The Best Organized Food and Culinary Tours through North America

Which Tour Companies Offer Food and Culinary Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer culinary tours in North America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.

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Collette

Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.

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Destination Services Mexico

Destination Services Mexico offers local cultural tours through Mexico. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 4 days to 12 days. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.

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On The Go Tours

On The Go Tours is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Many of their tours visit Europe and Africa. Some of their most popular destinations include Egypt, Great Britain, Morocco, and India. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, wine tasting, whale watching, island hopping, snorkelling, camel riding, dolphin watching, kayaking, diving, white water rafting, quad biking, horse riding, and cooking classes.

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Food and Culinary Destinations in North America

Wondering where food and culinary tours visit in North America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Mexico City

While most vacationers head to the beach towns in Mexico, those that want to experience the heart of the country will go to Mexico City. This huge metropolis is filled with history, architecture, and culinary delights. There are beautiful squares and plazas, as well as parks and diverse neighborhoods.

The city food scene is as diverse as the population itself. There are countless ways to experience the amazing street food, but there are also world class chefs working in award winning restaurants. Make sure you try the chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, and chiles en nogada.

Oaxaca

Oaxaca is the largest city in a state of the same name. It is a city that is rich in history and culture, and it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many colonial and ancient sites both in town and nearby. The city also has a long culinary tradition with many local flavors.

This is a city for foodies. Of all the destinations in Mexico, this one always tops the list for its cuisine. The food is influenced by traditional ingredients like corn and many of the recipes have been passed on through the generations. Local dishes include mole, Oaxaca cheese, coloradito, and tlayudas.

Merida

Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan. The city has both Mayan and colonial history and there are many colonial architectural landmarks that include cathedrals and palaces. Outside of town you'll find Mayan ruins and temples and in town there are museums and even live performances that educate visitors on the region's history.

It's a top foodie destination in the Yucatan region and visitors will enjoy the many local restaurants and diverse local dishes that are influenced by the Mayan, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. The most well known local dish is cochinita pibil, which is marinated pork shoulder. Other popular dishes include sopa de lima (lime soup), papadzules (enchiladas with pumpkin seed sauce), and relleno negro (a local stew).

Vancouver

Vancouver is a popular Canadian city on the west coast. It has a spectacular setting between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. It's also a diverse city with a vibrant Asian population and many great restaurants. Visitors enjoy the cultural opportunities that the city offers, but also appreciate the opportunities to get out into nature in the surrounding areas.

You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

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Other popular destinations for food and culinary tours through North America include Puebla, San Juan Teotihuacán, Chichen Itza, Santa Maria Huatulco, and San Pablo Villa de Mitla.

Food and Culinary Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons

Before deciding to book a tour or handle the planning yourself, it's important to consider the aspects of each travel style.

Organized Tours

Independent Travel

Which is cheaper?

Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided culinary tours? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

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