Have you heard of the term “travel weakness?” When you travel, it’s something that you absolutely can’t help doing for example, some people might need to buy magnets whenever they travel somewhere new or take pictures in front of all the major landmarks.
My travel weakness are food tours.
Every time I arrive in a new place, the first thing I do is book a food tour and out of the hundreds of food tour companies I have used, Culinary Backstreets is my favorite.
Culinary Backstreets are pricier than many other tour companies, but each tour lasts approximately 5 hours, and you get way more food than you can possibly eat – none of that tiny tasting bullshit where you get one bite at each stop.
Culinary Backstreets started as a food blog called Istanbul Eats, which later started offered culinary walks through Istanbul (which is where I tried my first tour). They got so popular, they eventually expanded their tours globally, and now they have tours in 17 cities (and growing).
There are so many reasons I love Culinary Backstreet tours, and by the end of this post, I am sure you will be eager to book your first tour with them!
Table of Contents
Who are Culinary Backstreets?
Hungry? Love to travel? Well, you’re in luck! Culinary Backstreets Tours is here to take you on a culinary adventure across the globe. Founded by two food-obsessed journalists, these tours are sure to satisfy your taste buds and your wanderlust. They’ll show you the hidden foodie gems in each city, where you’ll gobble up authentic dishes and learn about the history behind the restaurants and dishes you eat.
They work with local and off the beaten path eateries to give guests a chance to go where the locals go ad eat what the locals eat. One of my favorite things about them is that they support small businesses.
Who are Culinary Backstreets Tours For?
- If you are a foodie who’s tired of bland tourist traps and wants to experience the true flavor of a city
- Foodies and culinary enthusiasts who want to explore the local food culture of a destination
- Travelers who want to go beyond the typical tourist attractions and delve into the authentic local food scene
- People who are interested in learning about the history and traditions behind a region’s cuisine
- Adventurous eaters who are willing to try new and unusual foods
- Those who want to support local businesses and experience the city from a different perspective
- Anyone who wants to connect with locals and learn about their daily lives and customs
- Groups of friends, families, or colleagues who want to have a unique and memorable experience together.
Come hungry and curious, and leave with a full belly and a wealth of knowledge about the local cuisine & culture.
Who are The Guides?
Culinary Backstreets hires some of the best guides in the food tour industry. Here is what you can expect from your tour guide on one of their tours.
- They are like the culinary kings and queens of their hometown, with a knowledge of food culture, history, and traditions of their city or region.
- They love food so much, they want to shout it from the rooftops (or at least, share it with anyone who will listen).
- They know all the juiciest details about the best local spots to grab a bite, from the tastiest markets to the most delicious food producers.
- The guides are so friendly and personable, you’ll feel like you’re dining with a long-lost friend.
- With experience in the food industry, they know how to handle any situation that comes their way (including, but not limited to, food comas and overcooked steaks).
- They’re all about supporting local businesses and keeping it sustainable, because nothing tastes better than a guilt-free meal.
- And last but not least, they’re like the city’s very own secret keepers, eager to share all the hidden gems and insider tips with curious guests.
The guides can either make or break a tour for me, so I appreciate that Culinary Backstreets hires the best of the best, and every single tour guide I have had has been so lovely.
What to Expect on a Culinary Backstreets Tour.
A Culinary Backstreets tour is a unique way to explore a city’s food culture with a focus on local, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Here are some things you can expect on a Culinary Backstreets tour:
- Local, authentic food: The tour will take you to hidden eateries, street vendors, and markets, where you can sample local food that you might not find on your own.
- Knowledgeable guides: The tour guides are passionate food experts who will provide you with insights into the food culture, history, and traditions of the city.
- Off-the-beaten-path experiences: You’ll get to explore the less touristy areas of the city, where locals eat and shop, and get a sense of the real culture of the city.
- Small group size: Culinary Backstreets tours are designed for small groups, typically no more than 7 people, so you can have an intimate experience so that you can easily interact with your guide and fellow travelers.
- A mix of food and culture: The tour will not only be about food, but also about the culture and history of the city. You’ll learn about the neighborhoods, architecture, and people that make the city unique.
Where Can You Experience a Culinary Backstreets Tour?
Athens
Barcelona
Istanbul
Lisbon
Los Angeles
Marseille
Mexico City
Naples
New Orleans
Palermo
Porto
Queens
Tbilisi
Tokyo
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Travel Resources
First off, if you want to browse all my favorite travel resources, check out my Travel Resources page.
Trip Planning: I have put together the ultimate trip planning guide that will walk you through everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip.
Book your Flight: Check out Skyscanner and Momondo! They can have great deals. Airfarewatchdog is also a favorite of mine. I get notified by email every time there is a good deal from my local airport.
Book your Transportation: Wanderu is usually where I check first. They check hundreds of different transportation companies all over the world and find you either the best bus or train deal. Flixbus is one of my favorite cheap options for Europe. The buses generally aren’t too bad, and they go to most countries around Europe. It’s the perfect option for short distances. Train travel is my favorite mode of transportation, and I always use Rail Europe to book my tickets. The Eurail pass makes Europe train travel super affordable.
Book your Accommodation: I created a platform called Just Wndr that allows you to find and book hotels for up to 70% off! All you have to do is sign up with your email, and then you have access to thousands of hotel deals for a fraction of what you would pay on other booking sites. On a budget and looking for cheap accommodation? Hostelworld is my preferred site to book cheap and reliable hostels. Hotwire has a fun mystery to it. It’s a great site to use for last-minute bookings. They don’t actually tell you the name of the hotel when you are browsing. You will just get the area of the city it’s in, the price, and how many stars it has. I love the surprise aspect of it!
Book your Travel Insurance: Getting travel insurance is such a crucial part of preparing for a trip. You never know what could happen and why take the risk? Before I travel anywhere, I always book my insurance through Safety Wing.
Book your Activities: Now, you have planned all the logistics, time to think about what you will do once you get to your destination! These are a few of my favorite trip planning sites. I always use Get Your Guide when I am looking for tours. I have booked cooking classes, day tours and so much more through them and absolutely love the immense selection they offer in cities all over the world! Pinterest is great to get travel inspiration and plan an upcoming trip or share inspo with friends and family. I use Trip Advisor to plan itineraries for what I want to see & do in each city. I also use them to read reviews on restaurants and hotels too.
Store Your Luggage: Do you have a long layover or a late flight and need to store your luggage? Luggage Hero has got you covered. You can book luggage storage in more than 35 cities worldwide for as little as $1 an hour or $8 for the day.
thanks for sharing this with us.