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Fresh pasta, sun-kissed Mediterranean produce, cured meats made with centuries-old techniques and crisp-based paella: it could be said, without much objection, that Italy and Spain dish up the best food in Europe. But any foodie worth their salt knows that the best culinary experiences are often off the beaten track – it’s a case of sniffing them out like a Catalonian truffle.
Consider yourself an armchair expert when it comes to food and looking for your next adventure? Enter our two new Signature Series tours to Spain and Italy, hosted by former MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan. Across these action-packed itineraries, you’ll witness gastronomy at its finest with handpicked, insider foodie experiences. Read on for a taste of what you’d have in store.
The best food experiences in Spain
Feast on suckling lamb at an ancient monastery
Ribera del Duero is a region known for its rich red wines and hearty Castilian fare steeped in tradition, but there is one dish that draws in foodies from around the world: lechazo asado. From a technique passed down through the generations, suckling lamb is prepared in a wood-fired oven to perfection, so melt-in-your-mouth meat pairs with a crunchy skin. Lechazo asado is best tried in an atmosphere that is as ancient as it is, so Monasterio de Valbuena Restaurant – fine dining haunt of Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena, an ancient monastery turned five-star escape – should be at the top of your list.
Be initiated into a secret gastronomic society
Nothing screams glamour and excitement quite like a secret society, and behind closed doors in Basque Country you’ll find exclusive members-only gastronomic societies, called txokos, within the communities. Members might pay an annual fee to access a large dining space where they can savour a delectable three-course meal with friends, plus a fully stocked kitchen and bar. Budding chefs can experiment in the kitchen and guests can have as much tea, coffee and wine as they like – if they abide by the honour system.
Visit the birthplace of the original Basque cheesecake…
For the culinarily inclined, the word Basque means one thing – cheesecake. Caramelly on the outside, smooth and light on the inside, this rich, custardy delight is beloved across the globe. Make a pilgrimage to the humble seaside city of San Sebastian to this birthplace: La Viña, which has been dishing up its signature crustless Basque cheesecake since the 1980s.
… and explore San Sebastian’s most beloved pintxos street
If Basque cheesecake is dessert, then pintxo is the obvious starter: bite-sized snacks that may be small in size, but are big on flavour. A Basque specialty named after the small cocktail sticks used to hold each dish together, the moreish morsels are unassuming yet masterfully packed with intricate flavours, from anchovy, olive and guindilla peppers, to breaded Manchego cheese served with quince paste. Fermin Calbeton Kalea in San Sebastian is the place to taste them all at pintxo bars, each with its own inventive creation. Eat standing up like a true Basque would for an authentic experience.
Master the secrets of paella with a cooking class
Arguably the most famous Spanish cuisine is paella, and creating a richly complex dish that effortlessly melds together saffron-scented rice, seafood and salty chorizo (which is just one variation) is an artform. So why not learn how to craft it at home like a master? Across Spain, kitchens are prepped to show you how to craft the perfect dish with that coveted socarrat (crispy base layer), and usually serve a glass of wine and pintxos to boot.
The best food experiences in Italy
Uncover Rome’s best bites by golf cart
Roman street food is usually savoured on foot or by bike, but what about by golf cart? Chauffeured in style, zip across the city to taste mouth-watering local favourites like carciofi alla giudia (crisp, deep-fried artichokes) and molten suppli (enticing mozzarella-stuffed croquettes). It wouldn’t be a food escapade in Italy without a tipple, so wine, beer and even a refreshing spritz are also on the menu.
Take lunch at the most famous butcher in the world
Consider yourself carne crazy? In east Tuscany is the unassuming town of Panzano in Chianti, home to legendary butcher Dario Cecchini (who you might have seen on the show Chef’s Table). The eight-generation butcher redefines what it means to perfect a craft, and patrons of his shop – Antica Macelleria Cecchini – can watch him work meticulously to ensure no meat is wasted. Head into the dining room to see Dario’s nose-to-tail philosophy at work with exceptional beef tartare, seared rump and bone-in ribeye, plus a surprisingly hefty vegetarian offering.
Dine at Ferrari’s original canteen
The original staff canteen for Ferrari factory workers in Maranello has been given a gastronomic facelift – but without forgetting its past. At Ristorante Cavallino, you’ll find living pieces of history around every corner, with memorabilia and photographs of Enzo Ferrari himself adorning the walls. The menu seamlessly combines regional Emilian favourites, like aged Parmigiano Reggiano flan and Cotechino alla Rossini (pork sausage and foie gras, served with brioche, sour cherry and black truffle), with international classics like sachertorte.
Taste the world’s finest prosciutto in Emilia-Romagna
If the word prosciutto makes you say ‘molto bene’, then a stop by the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy to sample the nation’s best. Crisp mountain and sea breezes that waft through the region make it an exemplary spot for curing this antipasti classic, which Italians have been doing since the Middle Ages. Tours take prosciutto pundits through a traditional factory to learn the secrets of the curing before being treated to a decadent tasting (paired with exceptional Italian wines of course).
Savour each sip at a centuries-old winery
Amateur sommeliers and lovers of countryside scenery alike will be enchanted by the historic Torre a Cona in Tuscany, southeast of Florence. Not only has this palatial villa, now home to a luxe hotel and osteria, stood since the 18th century, but the 200 hectares of rolling hills and verdant grounds have been producing exceptional wines for just as long. A tour of the winery will take you into the ancient cellars but also the vinsantaia, a special area used to age the sweet and oh-so-caramelly dessert wine, Vin Santo.
Love the sound of these gastronomic adventures? Then you’ll love our exclusive Signature Series tours to Italy and Spain, hosted by former MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan.
