The best foodie walking holidays:

expert advice for delicious trails & tastes

Designed to give you a real glimpse into the culture of your destination, Inntravel’s walking holidays take you down paths less travelled. Discover some of the UK and Europe’s most beautiful yet overlooked landscapes while sampling a region’s food and wine, which offers a window into its culture. From the vineyards of the Loire and the olive groves that carpet Crete to the alpine valleys rich in traditionally made produce, we point you in the direction of the most authentic gastronomic experiences.

Watch Travel Expert James as he shares his passion for a food and explain why a foodie walking holiday with Inntravel is about so much more than just a walk.

 

Our expert's view

"I think one of the wonderful things about travelling in the way that we do is the opportunity to try local food, and staying in small family-run hotels allows you to try the local cuisine."

- James Keane, Destination Expert

Why Discover Local Flavours with Inntravel?

A Taste of Tradition Savour | recipes lovingly preserved through generations, from slow-cooked stews to freshly baked breads and seasonal preserves — all reflecting the deep culinary heritage of each region.

Hidden Gems | Thanks to our long-standing relationships with local hoteliers and restaurateurs, we take you beyond the usual tourist tables to welcoming, family-run eateries and trattorias full of character — places rarely found in guidebooks but cherished by locals.

Trusted Local Partnerships | Our carefully nurtured connections with passionate producers, chefs, and artisans open doors to authentic experiences. Enjoy visits to vineyards, bustling markets, and artisan workshops, learning directly from those who live and breathe their craft.

Culinary Variety Rooted in Sustainability | From hearty mountain dishes to delicate seafood and vibrant vegetarian options, discover menus shaped by seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. We champion sustainable practices to support the communities and landscapes that inspire every meal.

Evenings to Remember | Relax and dine in charming inns and boutique hotels that reflect the soul of their region. Here, the warm atmosphere and genuine hospitality make each meal as memorable as the flavours on your plate.

Foodie heaven

  • Norway might not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of foodie destinations, but it is now following the lead of Denmark and Sweden, whose innovative culinary exploits have garnered plenty of well-deserved attention in recent years. Not satisfied with having earned the title ‘adventure capital of the fjords’ (it's a great base for walking and trips along the fjords), the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, in particular, is making its mark on the foodie map. It goes without saying that you can expect to find lots of fish on menus, alongside game and lamb, flavoured with sauces made from berries.
  • The Black Forest’s excellent cuisine owes a lot to its proximity to France. Keen to lure tourists out of hotels just across the border in Alsace and into their own hotels, chefs in the Black Forest have upped their game in recent decades, eschewing heavy potato-based recipes in favour of lighter, more refined options. All this means that you’re in for a real treat food-wise after a day's walking, with innovative dishes featuring wild garlic, game, river fish, nuts, wild mushrooms, berries and herbs from the forest. (Joseph Fehrenbach, owner and chef of the hotel of the same name, even goes out to forage for them himself.)
  • There are a couple of good reasons why Sevillanos like to weekend in the nearby Aracena Sierra. First, the tranquillity. The wooded hills feel far removed – metaphorically, if not literally – from the bustle of city life. Second, the food. One sign of this is the way the pigs are treated: they roam freely in the woods, feasting on acorns. The resulting cured ham, one of the main specialities here, is delicious. Seemingly every village has a small restaurant serving authentic dishes packed full of flavours. These villages also hide some surprising architectural treasures, making for an interesting and varied walking holiday.

Top holiday picks for foodies

Seek out the best local gastronomy

From rustic village kitchens to acclaimed family-run restaurants, our foodie holidays take you off the usual tourist trails and into the heart of local dining. Expect regional specialities and opportunities to meet the producers, chefs, and growers who make it all possible.
  • - Food lovers who want to taste the genuine regional specialities rather than tourist menus.

    - Travellers who enjoy meeting the people behind the food – whether it’s a winemaker, baker, or artisan cheesemaker.

    - Those who appreciate comfort after a day’s walking or exploring, with carefully chosen accommodation near great eateries.

     
  • We believe great travel is about more than just places – it’s about tastes, aromas, and stories shared over a meal. That’s why we spend time seeking out the best local eateries, from tiny cafés where recipes have been handed down through generations to celebrated restaurants with a contemporary twist. We have tried and tested restaurants, trattorias, tavernas, and tapas bars so that you experience dishes and flavours that truly represent the region.
  • Embark on walking holidays where every step is paired with memorable local flavours and authentic culinary experiences. From tasting world-famous wines and truffles to sampling fragrant herbs and regional cheeses, these journeys invite you to savour the best each region has to offer, alongside varied walking through rich landscapes and charming villages.

    Piedmont’s Barolo Wine Region - Delight in Barolo’s renowned wines, paired with hearty local gastronomy including prized white truffles, toasted hazelnuts, and creamy regional cheeses. Wander through medieval villages nestled among rolling hills, enjoy panoramic Alpine views, and visit fascinating wine museums to deepen your appreciation of this celebrated terroir.

    Hill-Top Villages of the Luberon, Provence - Discover the scents and tastes of Provence in dishes seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Explore honey-hued stone villages like Gordes, stroll along the ancient Via Domitia lined with cherry orchards and vineyards, and soak in sweeping views from elevated hamlets where olives and lavender flourish.

    The Thames Path, Oxford to Marlow - Experience gentle walks through vibrant towns and tranquil riverbanks that inspired classic English literature. Enjoy local country fare, visit historic Wallingford with its Anglo-Saxon ramparts, and keep an eye out for abundant wildlife along the way, making for restorative days rich in culture and nature.

    Dordogne Valley Trail to Rocamadour - Immerse yourself in the ‘deep France’ of quiet uplands, winding rivers and traditional villages. Savour classic Dordogne specialities such as duck confit, rich Rocamadour cheese, walnuts, and fine local wines. Relax in carefully selected hotels with pools, and take in the dramatic hillside village of Rocamadour with its stunning views.

    Pont du Gard, South of France - Wander scented Mediterranean paths beneath soaring birds and the magnificent Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard. Discover hidden villages in the Massif Central and enjoy excellent accommodation with pools, perfect for unwinding after days exploring fragrant landscapes and historic sites.


    Wherever you choose, you can expect:
    • Carefully planned, self-guided routes with varied scenery and rewarding views.

    • Comfortable, characterful accommodation where the welcome is genuine.

    • Meals prepared with local ingredients and regional recipes.

    • Luggage transfers so you can enjoy every step.

    •  
  • With over 40 years of experience exploring Europe’s regions, our self-guided holidays reflect long-standing relationships with local chefs, hoteliers, winemakers, and artisan producers. This insider knowledge means you enjoy truly authentic culinary experiences  not just meals, but stories and connections that bring your holiday to life.
  • Talk to one of our friendly experts – walkers and travellers themselves – and we’ll help you choose the route that’s right for you. From the moment you book until the last step of your journey, everything is taken care of.
    • We recommend the best times of year to enjoy each holiday, coinciding with harvest time in the Douro Valley for example or the best time of year to sample local delicacies.

    • Walking grades are clearly explained, so you can choose a holiday that suits your pace.

    • 24-hour support means help is always just a phone call away.

    • Comprehensive route notes highlighting landmarks, viewpoints, and places of interest along your walk.

    • Flexible travel options – whether you prefer to fly, take the train, or travel by ferry, and start your holiday on the day that suits you.
  • Enjoyable as the walks across the herb-clad hills are, To the Pont du Gard is essentially a celebration of French cuisine, and as such is one of our most gastronomic walking holidays. As you stroll through carpets of thyme, pausing to admire the views of distant blue mountains or to cool your feet in the River Gardon, the thought dominating your mind is likely to be what culinary delights await you next. All three hotels boast first-rate restaurants, but the jewel in the crown is the Hostellerie le Castellas, with its exquisite interpretations of Provençale dishes.
  • Competing for renown with the region’s picturesque coastline is Catalonia’s highly innovative gastronomy, of which the cornerstones are the locally grown rice; sauces made from tomato, garlic and pine nuts; and the fusion of ingredients from the sea (mar) and land (muntanya), such as chicken with lobster. Combining this mouthwatering cuisine with high-quality hotels of character, idyllic medieval villages, and a fantastic finale by the sea with dinner at the locally popular restaurant of the Hotel Terramar, Flavours of Catalonia offers all the ingredients, quite literally, for a highly enjoyable holiday.
  • In a country that prides itself on its cuisine, the gastronomy of Burgundy stands out as the crème de la crème. Instead of cream, though, it is, of course, wine that flavours dishes such as coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, oeufs en meurette (a starter of poached eggs in red wine) and pôcheuse (fresh water fish cooked in white wine and served with garlic croutons). Our cycling holiday is not just about food, however – by day you can feast your eyes instead, on architectural gems such as the Louis XIII-style château in Cormartin and the intricately tiled hospice in Beaune.
  • ‘Elegant’ is an apt word to describe our Secret Lake Iseo walking holiday, applying equally to the 4-star hotels, the presentation of the refined cuisine – which draws on the abundance of lake fish, with dishes such as grilled sardines, steamed crayfish, and stuffed tench served with polenta – and even the scenery of neat vineyards, angular mountains and colourful lakeside villages. ‘Indulgent’ conveys the essence of the holiday even better, though, and it’s no wonder that this is one of our most popular walks.
  • With distinctive dishes such as goose à la Périgordine (in a truffle and foie gras sauce), cassoulet, ballotines (stuffed duck or goose) and maigrets de canard (grilled duck, usually in a creamy mushroom sauce), just browsing a menu in the Dordogne will set your mouth watering. If you have spent the day exploring the enchanting landscapes on foot or on two wheels, passing medieval villages, walnut orchards, and châteaux standing sentinel above the meandering river, you have the perfect excuse to indulge…
  • The name of our journey by rail along the Bay of Biscay, Flavours of Bilbao, San Sebastián & Bordeaux, speaks for itself. Bilbao has morphed from industrial centre to gastronomic hub, while San Sebastián, close to the border with France, boasts a staggering number of Michelin stars – and pintxo (tapas) bars – for its size. Last but by no means least, Bordeaux is, of course, synonymous with world-famous wines. But it’s not all about food. Bilbao is home to the Guggenheim Museum, whose exterior is as arresting as the artworks inside, and the world’s oldest transporter bridge. San Sebastián’s other draws include its Belle Epoque architecture and sandy beach, while Bordeaux is a place for museum visits and leisurely strolls along its elegant 18th-century boulevards.
  • The holidays above aren’t the only ones with a strong emphasis on gastronomy.

    Other walking holidays which you might like to consider include Pathways of Puglia and The Secret Dolomites in Italy; Across the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia; Castles, Vines & Forests of Alsace and The Basque Pyrenees in France; Valleys, Vines & Volcanoes in Spain; and Where Eagles Soar in Germany.

    If you prefer cycling, it's also worth taking a look at Villages & Vineyards of Alsace in France.

    Finally, we also have some other touring holidays that are likely to appeal to foodies: Fino & Flamenco and A Trail of Three Cities in Spain, and Cities, Palaces & Wines in Portugal.

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