Food and drink holiday inspiration

Scoot through Saigon on a vintage Vespa, searching for hidden street food hotspots. Zipping through the backstreets after dark, sample tasty traditional snacks in the city and listen to local live music as you sip on a Vietnamese coffee.

It’s a night tour and a foodie adventure rolled into one, this is a truly unique way to see, experience, and taste Saigon.

Cook up a classic Balinese storm on the laid-back beaches of the east. Snorkel through coral gardens and whip up tasty traditional dishes in an open-air kitchen overlooking the sea. It’s a great way to slow the pace and get a sense of behind-the-scenes Bali, far beyond the buzz of the west.

Get a real taste of Sri Lanka on a traditional homestay in Kandy as you learn to cook with the family at home in the curry kitchen. It’s a really authentic way of experiencing daily life and discovering the secrets of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

Penang has a mixture of Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures, and is bursting at the seams with some seriously tasty street food. Hop on a bike for a tour of historic Georgetown, sample the delicacies of little India and amaze at the vibrant foodie landscape of this city.

As well as vast stretches of white sand and swaying coconut palms, Thailand is also famous for its cuisine. Take a cooking class on Ko Lanta and learn the art of spicy coconut curries or crispy spring rolls; it’s easy to find something truly mouth-watering.

Whip up authentic Chinese dishes during a cooking class in bohemian Dali, a picturesque old town with a decidedly laid-back vibe and friendly locals. Home of the minority Bai tribe, it’s caught between the mountains and Erlai Lake, creating a gorgeous backdrop for a classic culinary break.

Mexico is a culinary heaven. From the fine dining heights of Puebla, to the street vendor sat in the car park of Palenque’s ruins with nothing but a cooler box and a camping stove, you’ll be well pushed to have a bad meal. Wake up to out-of-this-world huevos rancheros (so much more than just ranch-style eggs), try the spicy, nutty and sometimes chocolatey mole, and gorge on the soft-shelled tacos served on most street corners. Don’t forget to add a bit of homemade chilli sauce on top (green for mild, red for something muy picante!).

Get a taste of the good life in laid-back Mendoza, steeped in fine wine and sunshine. Cycle between wine bodegas against a backdrop of snowy peaks and sit back with a glass of local Malbec at a sidewalk café. With balmy temperatures and endless vineyards, it’s easy to fall under Mendoza’s spell.

We work with a World Fair Trade accredited Social Enterprise who selects host families and enables them to receive travellers in their homes. While their English might be basic, you’ll find that communication often flows effortlessly through warm smiles and friendly gestures!

Your cooking adventure, either lunch or dinner, begins at a pre-arranged meeting point near your accommodation, where you’ll meet your host family and either walk or arrange transport to their home. If you’d like a deeper delve into local life, we can organise an earlier meet-up for you to shop for ingredients together at their local market – just let us know.

Once at your host’s home, you’ll join them in preparing a home-cooked lunch or dinner. Whether you choose to roll up your sleeves and help or simply enjoy the process, you’ll quickly feel at ease with the warm hospitality of your hosts. This is more than a meal – it’s a genuine, immersive, and heartwarming experience that not only connects you deeply with the local culture, but supports the community too. If you’d like to include this in your travels, please let your Travel Specialist know, or find out more about what to expect from this local food experience in Thailand and Indonesia.