Must-Visit’ Travel Destinations for Food Enthusiasts

What better way to explore a country than by discovering its local cuisines? Indulging in new culinary delights will broaden your palate as well as horizons. More than loving food itself, people mostly love what food represents. Whether it is a Michelin-star experience or a simple home-cooked meal, food speaks the story of the maker, their culture, and traditions.

A great food experience can truly convey that story with passion. And the more we travel; we start to realise how many great and wide varieties of food are out there. Thus without a doubt, food plays a major role when it comes to travelling and getting to know the unique cultures of different countries. From pakoras and chai in India to the warm pasta of Italy, below is a list of ‘must-visit’ travel destinations that we at Holidayscapes.com put together for all our travellers out there who love food!

India

Known as a foodie's paradise, India is a country that is full of many opportunities to savour the local delicacies and tantalise your taste buds.

Famous for its wide use of spices that are full of flavour and aroma, Indian food is definitely one of the world’s best cuisines. Each locale in this country has different dishes, ingredients, and methods of cooking. Such as; the food in north India is different from the food in south India. When it comes to the northern areas, there is a heavy consumption of creamy nut-based gravies, whereas in the south the use of coconut flavours and spicy chilli are favourites among the locals.

But some of the best dishes of this country that will leave you wanting more are masala dosa- a type of Indian pancake with a flavourful potato filling, Pani puri- hollow deep-fried balls made of wheat or semolina that is stuffed with mouth-watering fillings, butter chicken- chicken made with spice infused creamy sauce, panneer butter masala- cottage cheese made with a special creamy and flavourful curry, etc. But one thing you will see everywhere in India is masala chai- a classic Indian tea mixed with aromatic spices and herbs which is definitely worth the try!

All these dishes are bound to make your trip to India a special one. Thus taking in all the sights, smells, and sounds of India is a delight, but make sure to take part in traditional cooking classes and taste all its unique dishes as that will be the cherry on top of your vacation.

Thailand

Thailand is definitely at the top when it comes to countries with the best food. For four consecutive years, before 2020, Bangkok was the most visited city in the world. It was also declared by CNN that it’s the best city in the world for street food.

However, beyond Bangkok, Thailand overall is a country that is full of flavour when it comes to food. In general, the cuisine in central Thailand is much sweeter in comparison to the north where the dishes tend to be salty and bitter, and in the south where the cuisine is much spicier.

But either way, Thai cuisine is one of a kind and is something you should try at least once in your lifetime. If you visit Thailand, make sure to try Tum Yum- a hot and spicy sour broth made with proteins such as meat or seafood and other spices such as lemongrass and Thai chillies, Pad Thai- flavourful stir-fried noodles made with tofu, eggs, peanuts and vegetables, Khao Soi- a dish made with both soft and crispy egg noodles infused in a coconut sauce that’s very much like a curry.

Overall, there are many more dishes in Thailand that we are not able to fit into just one list, it is that wide and beyond delicious. So the best option is to get a customised tour package to Thailand with a food tour included and taste the amazing cuisines for yourself for a much better experience.

Mexico

Even just the thought of Mexican cuisine stirs up images of delicious dishes; from tortillas and tamales, beans and corn to tequila and margaritas, Mexican cuisine is a fiesta for the senses. Just like the country, dishes in Mexico are colourful, fiery, and far from boring. You can get to know different cooking secrets from local senoras, taste regional dishes such as chapulines, tacos, mescal, chocolate, coffee, and cochinita pibil, not forgetting the tequila, the best method to drink it, and how it’s produced.

However, among all these some of the best dishes, you will find in Mexico include; Tacos al pastor- corn tortillas served with thin strips of pork slices, coriander leaves, onions, and pineapple, Tostadas- fried corn tortillas with a delicious topping such as frijoles, cheese, seafood, and meat, Enchiladas- tortillas stuffed with cheese, meat, seafood, vegetables or all of the above and the dish is then served with a spicy chilli sauce.

Without a doubt, Mexican cuisine is one that will get your head spinning and heart thumping, and there's no better way to experience the best of the country.

Vietnam

One of the main things that many people enjoy when it comes to Vietnamese food is its sense of balance. Hot is tempered with cold, sour is served with sweet, fried is served with fresh vegetables and all their dishes have a fine harmony of colour.

With the use of different aspects of food such as nutrients, taste, and presentation, the main goal of Vietnamese food is to strike balance by giving attention to a particular set of elements per aspect.

Vietnam food is among some of the less costly cuisines out there. So if you decide to visit Vietnam, some dishes that you should definitely try are; Banh mi- a French baguette that is filled with greens and a choice of mouth-watering fillings such as beef or pork, Bun Cha- pork barbecued in a charcoal brazier served with cold rice noodles and broth, Goi cuon- a translucent spring roll stuffed with coriander, shrimp or minced pork and greens, usually eaten with a peanut sauce. Vietnam cuisine is something you should not miss out on. Its unique and wonderful flavours will surely leave you wanting more. So book a travel package to Vietnam and taste these amazing dishes and experience the country to a whole other level.

Italy

Italy is a paradise for all wine and food lovers. Pasta and pizza are loved all over the world but visit Italy and you will get to experience a wide variety of rich stews, cold meats, and indulgent desserts. Every dish in this country is made with flavourful and fresh ingredients that complement high-quality wines.

If you want to experience how the locals shop for food, make sure to visit the local markets. You can enjoy mouth-watering meals with a glass of wine while you take in the stunning beauty of the Tuscan countryside or join an Italian cooking class and get to know the delicious cuisines of the country in all its beauty.

But some of the dishes in this country that top others are; Pizza- of course, pizza does not need an introduction but there's nothing like tasting a pizza from the country it originated from, Pasta- usually made with a creamy sauce or tomato sauce, Arancini- fried rice balls filled with tomato sauce or ragu and mozzarella cheese. Among all these don’t forget to taste the famous Italian wine that goes well with any of these dishes.

Italian food is no different from its country. In fact, it tells a better story of the country, its culture, and traditions than any other. So make sure to savour these dishes and get to know beautiful Italy for yourself

With that said, food makes every vacation 10 times better. So to make your trip a special one, take the opportunity to try each one of these foods and we guarantee that this is going to be something you will miss the most once you get back home.