There’s nothing more unique to traveling than experiencing the food that each new place has to offer. For the enthusiastic foodie, travel is about both the destination as well as following your tastebuds. There are endless restaurants and other food establishments to be enjoyed, but finding the perfect place for a meal can be challenging. Here are three tips for turning your vacation experience into the food adventure of your dreams.

Locals Know Best –

It is pretty commonly understood that going where the locals go is the best way to experience a new city, but what if you don’t know any locals? Well the next best thing to a local is the often neglected travel agent. Full service travel agents can provide advice and help you plan your itinerary so that you get to experience everything you can. Travel agents are trained and have access to local vendors that are sometimes impossible to find on your own. The best part, though, is that they usually offer this service for free. However, if you’re the DIY type, blogs are the way to go. Look for blogs written by people who have lived in the area that you’re visiting to get the most authentic experience.

Food Tours and Cruises –

Food based tours and cruises have started popping up all over the world. There is such a huge variety of choices when it comes to food tours, that it can be difficult to know where to start. Food cruises are fantastic for the beginner travel foodie as there are cruises to suit every style and personality, from entry-level to luxurious. Cruising takes away all of the traditional stresses of traveling, and instead creates a way to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. Smaller cruise lines like AMA Waterways bring the destination into the journey by including cultural food and flavors into the onboard cuisine. On the other end of the scale, you have Celebrity Cruise Lines’ Top Chef at Sea, which will let you delve a little deeper into the foodie world, with a program that includes cooking competitions, cooking demonstrations and private classes. Cruise Planners Metro Atlanta is a great place to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Cooking classes –

Another fantastic way to eat your way around the world is to take cooking classes or participate in food shopping tours. You’ll not only get to taste the culture, but you’ll be able to bring a bit of it home with you. There’s no better souvenir than a well-loved recipe. Hotels frequently offer cooking classes featuring traditional food of the area, but venturing further out can definitely pay off. This is where a great travel agent can assist you in helping you find a unique experience that connects you with the right teacher native to the country who will have a history of the recipes and experiences to draw from.

Catina Wilson is the Owner Operator of Cruise Planners Metro Atlanta, and is an avid traveler and foodie as well. It’s Full service travel agencies like hers that’ll help you get the most from your next foodie adventure. For more information, she can be reached at 678-631-9706 or http://www.traveladventures365.com.