It’s no secret that I love food and drink, just in the same way that I love travel – in case you hadn’t noticed the title of the blog kinda gives it away – but over recent years I’ve discovered the food pilgrimage way of traveling.
Some people travel for sporting events, some to see tourist attractions, but food and drink travel is something that you’re never going to regret. Maybe it’s because I’ve been rewatching Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown for the fifth time recently, but here are 8 reasons why you need to go on a food-based holiday.
1. Understand the culture
A place’s cuisine is so intrinsically linked to its history, its culture, it’s ecology, and surroundings, that it’s one of the best ways to appreciate a country or person’s culture. For example, in Mediterranean countries, especially by the coast, there’s an abundance of fresh seafood, because of the historic fishing culture and reliance on the sea for trade. To eat is to help understand!
2. Be adventurous
If you go to a place and head straight to the nearest McDonalds, you might as well stay at home. Sorry, you’re not going to convince me otherwise. If you’re not going to dive in headfirst and try some weird food you’ve never even heard of before, then you’re missing out on part of the adventure and spirit of the destination.
3. Learn to cook
This is always one of my favourite excursions to look out for. I’ve done it before in Sri Lanka where you go into someone’s home and they show you step-by-step how to authentically make their national dishes. Not only do you get an insight into local culture, but you have an experience you can take away and recreate once you get home. My dal is 10/10 now.
4. Go to different places
If you’re seeking out specific food-related experiences, you’re going to end up going to slightly different places. Would I learn about homegrown varieties of fruit brandies if I hadn’t gone to the Azores? Probably not. Was it delicious and well worth the trip to somewhere completely different? Absolutely. Same for going to a vineyard south of Naples that served an amazing lunch. Was it in the thick of the tourist action? No. Was it the best part of that trip? Quite possibly.
5. Connect with locals
People get excited when you’re interested in their food. It’s a personal and precious thing, that they’ve poured their heart into, so they want to see you like it. There’s an appreciation that comes with eating local dishes as a tourist. You actually want to experience their culture, their town, their cuisines. That means something, in the same way, people appreciate it when you learn the language of your destination. It helps build a connection that transcends borders.
6. Discover new ingredients
Going to a food market when you’re on holiday is a whole other experience. The smells and sounds and weird, different, amazing ingredients you’re going to find are amazing. Especially if you’re coastal or on an island, try and get down to the docks or just opt for the fish of the day. Chances are it won’t be a fish you’ve ever had but it’ll be the freshest thing you’ve ever tasted. Take the risk and get rewarded.
7. Food is social
The beauty of food is that it brings people together. You can go to food courts and places with communal tables and the thing that binds you together is the food. You can stay at a hostel and cook local dishes as a group and bond over the experience. The joy of food comes from when you’re cooking for someone else and you can see that they’re enjoying it. There’s no feeling like it, it’s pure love.
8. It’s delicious
The bottom line is traveling with food in mind is damn delicious. I knew as soon as I was heading to Southern California, I was going to eat my weight in fish tacos. I knew when I went on a day trip with friends to Portland, Oregon, we were going to have Voodoo doughnuts and Salt and Straw ice cream. I knew when I was going to Naples I was going to L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele. It was one of the main things I wanted to do when I was there, the same way that people travel for specific landmarks. Food is just that good.
