The ultimate foodie travel bucket list

Phnom Penh is a city that pulses with energy, history and survival. If you want to go a little off piste from the tourist norms and are up for awakening your tastebuds, opt for a foodie tour through the streets. It’s a great way to explore the City. You’ll wander past colonial buildings, sampling some of Cambodia’s culinary wonders before taking a guided tour around a local brewery. And to top it off, you’ll wash it all down with a glug of the final product. Cheers!

If – like me – you love food almost as much as you love wildlife, you might want to tag on a tour of tasty Thai delicacies after paying a visit to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. You’ll travel on foot and by songthaew with a guide to explore the bustling street food markets around the city. Not only will you have the chance to sample some of Northern Thailand’s tastiest snacks but you’ll also learn how to order in Thai. Sawadee ka!

Rickshaw is all about becoming immersed in communities while at the same time preserving and supporting them. Buying local produce from the market, then cooking and eating together is a fantastic way to support the community. It’s also a great way to get to know people and take away a new skill. Staying with a host family and learning to cook local dishes gives you the chance to recreate the essence of your trip- long after your tan has faded! Here are some of my favourites…

Nestled on top of a mountain lies the enchanting Chittorgarh Fort. Inside, you can lose yourself in a maze of narrow streets lined with temples and palaces. On a 2 day trip here you’ll stay in a friendly hotel run by Parvati and his family. They love good food and will teach you how to make the tastiest curries.  Second to naan*. (*sorry)

You’re never far away from a reggae beat or a tropical cocktail in Puerto Viejo. And if music is the food of love, play on! This is the place to go for sweeping beaches, spicy Caribbean stews and live reggae bands. Succumb to the Caribbean way of life on a traditional Caribbean cookery class. Your teacher will share recipes that have been passed down through generations in her family with the star ingredients of coconut milk, thyme, chilli and ginger. ZING!

Sri Lanka is a foodie’s paradise! If you don’t mind rolling your sleeves up, a cooking class could be right up your street. But this is no ordinary cooking class. Nope. It’s a homestay nestled amongst green gardens just outside of Kandy. You’ll get an authentic glimpse into the secrets of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and experience daily life with a local family who will welcome you with open arms. If you want to get truly involved with the Sri Lankan way of life, you can hop in a tuk tuk to the market to gather herbs and fresh produce before preparing a famous curry with the cook of the house.

Arequipa has got to be one of Peru’s most charming cities. Here, you can wander the cobbled streets, visit the local market and send your senses into overdrive with an explosion of colour, sounds and smells. During our 3 day trip, you can go a step further by staying at a local home where you can learn the secrets of cooking the perfect quinoa, chicha or caldo verde.

I don’t know about you but if there’s one thing that gives me a sweet tooth, its an epic train ride to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu. After exploring the Inca ruins, why not try your hand at a chocolate-making workshop where you can learn about the mouthwatering properties of the cocoa bean and swot up on the art of chocolate production… all the way from bean to bar! It’s the ideal adventure for chocoholics, culture lovers and those with an appetite to explore.

Bon appetite!