If there’s one thing that you can do while traveling that connects you to the local culture it’s trying new foods and immersing yourself in the local culinary traditions. These seven adventure trips not only keep you active and exploring stunning destinations from Croatia to France to Peru to Asia and Italy, but you’ll also meet local farmers, indulge in wines right from the vineyards and experience how many local delicacies are made such as olive oil, goat cheese and more.
Foodies, get ready to satisfy your senses not only with the local fare but also in the nature that will surround you.
Overview
- Croatia Istria to Veneto Hiking
- France Provence Village to Village Hiking
- Italy Coastal Puglia Hiking
- Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Hiking
- Southeast Asia Cultural Discovery
- Lebanon Mountain Trail Hiking
- Italy Best of the Dolomites Hiking
1. Croatia Istria to Veneto Hiking
This 9-day Mediterranean culinary and cultural adventure traces Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, Slovenia’s Julian Alps and Italy’s Friuli-Venezia-Giulia regions. Foodies will not only dine on scrumptious eats but also explore this trio of countries as you take in historical settings, national parks, and go on moderate hikes.
You’ll explore the seaside town of Rovinj and its cobblestone alleys while in Croatia, in Istria you’ll take in the olive groves and vineyards, and when in the coastal village of Fazana, you’ll board a ferry for a short sail to the scenic Brijuni Islands. Then in Lim Fjord, which is known for its mussels, you’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional Istrian “Konoba” before heading to the coastal town of Porec to see its UNESCO-lit Euphrasian Basilica. Once inland, you’ll explore the truffle-rich forests and learn how to “hunt” for them and enjoy a truffle tasting paired with local red wine. When in Slovenia, you’ll head to the Skocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the following day you’ll hike down the Soca River to the valley where you’ll visit a museum dedicated to a WWI battle that took place there and end the day with a culinary experience by Slovenia’s acclaimed chef Ana Ros. You’ll also get to tour her garden the following morning. In Italy, you’ll savor the wines of Collio wine country including Friuli’s wine grape—ribolla.
This trip includes wine and olive oil tasting experiences, learning how to hunt truffles and sampling regional delicacies away from the tourist crowds. And, at the end of the day you’ll have a luxurious hotel serving up comfort in style. Read more on this 9-day epic adventure here!
2. France Provence Village to Village Hiking
As you traverse medieval towns and villages from Gordes to Lacoste during this 7-day trip, you’ll dine on culinary delights while exploring Provence’s vineyards. While exploring Saint Remy de Provence you’ll follow Van Gogh’s footsteps and enjoy a gourmet Provencal picnic. After the hike back, you’ll visit with a local producer of goat cheese and tour the farm as you indulge in a tasting. When exploring Saint Remy’s morning market, you’ll choose fresh regional produce for the day’s picnic. After an easy hike along the ridge, you’ll enjoy sweeping views before reaching the 1,000-year-old village of Les Baux de Provence where a few dozen stone homes are huddled together above the valley. Then you’ll meander the cobbled streets and stop at a working olive mill for a tasting. In Provence, you’ll visit a family farm to sample traditional fare and when in the medieval village of Gigondas, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at a local estate after a hike. Read more about this 7-day epic adventure here!
3. Italy Coastal Puglia Hiking
This 8-day hiking escapade explores Salentina Peninsula’s ancient port cities; Alberobella, known for its UNESCO-listed limestone homes; plus visit Brindisi, Ostuni, and Lecce. All the while enjoying local farm-to-table eats during your adventure.
Upon arrival in Brindisi you’ll begin with a hike inside the Natural Marine Reserve of Torre Guaceto until reaching the Guaceto Tower built 1531. The hike ends with the first taste of the region’s cuisine. Other highlights for foodies on this trip include sipping coffee with locals in Cisternino; a gourmet fish dinner; olive oil tasting at a local farm; a picnic on a trail and another in Ravine of Fantiano inside a natural amphitheater created by the quarries; a farm-to-table meal at Masseria dei Monaci; and finally a farewell dinner at Chez Zia Marcella—the home of a local who will prepare a fish dinner. Read more about this 8-day epic adventure here!
4. Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Hiking
Food lovers will discover local fare and cultural highlights on this 8-day itinerary of Peru as they hike through valleys and highland plateaus. You will visit ancient sites and traditional villages and end your trip with a half-day hiking expedition up the Inca Trail to the lost citadel of Machu Picchu. The next day you’ll have a full-day to explore the site at your leisure.
Local culinary experiences include: a fine-dining experience in Cusco at Uchu; on the way to the Urubamba Valley in Chinchinero, you’ll have a unique dining experience with agricultural engineer, Manuel Choqque, who will showcase his unique work with potatoes and a tasting of traditional uchucuta sauce made of Peruvian hot peppers, as well as his Andean tuber and potato wines. You’ll also explore Chinchero’s lively weekly market, have lunch prepared by top chefs at the Iskay Maras Home, visit the salt pans of Maras where one of the finest salts in the world is extracted, enjoy lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari—hidden in the lush fields of the Sacred Valley, enjoy a picnic with views of the Sacred Valley below, and finally take in a traditional Pachamanca lunch of poultry, potatoes, and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones using a technique that has been used since the Incan Empire. Read more about this 8-day epic adventure here!
5. Southeast Asia Cultural Discovery
Immerse yourself on this 15-day journey through Southeast Asia as you visit Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. You will also explore the Indochina Peninsula and visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the ruins of Angkor Wat, Buddhist temples of Luang Prabang, and the island of Lan Ha/Halong Bay including a 2-hour sail on a longtail boat along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. A unique experience on this trip are the laid-back islands of Don Det and Don Khon, which don’t have cars or electricity—provided only in the evenings. Culinary afficionados will enjoy a traditional cooking class on the junk while in Ba Trai Dao beach in Lan Ha Bay. Read more about this 15-day epic multi-day adventure here!
6. Lebanon Mountain Trail Hiking
Travelers will hike 23 miles of the 290-mile Lebanon Mountain Trail on this 10-day expedition. This trip is geared for the experienced hiker as you’ll take on moderate mountain hikes while exploring Roman ruins, centuries-old mountain monasteries, and ancient Phoenician cities.
The journey begins with a guided walk on the Baskinta Literary Trail, where you’ll discover landmarks associated with several writers and poets from the region, followed by lunch at a local guesthouse. On this trip you’ll visit Byblos Crusader Castle, tour Midane Square and Mema Church and Qozhaya Monastery, known as the Monastery of St. Anthony, visit Ouadi Qadicha, known as Holy Valley, and explore Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve and the UNESCO-listed city of Umayyad. Wine lovers will enjoy a wine tasting at Chateau Ksara, Lebanon’s oldest winery dating back to 1857, while in Domaine De Chouchene. Read more about this 10-day epic adventure here!
7. Italy Best of Dolomites Hiking
On this 9-day adventure, you’ll take daily hikes up the scenic trails of a UNESCO-listed mountain land and visit storybook villages while checking out all the must-see sites of the Dolomites including the most famous peaks—Tre Cime de Lavaredo and Marmolada. As you travel through Trentino, Alta Badia and Veneto, you’ll experience three unique cultures and languages.
The trip begins with mesmerizing views as you hike up to the Locia de Contrin mountain hut and through Val Contrin, Malga Contrin, and Passo San Nicolo and take in the views of Marmolada’s peaks and the panoramic views across Val San Nicolo. During your hike down through the picturesque valley, you’ll walk through flower-filled meadows and wooden huts, and end with a train ride back. You will also learn about the history of Cinque Torri and the surrounding mountain valleys as WWI battlefields including tunnels and bunkers.
Exquisite culinary experiences include: lunch at Rifugio Franz Kostner and “Ranch Andre”—a traditional farmhouse converted into a lunch spot, a traditional Ladin dinner, lunch at one of the rifugios around the Cinque Torri, and a group farewell dinner in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Read more about this 9-day epic adventure here!
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