Published on
January 14, 2026
EF Go Ahead Tours has unveiled a brand-new culinary travel collection designed to meet the growing demand for food-centric travel experiences. The Food Tours collection, featuring 20 new small-group itineraries, will provide tourists with the opportunity to explore the world’s most captivating food cultures, from the bustling street food markets of Vietnam to the renowned vineyards of Sicily. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to helping travellers connect with local cuisines and cultural heritage in deeply immersive ways.
Expanding Culinary Travel Horizons
In recent years, food has increasingly become a central part of the tourism experience. EF Go Ahead Tours’ expansion of its Food Tours collection aims to meet this growing demand by offering 20 meticulously crafted itineraries. These tours are designed to showcase authentic local cuisine and rich culinary traditions in countries across Europe and Asia.
Participants will have the chance to engage in unique, hands-on experiences such as wine stomping in Portugal, sushi workshops in Japan, and traditional tea ceremonies. Each tour is carefully curated to ensure travellers not only taste the food but also gain a deep understanding of the local culture and history surrounding it.
Why This Launch Matters for Tourism
With food travel on the rise, EF Go Ahead Tours is seizing the opportunity to cater to a more experiential tourism market. A recent survey by the operator found that a substantial 70% of travellers expressed interest in culinary tours, with 55% saying they’re likely to book one within the next two years. This indicates a significant growth potential for food-centric tourism.
The tours are designed for small groups of 12 to 22 people, ensuring a personalised, authentic travel experience that can be deeply enriching. The appeal of food tours lies not only in the tasting of dishes but also in engaging directly with local communities and understanding the traditions and stories behind each meal. This approach will undoubtedly boost tourism, particularly in the countries featured in the collection, driving both economic growth and cultural exchange.
Three Distinct Travel Styles to Choose From
EF Go Ahead Tours has developed three distinct travel styles within the Food Tours collection to cater to diverse tastes and interests:
- Food Tours: These are centred around local culinary traditions, cooking classes, and food exploration. Activities include visiting family-owned farms, engaging in cooking workshops, and tasting regional delicacies.
- Food & Wine Tours: Combining the best of regional cuisine with wine tasting, vineyard tours, and cultural sightseeing, these itineraries balance the exploration of food with broader cultural immersion.
- America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) Tours: A premium offering in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen, these tours include elevated accommodations, seasonal offerings, cooking classes, and a one-year ATK Essential Membership.
Sample Itineraries to Tempt the Taste Buds
The new Food Tours collection features a variety of exciting itineraries across some of the world’s most iconic food destinations. These include:
- Food of Southeast Asia: Vietnam & Thailand — Travellers will explore street food markets, regional delicacies, and local cafés, providing a full immersion into Southeast Asia’s culinary diversity.
- Food of Japan: Tokyo, Kanazawa & Mount Fuji Region — A deep dive into Japan’s traditional food culture, with experiences such as sushi workshops, a traditional tea ceremony, and sake sampling.
- Food & Wine: Slovenia, Croatia & Northeast Italy — A tour that offers a blend of wine tastings and regional specialties, from Italy’s Veneto region to Croatia’s Istria peninsula.
- Food of Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome — A mouthwatering tour featuring pasta workshops, market visits, and authentic trattoria experiences.
- Food & Wine of Spain: Valencia, Barcelona & Costa Brava — A journey through Spain’s culinary gems, from paella and tapas to olive oil tastings and winemaking tours.
- Food & Wine of Sicily: Palermo, Marsala & Catania — A blend of Sicilian cuisine and wine pairings, with visits to local vineyards and historical culinary landmarks.
Each itinerary provides an intimate, hands-on experience, with guided tours and local experts offering insight into the region’s food culture. The focus on small-group travel ensures that participants can truly connect with their surroundings, learning not just about the food but about the lives and stories of those who produce it.
Enhancing Tourism and Local Economies
As the Food Tours collection aims to foster authentic experiences, it also provides a substantial opportunity to boost local tourism. By partnering with local businesses, markets, farms, and artisans, EF Go Ahead Tours contributes directly to the local economies of the regions featured in the collection. This will help build stronger cultural exchanges, further solidifying the role of culinary tourism as a sustainable driver of growth.
The initiative aligns with broader global trends in experiential travel, where food experiences play a significant role in drawing tourists to less-travelled destinations, benefitting both small communities and larger tourist destinations alike.
What’s Included in the Tours
Most tours in the Food Tours collection include:
- Expert local guides with deep knowledge of the food and culture
- Pre-arranged transportation and accommodations
- Activities such as cooking classes, tastings, and cultural exploration
- Select meals highlighting the region’s culinary traditions
Prices vary based on the tour, but the experience remains accessible to all travellers seeking a deeper connection with the local culture. The small-group nature of the tours ensures that each participant receives a more personalised and enriching travel experience.
A Culinary Adventure Awaits
The launch of the Food Tours collection by EF Go Ahead Tours represents a significant shift in the way food is integrated into tourism. With rising demand for authentic, hands-on culinary experiences, these tours offer an exciting opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the cultures and flavours of Vietnam, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Slovenia. This expansion not only meets a growing market demand but also supports local economies and tourism infrastructure in each of the destinations featured.
As more travellers seek meaningful and immersive travel experiences, culinary tourism is set to remain one of the most popular ways to discover the world’s rich cultural tapestry.
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