15 Ways to Enhance Family Travel With Foodie Fun
Family trips: 10 tips on how to enhance vacations with unforgettable culinary experiences.
Want to effortlessly enhance your family vacations? We know that traveling with kids can be challenging at times.
From dealing with jet lag to navigating unfamiliar cultures, it can easily become overwhelming. And let's face it, our whole family is always hungry whenever we arrive in a new destination!
If this resonates with you, don't worry! Keep reading because we're about to share simple ways to take your family trips to the next level with unforgettable foodie experiences. Get ready to make your vacations even more enjoyable and delicious!
READ MORE: 10 Tips For Dining Out With Kids In Europe
Before you go, check out these family travel guides for food lovers
How culinary experiences improve family trips
Food has this amazing power to rejuvenate us after a long journey and give us a well-deserved break before our next escapade. It's like a magic potion that brings our family together as we venture into new cultures and places.
And let's not forget the incredible opportunity to dive into a city's culinary scene. What better way to truly experience a destination than through its food?
Sure, traveling with kids can have its moments, but we've discovered some clever tips and tricks to turn foodie adventures into the highlight of our family trips to Europe.
15 tips to enhance family travel with food
01 | RENT AN AIRBNB AND COOK
Having the ability to cook for your kids while on vacation is a complete game changer.
There are many pros to renting an Airbnb with a kitchen when you travel with kids. Overall, in my experience, the keyword is “flexibility.” Kitchens allow you the freedom to shop at local food markets and cook at “home.” Or, what I like to say, enjoying new places like locals. When we stayed in Bologna, we found fresh eggs and tortellini at the market nearby. It was less stressful knowing that we could follow our own meal schedule during travel.
02 | SEEK HOTELS THAT HAVE RESTAURANTS & FINE DINING
Opt for full-service hotels with a range of dining choices for a convenient and enjoyable family trip. It's okay to feel tired from traveling with kids and prefer the convenience of in-room dining. When we choose hotels for our family, we prioritize those with exceptional dining choices. And if the hotel happens to boast a Michelin Star restaurant, it's a fantastic bonus! Interestingly, I never considered trying in-room dining until we had kids. It turned out to be a convenient way to savor delicious cuisine while enjoying the comfort of our room.
03 | VISIT OPEN AIR FOOD MARKETS
The touristy stuff can be overwhelming when traveling with kids, especially due to crowds and wait times. That's why I find solace in local food markets, where we can escape the noise and explore fresh local food. It's a great opportunity for kids to participate in grocery shopping too!
04 | RESEARCH LOCAL CUISINE
Before embarking on your family vacation, take a moment to research the must-try local foods in the area. Being familiar with what to order or look for in advance will alleviate some of the stress when you're in a new place, feeling hungry, and unsure about which food to try.
Discover the finest parks and playgrounds at your travel destination and prepare a delightful picnic to savor with your kids. Dining out for every meal can be not only costly but also time-consuming and occasionally overwhelming due to large crowds. Opting for a scenic outdoor meal allows you to elevate your family trip, relish new surroundings, and experience the destination like a local.
06 | TRY STREET FOOD
Embrace the joy of indulging in food on the go. It's not only convenient but also an affordable option when traveling with kids. As you explore various attractions and landmarks, be on the lookout for delectable snacks along the way. Snacking is a foolproof strategy to keep your little ones content and satisfied, no matter where your adventures take you.
07 | DINE AT FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
Before making any dining reservations, take a moment to explore restaurant reviews on Google. This way, you can find the best family-friendly establishments that cater to the needs of both parents and children. Opting for kid-friendly restaurants will help alleviate any unnecessary stress and ensure a pleasant dining experience for the whole family.
08 | TRY A FOODIE WALKING TOUR
For a seamless and guided introduction to the local food scene during your family travels, consider signing up for a family-friendly foodie walking tour. This way, you can embark on a culinary adventure with your kids, sampling delicious local cuisine while someone else takes care of navigating through the streets. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore the food culture of your destination and create memorable experiences for the whole family without the stress of planning and directions.
Before embarking on your family vacation, create a list of your favorite foodie destinations and give them a follow on Instagram. This simple step allows you to connect with their online community, stay updated on their latest offerings, and get a feel for the overall ambiance of the place even before you arrive. By becoming a part of the online community, you can alleviate some of the stress associated with exploring new places, as you'll already have a sense of familiarity and connection.
10 | TAKE A COOKING CLASS
Enhance your family vacation by trying a cooking class with your kids. It's not only a fun and hands-on activity, but also a chance to learn new culinary skills and techniques in a new place. Cooking classes provide a unique opportunity to immerse yourselves in the local culture and create delicious dishes together. Best of all, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor by savoring the food you've prepared. So, why not spice up your vacation with a memorable cooking experience that the whole family can enjoy?
11 | VISIT FOOD FESTIVALS
Before embarking on your family vacation, take some time to research the top food festivals in your destination. Food festivals are a fantastic way to unwind and immerse yourself in the local food scene. With a wide variety of culinary options, there's something to satisfy everyone's taste buds. Plus, many festivals also offer fun activities and attractions specifically designed for kids, ensuring that the whole family can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
12 | DOCUMENT YOUR FOODIE TRIP
Embrace your inner foodie and capture the moments by taking pictures of everything you eat—it's okay to be that passionate, crazy person! In fact, that's how this blog started. One of the most creative ways to make your family trips memorable is to involve everyone in food photography. While your kids might get a little tired of all the picture-taking in the moment, when they look back at the photo album later, it just might inspire them to keep exploring and traveling together as a family. So, snap away and create a visual diary of your culinary adventures.
13 | CHECK OUT A GROCERY STORE
I have to confess, I adore exploring the local grocery stores in every place I visit. It's fascinating to see the unique variety and discover items that are not commonly found back home. Besides, visiting a grocery store in a new location can be surprisingly therapeutic and provide a brief moment of quiet as you walk down the isles.
15 | ORDER TAKEAWAY
If you're staying at an Airbnb during your family vacation and don't feel like cooking or going out after a tiring day, familiarize yourself with the country's food delivery apps in advance. This will give you the convenience of ordering food right at your fingertips and can be a money-saving alternative to dining out every night.
Need some food and travel inspiration for your family trip? Check out my guides.
10 Tips For Dining Out With Kids In Europe
10 Tips For Finding Family-Friendly Restaurants In Europe
53 Tips For Traveling To Europe With Kids
10 Must-Try Foods In Paris For Foodies With Kids
10 Must-Eats In Bologna For Foodies With Kids
13 Must-Try Irish Foods For Traveling Foodies
3 Grafton Street Dublin Restaurants Perfect For Kids
5 Scrumptious Dublin Day Trips For Family Fun (2023)
7 Little-Known Reasons To Visit Ireland With Kids
10 Little-Known Reasons To Visit Italy With Kids
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