Food and Beverage Trends for 2023
December 26, 2022 – 8:14 pm | Comments Off on Food and Beverage Trends for 2023

What will food and beverage menus look like in 2023? Lyons Magnus, a global foodservice, and ingredient source, predicts five emerging trends. “We use our proprietary research and analysis to support our partners with targeted …

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Global Food Tours Could Be the Secret to Happiness
February 17, 2024 – 8:04 pm | Comments Off on Global Food Tours Could Be the Secret to Happiness


“Savor the experience and embrace the world with an open heart,” could be the slogan of global food adventurers. A practice that unites an adventurous spirit, an appetite for exploration, and a quest for happiness in every bite. But does exploring worldwide cuisines and cultures really increase our sense of joy? A hearty “yes” echoes from the latest research.

Setting The Stage: Food, Travel, and Happiness

A recent report from World Food Travel revealed that an impressive 81% of travelers view a special culinary experience as a highlight of their trip. This is because happiness is tied more to experiences than possessions, with spending on experiences providing longer-lasting joy.

Food travel enhances satisfaction and enjoyment by tapping into the experiential aspects of both food and travel. Studies show that novel experiences release dopamine, a feel-good hormone, and certain foods directly impact mood by increasing serotonin levels for heightened well-being and happiness.

Cultural Immersion and Interpersonal Connections

The special thing about these adventures is the cultural experiences and friendships they provide. Research indicates that engaging in communication, especially through shared meals, increases satisfaction. A 2015 study with over 12,000 participants found higher satisfaction levels when people shared experiences. Dining together in new places not only nourishes your body but also feeds your soul, contributing to increased happiness.

Juliana Marshall, an expert of the International Drivers Association, stresses the importance of these connections in global food journeys. “Nothing brings people closer than food. It’s a universal symbol of hospitality, kindness, and sharing, which are key elements in promoting a sense of mutual understanding and happiness,” she says.

Tips to Heighten Your Food Tour Adventure Experience
Here are some suggestions from Marshall on how to maximize your experience and happiness during a global food tour:
Research and Plan: Arm yourself with knowledge about the local cuisine and culture of your chosen destination.
Pack the Right Attitude: Approach a new food experience with a spirit of openness and adventure.
Engage with Locals: Engage with the local community to understand the food’s story and its cultural context.
Savor the Moment: Pay attention to flavors, textures, and the entire experience of crafting and tasting the food.
Capture Memories: Document your journeys and meals with photos or notes, then reminisce about the experience and happiness they brought you.

As we embark on this journey, every bite speaks a thousand words about a place and its people. Such exploration can create unforgettable memories, enhancing our travel experience immeasurably.

If travel used to be about capturing landmarks and capturing images, today it’s about capturing flavors and connecting with cultures. Perhaps there is no deeper joy for travelers than the thrill of discovering a world of tastes that awaits them at the end of their fork.

Traverse City Beer Week
October 27, 2023 – 12:11 am | Comments Off on Traverse City Beer Week
Traverse City Beer Week

A beer passport will lead Road Trips Foodies on a self-guided brewery — and cidery — tour in and around Traverse City, Michigan. Bonus: The free passport makes discounts and prizes available for Traverse City …

Pensacola EggFest
October 25, 2023 – 12:15 am | Comments Off on Pensacola EggFest
Pensacola EggFest

The Pensacola EggFest does not include eggs from chickens (or from ducks, quail, ostrich or whatever birds). The “eggs” are the Big Green Egg outdoor grills.
The Pensacola EggFest will take place November 12, 2023, at …

Corn-to-Cocktail: Rye
October 23, 2023 – 12:27 am | Comments Off on Corn-to-Cocktail: Rye
Corn-to-Cocktail: Rye

Road Trips Foodies who participate in the last of four Corn-to-Cocktail events at Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Indiana, will have a chance to explore rye (the previous three concentrated on vodka, gin, and …

Great Wine Capitals Meet in Lausanne
October 21, 2023 – 8:04 pm | Comments Off on Great Wine Capitals Meet in Lausanne
Great Wine Capitals Meet in Lausanne

The annual meeting of the Great Wine Capitals network will be held in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, from tomorrow (October 22) through Thursday (October 26, 2023).
The program will highlight the canton of Vaud’s wine tourism and …

Mediterranean Aperitivo Week
October 20, 2023 – 12:49 am | Comments Off on Mediterranean Aperitivo Week
Mediterranean Aperitivo Week

Get a taste of Europe’s finest products at Mediterranean Aperitivo Week, at participating bars and restaurants Monday through next Friday (October 23 through 29, 2023).
This week-long takeover will showcase the best of the Mediterranean, …

Tinned Fish Fridays in Janesville
October 6, 2023 – 12:23 am | Comments Off on Tinned Fish Fridays in Janesville
Tinned Fish Fridays in Janesville

Passing through Janesville, Wisconsin, this fall, Road Trips Foodies. Consider timing it to be there between 5 and 7 p.m October 27, 2023, November 24, 2023, or December 15, 2023.
Those dates are Tinned Fish Fridays …

Chelan Crab Boil
October 4, 2023 – 12:49 am | Comments Off on Chelan Crab Boil
Chelan Crab Boil

The seventh annual Chelan Crab Boil takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday (October 7, 2023), at Campbell Resort, 104 W Woodin Avenue, Chelan, Washington.
A a fall Chelan classic, this is a low-country …

The Big Dill in Baltimore
October 2, 2023 – 12:24 am | Comments Off on The Big Dill in Baltimore
The Big Dill in Baltimore

The Big Dill takes place November 11 and 12, 2023, at Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland. (Yes: the original dates in September 2023 were rained out.)
The Big Dill World’s Largest Pickle Party® …

Japan’s First Sushi Auberge Opens this Fall
September 29, 2023 – 12:35 am | Comments Off on Japan’s First Sushi Auberge Opens this Fall
Japan’s First Sushi Auberge Opens this Fall

Special to Road Trips for Foodies
Japan’s first sushi auberge opens this fall: Hitotsu Noto, 42-4 Notojima Susomachi, Nanao, Ishikawa, Japan.
The concept of a sushi auberge is rare, even in Japan but Hitotsu Noto aims …

Hong Kong’s Wine and Dine
September 27, 2023 – 12:17 am | Comments Off on Hong Kong’s Wine and Dine
Hong Kong’s Wine and Dine

The Wine and Dine Festival will return to Hong Kong October 26 through 29, 2023.
Events will take place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, Hong Kong Island.
The annual citywide dining event will bring together …