It’s pretty well established that food is an integral part of the travel experience. For many, it’s the reason to visit a destination. Food, after all, is a universal language that can unite people who share a common passion.

This collection of itineraries from the tour operator members of USTOA is a reminder that a fine meal and good conversation can enrich your clients’ travel experiences and help break down cultural barriers.

Intrepid Travel’s new nine-day “Israel & Palestinian Territories Real Food Adventure” immerses guests in a culinary journey through the Middle East. They can try their hand at mincing meat with locals in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Battir, break bread with the Druze in Buq’ata and drink wine in the Negev desert. Travelers also can take a cooking class at the Slow Food network and accompany the chef to the kasbah to collect ingredients for classic Palestinian dishes. Select departure dates are available throughout 2018. Rates start at $2,848 per person. intrepidtravel.com

Your clients can take “A Culinary Journey through India” during this nine-day Cox & Kings itinerary. They’ll savor the scents of cumin, coriander and cardamom on a culinary walk and tasting session through Mumbai’s notable eateries, and discover local flavors and cooking techniques while strolling through Varanasi's Kachauri Gali. Guests also will cruise Kolkata’s Hooghly River, enjoy Bengali cuisine in one of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants and savor a vegetarian satvik meal in Varanasi. Departures for the private journey are available throughout 2018. Rates start at $4,815 for two and $4,475 for four. coxandkingsusa.com

Wine and spirits lovers can cruise through the ports of Aquitaine, once Europe’s richest kingdom, and explore Bordeaux’s famed fountains during Viking River Cruises’ eight-day “Chateaux, Rivers & Wine” itinerary. In addition to enjoying a wine tasting in the Médoc wine country, guests will hunt for truffles, which will be used in a home-cooked, multicourse meal in the Périgord region. Travelers also will taste the prized brandy and namesake of the town of Cognac, and much more. Available from March to November, rates for the itinerary start at $2,299 per person. vikingcruises.com

Looking for a domestic trip for your foodie clients? GOGO Worldwide Vacations’ “San Francisco Vacation Package” brings to light the culinary side of San Francisco. Travelers can take part in the “Flavors & Murals of the Mission” walking tour, which mixes a tasting tour of the trendiest parts of the city with a tour of legendary murals and street art. This three-night getaway is available through December 2018. Rates start at $615 per person. gogowwv.com

Celtic Tours transports guests to Italy to sample the country’s famous cuisine for its “Gourmet Tuscany” itinerary. The six-night escorted tour includes a cooking lesson hosted by a local chef in Montecatini and a visit to a local roastery to discover the secret of Italian coffee. The program also includes a local wine tasting and an ice cream tasting in San Gimignano. Six departures are available between May and October, with rates starting at $2,569. Savings of $150 off per person are available with the promotional code USVAMAG0418. celtictours.com

"This collection of itineraries from the tour operator members of USTOA is a reminder that a fine meal and good conversation can enrich your clients’ travel experiences and help break down cultural barriers."

For more information about tours and packaged vacations, visit ustoa.com. And, remember that when booking with USTOA Active Members, you also get the assurance of knowing that they are held to the highest standards in the industry with our $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.

Editor’s Note: Information was correct at time of writing. All tours/packages subject to availability. Prices may vary from time of writing, based on currency fluctuations.