Flying solo

Make bento, lamb mansaf or tortellini on these must-do foodie trips for independent travellers

Japan

Solo travellers might not immediately think of Japan, with a language and culture that aren’t easily navigated by first-timers. However, Hayes & Jarvis’s Gourmet Japan trips offer both freedom and security. The 12-day tours mix guided and self-guided days, so you get local expertise when you need it – for a tour of Tokyo’s fish markets, Kyoto’s geisha district and Osaka’s street food – as well as time to explore alone. Plus there are chances to chat during a bento-making workshop, cooking class and tea ceremony. From £3,709 pp including flights, accommodation and transport (hayesandjarvis.co.uk)

Italy

The clue’s in the nickname: Bologna is ‘La Grassa’ (‘The Fat One’), Italy’s true home of eating, where food always comes first. This makes the gluttonous city an ideal base for a one-week Cooking Holiday in Bologna with specialist company, Flavours. Staying in a converted farmhouse in the Emilia-Romagna countryside with a small group of fellow foodies, you’ll balance time at the stove preparing traditional dishes – minced pork tortellini, crostini romagnoli, fried petroniana – with strolls around markets and medieval streets, cooking, learning, exploring and eating together. From £1,599 pp including accommodation, tuition and meals; excluding flights (flavoursholidays.co.uk)

Jordan

The way to a country’s heart is through its stomach. At least, that’s the conclusion drawn by solo-friendly tour operator Intrepid, which expanded its range of foodie experiences in 2018 to provide more immersive trips. On its six-day Jordan Real Food Adventure that means joining a Bedouin barbecue in the Wadi Rum desert, drinking sheep’s milk with local shepherds, preparing lamb mansaf with a family at Petra (before visiting the site itself) and whipping up your own dinner at Amman’s most innovative cookery school. From £823 pp including accommodation and most meals; excluding flights (intrepidtravel.com)