Doing Your Food Tour the Right Way

Whether you’re a foodie, someone who likes to travel, or just looking for a staycation activity, food tours can be an excellent way to experience a region. Cuisine has always been a huge part of any culture, so you really can’t beat its importance when you’re painting a picture of an area. Like with anything one does, you want to be sure you’re making the most of it, and these three important tips will help you make sure that you do!

1. Shop Around 

The first thing to do is identify what you’re looking for. Regardless of where you find yourself, there are going to be lots of options unique to the area. Some food tours will be on the broad side of things, focusing on many different aspects of the local flavors and delicacies. This is generally the best place to start if it’s your first time somewhere (or just your first time taking a food tour there) as they can give you a great understanding of what the region has to offer – not to mention what your favorites might be. Other tours can focus in on a more singular aspect of the food culture. Perhaps where you are is known for a particular product like olive oil or mezcal, or a special ingredient like orange blossom. Of course, a general tour would touch on these elements, but only the specialized ones can provide the true appreciation that comes with focusing on their creation and variety.

Once you’ve decided on the kind of food tour that’s best for you, you want to make sure to find the best one. Friends and family members can be invaluable when it comes to this. Ask around and find out if anyone has been to where you’re going before, or (better yet) been on a food tour in the area. These people probably know you and what you’ll like pretty well, so even if they weren’t big fans of something they tried, they’ll still be able to point you in the right direction. After checking with the people you’re close to, it’s time to take your research online. Just make sure to take the reviews you read with a grain of salt, and not go by the ratings alone. You don’t want to be robbed of a potentially amazing experience because someone else thought the fact that it was raining the day they did theirs warranted the whole event a single star.

2. Keep an Open Mind

This part may seem obvious, but believe it or not, I’ve been on tours where this wasn’t the case for some of the people in our group. Almost everywhere we went, dish after dish would come and they wouldn’t try even half, simply because they didn’t think they would like it. Of course, everyone has different levels of adventurousness, but I’m a big believer that – if it’s not going to make you sick – you should try everything you can at least once.

Another thing worth mentioning that I love about food tours is that they don’t just give you insight into the food culture of the area, but the interpersonal culture as well. Ideally, a local is showing you around, and witnessing the way they interact with other people of that community can be a learning experience as well (especially if you’re not someone who regularly ventures outside of their own customs).

3. Be Safe

Obviously, the most important thing to touch on here is making sure that you have a trustworthy guide. While it’s becoming easier and easier to find independent locals to give tours, it’s generally best to go with a credible business. While others can be cheaper, it’s usually not worth the risk of what could potentially go wrong.

Victoria Food Tours Guide

Other precautions have to do with food. If you’re someone who suffers from indigestion or (potentially much worse) allergies, be sure to look into and prepare for what you’re going to be up against. One of the last ways you want what should be an amazing experience to end is in pain, or even with a trip to the hospital.

That’s it – not much to it! If you haven’t been on a food tour before, I highly recommend you try one out the next chance you get. Just make sure to follow these tips (and wear some comfortable pants) and it’s sure to be an adventure you won’t soon forget!!

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