BY CLAY LARROY
When you choose to travel, whether it is for business or
pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Here are some
tips to help you. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers
let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of
your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates,
so be sure to use them before they expire. Travelling is a great way to use
your airline miles. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!
Your
tour operator should be able to accommodate any dietary needs regarding meals.
However, the meals prepared during cooking classes, unless the class is
designed and taken on an individual basis, are usually determined by the
instructor and cannot be changed upon request. There are tours designed for
vegetarians, which usually take place in Asian countries. Thailand, for
example, boasts an annual vegetarian festival.
If
you are more of a gastronome, you will want to take or design a tour that
focuses on the pleasures of dining. Many culinary travelers maintain that there
is no better way to learn about a culture than by sampling its traditional
dishes. Such tours often include the excursions mentioned above, as well as
more standard tourist attractions such as museums and art galleries. Certain
tours allow more time for exploring the towns in which you stay. There are also
more active tours, which incorporate such activities as hiking, painting and
language instruction. These tours also provide a good option for those wanting
to dine independently.
Not
surprisingly, the most popular destinations for gourmet vacationing are Italy
and France. Tasting tapas in Spain is also en vogue. When visiting these
popular regions, the earlier you make your reservation, the better. But Europe isn’t
your only option. You may enjoy a culinary cruise to the Caribbean, or take a
chef-guided tour of Mexico. For the more adventurous, culinary tours are
offered in such exotic locales as Morocco, India and Vietnam. For those looking
for an experience closer to home, consider becoming a barbecue connoisseur in
West Virginia or cook up some Creole in Louisiana.
Travelers
may also take a culinary vacation by means of a food festival. The Netherlands
boasts an international food-tasting festival every August, and Georgia is home
to the annual Vidalia Festival. If you appreciate good beer as much as good
food, Oktoberfest is certain to leave you hoppy.
The
cost of a culinary vacation varies widely. The biggest factor in determining
the price of your trip is whether you opt for a package tour, which generally
means sharing your travel experience with other culinary enthusiasts. Most
culinary tours are packaged at a fixed price that includes daily classes,
meals, excursions, accommodations and ground transportation. You will be
responsible for making your own travel arrangements to the school or destination,
a task with which your travel consultant can greatly assist. The cost of your
trip is further determined by the country visited, the extent of teaching
provided, the quality of restaurants enjoyed, and the number and nature of
excursions taken.
Accommodation
is also a factor. Luxury and high-end hotels are a more expensive option.
Staying in a countryside villa may not be as posh an experience, but the
relaxation granted by fresh air and lush landscapes could prove to be
priceless. Work through the options with your travel consultant. The more
clearly you state your own preferences, the better your travel consultant can
work with the tour operator to properly accommodate you and your traveling
companions.
When
pricing your stay, remember to take into consideration any Value Added Tax
(VAT) levied by many countries in Europe and elsewhere. Because VAT is often as
high as 20% of the cost of an accommodation or good purchased, the amount is
often not insignificant! Many travelers assume that VAT is refundable. However,
this is typically not the case for services such as transportation,
accommodation, food, gas or any other goods or services consumed within the
country itself. Ensure that the price you are quoted includes all taxes and
other fees.
Sound
too good to be true? It’s all for real and with a little planning a culinary
vacation can be an absolutely wonderful way to garnish your next trip away from
home.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
The chef that grew up with
the grandma who cooks tends to always beat the chef
that went to the culinary
institute. It's in the blood.
Gary Vaynerchuk
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