Culinary Travel Trends

As strange as it sounds, food is increasingly becoming a major reason for people to pack their bags and head to the airport. The “Foodie Era” has encouraged people to not only travel for culture, historical or relaxation purposes, but rather with the intent of getting absorbed into the culinary atmosphere of a new place. From tastes to culinary styles, there is so much you can learn about a place through your tongue and tummy.

Adding to that, more people have realised that you no longer need to visit the swankiest restaurant in town to enjoy a culinary experience. Some argue that you are more likely to have an authentic taste experience by visiting a local market and stocking up on fresh ingredients to go crazy in the kitchen with. Readers Digest  says this is one of the best reasons to do a house swap instead of staying in a hotel, so that you’ll live, eat and shop like a local.

If you’re not much of a cook, then don’t worry, you don’t actually have to slave away in the kitchen every day to get a taste of local culture. Many markets around the world sell tasty traditional delicacies which you can sample. Then there are the small cafes and restaurants that focus solely on their country’s traditional dishes. The setting often allows for you to get lost in the both the gastronomical and cultural flavours of the place you’re visiting.

So when it comes to planning a foodie holiday; whether you plan to cook-up more fresh foods than Jamie Oliver could ever dream of, or eating from local stalls and eateries; you’ll need to do a little bit of research.

Thankfully, our Hummba audio city guides are not just for touring. They include the names and descriptions of some of the best fresh food markets and restaurants in the world’s most popular cities. Download mobile guides to the food-lovers’ cities of New York, Paris, and Rome!

The holidays are long over, so you better start planning your next one!

Many of us are still recovering from the end of year holidays, but January is actually the perfect time to plan the next one. The Easter break in April provides a great excuse for a mid-year getaway and what better place to go than Rome?

The Italian capital is an incredible place to visit at any time of the year, but even more so during Easter. Rome comes alive as the Vatican City celebrates the Christian holy week and whether you’re religious or not, it really is worth a visit. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and inquisitive tourists visit Saint Peter’s Square to attend one of the Pope’s numerous public masses. The pageantry associated with Easter in Rome is simply breathtaking.

A walking tour of the city is one of the best ways to experience all that Rome has to offer during this busy holiday season. Take a stroll through the ancient Roman Forum or visit the historic Colosseum. The beautiful Spanish Steps and the world-renowned Trevi Fountain should also be firmly placed on every tourist’s itinerary when visiting the city.

You can download free audio guides to some of the hottest attractions in and around Rome. Check out the audio walking tour of the city or explore some of the famous districts, squares and streets of Rome.

Happy travels in 2012!