offers something different, from bolognese is Bologna to olive oil in Puglia, but our top tip is to prioritise the island of Sicily. Experience the true meaning of la dolce vita as you soak in the sunshine, Aperol Spritz in hand. Our eight-day trip around the island begins with a Sicilian cooking class in Palermo, before heading to the Madonie Mountains and tasting wine in Castelbuono. After a detour on the Aeolian Islands we’ll head to Mount Etna for a hike and lunch on a farm that takes advantage of the volcano’s fertile grounds, before another cooking class in Taormina. Next is the charming old Sicilian markets of Syracuse and then the beautiful baroque towns of Val di Noto, home to fine chocolate producers and the world’s greatest gelato, before ending the trip with a farewell dinner in Catania.

Love Japanese cuisine? This epic 12-day Rail Trip from Osaka to Tokyo is an extensive ode to the many different cultures, landscapes and cuisines of this magical country, taking in the trendy city scenes and traditional rural treats of Japan’s best destinations. Start with ramen in Osaka, the foodie capital, learn how to make okonomiyaki pancakes in Hiroshima and explore the wonders of the Nishiki food market in Kyoto. We’ll detour to the Japanese Alps for a sake tasting, before finally arriving among the neon lights of Tokyo, where you’ll get to visit a fish market and master the art of sushi rolling – and yes, you do get to eat your delicious creations too.