Do you love cooking AND hiking? If so, here’s a great assortment of vacation options that combine these two passions.
Responsible Travel
One of my absolute favorite travel companies! They are an excellent choice if you want to avoid mass tourism, are looking for authentic experiences in unique places, or seeking low-cost options. Their cooking vacations range from 7-22 day trips with costs anywhere from $450-$4800 per person & countries in Europe, South America & Asia.
My Wishlist:
Italian Alps Walking & Cooking
French Riviera Vacation Food Walking & Culture
Cooking & Walking Vacation Spanish Pyrenees
Active Gourmet Holidays
This company brings together an assortment of trips that combine active travel with cooking classes. Activities include hiking, biking, yoga, sailing & more.
My Wishlist:
Amalfi Coast Walking & Cooking
Cinque Terre Cooking & Walking
Peruvian Cooking & Trekking Adventure
Backroads Active Culinary Tours
Backroads is a huge tour company that focuses on active travel all over the world. If you’re not afraid of touristy areas & want a more luxurious experience, these are 3 excellent options that include luxury lodging, hiking, cooking classes & Michelin-starred dining.
My Wishlist:
Tuscany Italy Active Culinary Walking & Hiking Tour
Provence Active Culinary Walking & Hiking Tour
Not in the Guidebooks
British travel site specializing in “learning holidays.” Trips focusing on cooking, language, creative arts, sports & well-being can all be found here.
My Wishlist:
Cooking & Walking Holiday, Spanish Pyrenees
Stirred Travel
Ok, so this is ONLY for the serious chefs who want to spend most of their time learning cooking, rather than hiking. However, I’ve included it in this list because it’s such a unique opportunity to stay in a luxurious northern Italian villa, spending your days taking cooking classes at the villa & guided tours to Venice & truffle hunting in the Dolomites. Seriously, who could ask for more!
La Tavola Marche
Similar to the Stirred Travel above but shorter duration & a more rural setting in Italy. The hosts are a young American couple who left New York City to open an agriturismo in 2007. Besides teaching cooking classes, they also teach workshops on how to start your own agriturismo. Options include 1/2 day, full day & 3 day classes, so you could easily combine this with a hiking trip.
Las Chimeneas
A hidden gem in the Eastern Alpujarras region of Spain, this family-run villa is a hiking/cooking dream combo. Includes detailed hiking routes, transport options, & cooking classes, PLUS the option for a single-center stay vs. inn-to-inn walking trip.
Chateau L’Age Baston
Centuries old chateau in Southwest France offering weekly cooking or walking holidays. They also offer painting & French lesson weeks.
La Casa Noble
Luxury boutique hotel in Aracena Spain offering weekly Walking Tours or Foodie Tours, which include self-guided or guided hikes, cooking classes, & more.
Alpenwild Culinary Tours
Food & wine tours in Switzerland brought to you by the company that specializes in alpine hiking excursions. Costs are in the $3500-4000 range, so definitely a pricier option than going through an individual lodging/villa.
If you LOVE Italian cooking…
There is no doubt that Italy has set itself up as THE DESTINATION for cooking excursions. There are villas & farms all over the country that offer cooking classes combined with other experiences. The following options are from a variety of companies, including hf Holidays, Delicious Italy, Hedonistic Hiking, as well as individual villas.
Cooking & Wine Holidays in Umbria
Cooking Wine & Walking in Abruzzo
Gourmet Hiking in the Dolomites
Over the Top Dream Trips
If cost is not a factor & you’re looking for a truly exceptional experience with celebrity chefs in luxurious settings, then give one of these a try.
Culinary Journey to Japan with Chef Michael Ryan
Food Wine & Walking in Northern Italy
Istria to Venice, A Culinary Route
Ikaria Cooking with Diane Kochilas
Hope this list inspires you to try a hiking/cooking trip of your own. There are so many options out there for nearly every cuisine & price point. And these are just the packages that combine both activities. If you’re only interested in culinary trips or 1-day cooking classes, the possibilities are endless!
2 Comments
Clare – THANKS so much for including us in your wonderful round up!! We hope you are able to make it for a stay at our farm, inn and cooking school – La Tavola Marche one day!
I would LOVE that! My husband and I were very impressed with what you offer. He loves to cook and meet others as passionate as him. And I love to eat and meet new people. 😁