A gastronomic getaway: mouth-watering food festivals around the world for every type of foodie
With 46% of global travellers revealing that they pick a vacation destination for its great food, travellers will be inspired by discovering food festivals from around the world. For all foodie lovers, Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, explores its more than 150,000 destinations across 229 countries to recommend food festivals around the world for the ultimate gastronomic getaway. From ‘the biggest pizza party in Italy’, to the world’s largest chocolate festival, to creepy crawly bugs and many more, travelers can whet their appetite and sample dishes from the more popular to the rather unique and unusual.
Ribfest - Ontario, Canada
Meat lovers will relish at Canada’s Largest Ribfest, located in Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, Ontario from Friday 30 August until 2 September 2019. Now in its 22nd year, the festival features 19 award-winning rib masters from all over North America. It’s the perfect festival to tuck into mouth-watering meat, cool off with a drink in the beer garden, listen to local bands across three stages and enjoy the fireworks and celebrity food judging contests.
Where to stay: The charming Creekside B&B is the perfect home away from home for Ribfest festival goers, as this cosy bed and breakfast is located just a short drive away. During your stay if feeling inspired by what you saw at the festival, why not make use of the property’s onsite BBQ facilities to grill or smoke your own mouth-watering ribs.
Napoli Pizza Village Festival- Naples, Italy
More than 1 million pizza lovers from around the world are expected to flock to Naples, the birthplace of pizza, for the 9th edition of the iconic Napoli Pizza Village Festival. Mark your calendars - the 2019 dates are confirmed from the 13 to 22 September. Not only can visitors sample world famous pizza, travelers can also attend workshops from pizza masters around the world, enjoy exhibits, concerts and take part in contests. As there is no better way to celebrate all things pizza than in the birthplace of pizza itself, it’s no surprise that Naples is the top destination endorsed for pizza by Booking.com travelers. Followed by Cavallino-Treporti, Bibione, Vico Equense and Lignano Sabbiadoro, all of which are also located in Italy.
Where to stay: The Grand Tour B&B is the ideal home away from home, boasting a central location and city or sea views. Nearby sites include the Piazza Plebiscito and Castel dell'Ovo. After indulging at Pizza Fest, guests can take advantage of the scenic 25-minute walk from Lungomare Caracciolo, where Pizza Fest is located, back to the apartment.
BugFest - North Carolina, US
For those brave enough to sample buggy dishes prepared by local chefs, a bug-eating emporium takes place at BugFest on September 21, 2019 at the Museum of Natural Sciences in North Carolina, USA. The event showcases exhibits, activities, educational presentations and workshops on all things bugs. Arguably one of the more unusual types of food, this festival explores the health benefits of entomophagy and local chefs prepare dishes that may pack a crunch.
Where to stay: The StateView Hotel, Autograph Collection boasts an ideal location just a short drive from BugFest. After exploring the Museum of Natural Sciences, travelers can also see the sights of the nearby Museum of History and the Museum of Art. If you are more of a spectator than a participator at BugFest and entomophagy isn’t for you, guests can enjoy a hearty continental or buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Salon du Chocolat - Paris, France
Salon du Chocolat is the home of every chocolate lover’s dream. Taking place in the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles between the 30 October and 3 November 2019, this year will celebrate this famous festivals 25th anniversary. Salon du Chocolat is a hub for international flavors and chocolate trends with exhibits, activities, competitions, workshops, live recipes from top chefs, chocolate sculptures and even a chocolate fashion show. The world’s largest chocolate and cocoa festival represents 60 countries from around the world. If visiting Paris should not be on your bucket list for this year, then why not visit Hershey, Pennsylvania or Harrisburg in the US, Modica in Italy, Gramado in Brazil or Kuah in Malaysia, as all of these places are the top destinations endorsed for chocolate by Booking.com travelers.
Where to stay: Okko Hotels Paris Porte De Versailles offers stylish accommodation in a central location, just a short walk from the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, the Eiffel Tower and Parc des Princes. At the hotel itself a buffet breakfast is served which is perfect for foodie lovers; even including a number of organic treats and eats. The Marché Cervantes is also nearby, a small market specializing primarily in fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs and dairy, charcuterie, seafood, and fresh flowers.
Tokyo Ramen Show , Japan
The Tokyo Ramen Show, spanning over the course of eleven days, will take place sometime between late October and early November, with this year’s event marking the festival’s 10th anniversary. Held in Komazawa Olympic Park, noodle lovers can explore the 30 vendors from all over Japan and celebrate the different regional delicacies of ramen. Slurp until your heart's content! If you’re looking to travel for Ramen elsewhere than Tokyo, alternative top destinations endorsed for ramen by Booking.com travelers are: Fukuoka, Osaka and Kyoto; all of which are in Japan.
Where to stay: The Global Hotel Tokyo offers guests comfortable and affordable accommodation via its futuristic capsule pods. The capsule pods are conveniently located just a 30-minute drive from the Komazawa Olympic Park, where the Ramen Show is located.Shinjuku Ward itself is a bustling area, with many great food options for travelers nearby.
Tunarama Festival - Port Lincoln, Australia
Although it may seem like a rather unusual food festival, the annual Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln, Australia is home to the ‘world famous tuna toss’. Celebrated over the Australia Day weekend in January, this annual iconic festival pays homage to the city’s tuna fishing and farming industries. Guests can enjoy fresh produce from local market stalls, live music, farm to fork dining and some of the freshest seafood in the world, as well as the tuna themed street parades. If seafood lovers can’t make it to the Tunarama festival, then they should try to visit Los Abrigos, Spain, Bouzigues, France, Si Racha, Rayong or Bangsaen in Thailand. All of these have been endorsed as the top destinations for seafood by Booking.com travelers.
Where to stay: The waterfront Bay 10 - Suites and Apartments are conveniently located just a short walk from Port Lincoln's town center. For those who are left inspired by the festival, they can try to replicate the delicious meals by using the accommodations onsite BBQ facilities.
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