Booking.com presents the delicious destinations behind the trending foods we’ve all enjoyed while travel was on pause
In recent months while travel restrictions have been in place and much of the world has been confined to their homes, many travellers turned to cooking and baking in a bid to find escapism and enjoyment. When it came to deciding what recipes to try out, there were some clear favourites – many of which ended up trending globally on various social media channels. The delicacies that have captured our attention (and our stomachs!) originate from all around the world, and Booking.com has hand-picked some of their finest homelands. Previous research conducted by Booking.com also revealed that 55%* of travellers have been motivated to visit a destination just to try new foods. Whether you are an aspiring foodie traveller or intrigued to discover the origins of the dishes you have been making in recent times; when the time is right to travel again, may the below list inspire your next adventure.
Banana Bread - Los Angeles, USA
Banana bread has long been a staple of many people’s recipe books, but recently many were looking to perfect it as it was one of the most googled recipes during isolation. The much-loved sweet treat has even been championed by A-list celebrities including the likes of Chrissy Teigen, who published her own delicious recipe that many have since tried, and celebrity Lucy Hale also humorously revealed her banana bread baking attempt whilst in quarantine. If seeing celebrity banana bread social posts have also left you lusting over their lavish lifestyle, then a visit to experience LA should be added to the wish list. Featuring music-themed attractions and beautiful beaches, this vibrant city also encompasses some of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the ‘HOLLYWOOD’ sign, not forgetting the celebrity spotting with a trip to Beverly Hills. For the foodies, LA is packed with some of the nation’s finest selection of culinary delights, and travellers will find just about every type of cuisine, from Mexican restaurants, vegan restaurants to tempting cake shops to stock up on banana bread.
Where to stay: Based in a prime location is LEVEL Downtown Los Angeles, boasting impressive facilities such as a 25 metre outdoor pool, poolside cabanas and even a basketball court. Once guests have worked up an appetite - whether from enjoying the hotel’s facilities or walking around town - the accommodation features a fully equipped kitchen, perfect to enjoy some home-cooked food or perfecting that banana bread recipe.
Sourdough Bread - Dahab, Egypt
Baking bread has also risen as a global trend, as not only is it a great way to keep busy and entertain the family, but can also be therapeutic and calming. Sourdough bread has become increasingly popular to make due to bakers having more free time at home to master the recipe which requires several hours to rest and rise, plus it tastes delicious. The first recorded civilization to have used sourdough happens to be the ancient Egyptians, in around 1500 BC! So why not look forward to going to the motherland of sourdough and discover what other culinary delights are in store. The multicultural resort town of Dahab is not only a feast for the eyes but also a feast for the senses, with food offerings spanning international cuisine to delicious local food thanks to the Red Sea which means most local restaurants specialise in fresh seafood. With white sandy beaches and idyllic turquoise blue sea; it is a secret paradise waiting to be discovered once it’s safe to travel again.
Where to stay: Located on the Red Sea Coast, Red C Villas are perfect for the whole family, offering luxury accommodation that features a fantastic swimming pool with a children's section and a sauna. What’s more according to research undertaken by Booking.com across five markets in May 2020, one in four** travellers are more likely to stay in a villa for when they next visit a destination compared to last year - the Red C Villas therefore will be an excellent accommodation choice thanks to the spacious rooms and visitors will be mesmerized by the stunning views of the Red Sea and the breath-taking views of the Sinai mountains. The villas come perfectly equipped with state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, so you and your travel companions can try to master sourdough baking here, too.
Dalgona Coffee - Seogwipo, South Korea
Travelers who have been using social media the past few months might have come across creative snaps of people enjoying their “Dalgona Coffee” - a whipped coffee which has taken the social media world by storm. This viral trend originated in South Korea and is a special coffee made by whipping equal proportions of instant coffee powder, sugar and hot water until it becomes creamy, and then adding it to cold or hot milk. Travellers’ wanting to try out this coffee trend in its homeland will not leave disappointed. A trip to Jeju Island, South Korea’s largest island, boasts plenty of charming coffee shops - especially in the city of Seogwipo. More importantly, this scenic volcanic coastline will ensure the social media snaps look just as impressive as the Dalgona coffee.
Where to stay: Live like a local in Seogwipo by staying in an ultra-trendy Baraquera Pension apartment. Featuring an impressive outdoor pool, with stylish interiors and a balcony which has views of the pool and the tranquil gardens – it is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy your homemade caffeine fix.
Tahini and Chocolate Cake - Thessaloniki, Greece
For bakers unable to eat gluten, then Tahini and chocolate cake has been a great solution for crafty bakers as this recipe is flourless, and can also been vegan friendly when made with dark chocolate, plus most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry or easy to find in a local shop. What’s more, this cake can be made using a simple recipe. When travel is back on the agenda, a trip to Thessaloníki is the perfect destination to enjoy the finest selection of Greek cultural treats, this destination also has some of the most famous bakeries in all of Greece where travellers will find many variations of Tahini cake as well other tasty traditional pastries such as Trigona Panoramatos (a triangular pastry filled with cream). This port city in Northern Greece is admired for its exotic, varied cuisine and is a gateway to idyllic destinations such as the Halkidiki peninsula and the nearby islands of Thassos and Limnos.
Where to stay: Situated in central Thessaloníki is the Ultima Suites, Nilie Hospitality MGMT apartments – offering guests luxurious accommodation with a minimal style, which makes these apartments ultra-trendy. If visitors fancy doing some exploring, they can take in the nearby tourist attractions such as the ancient ruins of Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius and the Byzantine Baths.
Pizza - Naples, Italy
Italian food has long been a popular cuisine and whilst we have been at home, homemade pizzas have been on the menu for many – partly because it is a great activity for the whole family, as well as the fact that pizzas can be tailored to each individual’s tastes. For those dreaming of enjoying a real Italian pizza, then a trip to Naples will be very tempting. Not only is it the birthplace of pizza, but the city is steeped in history and bursting with cultural assets - with two royal palaces, three castles as well as ancient ruins that include some of Christianity’s oldest frescoes. Visitors will have plenty to see, and taste, when in Naples once it’s safe to travel again.
Where to stay: Travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the city’s heritage will be spoilt for choice when staying at ilbricco Apartments, which are situated in the center of Naples historical old town. The Monastero di Santa Chiara, a religious complex that includes the Church of Santa Chiara, a monastery, tombs and an archaeological museum is just moments away from the accommodation, and the tastefully designed apartments are a ‘home away from home’, with comfortable and stylish furnishings, it is the perfect space to relax and unwind after a long day exploring and eating pizza.
Scones - Bath, UK
Enjoying an afternoon tea is a quintessentially British activity that goes back centuries and is still popular today, for both tourists and locals alike. Despite being unable to go out and enjoy an afternoon tea with loved ones, many bakers around the world have created an at-home variation, as scones – often the crème de la crème of an afternoon tea – have been amongst the top go-treats to bake whilst the world has been social distancing. For travellers itching to go out and experience a delicious home-made afternoon tea, then a trip to the quaint city of Bath is a great destination choice. This city features stunning honey-coloured Georgian architecture, where travellers will feel like they have stepped into a Jane Austen novel. More importantly, there are a plethora of restaurants specialising in home baked scones and sweet treats, to tickle those taste buds.
Where to stay: Situated in the heart of the city and also just a short walk from The Pump Room, one of Bath’s most renowned restaurants serving afternoon tea, is Aparthotel, Hiding Space - St Catherine's Hospital. The homely apartments are tastefully designed and feature all that guests will need to have a comfortable stay, including a peaceful garden and a fully equipped kitchen, both perfect for enjoying quintessential afternoon tea
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world when it's safe to travel again, Booking.com is sharing travel offers for foodie travellers to use when booking their next culinary inspired travel adventure . Whether planning ahead for the summer months or booking last-minute, local options around the corner or further afield, discounts start at 15 percent.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 50,688 respondents across 29 markets (1,991 from Australia, 999 from New Zealand, 1,994 from USA, 1,990 from Canada, 1,998 from Mexico, 1,989 from Colombia, 1,995 from Brazil, 1,990 from Argentina, 1,994 from Spain, 1,989 from Italy, 1,986 from France, 1,990 from UK, 1,994 from Germany, 1,988 from Netherlands, 986 from Denmark, 989 from Sweden, 1,980 from Poland, 993 from Croatia, 1,996 from Russia, 982 from Israel, 1,997 from India, 1,999 from China, 997 from Hong Kong, 1,955 from Thailand, 1,997 from Singapore, 996 from Taiwan, 1,988 from Indonesia, 1,994 from South Korea, 1,952 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have travelled at least once in the past 12 months and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in November 2019
** Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months. In total 4,708 respondents were polled including 826 from Germany, 969 from France, 942 from Great Britain, 971 from Italy and 1,000 from the US. Respondents completed an online survey between 29 May and 3 June 2020.