Picturesque Spots to Visit on Our Authentic Cooking Vacations

Want to take your own postcard-worthy photos on your next cooking vacation? Then get your camera ready, and head to one of these stunning spots around the world. (We could have made this list much much longer – but these are some of our favorite spots!).

These are places you won’t ever forget, where you will feel compelled to pull out the phone for a “selfie” and where you’ll actually print (and frame!) the pictures from your trip and hang them on your wall!

Bonus: the food in all these places is pretty spectacular — and worth taking a photo of too — during one of our cooking vacations.

Photo-Worthy Vacation Spots with TIK

1. The Vineyards of Portugal

Why go walking through the Portugal countryside? To discover the beauty of the Port wine vineyards. The wine region of Douro is a World UNESCO site famous for its production of Port wine, among others. A stroll through these vineyards means taking in stunning views of the mountains, valleys, and even the sea at a leisurely pace. But you’ll also work up an appetite, and the country of Portugal offers a cuisine of hearty meats and vegetables, along with a choice of seafood.

2. The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia

Croatia is a land of stunning contrasts. The coastline of Croatia combines the natural beauty of the limestone cliffs with the sandy beaches, as well as the charm of the cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Head inland and be greeted with the lush Dalmatian Hinterland. After savoring the sights, delve into the flavors of fresh oysters and other cuisine that melds East and Western traditions.

Cook with us on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia and find out why it’s one of our favorite alternative destinations.

3. The Amazonas of Peru

Travelers to Peru know about Machu Picchu. And while that deserves a visit too, look — and head — north for a part of the country that isn’t nearly as well known or visited. The archaeological sites here are even older than Machu Picchu, and they’re situated in a beautiful remote cloud forest. In fact, to access the sarcophagi of Karajia, you can only hike or go by horseback! In addition to the ancient sites, tour the tropical region and learn about the culinary traditions of the Amazonas, including cocktails of the region.

4. The Temples of Cambodia

For some of the best preserved and unique temples in the world, head to Cambodia during our Cooking and Culture in Southeast Asia cooking vacation.. The sheer scale of the Angkor temples — Angkor Wat in particular — is breathtaking. Plus getting to the temples is an incredible experience of its own; cross moats and continue along a causeway to gain access to the intricate templates. And be sure to stay for sunset, where you can watch the sun set over the beautiful Cambodian countryside. (Learn more about why we think you should visit Cambodia.)

5. Paris

This is a no-brainer, right? But the thing about Paris is it’s not just the famous sights that you take pictures of, it’s the food, the people, the sky… The art! From one arronidissement to another, you’ll find plenty to photograph during your stay. Another reason we love Paris is that it is so customizable, and in fact most of our trips to Paris are designed specifically for individual clients. (Did you know we can design a custom Paris foodie trip even for solos? Bet you didn’t!)

6. The Cinque Terre

The five towns that make up the famed “Cinque Terre” of Italy’s Ligurian coast are breathtaking. These villages—Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—collectively offer some of the most spectacular scenery you will see anywhere. But don’t forget to check out other beautiful spots in Liguria, such as the lovely Santa Margarita. (You can visit the Cinque Terre on some of our cooking vacations, such as Pesto, Pasta, and the Cinque Terre.)

Try this recipe for Ligurian pansoti (ravioli).

7. Mendoza, Argentina

Why not head to Argentina for your next cooking vacation? (Here are 4 reasons why!) This country offers plenty for the food lover, including the beautiful Mendoza region. For the “wino” in all of us there are wonderful vineyards and wineries (Malbec, anyone?), and the food is influenced both by indigenous cultures and by the many western European (predominantly Italian) immigrants who settled there. Not to miss? The amazing vistas afforded by going into the “High Country,” including Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of Asia, and the beautiful, mysterious Puenta del Inca.

See our food and wine tours in Argentina.

8. The Taj Mahal

Folks, there is a reason it is considered one of the new Wonders of the World. It might seem like a lot to go across the globe to Agra, India, to see it, but if you’re looking for a photo-op, this is it! If you’d like another reason to go, India offers hundreds of them, including the picturesque Chhatra Sagar, a man-made lake that anchors pristine wetlands, grasslands, and scrub forests that are home to hundreds of species of birds.

What have been your best “photo-op” moments from your travels?

By Peg Kern

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