5 Best European Vacation Destinations for Foodies

Did you know that 95% of travelers worldwide are food travelers? Eight of 10 travelers research food and drink before heading to their vacation destinations. And seven of 10 people select vacation destinations based on the food and beverages in these hotspots.

What are your options if you’re a foodie who wants to vacation somewhere in Europe? The good news is that there is no shortage of places where a foodie will feel very welcome.

Continue reading to learn about five of the best European places to visit if you want to try some of the best culinary masterpieces on the continent.

1. Venice, Italy

Italy is a country rich in history and culture. It’s also a great place to visit if you’re looking for culinary dishes that tantalize your tastebuds. One city that should be on your list of considerations if you want to go to Italy is Venice. You’ll find that seafood dominates the menus of many restaurants. And that’s no surprise in an area where the roads are made of water.

If you love seafood, try the polenta e schie. It’s made from seasoned shrimp — fried or boiled — served on a bed of polenta. That’s just one of the mouth-watering options you’ll find in the city.

2. Nice, France

If you touch down in Nice, France, you’ll want to try out the popular salade niçoise. It’s made from anchovies, tuna, tomatoes, eggs, olives, and other ingredients. You’ll also want to try the pissaladière. It’s the pizza that’s not a pizza. To the untrained eye, a pissaladière looks like a pizza. It’s a tart topped with anchovies, onions, and olives.

Also, try the raviolis niçois. If you loved ravioli growing up as a kid, try this elevated concoction. It’s ravioli filled with braised beef, cheese, and chard. Yum!

3. Vienna, Austria

Do you want to visit Vienna, Austria? You must try the Wiener Schnitzel if you ever do. You can’t be a foodie visiting the city and not tuck into this famous dish. While Wiener Schnitzel was traditionally made using veal, you can also get it with turkey, chicken, or pork meat. It’s served with sides like potato salad and redcurrant jelly. Try some goulash made using different kinds of meat. You’ll find this stew on the menus of many restaurants in the city.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark is another city you should consider. If you travel to the city, try the Smørrebrød, a class open-face sandwich. It’s made from a slice of rye bread topped with meat, fish, vegetables, and sauce. You’ll find it in high-end restaurants in the city. You can also find falafel and shawarma on many restaurants’ menus. Flæskesteg, traditionally served during the Christmas season, is another must-try menu item. It’s roasted pork seasoned with spices, cloves, and bay leaves. The locals usually serve the popular dish with potatoes.

5. Bruges, Belgium

Waterzooi is a dish you need to dry if you visit  Bruges, Belgium. It’s a creamy stew that will hit the spot. It’s made using eggs, fish, and butter. While that might not sound like an appetizing combination of ingredients, your tastebuds will thank you. Do you like seafood? You’ve got to try some mussels and fries. You’ll have options in terms of the sauce it’s served with. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the chocolate that Belgium is world-famous for.

Lots of Options for Foodies

These are just a few recommendations if you’re a foodie who wants to visit Europe but doesn’t know where to go. You’ll find all sorts of food to make your tastebuds dance for joy.

However, when you come to Europe for the food, you’ll also experience the culture and history. And you’ll also get to see some differences between how things are in the U.S. versus how they are in Europe. Case in point: if you’re staying at a hotel, you’ll find that the bathrooms might look a little different compared to what you’re used to in North America. For instance, you’ll find that bidets are fairly common throughout Europe.

A bidet is either a standalone unit that replaces a toilet or is attached to a toilet. It’s designed to clean you up after you use the bathroom — so there’s no need to use toilet paper. After you do your business in the bathroom, you activate a faucet, and a stream of water will do what you’d usually do with toilet paper.

After spending the day or afternoon out doing what foodies do, you’ll spend lots of quality time in your hotel. You may need to rest after all the eating and sightseeing. You may even find that you really enjoy using the bidet — perhaps enough to get one for your own bathroom.

So, come to Europe for the food. But remember to enjoy all the other experiences, including things you may have never experienced before. That’s what traveling the world is all about.