1. Walking with Nomads in Lycia
This walk in Southern Turkey offers a memorable opportunity to spend time with the proud Yörük people as they bring their herds of mixed livestock from the high summer pastures back down to their ancestral lands on the coast. During our walk we can see traditional skills such as grain and sesame being milled and made into bread, noodles and tahini, and cheese, butter, ayran and yoghurt being made. Along the way there will be a chance to see how Mediterranean vegetables are cultivated, and participate in the olive harvest, then see how olives are milled and pressed to make the unctuous oil for which the Mediterranean is so famous.
2. Walking Trails of Puglia
Puglia in the south of Italy has a well-deserved reputation for its gastronomy - as well as its ancient history and the flat landscapes that produce durum wheat that is used to make pasta and ancient olive groves that generate more than 40% of Italy’s olive oil. On this trip you can taste the region’s world-renowned wines, sample some of their unique cheeses - which include burrata, caciocavallo, stracciatella and mozzarella among others - are also widely known. During our stay, we visit a traditional farm shop where we can browse or buy some delicious souvenirs.
3. Thailand & Laos Discovery
On this walking holiday we visit two of south-east Asia's gems - Thailand and Laos. Culinary highlights on this trip include visiting Mae Ma Lai Market in Chiang Mai where our guide will explain traditional Thai cuisine - there may be the chance to sample some of this too! Whilst on a forest trek, we will be taught how to recognise the colourful flowers of wild ginger and other natural ingredients. The hiking here is also superb, as we explore northern Thailand's landscapes, meet hill tribe communities in both countries, and explore Kuang Si waterfall and the temples of Luang Prabang in Laos.
4. Spice Trails of Kerala
As the name suggest, this walking holiday spends time traversing the spice trails of India's southern state - Kerala. A key player in agriculture, Kerala’s lush coastal hills are home to a wide variety of spices that flourish here and fill the air with aroma such as cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, pepper and vanilla. On this tour we will also see numerous tea and coffee plantations that shape the landscapes and are typical of this region.
5. Ancient Trails of Japan
Sample regional cuisine such as sashimi and sushi and visit food markets on this tour that combines Japan's culinary delights with their ancient walking trails. We visit two popular food markets - Tsukji in Tokyo which is renowned for its innovative trends and Nishiki in Kyoto. Focusing on the trekking, we enjoy hikes through the sacred mountains of Togakushi, views of Mount Fuji from Mount Kintoki and of course discover its fascinating culture, temples and rituals.
6. Beyond the Silk Road
Another country with a fascinating culture is Armenia. With beautiful scenery, monasteries and delicious food, it's a popular choice for hikers looking to go off-the-beaten-track. Sample traditional Armenian food such as Lavash (Armenian bread) which is baked in a traditional underground oven, and enjoy the mosaic of culinary blends from cultures around Europe and Central Asia. Other highlights include walking along the Silk Road, photographing the picturesque Lake Sevan and climbing Mount Hatis at 2,528 metres.
View all our culinary walking holidays, or to find out more contact our team.
