Food Tours

Thai food offers a variety of flavours and tastes. The subtle mixing of herbs and spices and market-fresh ingredients makes dining a special culinary experience. With Thai cuisine enjoying an outstanding worldwide reputation for its unique flavours and tastes, there's no better way to learn about this cooking style than in Thailand itself.

So why not learn the techniques that create one of the world's most interesting cuisine's from local Thai chefs and culinary experts on our Thai Cooking School program.

Please note: For single travellers - A single supplement applies to this tour if we are unable to match you in a twin room with another passenger of the same sex, or if you wish to be allocated your own room. The single supplement is payable immediately and taken in your local currency, but will be refunded if we are able to pair you with another passenger at a later date.

For full itinerary please contact your Travel Associates Consultant.

The 4.5-star Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley is Victoria's source of indulgent sensations, from world famous wines to fabulously fresh regional produce, breathtaking scenery, remarkable golfing experiences and sensual spa and health retreat. Positioned at the gateway to the Yarra Valley, this world class resort offers guests total luxury, surrounded by two championship golf courses and right on the doorstep to over 80 Yarra Valley Wineries.

Day 1
Collect your vehicle in Adelaide and commence your vineyard explorer, travelling to Chain of Ponds in Barossa. Visit well known wine producers such as Penfolds Barossa, Saltram Wine Estate, Wolf Blass and Jacob's Creek. Overnight at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort.

Day 2
Take your time to explore the wine region, take in the local farmer's markets or stop in to taste gourmet local produce at Maggie Beer's farm shop. Or perhaps add a vineyard tour from $63*. Overnight at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort.

Day 3
Travel to Adelaide hills to visit some of the 33 cellar doors and vineyards in the region. The oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, Hahndorf is a must visit where a strong German flavour still exists today. Overnight at McLaren Vale Studio Apartments.

Day 4
Explore Fleurieu Peninsula's most famous wine region, McLaren Vale. The region also produces exceptional wine, cheese, fruits, olives and almonds. Take your time to return to Adelaide and return the car at the same time it was picked up on day 1 to avoid additional charges.

The 4.5-star Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley, at the foothills of the beautiful Brokenback Ranges, is in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine region, just two hours drive from bustling Sydney. The hotel offers 71 charming guest rooms and suites; that are elegantly decorated with period furniture overlooking beautifully manicured formal gardens.

The hotel features three dining venues, conference facilities accommodating up to 290 guests, leisure facilities such as an indoor Grecian style pool, sauna, tennis court, a half size basketball court, gymnasium, outdoor BBQ area and a jogging track. This stylish hotel combines the elegance of a bygone era.

Just a leisurely drive south of Perth, the Margaret River wine region is the perfect destination to spend a few days exploring the many art galleries, wineries, breweries and underground caves that abound.

For the ultimate Margaret River Experience we have included 3 days car hire so that you can explore on your own, a 3 night stay in luxury at the stunning Quay West Resort Bunker Bay, and a Cape Mentelle Winery Behind the Scenes and Degustation Tour.

Learn how wines are made both in the vineyard and in the winery, followed by a degustation lunch experience, combining private wine tasting matched to a selection of local produce hosted in Cape Mentelle's historic barrel cellar.

Kangaroo Island is over 155km in length and 55km wide therefore a minimum of two-three days is recommended to tour around Australia's third largest Island. You will have the opportunity to take in the spectacular coastal scenery, scenic landscapes and fantastic National Parks. Visit world famous Seal Bay, enjoy the Island's locally produced food and wine, try scuba diving in the pristine waters, bushwalking or just relax on one of the many uncrowded, white, sandy beaches.

Day 1
Make your way along the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline to Cape Jervis to board your SeaLink ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Kangaroo Island. Head off on your self drive adventure and drive past Baudin and Island Beach and into Pennington Bay, for a fantastic photo opportunity of some of the Island's spectacular coastal landscapes. Stop at Clifford's Honey Farm for a tasting of Kangaroo Island Honey and to sample the homemade honey ice-cream.
Head towards Vivonne Bay and drive to Seal Bay to take a walk with a National Parks guide along the beach to view the colony of Australian Sea-Lions interacting in their natural environment. For the more adventurous traveller stop off at Little Sahara the islands largest inland sand dune to try sand boarding, or take the walk up the dune to experience the views from the top. If time allows, stop off at Kelly Hill Caves Conservation Park and take a guided tour of these amazing limestone caves or for a unique caving experience try the Adventure Caving. Continue on to Flinders Chase National Park to explore some of the Island's most incredible natural formations. Visit the justifiably named Remarkable Rocks, historic awe-inspiring Weirs Cove and stalactite-fringed Admirals Arc for the opportunity to see New Zealand fur-seals playing and swimming below.

Day 2
This morning head up to the north of the Island. The drive to Western River Cove is beautiful with rolling hills typical of the entire north coast. Stop along the way and try to spot some dolphins from Constitution Hill lookout at spectacular Snellings Beach. For something different, stop at Stokes Bay Rare Breed Farm, with its unusual farm animals or at Paul's Place for a hands-on wildlife experience. Head to the Stokes Bay Bar and Grill for lunch before visiting the hidden beach at Stokes Bay. Head through the tunnel on the eastern end of the beach to view another piece of KI's amazing coastline. Time permitting continue onto Kingscote to visit some of the Island's local producers, such as the Island Pure Sheep Dairy and Cheese Factory, where you can watch sheep being milked and the making of cheese. Or drop by KI Spirits, which use local and native produce to flavour their boutique liqueurs.
A 20 minute drive away will find you at Emu Bay, another of KI's amazing beaches. Take a walk along the coast or visit Emu Bay Lavender Farm to sample some Lavender Ice-cream or just take a break and grab a coffee. As you make your way back to the ferry make one final stop at Sunset Winery. Enjoy a KI tasting plate on the balcony accompanied by some fabulous KI Wines, as the sun sets over the water. The perfect end to your Kangaroo Island experience.

Days 3 and 4 are for you to explore at your own leisure

Day 1- Adelaide to the Barossa Valley
Collect your vehicle from Adelaide and head to the Barossa Valley and spend the rest of the day exploring one of Australia's famous wine regions with over 50 cellar doors including famous brands such as Wolf Blass, Penfolds and Jacob's Creek. Drive via the Chain of Ponds and the scenic Torrens Valley with a stop at the Whispering Wall reservoir. Stop in at Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre and learn about what goes into making great wines.

Day 2- The Barossa
Explore the town of Angaston and visit the Angas Park Fruit Company to purchase some delicious dried fruits or the Barossa Valley Cheese Company for cheese. Overnight at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort.

Day 3- Barossa to McLaren Vale
Travel through the picturesque Adelaide Hills stopping at some of the cellar doors, vineyards and orchards. Stop at the German settlement of Hahndorf to sample traditional German fare. Continue to the Fleurieu Peninsula and time permitting, visit the pretty coastal resort town of Victor Harbor. Overnight at McLaren Vale Studio Apartments.

Day 4- McLaren Vale
Spend a day visiting some of McLaren Vale's cellar door outlets including Wirra Wirra, Fox Creek, d'Arenberg and Coriole. Try some of the McLaren Vale region's excellent local produce including olives, oils, cheeses, almonds and berries. Overnight at McLaren Vale Studio Apartments.

Day 5- McLaren Vale to Kangaroo Island
Make your way to Cape Jervis for a 45 minute ferry to Kangaroo Island. The island boasts spectacular coastal scenery and landscapes, national parks, an array of local industries and abundant wildlife experiences. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park for a chance to walk amongst sea lions, see the dramatic formations of Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch in Flinders National Park. Overnight at Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort, Penneshaw.

Day 6- Kangaroo Island
Continue exploring the island at leisure. Visit the beautiful secluded beaches of the north coast or enjoy the island's locally produced sheep cheeses and yoghurt, wine, eucalyptus oil, honey and delicious seafood. For a hit of adventure, visit Little Sahara and surf down huge sand dunes. Overnight at Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort, Penneshaw.

Day 7- Kangaroo Island to Adelaide
Depart Kangaroo Island, taking the ferry from Penneshaw to Cape Jervis. Return to Adelaide at leisure. The car is booked until the following day and should be returned to either the city or airport depot by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1 to avoid any additional charges.

Experience the highlights of the Tuscan Chianti region, whilst staying at a traditional farmhouse. A cooking class will give you a hands-on introduction to Tuscan cuisine whilst visits to Siena and San Gimignano will allow you to explore some of the most picturesque towns in Tuscany.

A brand new exciting tour to get your taste buds going. Sample Khmer cuisine at some fo the finest restaurants and visit the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat.

DAY 1: Phnom Penh. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Relax and unwind after flight as you will get pampered with a relaxing massage at Bodia Spa. This evening, indulge in a delicious Welcome Dinner at Malis Restaurant.

DAY 2: Phnom Penh. After breakfast, depart on a Khmer Architecture walking tour with a specialist guide. Enjoy lunch at the classy Le Wok Restaurant and afterwards, visit the most remarkable sights Phnom Penh has to offer by cyclo. You are treated to a delicious Khmer dinner at Romdeng, a charity restaurant and then finish the evening at the Sovanna Phoum Theatre and Art Gallery for a shadow puppet theatre and classical dance performance.

DAY 3: Phnom Penh - Battambang. Depart from Phnom Penh by road to Battambang where you will be taken to some of the many cultural villages around Battambang to learn how the locals produce rice paper, prahoc (typical Cambodian fish paste), grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo), and other Cambodian treats.

You will also visit a weaving and handicraft centre. From here, you can experience a short ride on the famous Bamboo Train Enjoy a dinner at the authentic Smoking Pot Restaurant.

DAY 4: Battambang - Siem Reap. Embark on one of the most stunning boat trips in Cambodia, as you will be taken from Battambang to Siem Reap. Float along the Stung Sangker River until you reach the Prek Toal bird sanctuary, one of the most important breeding grounds for waterbirds in the region.

Emerge at Tonle Sap River and arrive in Siem Reap mid-afternoon. In the afternoon, you will visit the legendary Angkor Wat by local tuk tuk. Highlight the day with watching the sun set over Angkor Wat before an Asian-inspired French meal at Abacus Restaurant in the evening.

DAY 5: Siem Reap. Discover the secrets of authentic Khmer cuisine in a half-day cooking class at The Sugar Palm. Start with a guided trip to the market and later dine on your self prepared meals. In the afternoon, explore the illustrious Ta Prohm temple, engulfed by the jungle. Continue to Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

DAY 6: Siem Reap. Take an interesting boat trip on the Tonal Sap Lake, where you will learn about local life. A delicious lunch will be served in a floating house, made from ingredients that can typically be found on the lake. In the afternoon, head to the countryside around the Western Baray, and observe the daily life of the locals.

Visit the Angkor Silk Farm and learn how silk is processed. A seven-course authentic Khmer Farewell dinner at the renowned Meric Restaurant will crown your culinary experiences.

DAY 7: Siem Reap. Transfer to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS: Bangkok - Grand Palace - Wat Po - Ayuthaya - Sukhothai - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai

This speciality cooking trip introduces us to the best of Thailand, with a special emphasis on its world-famous cuisine. Bangkok is a city of excitement with its lively night markets and riverside restaurants. Here we enjoy the first of our Thai cooking master classes.

The old Thai capital of Ayuthaya is best seen from the river – we enjoy a cooking session with local villagers, then cruise on board a converted rice barge and feast on the food we've cooked against the backdrop of ancient pagodas. Sukhothai was the first Thai capital and is regarded as the birthplace of Thai culture. We pay homage to the magnificent stupas that line the historical park, as well as try our hand at preparing the local delicacies.

In Chiang Mai, renowned for its Lanna cuisine, we will spend a day at a special cooking school, preparing some of the local dishes. Sampling the fruits of our newly found skills will be a delectable highlight, as we round up our gourmet adventures in this amazing country.

HIGHLIGHTS: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Red Bridge cooking tour - Saigon - Mekong Delta

A journey that takes in 'must see' sights of Vietnam while tantalising the taste buds with some of south-east Asia's finest cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine is diverse and specific to each region. The north's cuisine is more traditional; as a 'new' land, the south's cuisine is more exotic and liberal, while the cuisine of central Vietnam is quite different to its counterparts in its use of distinct spices.

Travel through this amazing country and discover its culinary Meccas. This comprehensive tour takes us to both historic capitals of Vietnam, from the colonial charm of Hanoi to its bustling southern counterpart, Saigon. Wonder at the splendour of Halong Bay and discover Hue, the former seat of power of the Nguyen Dynasty.

We immerse ourselves in the historical sea port of Hoi An, which still exudes the aura of bygone days, and end our Vietnam experience with a visit down the bustling and colourful Mekong Delta.

A journey that takes in 'must see' sights of Vietnam while tantalising the taste buds with some of south-east Asia's finest cuisine.

Vietnamese cuisine is diverse and specific to each region. The north's cuisine is more traditional; as a 'new' land, the south's cuisine is more exotic and liberal, while the cuisine of central Vietnam is quite different to its counterparts in its use of distinct spices.

Travel through this amazing country and discover its culinary Meccas. This comprehensive tour takes us to both historic capitals of Vietnam, from the colonial charm of Hanoi to its bustling southern counterpart, Saigon. Wonder at the splendour of Halong Bay and discover Hue, the former seat of power of the Nguyen Dynasty.

We immerse ourselves in the historical sea port of Hoi An, which still exudes the aura of bygone days, and end our Vietnam experience with a visit down the bustling and colourful Mekong Delta.

DAY 1 - Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel.

DAY 2 - Day trip to Halong Bay. Cruise aboard traditional junk on Halong Bay.

DAY 3 - Sightseeing tour of Hanoi. Cooking class and dinner at KOTO restaurant.

DAY 4 - Fly to Hue. Sightseeing tour of Hue. Enjoy a traditional 'royal' dinner.

DAY 5, 6 and 7 - Drive to Hoi An. Sightseeing tour of Hoi An. Full day at Red Bridge Cooking School. DAY 8 - Fly to Saigon. Sightseeing tour of Saigon. Cooking class.

DAY 9 - Day trip to the Mekong Delta.

DAY 10 - Trip ends in Saigon this morning (Tue).

Bold as a Malbec, this comfort-level 10-day tour serves up the brave new world of South American wine.

Starting in Chile, you'll visit incredible wineries outside Santiago then cross the Andes into Mendoza, Argentina's main wine region and heartland of the Malbec grape. Winery tours and a cooking class in Mendoza are included, as is your domestic flight to Buenos Aires and a special visit to a Planeterra project that trains troubled youth in gourmet cooking. After all this, you're free to eat, drink and dance through the 'Paris of the AmericasSalud

Day 1 Santiago de Chile - Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

Days 2-3 Santiago de Chile - Full day tour to wineries in the Maipo Valleys area on day 2. Day 3 is a free day for individual exploration and to enjoy the city.

Days 4-6 Mendoza - Cross the Andes by bus into Argentina and arrive at Mendoza, in the heart of the wine growing region. Included winery tours as well as a cooking class to learn the traditional food preparations and barbecue techniques. Optional activities include hiking and biking or take a city tour.

Days 7-9 Buenos Aires -

Fly to Buenos Aires. Included tour to a Planeterra project outside of the city to see the empowerment and apprenticeship of youth through the culinary arts and food preparation. Free time to explore the many attractions of Buenos Aires or take an optional city tour. Optional tango show and dinner.

Day 10 Buenos Aires - Depart at any time.

HIGHLIGHTS: Tokyo - Takayama - Koya-san - Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto

Steeped in centuries of culinary tradition, Japan is nothing less than a treasure trove of exotic cuisine, potent sake and sweet delights. From Tokyo to Kyoto, our adventure takes us into the heart of Japan, enjoying a smorgasbord of treats in a variety of settings.

To complete the recipe, we mix in plenty of culture and top it off with some of Japan's best attractions. Be tempted by tempura, savour your sushi and tickle your tastebuds, as we discover the endless variety of Japan and its cuisine.