WHY IT RATES: These new itineraries from Access Culinary Trips, their first in Europe, offer everything from cooking classes to Michelin-starred dining and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.-Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer.
Access Culinary Trips, the leading culinary tour company offering exclusive insider access to destinations worldwide through authentic culinary and cultural experiences, has introduced its first European itineraries with trips to Italy and Croatia.
Specializing in "exploring culture through cuisine," Access Culinary Trips is known for their one-of-kind, immersive travel experiences that strike the perfect balance of cultural discovery, cooking instruction and genuine connections with locals, as they explore in small groups of 10-12 guests.
"This marks an exciting milestone for our company and for the industry as we bring our experiential style of culinary travel to Europe," says Tamar Lowell, CEO of Access Culinary Trips. "As classic destinations for great food and culture, Italy and Croatia represent the 'comfort food of travel' and are the perfect first European destinations for our guests to explore through the lens of food."
And, while Access Culinary Trips itineraries uniquely tell the story of each destination, common among all of their tours are knowledgeable and friendly guides, artisanal tastings and exclusive experiences, hands-on cooking classes with local chefs, opportunities to connect with locals, and stays at top-tier boutique hotels.
ITALY
From their base in the charming Tuscan village of Cortona, guests on this five-day culinary vacation will explore the region through the cuisine and wines of Siena, Pienza (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and Montepulciano. The trip is great both as a getaway on its own for those with limited time or as a compelling part of a broader Italy vacation.
Highlights include:
Cooking Classes - These include an authentic Tuscan Italian meal as well as a happy hour ice cream and sorbet cocktail class.
Gourmet Dining and Wining-Wine, cheese and olive oil tastings in Pienza and Montepulciano. There is also an al fresco farm-to-table lunch, and dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Cultural Connections - Guests will participate in a traditional truffle hunt as well as visit local farms and food producers. There is also a walking tour of medieval Siena and a visit to another UNESCO site, the Val d'Orcia.
Rates start at $3,490. There are also opportunities for a three-day/two-night extension in Florence. A full itinerary can be found here.
CROATIA
From the glistening turquoise waters of the Adriatic to ancient walled towns with red-tiled roofs, Croatia offers a uniquely exotic yet classically European destination.
With signature cooking classes, food and wine tastings, and visits to classic sites, this groundbreaking trip offers the opportunity to traverse the country and explore three UNESCO Heritage sites in Dubrovnik, Split and Plitvice Lakes National Park.
The tour ends on the Istrian peninsula, where truffles, wine, and olives evoke rural Italy, but with a distinct Croatian flavor.
Highlights include:
Culinary Experiences - Alongside a local chef, guests will peruse a local food market to select fresh ingredients that will be used for a cooking class in a private home bringing authentic Mediterranean recipes to life. A trip to Istria includes a traditional truffle hunt followed by a truffle cooking class. There is also a visit to a private island for fresh oysters and a food walking tour in Dubrovnik's Old Town.
Historical and Architectural Excursions - This includes side trips to some of Croatia's most iconic cities and Roman ruins as well as a trip to the turquoise lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice National Park, one of Eastern Europe's greatest natural wonders.
Group tours start at $4,490. The full itinerary can be found here.
SOURCE: Access Culinary Trips
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