Under-discovered foodie destinations

Booking.com studies suggest that more than one third (34%) of travelers around the world would like to do a foodie travel in 2018. From the results obtained with this study we can highlight the following data:

• 34% would love to do a foodie trip in 2018, according to Booking.com

• 23% of the travelers surveyed look for restaurants with Michelin stars

Booking.com has created a list of the best destinations for foodies, with innovative and much less popular proposals, thanks to the recommendations of its millions of customers around the world. Here we will mention some of these destinations:

Relax with a wine in Szekszárd, Hungary

Move over Napa Valley. Booking.com travelers endorsed the city Szekszárd as a top place to visit to sample wine. The capital of Tolna County, Szekszard’s wine region is one of the oldest red wine growing areas in Hungary, dating back thousands of years, and is famous for its full-bodied and spicy reds. Szekszárd has produced many quality wines winning numerous awards in both national and international competitions.

Cheers for beer in Qingdao, China

A port city of skyscrapers, parks and beaches, Qingdao is home to the Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd, China's second largest brewery, founded in 1903 by German settlers. The Tsingtao Beer Museum celebrates the namesake brewery and both are situated - very aptly - on a road called Beer Street!

The Qingdao International Beer Festival is a major event taking place throughout the month of August, arguably rivalling Germany’s Oktoberfest in scale and frivolity. Be prepared to drink your glass empty after every shout of “gan bei”, the Chinese equivalent of “cheers”.

Take high tea in Bath, United Kingdom  

The quintessentially English tradition of taking afternoon tea is still as popular today as it was in Georgian times and Bath has been endorsed by Booking.com travelers as a top place to enjoy this tradition. Where better to enjoy this traditional meal of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and sweet cakes – which originated in the 1840s as a mini meal to ward off hunger ahead of the evening meal – than The Pump Room, which was regarded as the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries and featured in many Jane Austen novels.

Have a summer sweet in Międzyzdroje, Poland

Międzyzdroje is a lively seaside resort town in north-western Poland on the island of Wolin on the Baltic coast, buzzing in the summer with tourists. Dating back to the 14th century, waffles have been long-loved as a summer delicacy in Poland and Miedzyzdroje see waffle sellers on every corner offering no end of variation of this sweet delight. Research by Booking.com found that more than 6 in 10 travelers (61%) say they pick a destination for its great food or drinks, so it’s no surprise Międzyzdroje is so popular with tourists with its world renowned waffles.

Sample Sushi in Düsseldorf, Germany

With 49% of travelers planning on becoming more adventurous with the type of cuisine they eat while traveling, why not try a classic cuisine in alternative setting? Dusseldorf, known for its fashion and art industry, might not be the first place you’d expect to have a thriving sushi scene. However with the third largest Japanese community in Europe, it has many options of Japanese restaurants and sushi bars scattered around the city making it a top place to visit if you’re keen on this traditional Japanese cuisine.

Go meat free in Koyasan, Japan   

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the mountain of Koyasan (Mount Koya) is on the beautiful forested Kii Peninsula, more than 800 meters above sea level. It was traditionally considered sacred, and is a major pilgrimage site for followers of the Shingon school of Buddhism. A special vegetarian (often vegan) diet is followed by monks and believers in Buddhism. It is called Shojin Ryori in Japanese, which can be translated as “Food of Devotion”. Enjoy some monastic succulence as some of the century old restaurants. With a tenth of global travelers worrying about dietary requirements not being met, Koyasan is a perfect location for vegetarians where they’re guaranteed to have a wide choice of dishes.

Be healthy in Canggu, Indonesia

A 10km beach and coastal village on the south coast of Bali, Canggu is a relaxed surfer haven that features many healthy food restaurants, offering up simple, healthy Indonesian cuisine to refuel after a day on the waves.

Go all-out gourmets in Franschhoek, South Africa  

The village of Franschhoek (French Corner), tucked into the Cape Winelands of South Africa, is known as the country's gourmet capital. It lures international tourists and locals alike to its vineyards, celebrated restaurants and historic houses. With 23% of travelers seeking out more Michelin restaurants, Franschhoek is perfect for those looking for gourmet meals created by award winning chefs.

Check out a cheese factory in Tillamook, United States  

Situated on the beautiful Oregon coast, Tillamook Cheese Factory has been committed to producing the best tasting, high quality dairy products for over a century. At the visitor center you can experience life on the farm, watch the production line in action, and taste some of the deliciousness Tillamook has to offer.  

Get your sweet fix Lviv, Ukraine   

Situated on the beautiful Oregon coast, Tillamook Cheese Factory has been committed to producing the best tasting, high quality dairy products for over a century. At the visitor center you can experience life on the farm, watch the production line in action, and taste some of the deliciousness Tillamook has to offer.  

Enjoy a fresh catch in Donggang, Taiwan

Located on Taiwan's western coastline, along the Taiwan Strait, Donggang has one of Taiwan's largest fishing harbors. As a result, it has a thriving seafood industry – with fresh off-the-boat cuisine filling its restaurants. Visit the Dong Gang Seafood Market, full of stalls selling fresh fish, dried seafood, vegetables, and sashimi that rivals Japan. Visitors can eat a great seafood meal overlooking the river that flows into the Taiwan Strait. You can’t get much fresher than that!

Source and images: Booking.com