When you travel, there will be a lot of different things to think about. You’ll want to make sure you have chosen the right destination, that you have somewhere to stay, that you see the things you want to see, and that you generally make the most of the time you have away from home, whether that’s just for a few days or for a few months – or longer.

Something that you might not have thought about but that can actually be very important is food. Of course, you’ll need to eat several times a day, but if you can do this while incorporating new ideas and trying new things on your travels, it opens up a whole new world. Read on to find out what food is – or at least should be – such an important part of traveling.

The Link Between Food And Culture

Food is an important part of culture for a lot of people. From one generation to the next, recipes and ways to cook are passed down. Some dishes tell the story of a whole country, while others may only be eaten by a small group of people. When people move to other parts of the world, they will even bring the food from their home country with them. As tourists, if we learn about the local food, we can find out more about the country we’re visiting than just its famous landmarks.

Supporting The Community

Helping out the local people is a very important part of traveling. A simple way to be a socially responsible tourist is to choose to drink tea in a local café, snack on street food, or eat lunch in a local restaurant. When you eat at a local restaurant, you help local businesses and the local economy, and you also get to know the local people.

People who only stay in one place for a few days might think that’s not enough time to make friends, but where you eat will affect how the locals feel about tourists and sometimes even their whole country.

Better For The Environment

When you fly food around the world, you leave more carbon behind. On average, our food travels 1500 miles, which is a lot of energy when you add it all up. Locally grown food doesn’t have to travel half as far, and you can usually find local farmers who grow their crops in a way that is good for the environment. Plus, whether you are at home or traveling, when you buy local, you are also supporting the farms and green spaces in that area. 

Try New Things

One of the most important things when you travel is to try new things. If you can do this, you will really make the most of your time in a different country; doing the same things you do at home just seems like a waste of time when you have so much choice in front of you.

If you’re not sure how to get started when it comes to trying new things, food is the ideal solution. You never know; if you go to Greece and try authentic chicken gyros, you might even find a great recipe so you can start enjoying them at home, giving you a new skill as well as the opportunity to try great food.