Feed your travel addiction

It’s an easy – and incredibly enjoyable - way to fully immerse yourself into the culture you’re visiting. Not only will you try something new, it can sometimes push you out of your comfort zone and open flavour sensations you never even knew about!

It’s also essential for fuelling your amazing adventures. Here are some ideas on the most delicious places to travel across the globe.

Nestled on the edge of the Lake District, this picturesque, sleepy village isn’t somewhere that you might think of as a foodie mecca. However, it holds the fantastic title of being the birthplace of sticky toffee pudding. The original sweet treat was originally made by The Cartmel Village Shop, and brilliantly, they still make them today, but also now offer other flavours like chocolate and ginger.

The gastronomical delights don’t stop there, however. This village also is home to a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. That’s right, three! L’Enclume is the brainchild of chef Simon Rogan, who uses hyper-locally sourced ingredients, with most of the vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers being grown on their farm. There's no better way to experience the amazing ingredients of the northwest of England, and it’s an absolute joy to eat at.

There’s plenty here to cater for every budget though, with a range of other cosy pubs and eateries, like the Pig and Whistle or the Cavendish Arms too.

Italy being on the list of places to eat is no surprise, but Florence offers some of the best food in the country. To get the full Tuscan experience, choose meals that make the most of the regional ingredients. Indulge in pasta made with locally-found truffles, topped off with Pecorino Toscano, a cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano but made from sheep’s milk. Or opt for the region’s most famous dish, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which is also known as the Florentine steak.

Whatever your choice, enjoy it with a glass of locally produced Chianti sourced from a mere 20 miles away in the rolling Tuscan hills.

If you’re looking for the ultimate eating experience in Florence and are keen to understand more about the local dishes and flavours, book onto a guided food tour. You’ll learn the history of Tuscany’s culinary traditions, while sampling the best dishes this delightful  city has to offer. You’ll be eating like a Florentine in no time. 

Ola Espana! With its high-profile chefs such as Ferran Adria, mastermind of the uber-famous but now-closed El Bulli restaurant, and the Roca brothers, founders of the three Michelin star El Celler de Can Roca, Spain is firmly on the gastronomic map and has been for quite some time. But it’s not just boundary-pushing fine dining that makes this country food-famous.

Welcome to Valencia, hometown of the Spanish national dish, paella. There are many iterations of paella recipes which cover a variety of ingredients, but a classic paella Valenciana forgoes the seafood for more chicken, pork, or even rabbit, mixed in with white and green beans, plus a dash of signature saffron that gives the iconic yellow hue.

When you visit this fantastic city, don’t forget to grab a traditional pan so you can recreate your own authentic paella for your friends and family at home. And remember that a centrally located hotel can be a useful option - you don’t want to walk too far to your hotel when you’ve been overindulging in the most authentic paella you’ve ever tasted.   

If you think that all Morocco can offer is couscous and tagine, you’re very much mistaken, as there’s so much more to the culinary landscape here. Start off your day with a bowl of B'ssara, a breakfast staple made primarily from pureed, dried broad beans, topped with a swirl of olive oil, lemon juice and cumin, and served with a hunk of bread fresh from the oven for dunking.

For lunch head to Jemaa el-Fna Square or Djemaa el-Fna Square, both of which vie for the title of serving the best street food in the city. Try some classics like a loaf of Khobz, smothered in honey or cream cheese, some grilled sardines, spiced with paprika and cumin, or Makouda, little deep-fried potato balls which are even more delicious when dipped into spicy harissa sauce.

Still not full? If you’re after a sweet treat, order a portion of Sellou. Made from ground almonds, sesame seeds and flour, and flavoured with honey, cinnamon and star anise, its earthy sweet taste is symbolic of Moroccan cuisine. 

And don’t forget to wash everything down with ‘Moroccan whisky’ – the local name for the very heavily sugared sweet mint tea that you may just develop a taste for….

Whilst Toyko might be on your bucket list when you visit Japan, Osaka is the place to experience authentic Japanese cooking culture.

For some the best ramen (egg noodles in a salty broth) in the city, call in at Kamukura Dotonbori, only a five-minute walk from Osaka Metro Namba Station. Despite not being a totally native dish (it was originally imported from China) Ramen has become one of the most popular dishes in Japan in recent decades. Relatively inexpensive and widely available, this dish is also great if you’re travelling on a budget.

You’ll also have to try an Osaka original, Kushikatsu. Perfect for on-the-go adventures, these skewers of meat or vegetables are similar to tempura but have breadcrumbs in the batter and are served with a spiced soy sauce.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try some Fugu. Only trained professionals are allowed to serve this delicacy, as you need to be an expert to cut the poisonous puffer fish, usually served as sashimi (super-thin raw slices). One for the real foodies….