The Must-visit Destinations Perfect for Luxury Culinary Travel 

The Must-visit Destinations Perfect for Luxury Culinary Travel 

Food is an integral part of the overall travel experience. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and history, you must also sample authentic local dishes you may not find back home. So, if you're a foodie at heart and are looking for ideas on your next travel adventure, refer below for the must-visit destinations perfect for luxury culinary travel.

Rome, Italy

Rome is one of the world's top tourist destinations, famous for its history, culture, and delicious food. If the thought of hitting the streets of Rome to do nothing more than eat is tempting, it's time to go for it. Besides, most of those who come to the city are real foodies who want to discover the city's fascinating gastronomic scene.

Simply deciding on where to eat in Rome can be exhausting. But those looking for luxury travel experiences will find many acclaimed restaurants to indulge in delectable Mediterranean and traditional Roman cuisines, from rooftop terraces to those with rustic yet cozy and charming interiors.

Boasting three Michelin stars, La Pergola is an acclaimed restaurant widely considered one of the best places to dine in Rome by locals and visitors. You'll find it above Rome Cavalieri Hotel, with a fantastic menu featuring innovative Mediterranean dishes prepared by an award-winning chef. The meals are complemented by an incredible selection of wine from the restaurant's cellar containing over 50,000 bottles - some over a century old! For an authentic Roman experience, dine al fresco at the restaurant's outdoor terrace, surrounded by the twinkling city lights!

Athens, Greece

Over the years, Athens has gained a reputation as a food lover's destination, offering a wide selection of modern Greek and fine dining options, making it a top destination for luxury culinary travel. Many talented chefs have been reinventing traditional Greek specialties with inspiration from ingredients sourced from local producers.

The best places to indulge in modern Greek cuisines are all-day eateries, cocktail bars, and rooftop restaurants, where you can indulge in a glass of wine or cocktail paired with gourmet food that's vibrant and wonderfully plated. Some dishes to try are grilled mastelo cheese served with mandarin marmalade. Another favorite is skioufichta or hand-rolled pasta, a local delicacy from Crete, cooked in truffle oil and mushrooms.

Athens' fine dining scene is thriving, thanks to the growing number of award-winning chefs and upscale restaurants, including some with Michelin stars. Most dishes focus on Mediterranean and Greek cuisines, with some seafood and meat options. Some highlights on the menu include tuna fillet with stamnagathi and Wagyu fillet sauteed in mushrooms. You'll find the best fine dining restaurants in Athens in the city center and along the Athens Riviera.

Paris, France 

One of the best aspects of Paris is its vibrant food scene. In fact, the French capital is one of the world's gastronomic capitals and a must-visit destination for luxury culinary travel. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find premier tours in France that include a visit to Paris, an ideal option for foodies seeking a luxurious break in the city.

The food scene in Paris ranges from classics to contemporary and traditional to trendy. Aside from the typical Parisian food, you'll find plenty of modern eateries specializing in international fares with a Parisian twist. The best place to start your day is at a local boulangerie, where you can treat yourself to a typical Parisian breakfast, from a simple croissant to baguettes or pain au chocolat.

You don't need to dine at fancy restaurants for incredible French food. Many casual eateries in Paris are known for prepping up the most delectable French classics, from escargot to foie gras and beef bourguignon. You'll see these classic French dishes appear on the menu of numerous restaurants around Paris.

While you will find numerous eateries in Paris to indulge in authentic fares, Bouillon Chartier stands out. It's an iconic Parisian restaurant offering regional fare, wine, and desserts. While it's not Michelin-star fine dining, you can rest assured that the food quality is impressive.

Seville, Spain

Seville is one of Europe's most historic cities. The charming Spanish city draws visitors for its numerous attractions like the Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcázar de Sevilla. While most visitors are here to discover its historical sites, many others are lured to the city for its fantastic gastronomic scene. Home to thousands of tapas bars, eating out in Seville is a cherished local pastime.

No visit to Seville is complete without sampling Jamon Iberico or Iberian pork, a melt-in-your-mouth cut of pork, Spain's best-kept secret. The meat is notoriously hard to get but will leave you with unforgettable gastronomic memories. There are varying grades of jamon Iberico, and the highest could cost as much as €200 per kilo! Head to the Mercado de la Encarnación, where you'll find family-run stalls selling the finest meat products, including the tastiest Jamon Iberico.

The local cheeses of Seville are definitely worth a try. They are from goat's milk with a slightly tangy taste that intensifies with age. The best varieties are the "curado," cured for around 8 to 12 weeks. Productos de la Sierra is one of those shops in Seville known for their local artisanal cheeses. They also sell local jams, wines, liquors, and more!

The Algarve, Portugal

Portugal's Algarve region is one of the best destinations for luxury culinary travel. It's bursting with delicious food and fantastic restaurants, ranging from casual eateries to cheerful local bars and some seriously upscale restaurants, leaving you drooling with anticipation.

Being a coastal area, expect to find fresh fish and seafood prepared in authentic Algarvean traditions on the menu of many restaurants in the Algarve. Visit Cabanas restaurant in East Algarve, famous for its Seabass Ceviche and fried octopus, best served with a glass of delectable Portuguese wine.

If there's one dish you should try in the Algarve, it would be the cataplana de mariscos, which has its roots in Moorish influences from North Africa. The seafood dish consists of a good selection of seafood and white fish cooked in tomato sauce with lots of green pepper and onions.