Food, glorious food!

Tour Hosts Review
 by Sheri Leigh

"If you haven't tried feijoada, You don't know beans about Brazil." Food is the best way to immerse yourself in a country’s culture. Are you dreaming of a glass of Chianti Classico, and a plate of grilled porcini leisurely enjoyed in the verdant hills overlooking Florence? Perhaps you’re thinking of "Exploring Rome Through Its Open-Air Markets”? Or how about discovering “Vietnam’s fresh cuisine”? Whatever your dreams of culinary heaven are – elaborate French sauces, fresh grilled Italian meats and vegetables, Basque country cuisine or heavenly deserts – one of this month’s featured tour hosts is sure to satisfy even the most robust craving.

For those travelers looking to live with and learn from a master chef in his own kitchen, and those of his friends, we have the husband-and-wife team of Jean-Pierre and Denise Moullé. The Two Bordelais were both raised in Bordeaux and their trips offer a glimpse into a world not often seen by outsiders. On one tour, Jean-Pierre creates meals at his own farmhouse and in the 13^th-century Chateau La Louviere, providing the chance to compare the earthy cooking of the country with the elegance of formal affairs. Other tours are just as diverse. The combination of country markets, fresh garden veggies and an insider’s look into the secrets of Bordeaux make Two Bordelais this month’s selection for “Pick of the Month.”

Umberto Menghi’s Villa Delia hotel and school, located in Ripoli di Lari, offers 10-day, nine-night cooking courses in a small Tuscan village. The course specializes in pasta, Tuscan bread making and general Tuscan cuisine. Mornings are for classes where you prepare that day’s lunch, and afternoons are dedicated to exploring the local markets, vineyards and all the sites that make Tuscany so special.

Offering classes held in the kitchens of world-class restaurants of Michelin-starred chefs, Les Liaisons Delicieuses is your passport to 11 regions in France. Not only do you study and dine at some of the world’s most renowned restaurants, each trip is enhanced with dinner and conversation in local homes. By offering the opportunity to experience French life behind the scenes, the trips explore not only the food, but the regional and cultural factors that shape individual dishes.

For a taste of Spain’s regional variety, two companies focus on Spanish cuisine. “Eating My Way Through Northern Spain” tells the story of just what to expect with Cobblestone Tours in the Basque region.

A Different Spain's  “Cooking with the Masters” trip offers in-depth, hands-on cooking classes highlighting the regional specialties of a wide range of traditional Spanish cuisine. Both companies incorporate the wine and history of the regions with their culinary specialties.

For independent-minded travelers looking for flexibility in dates and accommodations, The International Kitchen has a great way to customize your culinary holiday. The company offers travelers more than 70 different programs throughout France, Italy and the U.S., with trips available on request for groups as small as two people. Providing all the arrangements to make your trip a pleasure without a group timetable, The International Kitchen allows travelers to choose both the level of accommodation and the intensity of courses. For a glimpse of what to expect from The International Kitchen’s programs, “How to Wake up in Italy” provides valuable insight.

If a truly custom itinerary is your desire, Discover Paris can lead you through a journey of discovery of “The Macaroon - A Mouthful of Heaven” in Paris. For Paris outdoor markets, French Links Tours offers custom planning and private tours.

These hosts are just a few of the 30+ culinary companies CulturalTravels.com lists. If you’re looking for a specific trip idea, don’t miss our new Trip Search feature. View trips by theme, country, month or any combination of them. This is just another way CulturalTravels.com is helping travelers find the trips of their dreams.