Imagine preparing exotic dishes at the elbow of a renowned Provençal
chef, roaming the open-air markets of Tuscany while learning how to pick the perfect produce, and relaxing with a glass of local wine after preparing a delicious meal.
These are just a few of the delights in store for you on a culinary vacation.
If you're actually planning a trip, the following sites will give you a taste for what's available. Just dreaming of travel? Several of the sites feature recipes, so you can savor the possibilities in your own kitchen.
Culinary Vacations, Inc.
Beautiful photographs give you a preview of cooking and vineyard tours in Provence, Normandy, France and Tuscany.
Cook Italy
Offers holidays for lovers of Italy and Italian food. The site also
includes cooking tips and seasonal recipes such as Abbaccio Brodettato.
La Villa Cucina
After reading the intoxicating descriptions of Italy in l'Autunno,
l'Estate & la Primavera (Fall, Summer & Spring), try out a sample menu featuring Italian specialties like Frittata Di Cipolle, Ciambella Di Riso & Involtini alla Calabrese.
Les Liaisons Délicieuses
Detailed itineraries describe Gastronomic Adventures in the French
Countryside and promise the opportunity to cook alongside some of France's most talented chefs.
While France and Italy are famous for their great food, the cuisines of Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand and other global locales offer exotic and equally delicious alternatives.
Discover Vietnam
Tours showcase the techniques and food sources of Vietnam
through cooking demonstrations in some of Vietnam's best hotels and
restaurants. Whet your appetite with the full-color collage of
Vietnam's landscape.
Adventures in Thai Cooking and Travel
Features not only tours and cooking classes, but also
recipes of the month, herbs of the month, cookbooks, markets and
interesting articles on Thai food and culture.
Gourmet Retreats offers a week-long culinary tour in Mexico's San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca, while offering hands-on cooking classes featuring traditional Mexican food.
FoodVacation.com
This e-zine is edited by culinary professionals and offers trips to Asia and Central America.
To prepare for your foray into the culinary world, check out how the pros adapt to a new culture and make the most of the delicacies available.
No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain
This veteran chef has his own show on the Travel Channel during which he travels around the world eating, drinking and searching for the meaning behind every bite.
Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern
Another veteran chef and world traveler, Zimmern also appears regularly on the Travel Channel, with the added twist of treading the globe in search of the world's most bizarre foods. Watch on empty stomach.
Man v. Food with Adam Richman Join Richman on his quest to identify the local culture and flavor of every region in the U.S. that he visits. After seeking each city's can't-miss flavors to convey its unique culinary history, Adam will take on the town's toughest food challenge.