When you’re deciding on a holiday destination, sometimes it’s better to lead with your stomach rather than your brain. Culinary tourism is growing in popularity as cheap flights become more common. Here’s a quick start guide for the ultimate European foodie destinations.

Gelato making in Italy

Primary designed for entrepreneurs wishing to make their own luxury ice creams, the Carpigiani Gelato University is an international school with a primary base in Bologna. This is an intensive course and not for the faint of heart; a semester at the school covers everything from how to make gelato to how to market it.

Tasting pastries in Paris

French food is famed for being intricate, and Parisian pastry chefs are widely regarded as some of the best in the world. A visit to Paris would not be complete without a visit to a patisserie. The sheer number of café’s may be overwhelming for a new tourist, but why not work your way through this guide to the top 38 cakes in the city of love?

Food markets in London

Take a self-catering trip to the British capital and indulge yourself with a day wandering around the famous
Borough Market. The market is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the organisers advise that you arrive between 8-10am for the best picks of the day. Listen to the hustle and bustle of traders bartering, enjoy cookery demonstrations, and pick up some seasonal produce to create your own masterpiece.

Sherry and Tapas in Spain

Long considered a staple of granny’s cabinet, sherry is coming back into fashion in a big way. Wine writers everywhere are raving about it. Did you know that after opening a bottle it should be consumed within one week? Visiting Jerez de la Frontera in the heart of Spain’s sherry producing district will help you get to grips with this unique drink. Get involved in the festivities surrounding the blessing of the vines; and sample some tasty Spanish sherry along with delicious tapa snacks in local bars.

Chocolate Tour in Belgium

If the Belgians are known for two things, it’s beaurocracy and chocolate. Take a chocolate tour through Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp for chocolate making demonstrations, special gala dinners, and a cocktail party where one lucky person will win a real diamond. If official guided tours are not your thing, you could put together your own itinerary using a site like Chocolate Tourism which lists all of the best places to visit in Belgium, along with their address and telephone number.

Bio:
James writes for cheap flights comparison website Skyscanner.net. A passionate foodie, James is currently planning a trip to Austria to take part in the St Johann in Tirol dumpling festival.