Food-Centric Travel - Consider a Trip Focused on Culinary Experiences
When planning a vacation, many people focus entirely on tourist attractions. While it makes sense to have an idea of what you would like to see on your trip, planning your meals is just as important. An international vacation should be about learning to appreciate various aspects of the local culture, and diving into the local cuisine is one of the best ways to do so.
There are always plenty of dining options near a destination’s main attractions, but these are often far from the best restaurants the city has to offer. It might be intimidating if you don’t speak the local language to venture off the beaten path, but travelers who do so are often rewarded with some of the best meals they’ve ever had.
Culinary Traditions As Cultural Heritage
The culinary traditions of a particular country or region are one of the defining features of the local culture. You can learn a lot about a culture through its gastronomy.
Seasoned travelers are likely familiar with UNESCO World Heritage Sites—a designation for landmarks or areas with “cultural and natural heritage . . . considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.” UNESCO also recognizes various culinary traditions under the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity title.
This title recognizes intangible aspects of cultural heritage that “help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance.” Here are a few of the culinary traditions included in this list and how they represent their respective cultures.
Singapore’s Street Hawker Culture
One of the world’s great melting pots, Singapore has a unique cultural tapestry that encompasses Chinese, Indian, and Malay influences. This cultural diversity is perhaps best represented through the city-state’s iconic street food culture, which was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.
Singapore is full of open-air street food markets with stalls run by “hawkers,” people who both prepare and sell their dishes to locals and tourists. This street hawker culture has a long history that reflects the history of the nation itself.
Singapore first began to grow in 1819 when the British established a trading post there. Thousands of Chinese laborers began immigrating there in the 1830s, and Indians joined them to work in construction jobs or serve in the military. Numbering at only about 1,000 before 1819, the indigenous Malay population ballooned tenfold shortly thereafter.
The open-air street food markets soon sprang up to meet worker demand for fast, filling meals. These markets soon became a center of social life and Singapore’s new multicultural identity, and the tradition has persisted for over 200 years.
Neapolitan Pizza
The Neapolitan pizza-making tradition was added to UNESCO’s list in 2017, further bolstering Italy’s status as the country with the most UNESCO sites. This centuries-old tradition has been passed down through the generations.
Neapolitan pizza makers, known as “pizzaiuolos,” produce their iconic pizzas through a precise process. Modern Naples is home to about 3,000 pizzaiuolos who are carrying on this tradition. These pizza makers fall into one of three categories: Master Pizzaiuolos, Pizzaiuolos, and bakers.
Pizza is arguably Italy’s most ubiquitous cultural export, as pizza shops can be found in virtually all corners of the globe. We visited Pizzeria Di Fara in Brooklyn, New York, which blew our socks off.
Pizza lovers who visit Italy should consider visiting Naples for the pizza alone, along with the city’s many museums and other cultural sites. Enjoying a pie where the global phenomenon started is an incredible culinary and cultural experience.
The Diverse Culinary Traditions of Mexico
Mexican cuisine has been one of the most popular takeout options in the United States for decades now, but traditional Mexican cuisine is much more diverse than what we see in the U.S.
In fact, there are actually several different regional types of cuisine in Mexico. Although they share certain things in common, your culinary options can vary significantly when moving from one state to another.
While the country’s pristine beach resorts may draw the largest share of American tourists, those who want to gain a deeper understanding of Mexican culture should consider leaving the resort and enjoying some meals in local restaurants.
Mexican cuisine is based on a long history of culinary traditions, many originating with indigenous groups of the pre-Columbian era. Of course, the Spanish also left their mark on the cuisine. Many modern Mexican staples are a fusion of indigenous and Spanish influences, just like the country itself.
Planning a Trip around Food
Planning a vacation around culinary experiences is relatively easy, thanks to modern media and technology. The late, great celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain created three different TV series based on this premise, including Parts Unknown. And modern YouTubers like Mark Wiens have inspired millions to make food a main focus of their travels. In addition to its entertainment value, this type of content can be a resource for planning your own trips. Additionally, the Internet and apps can provide you with everything you need to plan your vacation around food.