Discover Local Culture Through Food: 

Why a Gastronomy Tour is a Great Way to Explore

Savoring a Destination

Travel is about more than just sightseeing—it's about immersing yourself in the culture of the place you're visiting. One of the most rewarding ways to experience a destination is through its food, and what better way to do that than with a guided food tour? Whether you're in a bustling city or a charming village, food tours offer a unique and flavorful journey through local traditions, history, and people. Here's why a food tour is one of the best ways to get to know a local culture.

A Flavorful Introduction to Local Traditions

Food tells the story of a place. The ingredients, preparation methods, and eating customs are often deeply rooted in a region's history and culture. On a food tour, you'll taste dishes that have been passed down through generations, each with its own narrative to share. From street food to fine dining, a knowledgeable guide will explain the significance of each dish, how it's made, and how it relates to the culture, giving you a deeper understanding of the people and their traditions.

A Personal Connection to Locals

One of the best aspects of a food tour may be the opportunity to interact with local chefs, food vendors, and producers. These encounters go beyond just tasting food; they provide a chance to hear personal stories, learn about the challenges and joys of working with food, and see how passionate locals are about their culinary heritage. These authentic interactions create a memorable bond with the community that traditional sightseeing simply can't offer.

Access to Hidden Gems

While popular tourist spots are often well-marked on maps, food tours can give you access to hidden culinary treasures that aren't always easy to find. Small, family-run restaurants, markets, and food stalls off the beaten path often often offer the most authentic and flavorful experiences. A local guide knows where to take you to sample the best bites, allowing you to bypass tourist traps and discover places only insiders know.

A Multi-Sensory Experience

Food tours engage all of your senses. The sight of vibrantly-colored dishes; the aroma of freshly-ground coffee; the texture of a flaky, buttery pastry; the juice of an unfamiliar succulent fruit running down your chin; the sounds and hubbub of a busy seafood market: all combine to create a complete sensory experience that leaves a lasting impression. The flavors of a destination, paired with the stories behind the dishes, bring the culture to life in a way that a bus tour or a book can't match.

A Perfect Blend of History, Culture, and Cuisine

Food tours often weave history into the experience. As you taste your way through a city, a good guide will share the cultural and historical context behind each dish (or drink!). This combination of history and food provides a deeper understanding of how the past has shaped the present, enriching your travel experience.

Timing a Food Tour

My Number One Food Tour Rule: Come hungry! Although I usually try to make the most of an included hotel breakfast, sometimes I force myself to hold back if I have a late morning or early afternoon food tour. Depending on what time of day the tour is scheduled, this nonstop parade of delights can easily substitute for your lunch or dinner--and in many cases, both. A hearty early morning breakfast and a good mid-to-late afternoon food tour can fill you up for the day, with no dinner needed. 

As Weird Al Yankovic would say: Just Eat It!

Obviously, food tours are not only about eating—they're a celebration of a destination’s identity. Through food, you can understand the heart and soul of a place in a way that no guidebook can offer. So, the next time you engage Mon Voyage to plan your private trip, be sure to request a food tour and savor the true essence of the local culture.

HOT DATES: 

DOOR CLOSING ON THREE AMAZING RIVER CRUISES

AVAILABILITY AS VERIFIED ON 02/07/25

🎄🎁 Christmas Markets on the Rhine, December 10-17, 2026, with optional pre-cruise Switzerland package 

Visit some of the most delightful Christmas markets on the continent--Strasbourg, Cologne, Heidelberg, Riquewihr, Colmar, Speyer, and more. While you will have plenty of opportunities to figuratively drown yourself in Christmas spirit at the markets, this cruise still offers a full array of "regular" excursions and tours for those who want a different experience. Coming back to the warm welcome of the AmaSiena ship in her holiday finery at the end of each day is always a treat for the eyes and the soul. This is a great trip to enjoy together with other members of your family, too!

Learn more about the itinerary here.

This sailing is already seventy percent booked up--and we are still almost two years away from the trip! Some cabin categories are completely sold out. Ours is a PRIME DATE for a Christmas Market sailing, so if you would like the added enjoyment of being part of a Mon Voyage Small Group on this festive adventure, the time to act is NOW.

Call or email me today for current availability and to select your cabin. Your deposit is only $400, with the balance not due until 90 days before the trip (early September 2026)

🍷 LAST SPOTS FOR EASTERN EUROPE AND COLOMBIA 🦋

🍷 Gems of Southeast Europe + Hungarian wine tour, June 22-29 and June 29-July 5, 2025

REQUEST BASIS ONLY--TWO CABINS LEFT (ONE SUITE AND ONE LOWER DECK)

We may still have space for a couple more people on our midsummer Eastern Europe trip, but there is no guarantee at this point. There's a highly curated wine tour to the Eger and Tokaj regions (we're staying in a castle, just casual-like) as well as several days in Budapest, seeing gems in the city that are often overlooked. This tour is paired with a week on the gorgeous AmaMagna, sailing along the lower Danube to Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Hungary. 

You may book for either week by itself or take advantage of both components with your one plane ticket. Read about the AmaMagna cruise here and the exciting Hungary tour here.

Though I have already released the extra rooms for the Hungary tour and the ship is 98% sold out, I am happy to try and work some magic for my clients. Please inquire immediately for bookings on this trip so that I can verify whether a spot is still available for you!!

Please note that final/full payments for this trip will be processed by March 1st, so your deposit and final/full payment may be due at the same time.

🦋 Wonders of Colombia, January 28- February 4, 2026

REQUEST BASIS ONLY--ONE CABIN LEFT (JUNIOR SUITE)

Looking for a new destination? Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times selected this exact trip as one of their top picks for this year. We sail aboard the brand new AmaMelodia late January 2026, with land extensions in Colombia and Panama. Did you know that Colombia has more bird species than any other country, and is number two for butterflies and amphibians? The natural scenery (and probably the natural soundscape) on this route will be like no other river cruise you have experienced.

Take a look at this cruise here.

For the last cabin on a ship, I must go through my AmaWaterways rep to secure the booking during normal business hours--it is not possible through the usual Ama agent booking portal.

Please inquire immediately for bookings on either of these trips!! 

What's on the 2026 and 2027 Small Group Trips schedule?

The 2026 Small groups schedule is taking shape. Watch the newsletter for updates on itineraries and booking.

January 28-February 4, 2026: Wonders of Colombia (see above)

May 1-15, 2026: Two weeks in Turkey, with special itinerary inclusions related to the history of the major Abrahamic faiths. I am refining this package now and should have the brochure ready before Easter.

July 8-15, 2026: Ben Franklin Class of 1981 Reunion on the River. We will sail the "Europe's Rivers and Castles" itinerary aboard the beautiful AmaSiena, on the Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers. (Not in my high school class? Talk to me about organizing a trip for your own class!)

September 19-October 4 or September 26-October 11, 2026: Shanghai/Seoul. One week in each city, with the option of booking either or both.

December 10-17, 2026: Christmas Markets on the Rhine (see above). This sailing is on track to be sold out out very soon--don't be left with coal in your stocking!

Under consideration for 2027: Cold weather adventure and aurora chasing in Finland OR the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba. And maybe we'll finally make it to India. What do you think? 

ENGAGE MON VOYAGE FOR YOUR PRIVATE PLANNING

Are you ready for your 2025 and 2026 private travel? Don't forget that about half of my time is devoted to your individual trips, be they for you alone, family, or friends. My 2025 book has limited space for additional clients, mainly for trips in the third and fourth quarters, so let me pencil you in before it's too late.

So many fantastic opportunities coming up--don't miss out. Contact me today to book space in a Mon Voyage group or to start work on your private trip.

Please note that I will be working in Europe the entire month of March. Response times during that period may be slower than usual, due to my schedule (three professional conferences plus a client group) and the time zone difference.

À la prochaine,