10 unmissable destinations to see spring in full bloom
Channel some flower power with a trip to see cherry blossom, bluebells, poppies and more in some of the most fragrant places in the world….
As the seasons change and spring arrives, countries around the world are bursting into bloom. From soft pink cherry blossom in the cities of Japan to sprawling poppy fields in the US, colourful floral spectacles make for a truly memorable travel experience. Here is where to go to see spring in full bloom, plus what to eat and what else to visit whilst you're there. For more spring travel inspiration, check out our guide to the best spring holidays around the world and our top picks of where to go in April. For cherry blossom, visit… Japan When: The season for viewing the beautiful, blush-hued flowers of cherry blossom – or sakura – season peaks from late March to early April. Parks, riversides and castle grounds turn everything from soft pink to fuchsia, and nighttime yozakura illuminations add an extra magical touch. Where: The best places for hanami – or flower viewing – include, of course, the capital, Tokyo. Bring a picnic and a bottle of sake to admire over 1,000 cherry trees in Ueno Park, or head to Chidorigafuchi to take a boat ride along the moat under the blossoms. In Kyoto, Maruyama Park is known for the Gion Shidarezakura, its famous 10m tall weeping cherry tree, while the Philosopher’s Path is a canal lined with hundreds of trees. Further afield, Mount Yoshino, in Nara, is one of the country’s best blossom destinations, featuring around 30,000 trees of over 200 varieties which carpet the mountain in vivid shades of pink. What else to see: In Tokyo, don’t miss sights such as the busy Shibuya Crossing, the elegant Imperial Palace, the views from the Tokyo SkyTree, or the magnificent Senso-Ji Temple. Temples are the main draw in Kyoto, especially the golden Kinkaku-Ji and the iconic hillside Kiyomizu-dera. Where to eat: For incredible cheap eats in Toyko, head to ‘Ramen street’ in the lower level of the main railway station, where tasty bowls of noodles cost less than a fiver. Splashing out? Head to Michelin-starred Sézanne in the Four Seasons Hotel for delicious seafood. In Kyoto, spend time at Nishiki Market, crammed with over 100 different stalls and restaurants where you’ll find everything from mackerel sushi to rolled omelettes. For tulips, visit… The Netherlands When: Peak tulip bloom occurs between mid-April and early May, when the fields are at their most vibrant. This year, Amsterdam’s annual Tulip Festival takes place from 19 March to 10 May. Where: Every autumn, over seven million flower bulbs are planted by hand in the Keukenhof Gardens, 40 minutes drive from Amsterdam, to flower in spring. With over 800 varieties on display across 32 hectares, and a colourful Flower Parade, it’s an unforgettable experience. Back in the capital, the Bloemenmarkt is a pretty floating flower market on the Singel canal, and you’ll see banks of beautifully-arranged blooms in the Vondelpark. The fields at the family-run Tulip Experience are home to four million tulips of every hue including red, yellow, pink, orange, purple and white. What else to see: Check out the Rijksmuseum, famous for its Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. Confront a dark past at the sobering Anne Frank Museum, browse the independent boutiques around the canals at de 9 Straatjes (the 9 Streets) or take a free ferry to Noord’s NDSM Wharf, a former shipyard turned cultural hotspot with a mix of events, flea markets, bars and restaurants. Where to eat: Grab some traditional Dutch fare, from stamppot (smoked sausage and mash) to suddervlees (beef stew) at Moeders, treat yourself to a huge slice of apple pie at the legendary Winkel 43, or sink a beer with a side of bitterballen in a historic – still-working – windmill at Brouwerij ’t IJ. For more, check out our full expert guide to the best restaurants in Amsterdam. For almond blossom, visit… Spain When: The best time to see these creamy pink and white flowers is from late January to March, when miles of almond trees bring landscapes to life. Where: The island of Mallorca is one of the finest locations to see the almond blossom, creating what locals call ‘Mallorcan snow’. Around five million almond trees bloom across the countryside, particularly in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, and the small towns of Felanitz and Petra. Petra is located in the heart of the Pla de Mallorca, an area known for its dense almond orchards. For panoramic, elevated views of the flowering fields around the town, head to the Bonany Sanctuary, which overlooks the countryside. The Lecrin Valley, south of Granada, features picturesque villages like Nigüelas, Dúrcal, and El Padul which are also surrounded by blooming trees. What else to see: In Mallorca, visit the impressive Gothic Palma Cathedral; wander the pretty village of Sóller, set in a lush, orange-grove-filled valley, and known for its historic wooden train; or go hiking in the Tramuntana mountains. Granada is best-known for its magnificent Alhambra Palace, but it’s also a great place to watch a flamenco show. See our best Spanish trips for more ideas. Where to eat: Start your day with a traditional ensaïmada pastry at one of Palma’s oldest bakeries, such as Ca'n Joan de S'Aigo, then go for contemporary Mediterreannean cuisine at Bistro Escencia. In Granada, head to a traditional tapas bar like Bodegas Castañeda for slices of tortilla or a paella, washed down with a glass of vermouth. For bluebells, visit… Wales When: In April and May, the gardens, woodlands and pathways of Cymru are carpeted with this fragrant, colourful flower, also known as the wood bell, fairy flower, and wild hyacinth. Where: The Great Gardens of West Wales comprises seven spectacular gardens spread around Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion; Picton Castle and Gardens boasts 40 acres of gorgeous woodland gardens and grounds, while nearby Colby Woodland Garden is renowned for its spectacular spring bluebell displays. Spread over eight acres of tranquil, steep-sided valley, its woodland paths are covered in bluebells, as well as camellias and azaleas. In Carmarthenshire, Dinefwr Park boasts one of the most famous, and most-photographed, bluebell displays in Wales, when the castle woods and Rookery Ridge become carpeted with the cerulean flowers. What else to see: Pembrokeshire is known for its stunning beaches – visit Tenby, whose Castle Beach was awarded the title of ‘Britain’s best’ in 2019. Head out for a hike in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only national park in the UK to be focused primarily along dramatic coastline. And don’t miss the striking Cathedral of St Davids (known as Britain’s smallest city, with a population of less than 2,000). Ancient castles pepper Carmarthenshire, from Carreg Cennen, set on a steep hilltop, to Castell Llansteffan, perched on a windswept cliff. Check out our guide to the best hotels in Wales to find the perfect place to stay. Where to eat: Tuck into a steaming plate of mussels or lobster and chips at The Stone Crab near Tenby or one of the amazing field-to-fork dishes at Paternoster Farm in Pembroke, from Mangalitza porchetta to truffled celeriac soup. In Carmarthenshire, head to St Elli’s Bay in Llanelli for crab au gratin or monkfish scampi with a view that looks over the tranquil Loughor Estuary and the rolling hills of the Gower Peninsula. See our guide to the best restaurants in Pembrokeshire for more. For sunflowers, visit… Argentina When: Sunflowers in Argentina are best viewed in late spring, when they begin to bloom, all the way through to their summer (in February) when they reach their peak – and can grow up to three metres in height. Where: The sunflower fields are seen in the pampas grasslands of agricultural regions, particularly along routes leading to the beaches in Buenos Aires province. A positive, sunny symbol of prosperity and joy, this flower is so widespread in the region that it even has its own national festival, the Fiesta Nacional del Girasol. Every February, this celebration takes place in the town of Carlos Casares, three hours from Buenos Aires. What else to see: Carlos Casares is a quiet, authentic town with attractions including the peaceful Parque San Martin, the cultural hub of Paseo La Trocha and the elegant Palacio Municipal. In Buenos Aires, don’t miss a visit to the Recoleta Cemetery – final resting place of Evita Peron – explore the colourful buildings of Caminito, and stroll the atmospheric streets of the historic San Telmo neighbourhood. Where to eat: Carnivores will appreciate the number of parillas – traditional steakhouses – in Buenos Aires; try Parilla Peña in Callao or Don Julio in Scalabrini Ortiz for classic cuts including picanha, ribeye and T-bone. Or choose a historic cafe such as Bar Británico in San Juan for its range of platos del dia. For roses, visit… France When: Late spring going into early summer sees cultivated roses and perfume fields reaching their peak. Where: Grasse, located in the hills above the French Riviera, is the world’s perfume capital, and its Rosa centifolia blooms, used in many fragrances – including Chanel No 5 – peak in early to mid-May. The Roseraie du Val-de-Marne, half an hour from Paris, was the world’s first rose garden. It was created in 1899 by professional cultivator Jules Gravereaux, who had a collection of over 1,600 varieties. What else to see: In Grasse, the International Museum of Perfume details the history of fragrance and its creation, while the Museum of Provencal Fashion showcases dresses and jewellery from the 18th and 19th centuries. Swerve the obvious tourist traps in Paris and delve into the Catacombs, explore the boho, multicultural neighbourhood of Belleville, or explore the fascinating Sewer Museum. Where to eat: Paris’ historic, 19th century bouillons were created to provide affordable meals for working men, with lavish, art nouveau interiors; the likes of Bouillon Chartier are worth the queues, with classic French dishes from pork terrine to garlic snails and duck confit at bargain prices. See our guide to the best hotels in Paris for a memorable stay in the capital. In Grasse, try Lou Pignatoun for traditional Provencal dishes such as pissaladière, salade nicoise and fougasse. For hydrangeas, visit… The Azores, Portugal When: The Azores are famous for their wild hydrangeas, which line roads, fields and volcanic hillsides across the islands. The first blooms appear in late May to early June. Where: São Miguel, the largest island, has some of the most photogenic road displays, where the flowers create long blue, purple and pink corridors. Take the road between viewpoints around Sete Cidades, known as the ‘Hydrangea Highway’. Faial is nicknamed the ‘blue island’ because of its many hydrangeas, best spotted along roads around its central caldera, or on coastal roads near the capital, Horta. What else to see: The landscapes of the Azores are often wild and rugged, perfect for hiking, or swimming in lagoons and thermal springs. On São Miguel, visit picturesque waterfalls such as the Cascato do Salto do Prego or take a dip in the bubbling waters of Caldeira Velha. A boat tour of the volcanic caves on Faial is a must-do. We've picked our best Portuguese food trips for more inspiration. Where to eat: Try cozida das furnos, a hearty stew cooked underground by thermal steam, in a restaurant like Restaurante Tonys in Furnas on São Miguel. Taberna Azeveda, on Faial, does Portuguese classics from bacalhau to grilled octopus. For poppies, visit… the USA When: Peak poppy time generally falls between March and May, after winter rain helps create huge carpets of wildflowers. Where: The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is the most famous, iconic and reliable poppy bloom in America. Across its 1,700 acres are dedicated trails and viewing areas, and hillsides turn bright orange and gold with the state’s symbolic flower. Less crowded is the Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County which offers massive, sweeping and dramatic wildflowers, including California poppies. What else to see: Antelope Valley is just over an hour’s drive from LA, where you’ll find plenty of attractions including the Griffith Observatory, hikes around the Hollywood Sign and lively Venice Beach. SLO County is best known for Hearst Castle – the inspiration for Xanadu in Orson Welles’ movie, Citizen Kane – but don’t miss the wineries of Pasa Robles or a kayak tour of picturesque Morro Bay. Where to eat: LA has dozens of great food markets, including Grand Central Market, packed with stalls selling everything from tacos to sushi, and the Original Farmers Market where traders specialise in everything from Asian to Cajun, Korean and Brazilian food. In San Luis Obispo, stop off at the fabulously-decorated Madonna Inn for a decadent slice of its famous pink champagne cake, or tuck into smokey grilled meats at the Old San Luis BBQ. For magnolias, visit… China When: Magnolias are deeply associated with spring, where the flower has long symbolised purity and nobility in Chinese culture. The best displays appear from late February through to April. Where: The best places to see them include include the historic temples and palaces of Beijing, including the magnificent Summer Palace, Dajue Temple and the Forbidden City, where white and pink petals contrast against golden roofs and the red palace walls. In Shanghai, popular spots include Minhang Cultural Park, which boasts over 1,200 magnolia trees, the Chenshan Botanical Garden and the People’s Park. What else to see: In Beijing, stroll historic Tiananmen Square or take a trip out of the city to see the Great Wall at Jinshangling. A walk along Shangahi’s Bund is a must, for gazing at futuristic architecture on one side of the Huangpu River and a mix of neoclassical, art deco and beaux arts buildings on the other. Where to eat: The Da Dong chain is regarded as one of the best places for Peking Duck in Beijing; try another local staple, hot pot, at one of the branches of Donglaishun. In Shanghai, tuck into their famous xiaolongbao – soup-filled pork dumplings – at local institution, Jia Jia Tang Bao (there are several branches in the city). For azeleas, visit… South Korea When: Vibrant pink azaleas – known as cheoljjuk – bloom throughout South Korea from April to early May. Where: Gunpo Royal Azalea Hill Park, a half-hour drive south of Seoul, boasts one of the country’s most famous azalea displays, when hundreds of thousands of royal azaleas blanket the rolling hills in pink and magenta. An annual festival is held here in late April, with art installations, performances, and night lighting that make the hills glow after sunset. Hwangmaesan Mountain, in the south, is arguably the most dramatic azalea landscape in the country, where vast alpine meadows are covered in these beautiful flowers. What else to see: Don’t miss Seoul’s magnificent, 14th century Gyeongbokgung Palace – time your visit for the Changing of the Guard ceremony – or a trip to the top of the N Seoul Tower, for panoramic views of the city. You can also take in traditional and contemporary art at the Leeum Samsung Museum. Where to eat: Eat like a local at Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Seoul and great for authentic street food; you can sample anything from from tteokboki (sweet and spicy rice cakes) to bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), and mayak gimbap (seaweed rolls). Try bibimbap (warm rice topped with beef, vegetables and egg) at Bebab in Hongdae. More travel guides Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
10 unmissable European road trips for food lovers
From alpine cheese trails to sun-drenched seafood routes, these delicious drives serve up the best of Europe's culinary landscapes…
There’s nothing quite like hitting the road for a few days away, especially if you’re going in search of good food. Pack your appetite and hop into the car for a selection of flavour-filled journeys. Whether you want to scoff snails in Burgundy, or feast on fresh fish in the Pelopponese, here are the 10 best places in Europe to find the most unforgettable meals via wheels…. For more memorable journeys, check out our guide to 8 breathtaking train journeys across the world and the best European city breaks by train. Plus, check out 8 lesser-known Italian islands worth visiting for a gourmet getaway. 10 best European road trips for food lovers UK: Southwest 660 Starts: Poole, Dorset Ends: Penzance, Cornwall This scenic, 660-mile route around England’s south-west peninsula specifically focuses on the coasts of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. While we’re not suggesting you do it all in one go, pick a few key destinations and plan your journey around some of the best foodie locations in the UK. Set off from Poole, one of England’s prettiest seaside towns, after fuelling up for the drive at the Custom House Cafe on the harbour (for anything from a toasted tea cake to asparagus Florentine) and head to Lyme Regis. Here, in the ‘Pearl of Dorset’ on the Jurassic Coast, you can tuck into tasty fish and seafood at Rockfish, overlooking the bay; all ingredients are local and sustainably sourced, such as scallops, Dover sole, gurnard and hake. Next, motor on to Lympstone, a charming East Devon village set by the River Exe. Treat yourself to a decadent meal at Lympstone Manor, overseen by one of Britain’s most renowned chefs, Michael Caines. The fine dining restaurant has a variety of menus where you’ll find dishes from Cornish turbot to lobster salad and roasted pigeon. Off to Padstow, you have the choice between two other celebrated restaurants: Rick Stein’s The Seafood or Paul Ainsworth’s No. 6. Stein celebrates 50 years of his opening in Padstow in 2025, and the current menu features classic dishes from the past five decades, from Dorset oysters to sea bass with beurre blanc and Indonesian seafood curry. At No 6, the menu is a little more experimental, with dishes such as beetroot with smoked eel or veal sweetbreads. End your road trip in stunning Penzance, legendary home of pirates, known for its artistic influences and quirky architecture. Settle in for a classic cream tea at a cosy cafe like the Honey Pot (you can even have a savoury tea) or sink a pint of local cider at the historic Admiral Benbow inn, decorated with a fascinating collection of shipwreck artefacts from the past 400 years. France: Burgundy Starts: Dijon Ends: Beaune The Burgundy region is famed for great food and wine, and is home to some of France’s most classic dishes, such as boeuf bourgignon, coq au vin and duck confit. Start a road trip in the elegant capital of the region, Dijon, and try local delicacies such as oeufs en meurette – eggs poached in red wine sauce – at renowned gastronomic restaurant, Meurette et Persille. Stock up on historic mustard brands such as Maille, Grey Poupon or Le Moutarderie Fallot – Dijon has been producing this spicy condiment since the Middle Ages. Then it’s on to the small town of Nuits-St-Georges, best known for Pinot Noir wines. Plan a visit to Domaine de l’Arlot, a biodynamic winery offering guided tastings and vineyard tours, or Maison Moillard, a historic house which also produces cremant. Head to nearby Pommard, synonymous with full-bodied reds – stop by Château de Pommard, founded in 1726, for a wine-tasting session coupled with a deep dive into the local terroir. End the trip in Beaune, and visit Hélice, L'Escargotier Beaunois to learn about how the local snails are prepared and cooked, and sample them too. Enjoy a range of the best local dishes at the restaurant, Au Coq Bleu, and finish with a plate of regional cheeses, including the pungent Epoisses Berthaut, nutty Abbaye de Citeaux and creamy Délice de Bourgogne. Greece: Peloponnese Starts: Kalamata Ends: Nafplion This scenic route through the Peloponnese isn’t strictly linear, but it’s packed with strong Mediterranean flavours and rich culinary traditions that make it worth the detours. Begin in the coastal town of Kalamata, famous for its plump, dark olives – try them fresh at the local farmer’s market (known as the Agora) or paired with mavrodafni, a sweet, fortified regional wine. Tuck into hortopita (pie with greens and feta) and stifado (meat stew) at Kardamo, or fresh, grilled fish and seafood, cuttlefish risotto or steamed mussels at Notias. Next, head south to the rugged Mani Peninsula and stop in the stone village of Areopoli, where the food is as unpretentious as the landscape. Sample wild greens, sfela – a salty, brined sheep’s cheese often served grilled – and honey sourced from Mani’s aromatic mountain wildflowers. Drop into friendly, family-run Taverna Vaggelis for lunch, which specialises in barbecued meat, or the cosy To Mavromichaliko, where you’ll find dishes such as stamnato, beef stew cooked in a clay pot. Continue to Monemvasia, a fortified medieval town clinging to a rock off the coast. Dine inside the castle walls at Chrisovoulo, where seafood and local specialties like skioufitha pasta are served with a glass of malvasia wine. End your journey in charming Nafplio, a seafront town full of neoclassical architecture and culinary charm. Try kreatopita (meat pie), honey-laced desserts and wines from the nearby Nemea region. Aiolos Tavern offers simple Greek classics, from moussaka to fava bean purée, made with fresh local produce, while Omorfo Tavernaki delivers a more rustic, deeply traditional experience. Discover more inspiration with our picks of the best Greek food trips, from must-visit islands to mainland hotspots. Spain: Basque country to La Rioja Starts: San Sebastian Ends: Logroño From pintxos to Tempranillo, this lovely route serves up the best of northern Spain’s bold, wine-soaked flavours. Begin in San Sebastián, the gastronomic capital of the Basque Country. Snack your way through the Old Town with a pintxos crawl along Calle 31 de Agosto – don’t miss txangurro (spider crab), gilda (skewers of anchovy, olive and pickled guindilla pepper) or talo con chistorra (a corn flatbread wrapped around sizzling sausage). Make sure you order a glass of crisp, sparkling txakoli wine, if only to see how the waiters pour it from a great height. For a refined – but expensive – take, book a table at Arzak or Akelarre, both Michelin-starred temples to avant-garde Basque cuisine. Next stop is Bilbao, where modern culture meets culinary tradition. Tuck into bacalao al pil-pil (salt cod in a garlic emulsion), marmitako (tuna and potato stew) and pastel de cabracho, a rich scorpionfish pâté. Soak up the city’s ornate heritage at Café Iruña, or go cutting-edge at Nerua, inside the Guggenheim Museum. Don’t miss La Ribera Market for a local pintxos fix. Next, drive to Haro, the beating heart of Rioja Alta wine country. Visit Bodegas Muga, Bodegas CVNE, or La Rioja Alta for tastings amid century-old barrels, and sample hearty local fare like chorizo riojano (a mildly spicy pork sausage) and patatas a la riojana (potato and chorizo stew). Dine at Beethoven Restaurante for traditional Rioja dishes, or try Los Caños for rustic, local charm and a slab of moreish Basque cheesecake. End the road trip in Logroño, where the tapas-bar-lined Calle Laurel forms the perfect finale. Try pinchos morunos (spiced pork skewers), setas a la plancha (garlicky grilled mushrooms) and local sheep’s cheeses. For casual eats, hop from Bar Soriano to Bar Ángel; or go upscale at Ikaro, where Riojan tradition gets the Michelin treatment. The Netherlands Starts: Gouda Ends: Maastricht This trip pairs the country’s finest cheeses and beers with a scenic route through its most delightful cities. Begin in Gouda, where the eponymous cheese is king. Time your visit to catch the Gouda cheese market (Thursdays, April–August), or taste young, aged and herbed varieties at ’t Kaaswinkeltje, the city’s oldest cheese shop (dating from 1880). For something sweet, head to Kamphuisen Siroopwafelfabriek for warm, freshly pressed stroopwafels (flat waffles made with syrup). Next, make your way to Utrecht, where medieval canals meet a lively, youthful food scene. Try a broodje bal (meatball sandwich) or an uitsmijter (fried egg sandwich), and for something different, book a spot at Kaasbar Utrecht, where cheeses glide past you on a conveyor belt. For a more refined dinner, De Goedheyd offers upscale seasonal fare in a heritage building. Wash it all down with organic brews from De Leckere Brewery. Then stop in Breda, a southern city with a Belgian edge. Don’t miss Brabantse worstenbroodjes, the region’s beloved sausage rolls, along with zoervleisj, a sweet-sour beef stew. For something more upscale, head to Restaurant Chocolat, where Dutch cuisine gets a French twist, or enjoy cheese platters and sandwiches at Koffie bij Teun. Sample bold new brews at Frontaal Brewery, a rising star in Dutch craft beer. Pause in Eindhoven for a quick bite of poffertjes (mini pancakes) before continuing to Maastricht, a city that feels more Belgian than Dutch. Try Limburgse vlaai (fruit pie), pungent Limburger cheese and rich stews like zoervleisj at Café Sjiek, and visit Brouwerij Bosch, a historic brewery offering tastings and tours. Italy: Calabria Starts: Cosenza Ends: Pizzo Adventurous, rustic, and unapologetically fiery, Calabria serves up southern Italy at its most soulful. This journey from mountain towns to seaside villages offers a taste of the region’s most iconic ingredients – from spicy ’nduja (a spreadable sausage) to sweet red onions and rich, hand-shaped pasta. Start in Cosenza, a historic hill town with a lively culinary scene. Sample fileja – the region’s twisted pasta – served with creamy tomato and ’nduja sauce, followed by pitta ’mpigliata, a spiced, honeyed pastry filled with raisins and nuts. For dinner, try A Cantina Cosentina for Calabrian classics or Calabria Bella for seasonal, locally sourced dishes just steps from the Duomo. The next day, head onwards to Pizzo, the birthplace of Tartufo di Pizzo, a decadent, cocoa-dusted gelato bombe filled with hazelnut or chocolate sauce. Enjoy it in its purest form at Gelateria Bar Dante, the original café that put it on the map. Try local specialties like Pecorino del Monte Poro cheese and grilled coastal fish at Pepe Nero, a favourite for classic Calabrian cuisine. Spend a couple of days in Tropea, Calabria’s jewel on the Tyrrhenian coast. The star ingredient here is the cipolla rossa di Tropea – a sweet red onion protected by PGI [Protected Geographical Indication] status. Taste it caramelised on focaccia, folded into seafood dishes, or raw in summer salads. For dinner, try Ristorante Pimm’s for a modern spin on regional ingredients, or Terrazza degli Dei for hearty, traditional fare with a gorgeous view out to sea. The trip ends in Scilla, a postcard-perfect fishing village wedged between cliffs and sea. Known for pesce spada (swordfish), the town’s signature dish is grilled or rolled with herbs and breadcrumbs. Dine at Il Casato, perched above the beach with sweeping views, where you can enjoy seafood-infused fileja and marinated local olives. North Macedonia Starts: Skopje Ends: Ohrid It might not be the first place you think of going for good food, but North Macedonia blends Ottoman heritage, Balkan traditions and hearty, homespun flavours. Begin in the capital, Skopje, where the streets of the Old Bazaar overflow with smoky grills and colourful spice stalls. Start with ajvar – a smoky roasted pepper spread – followed by tavče gravče, the national dish of slow-baked beans and kebapi, sizzling grilled meat sausages served with fresh bread and onions. Head to Destan for a classic kebapi plate, and Pivnica An for traditional fare and local brews. Then travel west to Tetovo, in the shadow of the Šar Mountains. This town’s rich cultural blend is reflected in its food – think selsko meso, a rich pork, mushroom and pepper claypot stew, alongside pita (flaky pastry filled with cheese or meat) and fresh mountain trout. Dine at Sharri, a local favorite for hearty, regional dishes. Next, head south to Bitola, a charming town of Ottoman architecture, cafés and broad boulevards. Sample pastrmajlija, a spiced meat pie often dubbed ‘Macedonian pizza’, alongside ajvar with local cheeses. Try Pepsito, a warm, traditional restaurant by the Dragor river. Finish up in Ohrid, where cobbled lanes lead down to one of Europe’s oldest and clearest lakes. Dine on fresh Lake Ohrid trout, grilled or cooked peka-style under a bell-shaped lid, and sip orahovnica, a walnut liqueur popular with locals. For lakefront views, head to Kaneo Restaurant, or tuck into hearty, traditional fare at Taverna St. Sofija. Portugal: West Coast Starts: Lisbon Ends: Porto A road trip along Portugal’s wild west coast offers a heady mix of Atlantic views, historic towns and some of Europe’s most delicious food. Begin in Lisbon, where the scent of grilled sardines and warm pastéis de nata fills the air. Tuck into bacalhau à Brás – salted cod scrambled with eggs and potatoes – and slurp up amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, clams in garlic and coriander. For a variety of bites under one roof, head to the famous Time Out Market. Or go classic at Cervejaria Ramiro, a Lisbon institution famed for shellfish. Then detour inland to Évora, a UNESCO-listed town in the Alentejo region. This is hearty, rustic cuisine at its finest – think açorda alentejana (bread soup with garlic and poached egg), migas (fried bread or tortilla chips mixed with pork or seafood) and full-bodied local wines. Dine at Tasquinha do Oliveira, a local favourite. Continue back to the coast and stop in Nazaré, a fishing village known for its giant waves and beachside seafood. Try grilled sardines straight from the boat, rich caldeirada (fish stew) and pão com chouriço – warm, smoky sausage bread sold fresh from the oven. Enjoy a relaxed meal with sea views at A Tasquinha. Wrap up in Porto, a city of granite facades and tiled churches. Sample a francesinha – a mighty, towering sandwich of steak, ham and sausage smothered in melted cheese and beer sauce – at Café Santiago, or try a modern take at Cantina 32. Don’t leave without sipping the city’s namesake Port wine; cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia for tastings at historic cellars, such as Graham’s or Cockburn’s. Check out our guide to 7 Portuguese food trips for more travel inspiration, including a seaside break and exploring the country's rural heartland. Switzerland: Alpine region Starts: Montreux Ends: Zermatt Snow-dusted peaks meet indulgent comfort food and crisp mountain air in this divine journey through the Swiss Alps. Start lakeside in elegant Montreux. Dip into a bubbling pot of fondue moitié-moitié – a blend of Gruyère and Vacherin cheeses – then feast on filets de perche, fresh from Lake Geneva. Sip chilled white wines from the terraced Lavaux vineyards, just minutes from town. For lakeside dining, try Le Museum for specialities from raclette, served with boiled potatoes, pickles, and cured meats, to Charbonnade, a tabletop grill where you cook your steak yourself. Next head into the hills to Gruyères, a medieval village crowned with a castle and steeped in dairy heritage. Visit La Maison du Gruyère for a deep dive into the making of the region’s iconic AOP cheese, and stay for lunch. For dessert, indulge in a slice of tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tart) or the local delicacy: crisp meringues with double cream. Dine at Le Chalet de Gruyères, a picture-perfect alpine restaurant. Afterwards, journey to Interlaken, set between lakes Thun and Brienz, and framed by towering peaks. Try crisp potato rösti – often topped with cheese or bacon – alongside Berner Platte, a carnivore’s fantasy of sausages, smoked meats and sauerkraut. Sample regional beers at Husi Bierhaus, or go for more classic dining at Restaurant Taverne in Hotel Interlaken. End your gourmet adventure in Zermatt, home to the Matterhorn and a haven for mountain cuisine. Enjoy a Walliser Teller – a platter of cured meats, pickles and cheese – and dip crusty rye bread (Zermatter Roggenbrot) into a final molten raclette. For sweeping views and authentic fare, book a table at Zum See, a remote mountain inn beloved by foodies and hikers alike, or Restaurant Schäferstube for hearty Valais specialities. Romania Starts: Sibiu Ends: Bran This taste of Transylvania combines medieval towns, mountain views and heart-warming dishes rooted in tradition. Begin in Sibiu, a charming Saxon town with cobbled lanes and pastel façades. Tuck into hearty local fare like ciorbă de burtă (creamy tripe soup), smoky mici (grilled sausages), and plăcintă cu mere – a flaky apple pie, often served warm. Dine underground at Crama Sibiană, a vaulted cellar restaurant, or opt for a modern spin on tradition at Kulinarium. Next head to fairytale Sighișoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval citadels. Feast on sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), caltaboș (spiced liver sausage) and papanași – Romania’s iconic fried doughnuts served with sour cream and jam. For atmosphere, try Casa Vlad Dracul, located in the reputed birthplace of Count Dracula, or go upscale at Joseph T. Restaurant. Drive onwards to Brașov, a lively city ringed by mountains and Gothic architecture, where you can dig into rustic dishes like mămăligă (polenta), bulz (polenta stuffed with cheese and bacon) and ciorbă rădăuțeană, a garlicky chicken soup with sour cream. Cosy up at La Ceaun for traditional stews or head to Sergiana for tasty Romanian-Saxon fusion. End your trip in Bran, famous for its castle but equally rich in rural cuisine. Sample game dishes like venison stew, colțunași (dumplings filled with cheese or meat) and homemade cheeses. Casa din Bran offers traditional dishes in a rustic mountain setting, while Restaurant Bran Belvedere adds spectacular castle views to your final feast. More travel guides The best health and wellness retreats for foodies Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known cities 5 destinations at the cutting edge of sleep tourism Best romantic hotels Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best European city breaks 10 unique walking holidays for foodies Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known destinations
The best UK islands for food lovers to visit
Get a taste of island life without leaving the UK, from Jersey to Mersea, here’s where to find the best unique produce, restaurants and secret beaches
Want to explore the UK's islands? Check out Laura Millar's insider recommendations below, then take a look at the best UK food trips for solo travellers, the best day trips from London by train or the best small towns in the UK for foodies. The UK is positively spoiled for islands; we have over 6,000 of them (mostly in Scotland). And being surrounded by water means they have access to incredible fish and seafood, although many are also teeming with cattle, deer and sheep, meaning a bounty of ingredients on offer to residents and visitors alike. Here are eight of the best which foodies should book a trip to, stat…. Best UK islands to visit Anglesey Boasting over 120 miles of coastline, Anglesey is renowned for its natural beauty, alluring beaches, historic sites like Beaumaris Castle, and landmarks like the Menai and Britannia bridges. But it’s also known for great food, particularly seafood, thanks to its location on the Menai Strait, which means fresh mussels, oysters and even lobster (try the latter at the Lobster Pot in Church Bay). Also harvested from the Strait is Halen Môn, or Anglesey Sea Salt, a quality salt known around the world for its unique taste and used by chefs and food lovers worldwide. The island is also home to a traditional dish, Anglesey Eggs, a baked dish of eggs, mashed potatoes, leeks and cheese – proper comfort food. You’ll find classic Welsh dishes all over the island, from bara brith – a yeasty bread speckled with dried fruit – to lobscows, a stew made with beef, marrow bone, onions, carrots and potatoes, and Welsh cakes, whose deliciousness comes from its mix of lard, sugar, currants, sultanas and raisins. For lunch with a view onto the Great Orme headland, try the Tavern on the Bay which uses local, seasonal produce, or book into Dylan’s by the Menai suspension bridge for mussels mariniere. Anglesey even produces wine; head to Red Wharf Bay Vineyard for a tasting of their white, made from the Spanish Solaris grape, and red, made from the Rondo. visitanglesey.co.uk Where to stay: The cosy Treaddur Bay Hotel overlooks the sea and has 39 charming rooms decorated in bright, marine colours. There are two restaurants on-site – one serving more pub-style food – with the likes of lamb cawl, pan-fried sea bass, and seared scallops on the menu. Doubles from £143, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Jersey The largest Channel Island, Jersey’s food scene packs a rich and colourful natural larder into its 45 square miles. Farm stalls, food markets and restaurants all make the most of the island’s unique produce, from the delicate, nutty Jersey Royal potatoes (Jersey’s most famous export, with UK Geographical Indication (UKGI) status) to creamy milk, butter, cheese, yoghurt and ice-cream from the distinctive dairy cows which have lived and grazed here for over 200 years. It’s also known for its fresh, delicate oysters, which grow in the nutrient-rich waters of the Royal Bay of Grouville, and sweet, succulent lobsters. Jersey produces wine too; La Mare Wine Estate is the most southerly vineyard in the British Isles, and has gained international acclaim for its sparkling wines (tours from £16.95). Try the fab fish and chips or a Jersey crab sandwich at beachside bistro Le Braye on St Ouen’s bay, or barbecued lobster served with aioli and Marie Rose sauce from Faulkner Fisheries a little further up the coast. At award-winning Ocean at the Atlantic Hotel, executive chef Will Holland offers a ‘Taste Jersey’ tasting menu featuring everything from Jersey scallop carpaccio to roasted retired Jersey dairy cow and Jersey yoghurt mousse. You can also take a tour of Jersey’s food markets with a chef from the island’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Bohemia (£119 per person), or follow the Jersey Oyster Trail around Grouville bay, followed by a sampling session at the Seymour pub and restaurant (£25 per person). jersey.com Where to stay: Longueville Manor, in St Helier, is arguably Jersey’s finest hotel and comes with a fantastic foodie pedigree thanks to long-standing head chef, Andrew Baird. He often catches his own seafood, and makes good use of the hotel’s kitchen garden as well as other locally-sourced ingredients from scallops to squid. Doubles from £275, check availability at booking.com or britishairways.com Skye Named by Lonely Planet as one of the ‘best epicurean regions’ in Europe, Skye, the biggest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is also known for rugged landscapes, medieval castles and charming fishing villages. Here, in its pristine waters, you’ll find some of the country’s best seafood, from hand-dived scallops to langoustines and wild trout. The fertile land supports game and foraged ingredients from sea astor to wild mushrooms. For some of the finest ways to taste these, head to Scorrybreac, which overlooks the harbour in colourful capital, Portree. Helmed by chef Calum Munro, you’ll find anything from barbecued scallops to Hebridean crab, venison or lamb on the menu, with breathtaking views of Ben Tainavaig and Skye’s Cuillin mountains a bonus. Multi-award-winning Three Chimneys, a fine-dining restaurant with rooms, sits on the shores of sparkling Loch Dunvegan; dinner is a five or seven course extravaganza featuring the likes of loch-caught crab with asparagus, grilled hake or lamb navarin. Said to offer the best brunch in the Hebrides, Café Cùil – which started life in East London, run by Skye-born chef Clare Coghill – serves up fresh local shellfish, Isle of Skye black pudding, hand-foraged mushrooms and berries, and reinvigorating spicy bloody Màiris with views out to Loch Harport. Don’t miss a trip to the Torabhaig distillery, on Skye’s south coast, for a dram or two of their fine single malt scotch whisky. Check out our 10 foods to eat in Skye for more inspiration. isleofskye.com Where to stay: Sitting in splendid isolation on the shores of Loch na Dal, Kinloch Lodge is a handsome former 17th-century hunting lodge turned luxury hotel. The 18 cosy and comfortable rooms come with loch or mountain views, and the hotel can arrange anything from fly-fishing to foraging tours. Doubles from £660, check availability at booking.com Tresco, Isles of Scilly Tiny Tresco, which only measures 1.15 square miles, nonetheless has some delicious food with which to impress visitors. It makes the most of its proximity to the sea, so you’ll find local delicacies such as lobster, crab and mackerel, including from nearby Cornwall, but also beef from the herd of cattle which grazes on 160 acres of pasture here. These ingredients are served throughout the island’s only four restaurants (we told you it was tiny!). At the Ruin Beach Cafe on the east coast, from where you can see across to St Martin’s, you’ll find Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as aubergine parmigiana but also dressed crab and fish stew with samphire, while at The Flying Boat Cafe, expect the likes of Cornish scallops with 'nduja butter or hot smoked trout. Time your visit for Tresco’s biannual Low Tide event, a completely unique one-hour, lunar tide experience where a pop-up festival takes place on the sandbars between Tresco and neighbouring Bryher. Here, the Hell Bay Hotel dispenses drinks and locally-produced spirits, while local suppliers Island Fish serve fresh seafood. tresco.co.uk Where to stay: The charming shore-front New Inn, in New Grimsby, offers 16 beautifully decorated rooms with either a sea or countryside view. It also has its own cosy restaurant, serving up anything from smoked haddock chowder to market fish with seaweed potato rosti, lobster roll with garlic butter, and crab sandwiches. Doubles from £232, check availability at tresco.co.uk/staying/the-new-inn Isle of Wight Thanks to its extra sunshine – the Isle of Wight gets 37 hours a week compared to the national average of 29.7 – its local produce is bigger, juicier and bursting with flavour. One of the most spectacular is its tomatoes, which benefit from the island’s rich soil, warm temperatures and long daylight hours; Isle of Wight Tomatoes supplies many local stockists and can be ordered online. You’ll also find some great garlic, which grows exceptionally well in the nutrient-rich, chalky soil; the family-run Garlic Farm, near Sandown, produces around 20 types, including the giant elephant garlic, and has a shop and restaurant on site. Here you can buy delicious chutneys, condiments, beer, salad dressings and more, or order the likes of burgers, linguine and chicken salad – all full of garlicky goodness. The island’s warmer waters mean sea life thrives; take a walk to Steephill Cove in Ventnor and pop into the Crab Shed on the seafront for one of their legendary freshly-caught crab pasties or mackerel ciabattas. The Hut at Colwell Bay is a small, rustic beach bar turned iconic IoW restaurant, serving everything from fish tacos with mole sauce to locally-caught lobster, with a side order of stunning views over the Solent. Pop into the Mermaid Gin distillery for a taste of their unique spirit, flavoured with locally-foraged botanicals and seagrass, or for something different, a glass of the UK’s only blue – yes, really – sparkling wine at Adgestone vineyard. If you’re a fromage-o-phile, check out the award-winning Isle of Wight Blue and Gallybagger hard cheese from the Isle of Wight Cheese Company, and don’t leave without sampling ‘the best sausage roll in the world’ – according to chef James Martin at least – at WW Woodford & Sons butcher in Bembridge. visitisleofwight.co.uk Where to stay: The Terrace Rooms and Wine in Ventnor is a boutique, six-bedroom hotel, with sea views; stays include wine tastings and breakfast. Doubles from £200, with 25% off Red Funnel ferry travel to the island if you book both via redfunnel.co.uk Mersea Measuring only five miles long and two miles wide, Mersea – which sits off the Essex coast just twenty minutes from Colchester – may be small, but it packs a mighty punch when it comes to seafood. Since Roman times, oysters have been cultivated here, and today they end up in some of the finest restaurants in the UK. You’ll find the Colchester rock oyster, which lives naturally on the seabed and is available year-round, and the Colchester native, harvested from September to May in the shallow tidal creeks off Mersea. These creeks, along with the island’s distinctive marshes, bring in nutrient-rich North Sea water which mixes with freshwater to give the oysters their unique flavour. The best place to try them is at seafront The Company Shed, run by Tom Haward, part of an eighth-generation family of oyster producers; be quick though, they run out quickly. If you’re faced with disappointment, order a hefty dressed crab platter instead, or, for classic fish and chips, head to the Mersea Fish Bar on West Mersea High Street. To find out more about how oysters are farmed, head to the Colchester Oyster Fishery by Pyefleet Creek on the other side of the island. They’ll explain the process, and you can also buy fresh oysters to take away. Take a trip out on the water by boat to admire the coastline (£50 for 30 mins for 10 people) - if you’re lucky, you might spot a trawlerman or two bringing in a haul. visitmerseaisland.co.uk Where to stay: The White Hart Inn, on West Mersea, is a stylish, contemporary pub-with-rooms not far from pebbly Monkey Beach. Head chef Ed Campbell, who previously worked for the Galvin brothers, uses local produce for his modern British seasonal menus. Doubles from £125 including breakfast; check availability at whitehartinnmersea.co.uk Islay If you’re a whisky-lover, you’ve come to the right place; Islay, the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides, is home to nine distilleries. Thanks to its abundance of peat, pure water and barley, whisky production is said to have started around the 1300s, by Irish monks who brought over the art of distilling. The oldest registered distillery, Bowmore, was established in 1779, and at one point, there were an impressive 23 distilleries here. The Distilleries Coast Walk takes you from the harbour town of Port Ellen to Laphraoig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg (Islay whisky tends to be intense and smoky, thanks to the peat, and Ardbeg is said to be the peatiest and smokiest of them all). You can do tastings and tours in all of them, with stunning sea views to enjoy along the way; look out for local wildlife from seals to deer and eagles. Also worth visiting is Bruichladdich, which dates from 1881 and is one of only two distilleries on the island which bottles on-site, or, if you’re more into gin, The Botanist, the first gin distillery on Islay. To accompany all these incredible spirits, you’ll find utterly fantastic local produce here too, particularly oysters, lobster, lamb and venison. Try the freshest, biggest oysters at The Oyster Shed on the north coast, either raw, or in an ‘Islay Buoy’: three deep fried oysters served in focaccia with seaweed hot sauce, little gem lettuce, tomato and pickled cucumber. The restaurant at the beachside Port Charlotte Hotel serves local scallops, oyster and lobster: give the hot Islay seafood platter a go, or try the venison burger instead. islayinfo.com Where to stay: Another Place, The Machrie, is an exceptionally-designed 43-room hotel with its own championship golf course and wild garden wellness experience. You’ll find everything from Loch Gruinart oysters to Islay scallops, Port Askaig lobster and local beef, lamb and game on the menu at its 18 Restaurant and Bar. Doubles from £245, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Guernsey Like its big sister Jersey, Guernsey has an impressive food scene of its own. Great fish and seafood are a given, and, like Jersey, the island has a distinctive breed of cow – the Guernsey Golden – whose milk is also high in butterfat and protein. Look out for delicious local cheeses, such as those from the Guernsey Dairy (in particular the extra mature and the smoked) or Fort Grey, an award-winning soft blue cheese from artisan producer Torteval Cheese. The island also offers a few unique specialities, such as Guernsey Gâche, a rich, brioche-like bread studded with dried fruit, and bean jar, a hearty, slow-cooked, cassoulet-like dish made with simmered pork and beans. The sea here is also home to the ormer, a rare, abalone-like shellfish which can only be harvested, by hand, on 20 days of the year and is best served sautéed in local Roquette cider or coated in flour and simmered in gravy. Some of the best places to enjoy Guernsey’s gorgeous ingredients include La Fregate in the bustling capital, St Peter Port; from its terrace you can see across to Herm, the smallest Channel Island. Order anything from local hand-dived scallops to Guernsey monkfish tail or brill. Try Dix Neuf for French-style cuisine such as confit duck rillettes, bouillabaisse, or Provencal fish stew. Vraic offers seasonal tasting menus drawing on local produce, including fresh fish cooked on an open fire right next to the golden sands. If you can, time your visit for the island’s Spring Food Fest, an island-wide celebration of local ingredients, seasonal menus and dining experiences, with participating venues offering everything from set menus to signature dishes and exclusive offers. visitguernsey.com Where to stay: Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Old Government House, the only five-star hotel on Guernsey, situated in the heart of St Peter Port. It features 63 beautifully designed rooms, as well as a spa, and is within walking distance of two lovely public gardens. Rooms from £280 per night, check availability at booking.com More travel guides Best European mountain escapes 10 unique walking holidays for food lovers Best health and wellness retreats for foodies Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
10 unique walking holidays for food lovers
From walking through the remote mountains of Thailand to markets in Morocco or along beaches in Portugal, these are the best walking holidays for food lovers
It’s the foodie’s eternal dilemma; you visit an exciting new place on holiday and want to eat your way around it, but you don’t want to fall into a permanent food coma... Panic not – the solution is a trip which includes plenty of walking, as well as delicious meals. Here’s how to scoff and stroll your way around these 10 fabulous destinations... For more travel inspiration, check out our best walks in the UK and the best health and wellness retreats for foodies. 10 unique walking holidays for food lovers Inntravel Black Forest Tour, Germany Find out how much more there is to Schwarzwald cuisine than Black Forest cherry gateau on Inntravel’s six-night, self-guided hotel-to-hotel walk. Hike through fairytale-like scenery oozing Hansel and Gretel charm, through pretty forests, meadows and woodland, averaging around 14km/8.5 miles daily. Travelling between Feldberg-Falkau, Hinterzarten and Kirchzarten, there will be picnic lunches by day, and gourmet meals at your hotels in the evening. Throughout your stays in the three comfortable, welcoming inns, you’ll sample the likes of maultaschen (the local version of ravioli, stuffed with meat or cheese, spinach, breadcrumbs and onion, and served in a dark broth), smoky Black Forest cured ham (Schwarzwälder schinken), and hearty soups, such as Schneckensuppe, a local delicacy made with snails (influenced by the region’s proximity to France). Ordering a thick slab of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte for dessert is, of course, a must – and do ensure every meal ends with a shot of Kirschwasser: cherry Schnapps. Discover more and book at inntravel.co.uk Exodus Adventure Travels Highlights of Albania Tour Thanks to its proximity to Greece, Italy and Turkey, Albania’s food scene is a compelling mix of hearty, stew-like dishes and fresh, vegetable-based fare. Exodus Adventure Travel’s 10-day guided Highlights of Albania trip (max 16 guests) starts in the cosmopolitan capital, Tirana, where a must-try dish is the local fergase tirane (baked feta with tomatoes, peppers and onions). Enjoy a home cooked lunch in the small village of Dhoksat, which will no doubt include the national dish, tave kosi – a baked lamb and rice casserole with kos (Albanian yoghurt made from goats milk). As well as exploring the UNESCO heritage city of Gjirokastër, there will also be a visit to Përmet, celebrated for its food and wine, including gliko, sweets made from walnuts, and raki, an aniseed-flavoured spirit. Don’t miss the renowned local beer, Birra Korça, in Korçë, the largest city in southeast Albania. There will be easy walks daily, mainly around the towns and villages, and transport is provided between each one. Discover more and book at exodus.co.uk Utracks Food Lovers Way of St James Tour, France This 10-day trip, with a maximum group size of 16, showcases highlights of the French part of the Camino, from Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne, to St- Jean-Pied-de-Port, near the Spanish border. Walking between 3.7 miles and 10 miles per day, it takes in the beautiful, historic towns of Cahors, Moissac and Saint-Cirque-Lapopie, amongst others. Memorable foodie experiences include lunch at a converted buron, or shepherd’s hut, in Aubrac; many are now restaurants serving local dishes such as aligot (a sinfully rich blend of cheese and mash), farçou (chard fritters), and tripoux, or tripe. There’s also a visit to a truffle orchard, where a truffle hound will demonstrate his skills in cavage, or truffle hunting, and a sensory roam around the local market in Cahors; look out for aromatic, farm-produced cheeses such as Tomme and Fourme d’Ambert. Sample Armagnac at an estate near the historic town of Eauze, and enjoy a Michelin-star dinner at a chateau which produces the famous AOC ‘black’ wine. Discover more and book at utracks.com Headwater Atlas Mountains Tour, Morocco Immerse yourself deep within Morocco’s culture and cuisine on Headwater’s eight-day, self-guided Morocco: Mountains, Desert and Coast trip. Local experts will join you for certain parts, such as during the walk along winding mule tracks to Aroumd, a small, scenic Berber village within the Atlas Mountains. Here you’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family who will share the secrets of traditional Moroccan food, including how to bake bread and brew mint tea. Explore the souks, markets and street food stalls in colourful, chaotic Marrakech, which sell everything from aromatic spices to dried couscous and pastilla, a filo-pastry pie traditionally made with pigeon. A night in the Agafay desert involves staying in a luxurious tent and dining on local dishes such as tagine or rfissa – stewed chicken, lentils, and onions served on a bed of shredded trid pastry – before heading to the cooler, coastal city of Essaouira. Take a stroll around the seafood market and select something freshly-caught from a local fisherman for lunch, where it will be expertly grilled in a nearby restaurant. Discover more and book at headwater.com Explore Taste of Greece Tour Dive deeper into Greek cuisine on this 10-day tour between Crete and the Pelopponese, visiting markets, doing cooking workshops and learning about olive oil production along the way. With an average group size of 12, and a variety of not-too-taxing walks around rural mountain villages, bustling cities, and along scenic peninsulas, it’s the perfect blend of food and fitness. Starting towards the south of Crete, sample local honey in the village of Zaros, then visit a farm in nearby Pangia to see how they make their organic feta. Other delicious food stops include trying authentic gyros in Spili, visiting a herbal garden, and a dinner of fresh seafood on the coast at Souda Bay. Breakfast on koulouri – Greece’s version of the bagel – in Athens, and take a vegan cookery lesson near the Acropolis with a passionate local cook who specialises in traditional recipes. In the picturesque town of Nafplion, meet the family who run an ouzo distillery and learn about the production of ouzo, tsipouro, masticha, and their unique cherry liqueur. Discover more and book at explore.co.uk Inside Asia Trails of Northern Thailand This is an excellent opportunity to walk along roads less travelled, as part of Inside Asia’s 12-day Trails of Northern Thailand trip involves a challenging five-day trek through the remote and mountainous scenery of northern Thailand, with stays in hill tribe communities along the way. With plenty of walking every day, you’ll definitely build up an appetite; in the Mae Wang district, stop by a buffalo market to stock up on food before the mountain trek. During homestays with the Karen community here, people eat in the local Khantoke style, where several individual dishes in bowls are served together on a wooden tray. These could include kep moo - pork scratchings served with dips - sai oua, a spicy pork sausage, and khao soi, a Burmese-influenced dish of egg noodles in creamy curry. Try the local firewater, or rice wine, and tea and coffee from the surrounding plantations. In buzzy Chang Mai, where the trip begins, sample street food stalls and markets, and have lunch on a traditional rafthouse. Ending in Chiang Rai, near the Laos and Myanmar border, spend a couple of days visiting Akha tribal villages, finding out more about their way of life and learning how to create some of their traditional dishes, such as shou zhua fan, a mix of rice, beef, coriander and spring onions, and fish grilled in banana leaf. Discover more and book at insideasiatours.com Explorations Company Culinary and Nature Delights Tour, Kerala, India Embark on a 16-day trip around one of India’s most beautiful regions which combines culinary treats with scenic hikes. Think cooking classes, tea tastings and private dinners on houseboats, with a backdrop of stunning nature and wildlife. You’ll go from exploring the lush tea plantations and forested hills of Munnar and the immersive spice plantations of Wayanad, to discovering the unique biodiversity of Thattekad. Highlights include lunch with a Syrian Christian family in Cochin, with the chance to ask them about their way of life and sample their traditional cuisine, which blends their original Syrian cooking techniques with local flavors - dishes include fish moilee, a coconut-based fish stew, varutharacha kozhi - a chicken or beef coconut curry - and idiyappam prawn moilee, a curry served with steamed rice string hoppers. During a homestay, the household will cook delicious Keralan dishes such as Malabar mutton biryani, avial - a dish usually made from 13 different vegetables - and parippu, a lentil curry, while you’ll also learn some of the basic techniques during a cooking class at a farm located in the beautiful backwaters. Discover more and book a bespoke trip at explorationscompany.com Hedonistic Hiking Lombardy Tour, Italy Transport yourself to this strikingly beautiful and lesser-known part of Italy on an eight-night guided hiking trip through vineyards, valleys and mountain villages, with walks of between 4 and 11 miles a day. Start in the UNESCO medieval town of Bergamo, before heading to the Franciacorta vineyards and Lake Iseo, with wine tastings, visits to cheesemakers and dinners in handpicked trattorie and restaurants. Walks will typically be punctuated by picnics featuring local Bitto DOP, Storico Ribelle and Taleggio cheeses, in addition to Salame di Varzi, a course-ground local charcuterie, and the backdrop will be spectacular views, such as in the shadow of Pizzo della Presolana in the Bergamesque Alps. Alternatively, stop at mountain refuges and tuck into the likes of traditional sciatt (buckwheat fritters oozing with Valtellina Casera DOP cheese) and salad made with locally-grown vegetables. At local restaurants in charming villages such as Lovere, sample dishes such as cinghiale (wild boar) con polenta, pizzoccheri – Lombardy’s classic buckwheat flat ribbon pasta dish served with potato, cabbage and cheese - and salmì di cervo, venison cooked in a red wine and pancetta sauce. Wash it all down with renowned local Valtellina wine. Discover more and book at hedonistichiking.com Ramble Worldwide Tastes of Northern Portugal and Galicia Tour Combine the best of two culinary worlds on Ramble Worldwide’s gentle-level-rated, 7-night Tastes of Northern Portugal and Galicia trip, with groups of up to 14. Based between the Spanish city of Vigo in Galicia, and Vila Praia de Ancora in Northern Portugal, this perfectly blends gentle countryside strolls with the opportunity to sample delicious local delicacies and superb wines on vineyard tours. Everyone you’ll encounter has a real passion for food, from the mussel farmers found along the picturesque Ria de Vigo, to the port wine producers in Ponta de Lima. From Vigo, explore bustling local markets and picturesque seaside towns savouring freshly caught seafood, such as spider crab, octopus and Vigo oysters, paired with refreshingly crisp Albarino wines. Then cross into the stunning, quieter Costa Verde, famous for its mountains, lush green countryside, beautiful beaches and excellent vinho verde. Along the way you’ll try local Galician delicacies such as empanadas, polbo á feira (a dish made of octopus) and queixo de tetilla (a soft, creamy, cow's milk cheese) while in Portugal, there’s also the chance to indulge in the famous pasteis de nata. Discover more and book at rambleworldwide.co.uk Wine Country Trekking Bodega Bay to Healdsburg Tour, USA Yes, wine plays a prominent role in this self-guided, 5-day trek through Sonoma County, California, but so does delicious local food. Starting at the pretty seaside village of Bodega Bay, this hike explores the western side of Sonoma County with transfers each day to a new spot for a 3-5 mile hike. You’ll be strolling alongside the Pacific Ocean and through a coastal bird preserve, and when it comes to meals, here it’s all about fresh seafood – chowder, crab, scallops, oysters, red snapper, shrimp... Heading inland, a real highlight is the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, to marvel at the majesty of the old growth redwoods. There will, of course, be wineries; many are clustered in the Dry Creek Valley, best known for its robust zinfandels. The trip ends in Healdberg, hope to the renowned SingleThread restaurant, which boasts three Michelin stars; dining choices also include a range of other excellent restaurants, from the vegan Little Saint to the modern Californian Dry Creek Kitchen. Discover more and book at winecountrytrekking.com More travel reviews Best city breaks in the UK Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish food trips 12 small towns across the UK every foodie should visit The UK's best pubs with rooms UK boutique hotels for food lovers 10 exciting UK city breaks for food lovers Best restaurants with rooms UK spa hotels for food lovers Best romantic UK hotels Best seaside staycations Best country hotels
Want to avoid the crowds? Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known cities
Discover the best alternatives to popular tourist destinations, from a lesser-known Greek gem to a vibrant alternative to Paris just two hours away
If there’s one word which has summed up travel over the past few years, it’s over-tourism. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it can make a holiday feel uncomfortable, crowded and thankless. Who wants to wait ages in a queue of selfie-takers at the Louvre for a two-second glimpse of the Mona Lisa? Or be jostled by hordes as you try to navigate Venice’s picturesque but narrow bridges and alleys? Here are our recommendations for the best alternatives to the tourist traps... For more travel inspiration, check out our favourite hidden gem hotels and UK city breaks for food lovers. Thessaloniki instead of Athens Greece’s second-biggest city sits, like Athens, by the Aegean and was designated the country’s first City of Gastronomy in 2021, thanks to the culinary influences from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires which once ruled it. Ladadika is the historic, waterfront district where you’ll want to spend most time, an atmospheric area where vibrantly-painted buildings in primrose yellows, dusky pinks and sky blues line narrow, cobbled streets. Tavernas, restaurants and cafes abound, but start with a pit-stop to the covered Modiano market, which dates back to 1922. Sample the best local produce, from kariokes – small, walnut-filled chocolate cakes – to soft manouri cheese from the city’s Arvanitis dairy, and stock up on sesame-topped koulourias, Greece’s answer to the bagel. At lunchtime, make a beeline for the city’s ‘most famous cheese pie’, a golden, feta-stuffed slab of flaky filo pastry, at one of its oldest bakeries, Koukos. You’ll find excellent fresh fish and seafood at 7 Thalasses, which simply grills, fries or steams the likes of sea bream, red mullet and sole within a bright, modern interior, but if you want something a little more creative, book dinner at Mourga. It’s popular with in-the-know Thessalonians, who come for the regularly-changing menu which might feature anything from mackerel with sweet potato, smoked mayonnaise and chargrilled spring onion, to grilled tuna with golden trumpet mushrooms and sea buckthorn in a wine sauce; wash it all down with a crisp Assyrtiko. thessalonikitourism.gr Where to stay: The elegant ON Residence sits right on the seafront and exudes a slick, art deco vibe, retaining many original features from its 1920s-era construction from chequered black and white floor tiles to intricate ceiling mouldings. The interiors of the 60 rooms are understated but chic, with pearl grey walls and snowy white bed linen contrasting with rich, jewel-coloured velvet furniture. On-site restaurant, Olympos Naoussa, serves up a buffet-style breakfast in tastefully plush surrounds; pile your plate with anything from local cheeses to hot egg dishes and bougatsa, a traditional sweet custard pastry dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon. Doubles from £150, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or hilton.com Ghent instead of Brussels Swerve Belgium’s busy capital for calmer Ghent, which has just as much to offer in terms of medieval architecture, handsome squares, and great food. De Kuip is the city’s walkable historic centre, where you’ll find most of the sights, as well as dozens of shops, restaurants and markets. After you’ve marvelled at Van Eyck’s famous Ghent Altarpiece, aka The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, at St Bavo’s Cathedral, head to nearby Groentenmarkt square. As well as holding regular food and artisan markets, it’s the best place to find the local cuberdons: cone-shaped, raspberry-flavoured sweets. In 2009, Ghent declared Thursdays would be a ‘vegetarian day’ in an attempt to get locals to eat less meat; head to Le Botaniste, a stylish, plant-based restaurant designed like a vintage pharmacy, for lunch, with filling, flavoursome dishes such as vegetable tagine, spicy chilli sin carne, and soy bolognese. Afterwards, treat yourself to a gestreken mastel, a sweet pastry flavoured with cinnamon and caramelised in a waffle iron, from Oud Huis Himshoot, the city’s oldest bakery. For dinner, head to De Witte Leuw on Graslei for delicious local dishes, from homemade shrimp or cheese croquettes to waterzooi – a fish stew – platters of dry-cured Ganda ham, and stoverij, a Belgian dish made with beef, onions, beer and thyme; Ghent’s twist is to serve it with bread accompanied by its acclaimed piquant Tierenteyn mustard. visit.gent.be/en Where to stay: Located in a prime position on the bustling Graslei, 1898 the Post – a striking, Gothic-looking building – used to be Ghent’s main post office. Converted into a smart, central hotel by the Belgian-run Zannier group, they’ve painted it in matte greens and greys, hung beautifully-framed remnants of its past, like postage stamps and wax seals, on the walls, and filled it with fashionably mismatched furniture. The 38 rooms are all different sizes and fall into cutely-named categories such as Envelope and Postcard. Start your day at The Kitchen, which offers groaning platters of fruit, pastries and breads as well as homemade hot dishes, and end it at The Cobbler, a cosy, speakeasy-style cocktail bar which also features a summer terrace. Doubles from £178, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Genoa instead of Venice Almost directly on the opposite side of Italy, the ancient port city of Genoa is also endowed with a series of canals, though not as many as Venice. Its most atmospheric district is the Centro Storico, particularly the area known as Caruggi, a maze of narrow, cobblestoned alleyways lined with dark-green shuttered buildings in warm shades of terracotta, ochre and coral. Here you’re surrounded by medieval arcades, museums, churches and monumental landmarks – don’t miss the imposing Palazzo Ducale, the former residence of the Doge – as well as a collection of traditional and historic shops. Then make a beeline for authentic drogherie and negozi di alimentari, such as Torielli, Arbanella Alimentari e Gastronomia, or Coloniali Viganego, which sell some of Genoa’s most traditional foods, such as panissa – a chickpea flour polenta – and Taggiasca olives. Head to Panificio Mario for fresh-from-the-oven foccacia, and to Pestobene for the best examples of Genovese pesto, made with local basil and pine nuts. Try it as part of the local pasta, trofie al pesto, for lunch at the friendly, casual Osteria il Cadraio, a former carriage house, where you’ll also find other traditional dishes such as coniglio alle ligure, Ligurian-style rabbit with olives and pine nuts, and pansotti, triangular-shaped ravioli filled with herbs and cheese and served in a walnut sauce. Then queue for a table at Pasticceria Mangini, a grand, 19th century cafe, for a thick slice of Sacripantina, a light, cream-layered sponge cake soaked in Marsala. visitgenoa.it/en Where to stay: Set within the Centro Storico, Palazzo Grillo was once part of the Palazzo de Rolli, a collection of 16th and 17th century Renaissance and Baroque buildings which used to belong to Genoa’s most noble families. Back then, it hosted visiting kings, courtiers and dignitaries; today, it’s as sumptuous and welcoming as ever. Its 25 rooms feature tastefully minimalist decor and contemporary furnishings, a contrast to the rest of the building which has kept authentic details such as the grandiose, vaulted entrance hall, marble pillars, sweeping stone staircase, and frescoed corridors and ceilings. Take breakfast on the rooftop terrace, with views over the tops of churches and down into neighbouring gardens and fill up on delicious local produce, from wholemeal bread to almond pastries, fruit tarts and homemade jams. Doubles from £123, check availability at booking.com Nantes instead of Paris Just two hours from the capital by train, Nantes is obviously much smaller but still packs a punch when it comes to culture and gastronomy. The former capital of the Dukes of Brittany, birthplace of Jules Verne and the cradle of Surrealism, Nantes is one of France’s most creative cities, and is particularly renowned for Le Voyage a Nantes, a contemporary art trail which runs through the city, marked by a green painted line. Follow your own food trail, starting at Le Marche de Talensac, Nantes’ oldest and biggest market, in the old town. Producers sell Breton delicacies from blue lobsters to langoustines, oysters, cheeses – such as the creamy, cow’s milk Curé Nantais – and gateau Nantais, a moist, rum-flavoured almond cake with white icing. For a quick lunch, head somewhere cosy like Heb Ken for a traditional crêpe or galette (the latter is made with buckwheat flour); fillings include anything from ham, Emmental and scrambled eggs to smoked bacon, potato gratin and Raclette. Sweet-toothed? Treat yourself to a bag of rigolettes, which have a hard sugar shell and a fruit jam centre, or berlingots – pyramid-shaped boiled sweets – from a confiserie like Les Rigolettes Nantaises. Bring home a packet (or three) of moreish Petits Beurre, the local salted butter biscuits which used to be manufactured in the former LU factory, now an arts space (its original tower is highly Instagrammable). Enjoy dinner at La Cigale, an art nouveau-era brasserie which offers fresh fish and seafood, from platters of oysters to medallions of monkfish, hazelnut-crusted cod, or grilled scallops with spelt risotto – accompanied, of course, by a glass of the local crisp, dry Muscadet. levoyageanantes.fr/en/ Where to stay: Four-star boutique hotel, La Perouse, sits within Nantes’ historic centre, but could not be more of an architectural contrast, its smooth, contemporary exterior clad with local stone. Modern artworks and stylish, mid-century-style furniture are scattered around the public areas, while the 46 rooms are more minimalist, with parquet floors and simple furnishings. While there’s no restaurant on site, you’ll get a hearty buffet breakfast on the lower ground floor, which uses only local and regional products; Fromagerie Beillevaire supplies all milk, butter and yoghurt, while Coteaux Nantais provides organic fruit juices and compotes and jams come from Les Cueillettes d’Annette. Doubles from £75, check availability at booking.com Girona instead of Barcelona Girona has all the atmosphere and history Barcelona does, but on a smaller and more manageable scale. A charming medieval city situated in the heart of Catalonia, halfway between the peaks of the Pyrenees and the rugged Costa Brava, in its compact centre you’ll find cobble-stoned streets, colourful buildings, museums and restaurants (one of the world’s best, three Michelin star El Celler de Can Roca, run by brothers Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca, is located here). Take a stroll around Girona’s imposing city walls, then make your way into the collection of captivating streets and passageways which make up the old town centre. Head to a traditional bakery for breakfast and try a coca, a sweet flatbread made from leftover bread dough, and topped with anything from candied fruit to pine nuts, or the famous xuixo, a deep-fried, sugared, cream-filled cylindrical pastry – get yours from Xuixo Castello, which has been making these delicious heart-stoppers daily in its kitchens since 1898. If you’re not planning to submit to El Celler’s indulgent tasting menus, book into the more casual and affordable Can Roca, owned by the Roca brothers’ parents, instead. A firm favourite with locals, it offers simple but hearty dishes such as baked hake with garlic and rosemary vinaigrette, or rice casserole with crayfish. The Rocas also own a popular ice cream parlour, Rocambolesc, offering a variety of flavours from coconut and violet sorbet to oven-baked apple gelato. For more delicious regional dishes, head to Estrella del Mar for the likes of fideuà – a paella-esque dish made with angel hair pasta – grilled red prawns, salted anchovies, or sea urchin. girona.cat/turisme/eng Where to stay: The compact, charming Hotel Nord 1901 is located on the west bank of the Onyar River in the historic heart of the city, has just 18 rooms and a small shaded garden with a decent-sized pool. Family-run since, well, 1901, the hotel has a homely feel, and the tasteful decor includes stone or wooden flooring, ochre- and olive-hued walls, and simple but contemporary furnishings. While it doesn’t have a restaurant, expect a feast at breakfast, including pastries, cereal, fruit, eggs, bacon and locally-produced charcuterie, which you can enjoy in the sun-dappled garden. Doubles from £92, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk More travel inspiration... Best city breaks in the UK Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish food trips 12 small towns across the UK every foodie should visit The UK's best pubs with rooms UK boutique hotels for food lovers 10 exciting UK city breaks for food lovers Best restaurants with rooms UK spa hotels for food lovers Best romantic UK hotels Best seaside staycations Best country hotels