10 cooking vacations where you can taste the local cuisine

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There’s no better way to experience a different culture than by tasting all the delicious local dishes and delicacies in that country. Arriving somewhere new and discovering exotic ingredients that are a treat for the senses through the locals. Learn to cook authentic tagines in Morocco, traditional Massaman curry in Bangkok or homemade olive bread in Florence. We’ve picked some of our favourite homestays around the globe so you can travel with your taste buds. Bon appétit!


1. Elizabeth in Paris, France

Host Elizabeth with a dish she made

Elizabeth is our Canadian born host who lives with her French husband and two teenage children in Paris, just 15 minutes from the city centre. Her fun loving, artistic family has travelled around the world and has an appreciation of and interest in other cultures. Elizabeth has a great love of cooking; particularly making traditional dishes from the places she has visited. “We love to eat and I love to show off my eccentric gourmet skills. I am picky and select quality products and take pride in preparing delicious meals.” She prides herself on producing home-made food for guests and likes to enrich their cultural experience by letting them try lots of different local dishes while they stay with her, which she teaches them to make. “Eating & chatting at the family dinner table remains one of the best ways of interacting with our guests.” Quite right.

Book a homestay with Elizabeth.

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2. Renata in Toronto, Canada

Host Renata and her kitchen

Our host Renata lives in a brightly-lit detached home only ten minutes from the Jane Street subway station, providing excellent transportation links to down-town Toronto. A keen cook, Renata makes breakfast and lunch for all her guests each day which is included in her room rate. Her spacious kitchen is the focal point of the home where you can enjoy some home cooking while you’re on holiday or settling into your new destination. Renata has hosted guests from all over the world and likes learning about their local cuisines as well as making recipes from her native Poland.

Book a homestay with Renata.

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3. Tanisara in Bangkok, Thailand

Your host Tanisara at the vegetable market

If you want an authentic Thai experience then Tanisara and Am are the hosts for you. In their neighbourhood people still live in a very traditional Thai way, such as offering food to the local monks that walk past every morning and there’s a busy local market every Sunday for you to visit. They’ve been hosting for over three years and say the best thing about hosting is that by the time guests leave, they often have become friends. Tanisara and Am are passionate about cooking. “We grow our own organic vegetables and we have 6 chickens that lay eggs every morning.” If you want to enjoy traditional Thai dishes they will make them and show you how you can prepare them in your own home.

Book a homestay with Tanisara and Am.

4. Jeanne in Florence, Italy

Your host Jeanne and a her with guests during a cooking class

Meet Jeanne and Fabio who live in the centre of Florence. They’ve been hosting for 20 years and say they love that each time they show their guests around Florence, it’s like reliving the city for the first time again themselves. Jeanne loves to cook for her guests, particularly on their first night with her so she can get to know them. She thinks that Florence is the ideal destination for foodies. “If you like food there is an infinite variety to choose from. The local morning markets are lively and the fashion in the stores is some of the best in the world.” Jeanne likes to source her ingredients at the market where she knows all the vendors by name. She offers formal Italian cooking classes for you to learn the local cuisine or if you simply want to try home-made Italian cooking at its finest, she will be glad to give you a taste of some Tuscan specialities at dinner time. Her famous home-made banana gelato always goes down a treat with her guests.

Book a homestay with Jeanne.

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5. Mimura in Osaka, Japan

Mimura and next cooking with guests

Mimura and her family live in the Konohana region outside Osaka which is a short train journey from the central of the city. Mimura loves hosting guests from all over the world and helping them discover true Japanese culture, including showing the guests how to wear a traditional kimono. She's passionate about her guests experiencing authentic Japanese delicacies in her home and so likes to host a dinner where she prepares specialities that are typical in Osaka, such as okonomiyaki, a type of savoury pancake.

Book a homestay with Mimura.

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6. Payal in Jaipur, India

Delicious breakfast made by Payal

Stay with Payal in her bungalow home in Shyam Nager. Payal is passionate about sourcing the freshest and highest quality ingredients for her guests. Most of the meals that she prepares are made from organic produce and he dishes are primarily vegetarian. Having had many guests for long stays she offers to cook meals from your native cuisine if you wish as well as traditional Indian delicacies. Having travelled a lot in the past, she’s aware that everyone can become homesick so she welcomes her guests to join her family for dinner as often as they like. Eat the beautiful breakfasts that Payal serves on the terrace each morning. We definitely recommend you partake in the food tours that Payal will organise for you to taste the best of the wonderful cuisine near her home.

Book a homestay with Jaipur.

7. Hassa in Malacca, Malaysia

Local Malaysian delicacies

If you want to discover the culture and cuisine of Malaysia then a homestay with Os and Hassa won’t disappoint! They have been hosting guests in their home for nearly 30 years so they’re experts at welcoming guests from all over the world into their home. Hassa is particularly interested in cooking and loves to make delicious, healthy meals for her guests. One guest commented, “It's like having restaurant quality meals, three times a day! There was always a choice of three dishes.” The family even provide a cooking workshop in their home where you can learn how to make 8 different traditional Malaysian dishes that's always one of the highlights of the trip for guests.

Book a homestay with Os.

8. Pauline in Derry, Northern Ireland

Host Pauline and the sitting room in her home

Discover Northern Ireland through a homestay with Pauline. Her home is located between the Causeway Coastal route and the Wild Atlantic Way in the west of Ireland. Visit the famous natural beauty of the Giant’s Causeway or the Bushmills Irish Whiskey distillery, which are about a one hour drive from her home. If you’d rather not venture too far there’s plenty to see and do in her hometown as well. Pauline likes to teach her guests how to make bake traditional delicacies that you’d find in the homes of locals including homemade scones, a simple recipe that guests can replicate at home. She’s also an Irish dancing enthusiast who is happy to give you a lesson. Both her cooking and dancing lessons are free of charge.

Book a homestay with Pauline.

9. Rabaa in Sousse, Tunisia

Host Rabaa and an amazing bedroom in her home

Rabaa’s beautiful villa home is close to all commodities and a short drive to the old town Medina as well as the beach. Her homestay is decorated in an authentic Tunisian fashion with bright, luxurious bedrooms for you to stay in during your visit. She likes to cater to the tastes of her guests and will cook you typical Tunisian, French or Mediterranean meals depending on what you prefer. Rabaa loves to teach her guests some of the local dishes and organises cooking lessons on request to teach you the best Tunisian cuisine has to offer. You can discover your favourite dishes while you’re there and also impress your friends when you return home!

Book a homestay with Rabaa.

10. Igdem in Imlil, Morocco

Moroccan meal in Igdem's home

If you want a homestay with a difference then staying with Igdem and his family is just what you’re looking for. Their authentic Berber house is located in Imlil Valley. Nestled at the crossroads of three valleys and sitting at a height overlooking the town of Imlil, this area is the base camp for the start of many popular trekking and ski touring routes. To prepare you for your adventures, Igdem provides his guests with an ample breakfast on the balcony that looks southwards, giving you picturesque views of the Toubkal Massif. When you return from your guided exploration a hot shower and fresh mint tea awaits you. In the evening, the family prepare traditional soups, tagines and couscous for the guests as well as fresh bread and fruit for you to restore your energy after an active day. While you may be the only tourists in this small vallage, Igdem promises that you will not be disappointed as this unique experience will allow you to discover the real culture, cuisine and Berber hospitality!

Book a homestay with Igdem.


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