Experiential Travel
The Joy of Connection
Pasta making class in Tuscany
What is experiential travel? For me, it means immersing yourself in a place by experiencing its culture through food. Whether I’m traveling with my family or leading one of my culinary retreats, food is always at the heart of the journey. It’s how we connect with the people, traditions, and stories that make a region unique.
During my culinary retreats, I lead small group food and travel experiences to some of the world’s most delicious destinations. Each week long retreat is designed to immerse curious, food loving travelers in the flavors, culture, and traditions of a specific region through hands-on cooking classes, market visits, wine tastings, and shared meals. I’ve just returned from an incredible week in Tuscany with a group of 17 foodies, and it reminded me once again how meaningful and memorable these trips can be for the food, the setting, and most of all, the people.
On this trip, everyone came with something a little different in mind to experience during their free time. Some wanted the simple pleasure of eating a panini while sitting on a curb. Others preferred sipping a spritz at a café in the piazza, watching the world go by. A few were eager to wander and get lost in quiet, tucked-away streets, while others were on a mission to shop for the best local finds.
The best golden hour lighting for our final group photo before our final dinner in Tuscany
We began as a group of strangers, having only met once during a pre trip Zoom meetup where we cooked one of my favorite recipes together. When we finally met in person in Florence, the adventure truly began. We kicked things off with a walking tour to get acclimated to the city’s history, art, and food culture. Over the next few days, we shared a group dinner, took part in a hands on cooking class that included shopping for ingredients at the local market, and then enjoyed the meal we created together. There was also time to wander, shop, and explore on our own, adding just the right balance to the experience.
For the second half of the week, we stayed in a medieval village just outside Siena, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyard views straight out of a postcard. There was plenty of time to relax and enjoy the peaceful property, as well as day trips to explore the nearby towns. We visited local wineries for tastings, took part in another hands-on cooking class, and shared many memorable meals. One standout was a special lunch at an agriturismo that felt more like dining in the owner’s home than at a restaurant. Over a table full of Carmela’s homemade dishes, we learned about the history of food in San Gimignano through both stories and flavor.
One of the most rewarding parts of experiential travel isn’t just what you see or do, it’s who you share it with. As we discovered so much about the Tuscan region, we also discovered a lot about our fellow travelers during our long, relaxed meals around the table, where conversations flowed easily over good food and local wine. Connections were made and bonds were formed that I know will last a lifetime. Every group is special and this one was no exception. The fact that everyone in the group wanted to do a reunion trip is a testament to the perfection of this group dynamic.
Several people on this trip had never done a group tour before and weren’t sure what to expect. By the end, they told me it was nothing like they imagined and so much better. Those who had been on group trips before said this one stood out. Why? Because the group was smaller and more personal. Because the people were kind, open, and genuinely interested in the experience. And because everything was thoughtfully planned so they could just enjoy it—no stress, no logistics to figure out.
What kind of trips do you enjoy? Have you ever done a foodie experience? Have you done group travel? I would love to hear from you.
If you're looking for a food focused vacation that blends local culture, hands on cooking, beautiful destinations, and a welcoming community, my curated culinary retreats are designed for you. Join us on a future trip and experience what it truly means to travel through food, friendship, and unforgettable moments. Please join my travel list to get updates about my future trips HERE
My next trips in October are to Tuscany and Croatia with a small group of hungry foodie travelers. Here is the link to the Tuscany trip and here is the link to the Croatia trip so you can see the details and read the testimonials from the last trips. At the very least hop on to sign up for my mailing list (below) so you can be the first to know about the retreats. Whether you are traveling solo, with a partner, parent, son/daughter, sister or friend, you are going to have a good time. Join my travel list here.
See you on a future food adventure!
Debbie