Food, Glorious Food: Wilderness Travel Expands Portfolio of Culinary-Focused Journeys

With global travellers seeking more meaningful connections through food, adventure travel specialist Wilderness Travel has expanded its portfolio of culinary-focused journeys.

According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), culinary experiences have emerged as the top trending activity in adventure travel, reflecting a shift toward culturally rich itineraries. Travellers are increasingly motivated by a desire to “travel like a local,” seeking authentic experiences that connect them to place through cuisine.

“Food has become one of the most powerful ways to understand a destination for many people,” says Scott Abbott, Managing Director at Wilderness Travel. “Our culinary journeys go beyond dining—they bring travellers into kitchens, markets, vineyards, and communities, creating meaningful connections through every meal.”

A Taste of Adventure in South America

The newest addition to the category is the Hidden Flavours of Peru & Bolivia tour—a journey through two of South America’s most celebrated food cultures.

While Peru’s food scene is well established, Bolivia’s star is on the rise and celebrated for its emphasis on indigenous ingredients. This 13-day culinary adventure shows how Old World cuisine and traditional, local ingredients collide in these Andean countries. Travelers will visit produce markets, taste meals by award-winning chefs, and meet local wine makers.

Trip details:

• Priced from $10,195
• 2026 departure(s): October 9-21

France: Where Prehistory Meets the Plate

Tracing an arc across southern France—from the green Dordogne Valley to the wild uplands of the Massif Central—Wilderness Travel’s 12-day Prehistoric Caves & Great Cuisine of France culinary walking tour includes both explorations in Paleolithic art and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.

Starting in Bordeaux with a hike to the ancient wine town of Saint-Émilion, the itinerary then heads to Les Eyzies, a world capital of prehistory. Guests explore the clifftop castle of Château de Beynac and the Grottes de Cougnac, before following a stretch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail then wrapping the trip up among the lavender fields of Vallon Pont-d’Arc. True to its culinary focus, the tour features a dinner at the world-famous “Le Suquet, Sébastien Bras” restaurant, among other notable establishments.

Trip details:

• Priced from $11,295
• 2026 departure(s): June 2-13, September 8-19, September 22-October 3

Italy’s Lake District: A Feast for the Senses

Set against the stunning backdrop of northern Italy, Wilderness Travel’s 11-day Great Hikes & Chefs of Italy’s Lake District combines walks and hikes with the opportunity to savour regional culinary specialities.

Beginning in the hilly vineyards of Valpolicella, where a local chef prepares a lunch featuring authentic northern cuisine, the group continues to the top of Monte Baldo and up the Rocca di Manerba. Another highlight is a ferry ride to explore tucked-away Lake Iseo before continuing to Lake Maggiore, Lake Mergozzo, and the hamlet of Montorfano. The tour wraps up in the renowned Piemonte area, capped off with a meal at the Michelin-starred Dolce Stil Novo restaurant.

Trip details:

• Priced from $8,495
• 2026 departure(s): June 12-22, September 18-28, October 2-12, October 14-24

A Growing Appetite for Meaningful Travel

“Whether sharing a meal with local hosts in the Andes, tasting wines in a French village, or discovering regional recipes in Italy, these journeys are about connection,” says Wilderness Travel’s Abbott. “They reflect the evolving definition of adventure—one that engages all the senses.”