Striking culinary experiences across Europe not to be missed while on holiday
Food tourism is one of the most underrated forms of entertainment for people on holidays. Although visitors can enjoy great food while travelling, such tours offer a superior experience. Restaurants and chefs give their all to show how meals are prepared and reveal the beauty of enjoying food.
Luckily, considering how diverse the sector is due to the multitude of cultures, there are endless culinary adventures you can try, especially in Europe. Almost every country has something new to offer in terms of food as part of their background, so, of course, you eat a Vichyssoise soup in France, where leek and potato are staple ingredients in every household.
So, if you’re interested in transforming your summer into a culinary delight while on holiday, here are our best recommendations for places you should visit.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's experience in Scotland
Starting off with an exciting food tour, visiting the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Scotland will offer you access to some of the best flavours of Scottish whiskey from more than 100 distilleries in the area. Whether you are an expert in the drink or not, you will be able to taste rare whiskey in bottles where only the flavour is displayed on the label. This way, tasters will not be influenced by a particular brand but will improve their tastes.
After you take over the pasting phase, you can go to a traditional Scottish pub fare dinner and see how locals party! We assure you it’ll be a lot of fun. The bars are also great places to have fun with friends, as the atmosphere is usually welcoming and energetic. One thing you’ll notice is the architecture of the pub, which has various designs, from Edwardian Island bars to Shaker kitchens.
Taste Bologna classes for making pasta
Pasta is everyone’s favourite dish and is so easy to make! Still, nothing compares with the professionalism of Italians when it comes to making pasta, as it comes in different shapes and sizes, and each is best with different sauces and aromas.
So, what other place is better for taking pasta classes than Bologna, the hub for prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano? The staple dish of the region is tortellini in brodo, pasta filled with minced pork and broth, a true delicacy. The Taste Bologna tour offers the experience of cooking the dish by scrap, so you’ll learn how to make tortellini and then enjoy it with a glass of Italian wine.
Pastelaria Batalha workshops for pastel del nata
Heading to Lisbon, Portugal, we find the dish that made Bella from Poor Things lose her mind. These custard pastries are some of the best things in the world, and trying them while in Portugal is the first thing you should do.
You can also learn to make them so you can eat them at home, and there’s a special place that offers such services called Pastelaria Batalha. Pastry workshops usually take place from two PM to four PM, and they also include tasting tarts, having a drink of your choice, and taking something home. There are many other places in Lisbon where you should try the pastel de nata, so make sure you cross them all on the list.
Searching for truffles in Croatia
If you’re adventurous and want to do something exciting and food-related, we recommend you go to the Croatian region of Istria and plan a tour of hunting for truffles. Due to their scarcity, truffles are some of the most expensive produce in the world.
Besides visiting one of the most breathtaking areas in Croatia, you’ll also be able to see what it’s like to search for the rare white truffle. The best season for this activity is from September to early winter when the truffles are fresh and less expensive. Farm organisations organise many tours in the area, so you’ll only have to research the best time for the holiday.
Beer and chocolate in Brussels
Regardless of your personality type, we’re sure that beer and chocolate will impress you, especially when they’re from Brussels, Belgium, home to pralines and delicious drinks. Of course, other Belgian foods like fries and waffles are amazing, so don’t limit yourself to the rich opportunities to try out new meals.
Belgian praline is a delicious chocolate-covered candy, and while on tours, you’ll be able to taste less-popular brands that make it, not only Godiva, which is pretty well-known worldwide. Such cuisine tours offer chocolate tasting of various recipes, accompanied by strong ales, but make sure you don’t overdo it. Sour beer is another tasty drink that can include fruity flavours like cherry.
Cooking Paella in Spain
Paella is a staple dish in Spain, and while there are many ways to prepare it based on region, there’s only one true recipe that stands out. Private tours of learning how to cook Paella are available widely, and they’re great ways to get accustomed to the local cuisine.
The classes usually include an introduction to the meals’ story as well as the regular style of cooking. After all the chopping and seasoning, everyone who participates in the class will sit down and eat their creations. Paella can be served with tomato bread, green beans or garden salad, but anything that’s fresh and tasty will go well with the dish. Considering that Paella is made with rice, chicken, and seafood, fresh vegetables are welcome on the table. Additionally, a glass of white wine will take out the best of the Spanish dish.
Are you ready to embark on a gastronomical trip?
Going on holiday is always a good reason to try new foods in restaurants, but if you want to immerse yourself deeper into a country’s culture, you could research cooking tours in which you learn how to prepare certain staple meals. In the recommendations above, you’ll learn how to make pastel de nata, hunt for truffles and prepare Paella from scratch, so we can say we’ve covered the most impressive dishes and ingredients in Europe.
