AROUND THE WORLD · FOOD & DRINK

15 Food & Drink Experiences Around the World Worth Booking

25 tours  ·  from $20 a head

The best food & drink experiences sell their good hours weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each one includes and where they differ.

The Only Locally Owned Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio - Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie brings the most variety
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The Only Locally Owned Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio

1.The Only Locally Owned Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 701 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $73Our pick

Spend about three hours with a local guide such as Chris, Marie, or Rodrigo, tasting through Jean-Talon Market, Little Italy, and Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. Expect market samples, progressive coffee, Salvadorian food, bean-to-bar chocolate, neighborhood stories, and a small group of no more than 10 people.

“Chris was knowledgeable/super personal. The walk wasn’t difficult. All the food selections were tasty and got to taste a few items because of the season. Very much enjoyed it If you are planning on buying at the market… bring a bag so you are prepared. Nice to see a different part of Montreal!”

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Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Tour & Tasting - Gin first, whisky next
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Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Tour & Tasting

2.Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 533 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37

Spend about an hour at Holyrood Distillery with a guide such as Diego, Brice, Courtney, or Neil, learning how its experimental whisky and gin are made. You’ll see the working distillery, sample several drinks, and finish near the tasting bar and shop.

“It was interesting to see the process. The goods were creative in the way that the distillery made so many variations with the base product. David was a friendly and informative guide.”

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Dijon: La Cave du Palais Burgundy Wine Tasting Experience - Six wines that explain Burgundy better than a map
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Dijon: La Cave du Palais Burgundy Wine Tasting Experience

3.Dijon: La Cave du Palais Burgundy Wine Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 400 reviews · 1h 30m · from $64

Spend 90 minutes in La Cave du Palais, a vaulted cellar in Dijon’s Hotel du Palais. A French and English speaking guide leads you through six Burgundy wines, from regional bottles to Grand Cru, while explaining terroir, climates, appellations, and aging.

“The discussions that took place. The wines were varied and great. Small group.”

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Seoul Night Palace & Market Food Tour with Vehicle - A final walk through Seoul’s evening streets
Evening Experiences, Food, Food & Drink, Markets, Palace Tours, Seoul Palace Tours, Shopping Tours, South Korea Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Seoul Night Palace & Market Food Tour with Vehicle

4.Seoul Night Palace & Market Food Tour with Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 275 reviews · from $79

Start at Hyehwa Station and walk to Changgyeonggung Palace, then ride between the palace, Gwangjang Market, and Jogyesa Temple. Expect Korean pancakes, makgeolli, raw beef, live octopus, a twisted donut, and plenty of cultural stories from guides such as Mia, Janice, Ron, and Bruce.

“We had such a great time! I’ve never been on a tour with so many different activities. The Palace at night is beautiful then we got to see an incredible light show over the pond. On to a very bustling night market for dinner and tried many traditiRead more”

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From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour - Pena Palace: colorful views, steep paths, and limited palace time
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From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour

5.Sintra, Pena Palace & Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $81

Spend a full day beyond Lisbon with a guide such as Mauro, Nuno, Filipe, or Carole. Visit Pena Palace gardens, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais, and the Colares wine cellar. Expect a comfortable minivan, free time, three tastings, some uphill walking, and plenty of driving.

“Very fun tour, and it was a nice small group (only one pair of people aside from the two of us) so we could be very flexible to adjust the time in each place and it was easy to move along the group. Our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting, and passionate about ensuring we all had a great time. Each stop was uniquely enjoyable. Very worth it and I'd recommend anyone try this tour as well! Be prepared for a moderate amount of walking, including uphill and stairs. Much of the tour is outside, so be prepared for the weather as well.”

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Lisbon: Sintra Private Day Trip with Pena Palace & Wine Tasting - Pena Palace, the colorful centerpiece
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Lisbon: Sintra Private Day Trip with Pena Palace & Wine Tasting

6.Sintra Private Day Trip with Pena Palace & Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 226 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $302

Spend eight hours in a private air-conditioned van exploring Sintra with an English-speaking local guide. Visit Pena Palace, taste a Travesseiro pastry, stop at Cabo da Roca, and tour a Colares winery. Lunch costs extra, and the packed route includes scenic drive-bys through Guincho and Cascais.

“We had an amazing time on our tour with Jorge! I had mentioned to the tour company that I would be travelling with my 80 year-old grandmother who has a walker, and they made us feel 100% welcomed and that we had nothing to worry about at all. It worked out that my family was the only group on the tour, so we were able to go at our own pace. Jorge was extremely patient and helpful with my grandmother and provided great tips/information on where to take the best pictures and the history of Portugal and all the sites were were visiting. He advised on whether the walk would…”

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Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour - Pena Palace and the long walk uphill
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Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour

7.Sintra, Pena Palace & Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 156 reviews · 9 hours · from $93

Spend nine hours with a local guide such as Matteo, Mauro, Dyego, or Andre, visiting Pena Palace’s exterior and gardens, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais, and a Colares wine estate. The eight-seat minivan keeps the day personal, though the palace walk is currently steep and moderately difficult.

“Due to damage from the storm we were unable to visit Pena Palace, which was replaced by Queluz Palace. Obviously initially we were disappointed but our guide Helio did he’s best to ensure that we were as enthusiastic about this visit as we were for Pena. Overall, It was quite an enjoyable day. The guide is a well informed but most importantly passionate person which for us was what made the day fun and not just another tour.”

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Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery 'Journey to Whisky' Tour & Tasting - The four tastings: stages, not simply four finished whiskies
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Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery ‘Journey to Whisky’ Tour & Tasting

8.Holyrood Distillery ‘Journey to Whisky’ Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $43

Tour Holyrood Distillery in central Edinburgh with guides such as Brice, Dave, Henry, or Finn. See how new make spirit changes with time, learn about the building’s brewing past, and taste four samples. The focus is whisky-making rather than a broad flight of finished bottles.

“Henry gave a really good indepth tour, balanced perfectly for his audience. Even though I have done other distillery tours I learnt so many new things. The tour was well paced and the tasting samples were well tutored.”

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From Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Farm Tour & Tasting with Transfer - Inside the caseificio: seeing the cheese take shape
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From Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Farm Tour & Tasting with Transfer

9.From Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Farm Tour & Tasting with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Ride from the NH Parma hotel to a working caseificio, where guides such as Loris, Sergio, and Matteo explain each stage from milk to aged wheel. See shaping, salting, testing, and fire branding, then taste two ages of Parmigiano-Reggiano with regional pairings.

“Very fun tour, full of interesting facts about the parmigiano reggiano. We got to follow the entire process from alfalfa, via cow to aged cheese, all guided by a very knowledgeable host.”

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Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Farm Tour & Tasting with Transfer - A 25-minute ride into Parma’s food country
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Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Farm Tour & Tasting with Transfer

10.Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Farm Tour & Tasting with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 87 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $91

Travel by small van from Parma’s NH Hotel to a traditional cheese factory. Guides such as Mattia, Sergio, George, and Loris explain the craft, from whey separation to fire-branding, followed by tastings of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and local sparkling wine.

“Highly recommended, learned a lot. Mattia explained the process very well”

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PRIVATE-Knossos Palace-Zeus Cave-Olive Oil Tasting-Old Villages - Olive oil at the Omalia Press
Crete Palace Tours, Food & Drink, Greece Palace Tours, Knossos Palace Tours, Knossos Palace Tours in Crete, Palace Tours, Tour Reviews

PRIVATE-Knossos Palace-Zeus Cave-Olive Oil Tasting-Old Villages

11.PRIVATE-Knossos Palace-Zeus Cave-Olive Oil Tasting-Old Villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $138

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private driver-guide exploring Crete beyond the main sights. Visit an olive press, Mochos, Krasi, Lasithi Plateau, Aposelemis Dam, Knossos, and Dikteon Cave when open. Guides such as Ed, Nikos, and Mike tailor the day to your group.

“We were extremely happy with our choice. The communication from the tour operator via whats app was excellent and helpful leading up to the tour. Our guide Nikos was so nice, friendly, informative, he offered us snacks, waters, towels.., we were happy we did the tour with the plateau, windmills and cave in addition to the palace. It was much cooler up there during the hot summer. Be sure to get a guide for the palace (additional charge). It was worth it. Other folks on our cruise had mixed experiences with the tours they chose, we were extreme happy with our tour via “explore real Crete””

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Parma: Parmigiano-Reggiano Tour and Tasting - From copper heaters to curds
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Parma: Parmigiano-Reggiano Tour and Tasting

12.Parma: Parmigiano-Reggiano Tour and Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 55 reviews · 2 hours · from $59

Meet the dairy guide outside Parma and follow Parmigiano-Reggiano from copper heaters and salting to its aging room. You will see the cheese made by hand, then taste several ages. The two-hour visit is shared, limited to seven people, and requires your own vehicle.

“We had a great tour and got to see the cheese being made in all stages. Highly recommend!”

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From Lisbon: Sintra & Pena Palace Day Trip with Wine Tasting - Why a small group changes the Sintra visit
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From Lisbon: Sintra & Pena Palace Day Trip with Wine Tasting

13.Sintra & Pena Palace Day Trip with Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 45 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $117

Travel from Lisbon in a small minivan to Sintra and the gardens around Pena Palace, guided by Flávio, Francisco, or another local expert. Then visit a Mafra winery for six wines, tapas, and a look at winemaking from an old wine press to a modern cellar.

“We had such a lovely day with Flavio. Highly recommend this tour!”

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Seoul: Vegan Temple Food Class, Jogyesa & Changdeokgung Tour - Jogyesa Temple, Seoul’s Buddhist heart
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Seoul: Vegan Temple Food Class, Jogyesa & Changdeokgung Tour

14.Vegan Temple Food Class, Jogyesa & Changdeokgung Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 34 reviews · from $73

Join a Buddhist monk for a hands-on vegan temple-food class, then explore Jogyesa Temple, Insadong, a medicinal herb market, and Changdeokgung Palace. English-speaking guides such as Bruce, Gina, Ron, and BJ have led the tour, which blends cooking, Korean medicine, art, and royal history.

“This was a brilliant activity. I highly recommend it. Our tour guide was excellent. Loved every minute.”

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From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais and Wine Tasting - Sintra’s Hills and Romantic Past
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From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais and Wine Tasting

15.Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais and Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · from $387

Travel from Lisbon by air-conditioned minivan to Sintra and Pena Palace, taste distinctive Colares wines, stand at Cabo da Roca, and see Cascais and Estoril. The tour includes palace entry, a guided palace visit, winery stop, and an English-speaking guide such as Barbara, David, or Ana.

“I can only recommend this tour. With Barbara as tour guide it was a lot of fun, so again a big thank you. She explained everything very well and the day was one of the best. It is best to take a jacket because it can be cool on the mountain. The views were amazing.”

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