Food and Market Tours: How to Pick the Right One for You

Culinary and market tours can greatly enhance your vacation by giving you an inside look at the local flavors, often taking you to treasured spots that aren’t necessarily easily accessible to tourists. But how do you make sure you’re investing in a truly worthwhile experience rather than a tourist trap?

To pick the right culinary or market tour for you, you’ll want to start doing a little research on your own. What kind of foods are you interested in while in your destination? A city can have more than a handful of specialties — do you want a quick overview of the top favorites, or would you rather focus in on a specific food item? Would you prefer a market tour and a cooking experience or just a tasting at favorite restaurants? Do you want to drink during your tour? These are all things to consider when you’re making your decision.

Once you know what you’d like to focus on during your tour, begin searching for options. First, you can narrow them down by location. Are you going to need to walk a long way to meet up with the guide? Would you rather stick somewhere closer to your hotel? Also, take into consideration where the tour ends — they’re not always circular.

You also want to think of your own abilities. Do you have anything that would keep you from walking long distances, or any dietary restrictions that should be considered?

As you begin to consider prices, you’ll have to make an individual decision of what a food or market tour is worth to you. They can get pricey, so you’ll want to compare what you actually get for what you’re paying with each of your options. Keep in mind just because there are fewer stops on one tour, it doesn’t mean you’ll get less food — you may get more food, just in fewer spots.

Then, consider what you’d prefer for your group size. Do you want to book a tour just for you and your family, or are you a solo traveler or couple that can easily fit into a larger group? You likely won’t want too big of a tour or things may seem too impersonal.

Whatever you choose, consider booking your food tour for the beginning of your stay. This will allow you to discover all the great tips your tour guide will have for eating and drinking throughout the duration of your stay, and if you find a spot you really love, you’ll have the chance to come back.