Best Travel Destinations for Foodies to Escape the Cold this Winter!
- Tara Busch
- Oct 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 6
Food is an incredible way to learn and connect with culture. In fact, over 99% of our travelers ask for at least one food related experience during their vacations. Increasingly, however, more and more of our guests are asking for whole culinary and wine themed itineraries - and we are here for it!
With the winter months still a little ways off--but still very much on the horizon--we wanted to offer three of our favorite travel destinations for a foodie escape that will leave your heart as full as your stomach.
"I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable."
Anthony Bourdain
Favorite Travel Experiences for Foodies;
Walking food tour
In-home cooking classes
Winery visits
Tasting menu dinner
Local food market tour
Farm/producer visit
Family friendly city walk
Best Sunny Travel Destinations for Foodies this Winter
When Should Foodies Travel to Oaxaca?
Anytime between January and late April will see glorious, full sun days, with very pleasant evenings. Holy Week holidays, as well as a few special days during lent mean celebrations including processions, and special mass services – you don’t have to be religious to join in the festivities!
Holy Week (Semana Santa) begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday.
2026: March 29th-April 5th
2027: March 21st-28th
2028: April 9th-16th
Why Is Oaxaca Great for Foodies?
Bask in the beautiful weather by taking full advantage of the ample outdoor spaces! Walk the agave fields, order fresh made snacks from street food vendors, and dine on rooftops! Oaxaca is the complete package for foodies with markets, cooking classes, hyper local dishes, and everything from rustic to fine dining. (See also: A must try dish for any visit to Oaxaca)
How Much Does an Average Week in Oaxaca Cost?
A weeklong trip for two with daily excursions, with 4-star hotel and private drivers/guides starts at $4500 per couple.
*Solo travelers, we can make it work so your per person price is the same by working in a few shared tours. Applies in all the following destinations!
Connect with People through a Unique Culinary Experience in Oaxaca
🤝 Let us arrange a tortilla making experience in the home of a local family in a rural community. Meet the women who raise corn (maize) then dry and grind it by hand into a fine flour before shaping it into a tortilla you can enjoy with stewed chicken in a slow cooked mole sauce.
When Should Foodies Travel to Cartagena?
This Caribbean town benefits from a tropical climate and ocean breezes from December through April, with steady winter temps averaging 84 degrees. Be stepping on the cobblestones of the colonial city one minute, and white sand beaches the next!
Why Is Cartagena Great for Foodies?
Vibrant and easy to travel to from the US, Cartagena is affordable, culturally interesting, and so much fun! With no shortage of amazing restaurants showcasing a variety of Caribbean flavors--from the freshest fruit, to fried plantains and fresh ceviche--there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Also, hello salsa dancing!
(Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations TRVL Go, season 4 episode 10 featured Cartagena's foodie scene. You can watch the episode in full with your local provider.)
How Much Does an Average Week in Cartagena Cost?
A weeklong trip for two with daily excursions, including a boat trip to some of the nearby islands, with 4-star boutique hotel and private drivers/guides starts at $3500 per couple.
Connect with People through a Unique Culinary Experience in Cartagena
🤝 Especially ideal for families, we will connect you with a local to visit a traditional mercado with stall after stall of tropical fruits! Learn and taste the abundance found here through natures candy! You've likely never seen most of these fruits at home, enjoy in abundance found at the equator!
When Should Foodies Travel to Arequipa?
Escape the northern hemisphere’s winter temps and short days for the Southern hemisphere’s summer season! From December to March, you'll find pleasant, sunny weather with the occasional afternoon clouds and light rainfall.
Why Is Arequipa Great for Foodies?
An unknown (for now) gem for foodies, Arequipa is a total feast for the senses. The abundant local cuisine is truly surprising when considering the barren landscape, but we will fill you in on the secrets behind their long farming history when you get there. Flavors here are unlike anywhere else. In fact, some of the most delicious meals we have ever had were in Arequipa, with dishes like a creamy fish soup, grilled meats cooked over coals and some of the most incredible stuffed peppers covered with local cheese!
How Much Does an Average Week in Arequipa Cost?
Pair Arequipa with Peru’s capital Lima for a weeklong foodie fest! The #1 restaurant in the world, Central, is in Lima, and the restaurant scene there is some of the best anywhere! A weeklong trip for two including daily foodie excursions, 4-star hotels with private drivers and local expert guides starts at $3500 per couple. Add a few more days and visit the incomparable Machu Picchu and Cusco for a full Peruvian feast (a 10-12 day itinerary starts at $4000 per couple).
Connect with People through a Unique Culinary Experience in Arequipa
🤝 Try your hand at making Chupe, an unbelievably delicious, velvety soup, with a cooking class at a local picantería (read about my experience here) and learn how the restaurateurs are keeping this and other traditions alive.
From guided walking food tours through historic neighborhoods to intimate in-home cooking classes with local families, each of these destinations provides rich opportunities to try authentic flavors. Explore bustling local food markets, savor carefully crafted tasting menu dinners, tour family-owned wineries, or visit traditional farms and producers who've perfected their craft over generations. For travelers with families, these cities also offer engaging, kid-friendly food walks that introduce young palates to new cultures through cuisine.
Food is more engaging and interactive than most informational tours.
Travelers are able to be curious and discover a place through the flavors, texture, colors and joy found in foods!
The magic happens when you allow us to weave these individual experiences into thoughtfully designed food and wine themed itineraries for you. Whether you're drawn to the ancient culinary traditions and mezcal culture of Oaxaca, the vibrant Caribbean flavors and colonial charm of Cartagena, or the sophisticated Andean cuisine and volcanic landscapes of Arequipa, these three warm destinations offer culinary adventures perfect for a winter escape!
To get started on your own unforgettable Winter Foodie Journey...
If you’re thinking about your next meaningful travel adventure subscribe to our mailing list, and follow Conscious Travel Collective on IG or FB. We craft private travel for those looking for meaningful connection to places and people, so when you are ready to experience for yourself, we are here help make it happen!
The author of this blog is the Founder of Conscious Travel Collective, Tara Busch.
Hey there! I’m Tara, the founder of Conscious Travel Collective. After years in the travel industry and loving the opportunity to connect travelers with the world, I was struggling. Part of what troubled me was the absence of a critical element, one that makes travel so special - which is genuine, reciprocal, authentic connection! Connection with places, through the people that live there. So, with much intention, I started Conscious Travel Collective to offer folks travel that connects. We design luxury experiences at a reasonable price, with sustainable, ethical travel practices leading the way.
For more on our approach to private travel head over to our homepage. We are so happy to welcome you!
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