I love to travel. Luckily, between work and personal trips, I’m on the road for about two weeks of each month.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in Europe, Asia, and the United States, and there’s one activity I try to book everywhere I go: a food tour.
The tours, which usually cost around $100 or $150 a person, may seem gimmicky. But I think they’re an incredible way to see major sites, try new foods, and learn about a city.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a foodie, here’s why I think you should book a food tour on your next vacation.
Food tours are a nice way to kick off a trip
I tend to book food tours on my first day in town because the guides are often gold mines of information about the city.
It’s also a nice way to keep jet lag at bay on international trips since the tours are active and help me adjust to the local meal schedules.
Instead of ordering one dish at a restaurant, I can try a variety of delicacies
Most of the tours I’ve booked include four to six stops, and each place showcases something different.
On a recent tour in Reykjavik, Iceland, I tried fermented shark and the iconic Icelandic hotdogs, which are topped with three different sauces, raw onions, and fried onions.
In Savannah, Georgia, I tried everything from fried pork chops to a scoop of ice cream from the local parlor.
While sampling in Budapest, Hungary, I munched on multiple types of strudel plus a sharable charcuterie board filled with local meats and cheeses.
Even if I ate out at a nice restaurant for every meal (which would be much more expensive), I don’t think I’d get such a broad taste of the local cuisine.
The tours usually give a glimpse into the city’s history
The best food tours I’ve been on weren’t just about the food — the guides also made sure to give a glimpse into the destination’s history.
For example, in Budapest, our guide shared a bit about World War II and its impact on the city. And on a tour in Savannah, I learned a lot about the history of the South and its role in the Civil War.
To me, that’s like combining a museum with a meal, so I’m maximizing my time on a trip.
Walking between destinations helps me get a lay of the land
Learning a new-to-you city can be a challenge. I like that all of the food tours I’ve booked have been walking tours (as opposed to using buses or trolleys).
They give me a chance to explore the streets on foot and ask the guides about the easiest ways to get around.
In Budapest, my guide even gave me a few spare tram tickets. And in Reykjavik, we helpfully learned that the city’s famous Rainbow Road is never too far away from anything — making it a great North Star.
I already think food tours are a good value, but it’s also easy to find discounts
I genuinely think $100 or so for multiple dishes, a history lesson, and a tour of a city is a pretty great deal. But I’m still always looking for ways to save money on vacations.
It’s easy to skim through different food-tour options on platforms like TripAdvisor or Viator, but I’ve found better prices by booking directly with the company.
I also always scour social media for discounts. In Reykjavik, I found an active 10%-off code on Facebook.
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