Experience Far-Flung Foodie Destinations with Cox & Kings

"Northern Ethiopia: The Historic Route" (8 Days, 7 Nights)

With its fantastically spiced vegetable and meat dishes and stews, not to mention spongy injera bread, Ethiopian cuisine is one of the most savory culinary traditions in the world – on top of being among the healthiest (a lot of the dishes are vegan) and most fun to eat (utensils are rarely used).

Beyond traditional Ethiopian cuisine lies a little-known fact about the country’s fare: some of the most delicious Italian food in the world exists here. Ethiopia was occupied by the Italians from 1935-1941, but they never were able to truly turn it into a colony – instead, their famous food endured. Addis Ababa, the first stop on this Cox & Kings journey, is home to some fantastic Italian joints, including Ristorante Castelli, which has welcomed notable guests such as Bill Clinton and George Clooney. Once travelers taste the eatery’s signature tortellini and homemade vanilla ice cream, they’ll understand why. The pizza at Lucy’s inside the Ethiopian National Museum is also quite eccelente.

Food aside, highlights of Cox & Kings’ sacred-meets-historical journey through northern Ethiopia include a cruise on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, with 23 of its islands housing historical churches and monasteries; exploration of Blue Nile Falls, known locally as “smoke of fire”; the mischievous Gelada baboons, endemic to Ethiopia, in Simien Mountains National Park; and exploring Lalibela’s stunning rock-hewn churches. Prices from U.S. $3,305 per person, based on double occupancy.

“Israel: A Touch of History, A Taste of Wine” (10 Days, 9 Nights)

Israel is historically a mystical place – and its cuisine is no less enchanting. Famous for its crunchy falafel, creamy hummus and substantial wine – as well as culinary influences from the Mediterranean and Lebanese culture – Israel presents a blend of culinary diversity that dates back to the days of the Silk Road.

On this Cox & Kings journey traversing Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Nazareth, travelers will tour wineries from the Golan Heights to the Negev Desert; eat lunch with a family at an Arab home; taste local specialties at markets; enjoy a dairy lunch at an Ein Camonim goat farm; participate in a chocolate workshop (wine tastings included, of course); and sample “real” bagels at a beloved Jerusalem bakery, where the locals happily dip these large, oval-shaped breads into za’atar, a blend of herbs, toasted sesame seeds and salt. Prices from U.S. $7,815 per person, based on double occupancy.

“Treasures of Colombia” (10 Days, 9 Nights)

Colombia’s coffee country is bountiful but often overlooked by travelers venturing to Latin America in favor of Brazilian barbeque or Argentinean wineries. Beyond coffee, however, Colombia offers a vast array of culinary specialties – including fresh fish, exotic tropical fruit found nowhere else (including the sweet cherimoya and tangy lulo), and the world’s best hot chocolate, eaten with dipped bread and soft white cheese.

Cox & Kings’ journey through the best that Colombia has to offer – the cosmopolitan Bogotá, breathtakingly beautiful Cartagena, charming Villa de Leyva and more – also includes plenty of foodie highlights: meeting with a coffee grower to learn about the process of harvesting and drying the country’s prized coffee beans, eating a fresh-caught lunch on the Rosario Islands and shopping Cartagena’s markets for fresh ingredients to use in a self-made lunch guided by an expert chef. Prices from U.S. $3,935 per person, based on double occupancy.

“Gourmet Scotland” (11 Days, 10 Nights)

Travelers wouldn't expect Scotland to be a happening foodie destination, however on this particular journey, guests have the opportunity to experience lunch & Loch Ness at once during a private cruise… monster spotting optional.

Notable for its signature dish Haggis (a savory pudding made of sheep’s pluck, minced onion, oatmeal, spices and salt), Scotland’s cuisine is unavoidably hearty – this is the land of porridge, smoked game, cured fish and succulent venison, after all.

Another foodie observation: the Scots love their sweets. From their richly textured fudge to “rhubarb rock” boilings, Scottish desserts are a staple. Visitors quickly learn that Scotch helps the sugar go down nicely.

On this journey, travelers enjoy a cooking class at Kinloch Lodge, have a drink at local distilleries and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants throughout the country. (That is, when travelers are not learning the art of falconry in Gleneagles…) Prices from U.S. $13,495 per person, based on double occupancy, through October 2012.

“Myanmar: Into the Heart of Burma” (11 Days, 10 Nights)

Myanmar – one of the world’s most elusive destinations – boasts an equally unique culinary scene influenced by Chinese, Indian and Bengali cultures. Spices, curries and rice are all staples, and the food is overwhelming vegetarian-friendly, with many dishes offering spectacular servings of hin (curry). Fish, chicken, prawns and even insects are regularly used in food, but rarely any red meat.

Cox & Kings offers several customizable journeys to this fascinating country, their signature “Dream Trip” led by Denise Gogarty, the brand’s Asia & Pacific Destination Manager, being a highlight. Afternoon visits to a teashop are a daily event in Myanmese culture, not to mention a perfect family outing – adults can enjoy coffee and tea while children can delight in sweetcakes and fried dough topped with shredded coconut. Travelers can also visit the first and only vineyard in Myanmar, easily accessible from Inle Lake. This is followed by an exquisite “Sunset Dinner” at the wine garden.

A culinary adventure in Myanmar is not complete without a meal at award-winning Le Planteur, the country’s finest restaurant, located in one of Yangon’s colonial-era mansions and surrounded by a lush tropical garden. Currently presided over by Swedish Michelin-starred chef Felix Eppisser, Le Planteur has welcomed guests from far and wide, including the prince of Cambodia, Mick Jagger and perhaps, one day, you! Prices from U.S. $7,665 per person, based on double occupancy. Dream Trip dates are November 5-15, 2012.

“Boutique Kerala” (13 Days, 12 nights)

The traditional take on Indian food is heavy on plates from Northern India, however for a thorough foodie journey through the sub-continent a visit to the southwest is needed. Exceptionally beautiful and tranquil, the state of Kerala boasts plentiful rice fields, aroma-filled spice plantations and serene, palm-lined beaches.

From the very start, travelers dive into a wildly authentic culinary scene where spice reigns king in the vibrant and eclectic Kochi, the historical center of India's spice trade. The journey gets up close and personal with the continent's culinary staple, taking travelers aboard a traditional rice barge through Kerala's backwaters while they savor a traditional lunch. Vibrant cuisine awaits at every turn as green paddy fields and coconut canopies follow along the rhythm of swaying palms.

In Wayanad, travelers will be introduced to a variety of spices and shown the harvest process at a 400-acre private coffee and spice plantation nestled in the hills of Northern Kerala. These spices are essential to Indian culture, used in everything from savory curries to creamy kulfi, or Indian ice cream.

Guests will have many chances to unwind and digest with the following R&R activities: unwinding at a tranquil spa on a beach in Bekal; watching the light change on the glistening Indian Ocean; and cruising the Keralan backwaters. Prices from U.S. $5,415 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more information, www.coxandkingsusa.com