Culinary Tourism: Let Your Taste Buds Lead the Way!
Dining out is often a highlight of travel, so why not make cuisine the central theme of your next trip? More and more, travelers are planning excursions around their love of food, both lowbrow and extravagant. Dining is, after all, a delicious way to experience a new locale and culture. No matter what your taste, there are an abundance of travel options, from visiting the “source” – wineries, creameries and farm tours – to enrolling in hands-on culinary courses, attending food festivals, or plotting your visits to notable restaurants. Here are just a few tasty destinations to consider:
Fruit Loop Tour – Hood River, Ore.
www.hoodriverfruitloop.com
In Oregon, fall means fresh pears, apples and peaches galore! The Pacific Northwest is home to much of this fall fruit harvest – in fact, the region produces nearly 84% of the nation’s fresh pear harvest! One of the most popular destinations during harvest time is the Hood River region’s Fruit Loop Tour, a self-guided 35-mile scenic drive through the valley’s orchards, forests, farmlands and friendly communities. Travelers can sample delicious fruits, visit wineries, savor delicious baked goods and participate in numerous events hosted at Fruit Loop locations. Voted top adventure city, Hood River is only 60 miles from Portland International Airport (PDX).
American Royal Barbecue Contest – Kansas City, Mo.
www.americanroyal.com
Kansas City plays host to the world’s largest barbecue contest each year. With more than 300 grilling hobbyists and pros vying for thousands in cash and prizes, the competition is sure to heat up! The American Royal Barbecue Contest is so popular it’s been dubbed the “World Series of Barbecue.” The smoky annual event attracts 50,000 onlookers who come for the sport, the finger-lickin’ samples and the adjoining BBQ expo.
Santa Fe School of Cooking – Santa Fe, N.M.
www.santafeschoolofcooking.com
If you love food, but have never mastered the skill of cooking, consider adding a culinary class to your next vacation itinerary! The Santa Fe School of Cooking is one spot to consider – here you can learn to master the flavors of the real Southwest with courses that reflect the cultural mix of the region. Numerous classes allow you to experience the menus of traditional New Mexican, Native American, Mexican, Spanish and contemporary Southwestern cuisine. Try your hand at making Southwest tapas, tamales and much more. The courses, taught by some of Santa Fe’s best chefs, are both entertaining and guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.