Discover the best destinations for culinary tourists

Food is such an important part of any holiday. Sampling specialist flavours and iconic signature dishes, dining out with the locals... it’s why many of us travel in the first place.

One Traveller makes mealtimes a little bit special. During our escorted foodie holidays, dinner is a daily focal point as we relax and discuss what we have seen together. In this article, we’ll look at our top solo foodie destinations, where you can munch your way through one delicacy after another, eat where the locals eat and enjoy the company of likeminded travellers and locals.

Fred. Olsen Cruises - Enjoy the fruits of the land on the water

Our list begins with a little cheat... we're on a ship! Our solo cruise holidays with Fred. Olsen are renowned for their foodie offerings. With full-board dining, table service, and a choice of eateries, you’ll enjoy fantastic cuisine that’s inspired by the places you'll visit. Meals are a true highlight of your cruise. 

Foodie tip: Try the mouth-wateringly delicious fresh breads, all baked on board!

Madeira - Taste all the riches of the island

Surrounded by the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, this little slice of Portugal has much to offer our foodie solo travellers. From luxury afternoon tea at the iconic Reid’s Palace Hotel to a traditional Madeiran lunch and wine tasting at a gorgeous island vineyard. Our flavoursome walking tour of an exotic fruit market is always popular. Sample delicious locally sourced produce, meet the traders, and eat like a local.  

Foodie tip: An extremely popular speciality is Espetada Madeirense, consisting of large cubes of grilled beef served on long skewers. 

Tuscany - Fine dining in the heart of Medieval Italy

A place where joining the locals at pretty pavement cafes or quaint old restaurants is just as appealing as discovering the treasures of historic renaissance cities. During our musical holiday to see Andrea Bocelli performing live in Lajatico, we’ll truly savour this foodie hotspot together. Sample a special Tuscan antipasto and local wines, dine out as the sun sets in beautiful Pisa and Montecatini Terme, visit a rustic eatery before your concert, and enjoy wholesome group dinners at your quality hotel, celebrating the best of Tuscan cuisine. 

Foodie tip: Bistecca alla Fiorentina. The classic Steak Florentine should be served rare on the bone and usually with salad and beans. 

South Africa - Treat your tastebuds with braai, barbecue and biltong

Our touring holiday to South Africa is packed with edible highlights. Arguably the most celebrated, however, is our foodie tour in Stellenbosch. Excite your taste buds when we sample internationally inspired, artisan food and drinks on an extended lunch walk. Elsewhere, our buffet lunch at Featherbed Nature Reserve’s renowned outdoor restaurant provides a foodie moment to treasure. 

Foodie tip – Braai is a delicious traditional meat dish, cooked on an open flame or barbecue. 

Marrakech - Explore exotic delicacies amid bustling markets

Bustling souks, steaming street kitchens, colourful spice markets and a unique blend of North African charm and French chic. For the foodie solo traveller, Marrakech is a city to savour. Treat your senses on an evening stroll through the atmospheric delight that is Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Savour the friendly energy of the city when you dine out with fellow solo travellers in traditional restaurants, and enjoy a unique afternoon in the desert, where you’ll experience a luxury lunchtime treat at a luxury campsite, complete with a welcome cocktail and traditional dishes. Our farewell meal in a city restaurant comes alive with belly dancers, traditional musicians, and singers. 

Foodie tip – Done well, the classic Moroccan tagine brings out the country’s most succulent flavours in one slow-cooked dish, often served in a triangular clay pot.

Crete - Exquisite home-cooked food at the Mistral Hotel

Based at the wonderful Mistral Hotel, guests are treated to home-cooked meals each day, with many ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own gardens. We’ll visit an authentic taverna, enjoy local honey, cheese, wine and olive oil tastings, and take in the sights and fragrances of a local farmers’ market. For the ultimate solo journey of foodie discovery into Cretan and Greek cuisine, look no further! 

Foodie tip: Don’t miss the hotel’s moussaka night – for “the best moussaka on the island”. 

Never dine alone – meet likeminded travellers and locals

While visiting our delicious foodie hotspots, One Traveller also helps you avoid the uncertainly of finding a seat at dinner. Our fun unique number system ensures there’s always a seat waiting for you and fresh conversations flow across our shared tables – a perfect aperitif for the solo traveller.

Good food tastes better in great company!

Have these ideal destinations for a fantastic foodie solo holiday got your tummy rumbling? Why not request a brochure to learn more about our ‘excellent’  rated holidays or call 01760 722 011. Bon appetite...