The economic downturn both here and internationally has had at least one benefit amidst all the recession issues, and that's inexpensive travel options. Tourism boards are doing everything they can to bring travelers to their countries, and most airlines and hotels are featuring deep discounts to drive business in these tough times. So if you love travel and consider yourself something of a foodie, you've got a ton of options. With whole television networks aimed at food and cooking, more and more people are expanding their horizons, and taking a culinary vacation has become something of a popular adventure. Most foodies pride themselves on enjoying local and regional options, and traveling to far off destinations to sample local cuisine is a great way to broaden your palette. If you're a foodie travel enthusiast, here are just a couple of the culinary vacation options you can explore for your next trip.

Cruises have become immensely popular in recent years, as travelers get to experience a variety of destinations all in the same trip. They've also always been popular with the foodie set, as most cruise lines employ expert chefs and offer several dining choices for their guests. Now the foodie can find a cruise designed especially for their desires, with the advent of a cooking cruise. The culinary cruise, as described by the Cruise Vacation Center, draws all the advantages of a typical cruise together with a deeper focus on food. Guests can enjoy wine tastings paired with unique delicacies, detailed cooking lessons, and even book signings with some of the top chefs in the world. And if the cruise stops in a wine-producing region such as France, northern California or the Mediterranean, guests can also book shore excursions to some of the best wineries in existence.

There are some foodies who love nothing more than trying out a new restaurant and being pampered by the staff. Other foodies want to be a part of the process, and hunt down the most unique, flavorful recipes they can find to try
out at home. So if you enjoy cooking just as much as eating, try a stay at a culinary camp for your next vacation. Many of the most prestigious cooking schools both here at home and all around the world actually offer vacations. It's a temporary residency, learning alongside some of the most incredible chefs working today. These culinary boot camps can run for just a few days or as long as a full week, and will vastly expand your skill set. You can take basic classes to brush up on your knife work, or even design detailed meal plans. Check out the Culinary Institute of America's camp options, which range from general cooking skills to executing a high-end barbecue.

Although a cooking cruise or a culinary camp are great options for the foodie traveler, some more experienced jetsetters may be looking for a bit more excitement. If you're the sort of person that doesn't only want to cook and eat food, but also wants to know how it's grown and what culture created each distinct dish, consider heading out for a culinary travel adventure. Hop online and you'll find a wide range of tour companies that specialize in culinary adventure. You can travel anywhere in the world, visit their farms, purchase the night's ingredients alongside the locals at a market, or even learn Shahiya recipes in the town where it was created.