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What makes a vacation memorable? Is it enjoying the local food, the scenery or meeting new people?  For foodies, a really authentic trip includes the feeling of discovering restaurants off the beaten path, that may go unnoticed by the casual tourist.

The problem is that we don’t always know someone to be our local guide. Even when we have friends at the destination, they don’t know all the stories, traditions, and the best places to eat and drink in the region. That is why food tours are so popular!

Taking a food tour is having an expert by your side to help you explore the city in the most tasteful and informative way possible. It is a complete experience full of  taste, scents, knowledge, and memories!

What is a Food Tour?

A Food Tour includes food and beverage tastings related to the area. It can be theme related, like an Ethnic Eats Tour. It can be about a specific region of the city, or a historic market that features all local eateries. Or it can be related to specific lifestyle, like a Vegan Food Tour.

Of course, enjoying the food and drinks included in the tour is the central point of a food tour, but there is more to it than that. A food tour involves a mix of history, culture, architecture and art.  Between bites, your local guide shares information about the best museums, neighborhoods, parks and other “can’t miss favorites”.

Most common examples of Food Tours

The majority of food tours are groups of 4-12 guests and last 3-3.5 hours.  There are usually 5-6 stops at restaurants, stores, markets, cafes, etc. Food tours are usually done on foot, but you can also find tours by bicycle, tuk-tuk, scooters, and other means of transportation.  Tickets are bought online through the company’s website.  Riverside Food Tours in Cincinnati Ohio uses the city streetcar to visit more neighborhoods.

Who are the Food Tours for? 

Food Tours satisfy the hunger and curiosity of a wide variety of travelers. For those traveling solo, taking a shared group tour is a great way to meet people. If you are traveling with friends or celebrating a special occasion, booking a private tour is guaranteed fun. Families with children also love food tours, but in this case, it is important to find out in advance if the tour is suitable for children.

Even if food is not your primary motivation, you still receive a city tour filled with history and sightseeing. It’s the perfect synergy because food, history and culture go hand in hand.

How to find a Food Tour

With the boom in food tourism, food tours are in every major city worldwide. That is very good, but it also poses a challenge when choosing which is best for your itinerary.  Some popular sites are Trip Advisor, Google or Global Tours Connect.  Avoid Online Travel Agencies when buying tickets.  Prices are better when you book direct with the Tour Company, rather than an OTA like Viator or Expedia.

Check out the main tips for choosing a food tour:

• Pay attention to what is included in the price of the tour and how long the tour lasts;
• Check the departure and arrival location;
• Accessibility – if it is a walking tour and you have some mobility restrictions, verify if the route is accessible according to your conditions;
• Special diets and dietary restrictions – not all tours can adapt to special diets. If this is your case, check with the organizer in advance;
• Don’t plan large meals before the tour – it is better to guarantee space to enjoy the gastronomic experience.
• Minimum age to participate in the tour – not all experiences accept children;
• Minimum number of participants – some tours require a minimum number of participants to take place.
• Maximum number of participants – will you be dining with 2 or 10 guests? It is always good to inquire about the maximum number of participants;
• Languages available in the tour;
• Cancellation policy – refund or rescheduling option.

Written by Laura Noyes

Owner of Riverside Food Tours

Cincinnati OH

January 2022

Tags #foodtourism  #foodtours  #tripplanning #thingstodoincincinnatiohio