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The benefits of sharing meals at the table with friends or family have been proven to reap multiple benefits around health and wellness. When those meals occur far from home, alongside fellow travellers or strangers, this food experience can become even more meaningful. That’s why we like putting our guests at the heart of where a meal is made – in the kitchen, where culture and traditions merge.
Created to bring you closer to a destination’s local life, our small group Explorations journeys offer unique culinary experiences. Ranging from centuries-old ceremonies to off-the-beaten-path excursions, you’ll taste a country’s true flavour in places and spaces larger groups can’t reach.
In Umbria, truffle-rich forests await as you stroll the hills and valleys of the countryside alongside a local and his faithful hunting dogs trained to sniff out the valuable tartufo, the fungi also known as “black gold.” Later, enjoy the fruits of their labour during a rustic, home-cooked lunch and learn more about culture, food, and life in this region of Italy. Chances are there will be a lot of laughs, too.
While it’s natural to be awed by Africa’s wildlife, on our Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana, and the Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water safari journeys, guests are also enriched by the experience of being invited by a local Zimbabwean family for a home-hosted lunch. Sitting around the table, meeting travellers on a one-to-one basis, and exchanging stories about everyday life over a traditional meal has a huge impact, not just for our hosts but for our guests, too. Experiences like this prove we’re more alike than we are different.
Tourism can have a positive impact on local communities in Peru, where small group workshops in the Sacred Valley teach guests traditional Peruvian methods of growing, harvesting, and weaving. This experience is capped off by a celebration of Andean culture through music and dance before gathering for a home-hosted farm-to-table lunch featuring local specialties.
Pulling up a seat at the table and savouring authentically prepared food created by people who carry the history and culture of a country opens a door into the soul of a destination.
Whether it’s a home-hosted meal, tying an apron around your neck to sharpen your cooking skills in a chef-led class, or something as simple as breaking bread with a stranger, food can connect you to the most immersive experiences you’ll have while travelling.
Roll up your sleeves with us! Learn more here.
