5 Reasons to Book a Food Tour

25 January 2019

Here, at Authentic Adventures, we believe that travelling as part of a group and in the company of an expert can truly enhance your travel experience. We recently partnered with TV foodie favourite Gregg Wallace to design a collection of unique Italian Food Holidays, and wanted to give you 5 reasons to join one of these immersive trips.

1) You won't be able to do these tours yourself

In this modern era with everything we could ever need at the click of a button, it's easy to assume that things included on an itinerary could be booked independently - and often for less than advertised. If only this were true! Many of the visits we have secured – from tours and tastings at Parma ham producers to the chance to walk alongside a shepherdess and her prized flock of Zerasca sheep – are inimitable. Booking these experiences for you was made possible by our little black book and the relationships we've made with locals and producers in Italy over the past 30 or so years. You can't replicate these itineraries independently as many of the places we will take you to are strictly off-limits to the public. Coming to Italy with us means being welcomed like an old friend, getting access-all-areas experiences and first-hand insight into the creation of these iconic food products.

Chatting about brandy with the owner of Villa Zarri

Authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano being made

2) Travel in the company of an expert

You might be wondering if it really makes a difference to take a tour that's led by an expert, and the short answer is yes, it does. Why? Well, if you book a place on one of our Gregg Wallace Food Holidays, they are all led by an Italian food expert whose knowledge of both Italy's culture and cuisine is simply encyclopaedic. If you have a question at any step of the tour, just ask - no matter how niche or seemingly obvious, they're bound to be able to enlighten you. If you pay a visit to a Parmigiano-Reggiano producer independently, yes, there might be a factory tour, but if you're genuinely interested and have questions, being on our group tours will give you endless opportunities to find out as much about Italian food and culture as you want to know. What's more, our experts' personal relationships with the producers, farmers, local people and restauranteurs – as well as knowledge of the local language – will add that extra special touch to your time with us.

Let us talk you through the typical local produce

Rosetta Ferrari, our Italian food and culture expert

3) Discover things you wouldn't come across on your own

If you think of Italian food, you might picture flavourful focaccia, indulgent bowls of pasta and Mediterranean fish dishes, for example. However, on one of our Italian Food Holidays, we will show you that there's more to this country's cuisine than you could have imagined. Discover why the popular meal of spaghetti Bolognese doesn't exist in Bologna, learn how Aztec chocolate-making methods ended up in Sicily (and taste this incredible treat, of course) and sit down to a delicious yet surprising communal meal of bagna cauda. We also offer you the chance to join monks in a church in Palermo to learn how to make traditional Sicilian marzipan fruits, to join locals at their fantastic agriturismo just outside of Bologna to have a pasta-making masterclass, and to have a picnic with residents in the protected chestnut woods of Regnano to find out more about this familiar forest-floor ingredient.

Testaroli, an ancient alternative to pasta

Traditional production of castelmagno cheese

4) Most meals are included and we select a variety to introduce you to a range of authentic culinary experiences

When we're abroad, if there is something of a language barrier we might be more tempted to stick to familiar dishes on restaurant menus. How many times have you considered something that sounds interesting and then opted for a tried and tested meal instead? We have included most meals on our itineraries, choosing eateries that vary from rustic to Michelin-starred, and even establishments that offer street food. This way, you get a genuine immersion into the wealth of Italian cuisine you might otherwise miss out on. Compare the contemporary approach to age-old traditional recipes passed down from generations. Savour an unusual street food dish and then follow it with a high-end restaurant meal to see how produce, cooking styles and textures vary. These tours will cover the entire spectrum of Italian food and, also, what Italians eat - from the everyman and the ancient peasant, to the modern family and the 1%.

Go truffle hunting with a tartufaio

...And enjoy the treasures of your search for lunch

5) Travel alongside likeminded individuals

One of the biggest benefits of small group travel is the social side of the trip. Meeting your fellow travellers is an enjoyable experience from the start and there are plenty of opportunities for getting to know each other better as the days go on. Convivial meals, communal cookery classes and demonstrations, and tours at artisanal producers will help to foster new friendships and encourage conversation, and when the holiday comes to an end you'll be saying goodbye to great experiences as well as new friends.

Socialise over delicious meals and amazing wines

The wine will flow as freely as the conversation

So, if you're interested in experiencing one of our Italian Food Holidays for yourself, click here to view the range of tours on offer or just call our friendly sales team on 01453 823328 to ask any questions you may have. The only thing left to do is watch our teaser video and get in touch to secure your place today!

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5 Reasons to Book a Food Tour was published on 25 January 2019

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5 Reasons to Book a Food Tour