5 Best Food Destinations in Europe for Amazing European Food Experiences
An increasingly popular motivation to travel these days is gastronomic desires, and rightfully so. The heart lies where the stomach is happy! Good food carries the quality that it can excite the majority of your senses, allowing you to live a complete experience. While all of Europe shares the sentiment, where you cannot separate food from culture, some European destinations take it to the next level. These regions are known for their cuisine prowess and are absolute musts if you are traveling for food. Wondering which places are those? The following are the five best European destinations perfect for tantalizing your senses and making your traveling experience fulfilling and memorable.
1. Tuscany
If you are looking to enjoy some classic Italian cuisine with deliciously brewed wine in a destination whose beauty would blow you away, Tuscany is where you should be. The local cuisine is influenced by the long Tuscan history and peasantry culture, where people consumed simple farm to fork food. Since the best cuts of meat and the best vegetables were reserved for the nobility, the farming class learned to get creative with what they had, which ultimately resulted in unique and distinct meals.
One could say Tuscan food represents a harmony of simplicity and quality. Although the cuisine has evolved, most of the initial influences have been retained, making Tuscan food an absolute delight to consume. Some of the absolute all-time favorites include Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, Ribollita, and Coccoli Prosciutto. A few of the not-so-traditional but equally delicious local delicacies include Schiacciata and Pappardelle al cinghiale. Pair your food with Tuscan brewed wine and feel heaven explode in your mouth. Trust us; the food is that good.
What’s more is that coming to Tuscany, following your gastronomic desires would not be just pleasant for your tastebuds. The region is historical and traditional, allowing you insight into rural Italian living and some of Italy’s finest architectural sites. For an unmatchable experience, do not forget to head to Siena and Monteriggioni, which are arguably two of the most beautiful destinations in the region.
2. Ibiza
Ibiza is another classic pick for anyone who wishes to embark on a journey to live food experiences in Europe. The Ibizan cuisine is truly a treat, stimulating your senses of touch, sight, smell, and taste all at once, letting you connect with the food maximally. The food culture is reminiscent of Ibiza’s poverty days when most people could not afford to waste any food item, so leftovers would be efficiently recycled into other dishes, especially hearty soups.
One excellent example of this is Arroz de Matanza, a rich and tasty meal comprising rice, pork, and other leftovers. Today, it is regarded as one of the perfect comfort foods. Plus, since the majority was poor, they could not afford to consume extravagant items, such as meat, in routine. Therefore, the population devised ingenious recipes to revamp boring routine items into mouthwatering delicacies. The city’s proximity to the sea translated into fresh fish being an element of the delicacies, which continues to date. Two such unmissable items are Paellas de Marisco and Parrillada de Pescado, which would leave you licking your fingers.
When you are not gorging on the food, you should step out to explore the beautiful city that Ibiza is. Visit the Ibiza Cathedral and the gorgeous beaches, like Cala Comte and Talamanca, to have an unmatchable experience.
3. Istanbul
If you are looking to visit a destination that is as fascinating as its food, you should head straight to Istanbul. The city once used to be the center of the great Ottoman empire. And since the empire was vast with no movement restrictions, there were numerous cultural interactions, meaning that you will find influences from far and wide food cultures.
From Levantine to Greek to Egyptian to Balkan, the Turkish culinary culture naturally integrates foreign elements, making them its own. The result is mouthwatering, finger-licking-good, hearty, rich, and comforting food that will appease your soul. Surely, the Turkish cuisine in Istanbul is a food experience in Europe that you cannot miss. Some of the finest items you cannot afford to miss when in Istanbul include Iskender Kebap, Manti, and Kuru Fasulye. Plus, the culture of street food is abuzz in the city, so you should step out and devour items from there as well.
And when you are not eating, you must visit some iconic Istanbul spots, like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the local museums. The city’s popular destinations are situated in each other’s proximity, so hopping from one to another is not tedious. Make sure to explore them to have a fulfilling travel experience!
4. Basque Country
Basque Country is another remarkable destination if you are looking for excellent food experiences in Europe. It is one of those regions in northern Spain that seem to transport you to another world. Gorgeous sceneries, extremely warm and welcoming people, stunning attractions, and a cuisine to die for. Its geography influences the culinary culture of the region. Where on one side, Basque is lined by a sea, the other side is dominated by mountainous areas. This results in a difference between coastal cuisine and inland cuisine, the former being dominated by seafood and the latter being dominated by vegetables and cured meats.
The cuisine also notes cultural influences from its surrounding regions of Spain and France as well as from foreign settlers, like Jewish expelled from Portugal. Therefore, all in all, one can regard Basque Country’s food to be diverse and versatile, with main ingredients covering everything from fishes to meats to vegetables.
Given these things, the region has come up with some classic, authentic Basque foods that leave people wowed. For example, one of the coastal region highlights is the Squid in Ink Sauce, a very popular dish comprising baby squid coated in flour, fried, and immersed in a sauce made of tomatoes and onions, breadcrumbs, wine, and squid ink. This unique dish is a must-try for anyone in the region. Other notable mentions include hearty stews like Alubias de Tolosa and Marmitako and fish dishes like Bacalao and Txangurro.
When you are in town, do not forget to witness the region’s dramatic landscape, meet the friendly locals, and explore San Sebastian. Doing so will make your stay here more pleasant and fulfilling.
5. Bordeaux
Of course, no list of best gastronomic European destinations can ever be complete without mentioning French cities. The French cuisine is as diverse and exquisite as one can imagine. It is finger-licking-good! But if you are looking to visit a city that catches the essence of the French culinary experience while having its own distinct element, you should put Bordeaux on your list. Although primarily known as a wine region, Bordeaux is much more than that. An absolute gastronomic paradise, Bordeaux’s cuisine is an integral part of its culture. It is influenced by its proximity to the sea and vineyards.
Today, several local chefs integrate foreign influences in their dishes to revamp the classic ones. However, certain dishes remain true to their origins and extremely Bordeaux in their nature. One such food is the Cap Ferret Oysters, a local specialty and not something you can find elsewhere. Other must-taste items include Boeuf de Bazas, Caneles de Bordeaux, and Dune Blanches.
In your spare time, step out and visit local attractions available in the city. Some of the famous sites include Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux Cathedral, and Place de la Bourse, each of which has a stunning architecture that will blow you away!
Planning to visit some of the best food destinations in Europe?
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