Learn to Cook Local Cuisine: One of the Best Ways to Experience a Destination

Learning to cook local cuisine is one of the most rewarding ways to immerse yourself in a destination. Whether it's a cooking class in Paris, a winery tour in Champagne, or preparing a meal with locals in Nice, these experiences transform an ordinary trip into memories that last a lifetime. And contrary to popular belief, they're easy to fit into almost any itinerary.

Some trips fade from memory.

Others are still told around the dinner table five years later because something unexpected happened—something with a flavour you'll never forget.

Not another museum. Not another photo in front of a famous landmark. A tied apron. Hands covered in flour. A glass of white wine on the counter. Three hours that fly by before you even notice.

Food is one of the most direct gateways into a destination's culture. And travellers who understand that never come home empty-handed.

A Cooking Class: The Break You Never Plan—But Never Regret

Taking a cooking class while travelling is a chance to step away from sightseeing and experience a city's everyday life.

Mylène's cooking class at ChefSquare in Paris : In the spring of 2024, Mylène and her sister-in-law added a cooking class to their week in Paris-almost on a whim. They simply wanted to do something different.

That day, the prepared a pear and blue cheese samosa along with an olive and fior di latte focaccia. Nothing overly complicated.

Yet long after their flight landed, they were still talking about the samosa- the crispy pastry, the creamy filling, the perfect balance between sweet and bold flavours.

"In the middle of a trip where everything moves so fast, this workshop became a genuine moment of connection,'' Mylène recalls. ''We left with recipes in our bags and memories that will stay with us forever."

That's what a great culinary experience really is. Not a cooking lesson : a moment.

Discover a Destination Through Its Vineyards

A winery visit is about much more than tasting wine.

It's a lesson in geography, history, and terroir—all at once.

Over the years, visiting vineyards has become an essential part of our travels.

Whether in the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Champagne region, Valdobbiadene—the birthplace of Prosecco—or Alsace, every visit tells a different story.

What we love most is that these experiences go far beyond the glass. You learn how to taste differently. You discover how wine is made, why terroir matters so much, and how grapes from the very same vineyard can produce completely different wines depending on the vintage.

Through a single glass, you begin to understand an entire way of life.

It's the kind of experience no wine book can truly teach. You simply have to be there.

Travel with an Expert: Curated Culinary Tours

When someone truly knows a region's vineyards, producers, and restaurants, the entire travel experience changes.

For years, Yvan Ouellet, owner of Le Quarante 7, has partnered with La Forfaiterie to create tailor-made culinary journeys for curious food and wine lovers.

These aren't traditional bus tours with a guide and a microphone. They're small groups of passionate travellers led by an expert who knows exactly where to stop, what to taste, and why each place matters. Think four-star accommodations, included meals, carefully selected wineries, and the freedom to simply enjoy the journey while someone else takes care of every detail.

[Original photo: Yvan Ouellet and Johanne Verret — photo available in the Prestige Magazine article]

Previous itineraries have taken travellers from Barcelona to Bordeaux, across the Italian Alps to the French Mediterranean—from the Dolomites to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and from Piedmont to the Calanques. Every stop is thoughtfully designed around exceptional wines, memorable dining experiences, and breathtaking landscapes.

Just a few weeks ago, another group returned from a 16-day journey through Croatia and Slovenia (June 3–19, 2026). The itinerary included Ljubljana, Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, with visits to six renowned wineries: Dveri Pax and Puklavec in Slovenia, along with Korak, Bibich, and Rizman in Croatia. Guests enjoyed 30 included meals, stayed in four- and five-star hotels, and finished the trip with a farewell dinner overlooking the Adriatic Sea at the Rixos Hotel Dubrovnik.

[Original photos: Croatia and Slovenia journey, June 2026—vineyards, Dubrovnik, travel group]

This October, another group will depart for Amsterdam, followed by a five-night AmaWaterways cruise along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, where some of Europe's most celebrated vineyards line the riverbanks.

And the adventures continue.

In June 2027, the next destination is the emerging vineyards of Scandinavia—a region few travellers associate with wine.

In July, the group heads to Bordeaux during Bordeaux Fête le Vin, one of the world's premier wine festivals.

In September, travellers will embark on an AmaWaterways cruise along the Nile in Egypt, exploring ancient temples and timeless landscapes.

Looking ahead to 2028, the itinerary features Portugal's spectacular Douro Valley, one of Europe's most iconic wine regions, as well as South Africa, combining a safari in Kruger National Park, the vineyards of Franschhoek, and the vibrant city of Cape Town.

Limited spaces are still available.

Discover Yvan Ouellet's curated culinary journeys →

This is the kind of travel that teaches you to read a region's terroir the way you would read a map—with someone who knows it by heart.

Cooking with Locals: The Real Journey Within the Journey

Learning to cook in someone's home offers access to a side of a destination that no guidebook can ever show.

Travel story : During the Air Canada strike, Catherine unexpectedly found ourselves stranded in Nice—fortunately staying with family friends. What first felt like an inconvenience soon became one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

 For several days, she experienced the cuisine of Provence and the French Riviera from inside a local kitchen. A ratatouille lasagna unlike anything she'd ever tasted. Traditional family dishes. The rhythm of Mediterranean meals—the importance of aperitivo, the small bites before dinner, what people drink, and how evenings naturally unfold around the table.

"I wasn't just learning recipes, I was learning an entire way of life."

That's what local culinary experiences offer. Not just incredible flavours. A deeper understanding of the people and the place.

How to Add Culinary Experiences to Your Itinerary

You don't need to build an entire vacation around food to enjoy meaningful culinary experiences.

A few simple habits make all the difference.

Book ahead

Cooking classes in major cities such as Paris, Rome, and Barcelona often sell out weeks in advance. Booking one or two months ahead is usually a safe bet.

Look for small groups

Classes with six to ten participants are generally far more immersive than large demonstrations. You'll have real conversations with the chef and learn much more.

Get outside the city

The most memorable wineries, farms, and local markets are often located within an hour of major cities. That's where authentic experiences truly begin.

Leave room for spontaneity

Sometimes the best meal of the trip is the one you cook alongside strangers who become friends for an evening.

At La Forfaiterie, we believe the best trips are about more than beautiful hotels or breathtaking landscapes.

They're about the experiences that connect you to a destination: learning a cherished family recipe in Paris, sharing a homemade meal with locals in Nice, or discovering a vineyard alongside the people who've cared for it for generations.

That's exactly what our travel advisors look for when designing an itinerary with you.

If you're looking for a journey that's more than just a collection of photos, start by talking with our team.