According to the Specialty Travel Agents Association’s 2009 Travel Trends and Destinations, Culinary Travel is one of the fastest growing segments in travel. You can ask anyone about their vacation and you are likely to hear about some type of food they enjoyed during their travels. People love to talk about food, but more importantly they love to eat it and even learn about it. This is where the growing demand for travel that includes delicious food and wine itineraries comes in.

Traveling for an authentic culinary experience gives travelers a unique perspective into a destination by experiencing the local cuisine. Culinary options are available worldwide and may include learning about food production, local markets excursions, cooking classes, wine tastings, farm stays and more. All will insure you the opportunity to tempt your senses and delight your palate.

Of course I may be partial as a France travel specialist, but France might be the pefect destination to have a real culinary experience. Imagine traveling throughout France and sampling the different cheeses, wines, specialty dishes, and desserts  from each region.  From the cafes of Paris to the perched village restaurants of the Riviera, the experience will continue as you see what care has gone into the presentation of the dishes they serve.

To go along with culinary tourism in France, consider the possiblilites and what you could discover that might tempt  you taste buds. Here are a few to get you started. Feel free to comment and add to the list.

• Macaroons from Ladurée Paris
• Champagne tasting in Reims or Epernay
• Scrumptious desserts and hot chocolate from Angelina’s in Paris
• Apple tarts and Calvados served in Normandy
• Truffles and Lyonaisse cuisine in the Rhone Alpes
• Duck from Au Gamin, Le Petit Canard, or La Tour d’Argent
• Visit an outdoor market for local specialties
• Shopping on rue Cler for delicious goodies