Gastro-Expeditions
A Foodie’s Favorite Trend
Admit it, with every episode of the show Food or Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted on National Geographic, you find yourself wishing to step into the hosts' shoes. Discovering local delicacies and little-known culinary techniques, tasting dishes and ingredients you’ve never heard of, wandering through vibrant markets, chatting with chefs and artisans, and learning the secrets of crafting drinks, sweets, or cheeses from around the globe. And you’re not the only one feeling this way!
- Nearly one in five people travel specifically in search of new restaurants or culinary experiences.
- We shared this insight in a previous article where we began exploring modern trends in gastronomic tourism.
- And here’s a bit more fascinating data for you. In 2023, over half of travelers worldwide named visiting local restaurants their favorite food-related experience. Next in popularity were food festivals (46%), tours linked to local gastronomy (41%), and wine tastings (39%).
What does this mean? Gastro-expeditions are trending!
That’s why, together with our partners, we’ve ensured that our tourists can embrace this experience on nearly every travel route.
TANZANIA
Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island”, making a deep dive into local spices a must for all foodies. That’s where our plantation tour comes in handy. See how cardamom, black pepper, vanilla, lemongrass, turmeric, nutmeg, and cloves are grown. Inhale the scent of true cinnamon (as most of what’s sold under this name is actually cassia). Sample tropical spices and fruits, and, of course, take home a collection of spices to elevate all your future dishes.
SRI LANKA
- Visiting Sri Lanka and not tasting Ceylon tea? Almost a crime. Equally so is missing the chance to see the highland tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, one of the most famous tea regions. Here, you can follow every step of the journey: from a fresh Camellia Sinensis leaf to a flavorful beverage with a pleasant, slightly tangy taste.
- How about trying Stilt Fishing? This traditional fishing method has become an essential part of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. It looks super romantic and Instagram-worthy, but they say it takes remarkable balance to stay perched on those poles amidst waves and wind. Stilt fishing is typically practiced in authentic villages, offering you a chance to chat with locals, try your luck, and, of course, cook your catch like a true local.
CRETE
The gastronomic culture here is so vibrant that Crete has already been named Europe’s Gastronomy Region for 2026.
What awaits foodies on this island?
- A culinary exploration in the charming village of Anogeia. The program includes making traditional cheese from goat’s milk freshly milked with your own hands, enjoying a delicious meal, and participating in workshops on authentic crafts.
- Olive oil tasting. Olive oil is one of Crete’s top gastronomic symbols, used not only in cooking but also in rituals and celebrations. Nearly every major city boasts a museum dedicated to this product, and there’s no shortage of artisanal producers offering tours and tastings!
CYPRUS
In Cyprus, foodies and gourmets alike will find plenty to feast on — in every sense of the word.
Save this checklist:
- Explore one of the country’s seven wine routes and taste the world’s oldest named wine still in production: Commandaria, declared by Richard the Lionheart as “the wine of kings and the king of wines.”
- Try rose petal jam in the picturesque village of Agros, where a factory has been producing a variety of rose-based products for over 70 years. This region is also famous for its unique meat delicacies, marinated in local wine and then smoked.
- Savor the traditional Lefkara delights (lokum) in the mountain village of Lefkara, renowned for its artisans and craftsmen. Fun fact: this local treat won an award at the Royal Exhibition in Britain over a century ago.
- Prepare traditional bread, halloumi, olive pie, or even kleftiko (a local meat dish) yourself during a masterclass at the Museum of Cypriot Food.
Oh, we can already feel your appetite growing! Time to plan your next gastro-expedition with Join UP!™