Editor’s letter

ISSUE 13, AUTUMN 2021

Putting food and drink at the heart of a trip is a really good way to engage with a destination. In some ways, it’s like travelling with an extra antenna — a receptor with which to pick up all the little nuances and quirks a place has to offer.

But if you really want to get a sense of what makes somewhere tick, get to know the local speciality — the dish they make in a way that’s uniquely their own; the crop they’ve been growing for centuries; the tipple that tastes like no other. After all, what’s a trip to Sicily without a plate of cannoli? Who could understand the Peloponnese without trying a few kalamata olives? What’s a tour of the Rhine without a glass of riesling?

Europe is full of exciting, themed food trails — meandering routes that gradually reveal the various layers of a local obsession. They can be regional, like Normandy’s Cider Route, or country-wide, like the chocolate-themed itineraries that link up Switzerland’s major cities. But what these routes all have in common is that they neatly stitch together places that, in one way or another, are known for their cuilnary passions.

So, now that things are opening up a little and travel is beginning to seem ever more possible, why not allow yourself to be led down a gourmet path? Check out our cover story and start making plans.

NATGEOTRAVELUK

COVID-19: The ongoing pandemic continues to affect travel. Please note, prices and travel advice are subject to change. Contact your travel provider for up-to-date information. For the latest news on safe travel and border restrictions, visit gov.uk/fcdo