What could be better than combining your love of travel with your love of food? Cooking school vacations offer a chance to submerge yourself in every aspect of your destination; the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of unique and diverse cultures. Then you can relive the memories of your trip and impress friends with your ability to recreate those dishes in your own home.
www.theinternationalkitchen.com
The International Kitchen offers more than 90 cooking vacations to choose from. Learn to make moussaka and souvlaki in Greece, delve into the rich spices of Moroccan cuisine while in Marrakech or travel to Peru and cook traditional food inspired by their Inca heritage.
The small, personalized classes at CasaLana in the Napa Valley combine the owner's love of food with wine for a fun and relaxing epicurean experience. Choose anything from a weekend retreat to a three- to five-day vacation. Classes are four to five hours each day and provide plenty of time for you to explore the beauty of the wine country.
Combine an exploration of colonial Mexico with classic lessons in Mexican home cooking. Situated just outside the city of Tlaxcala, about two hours from Mexico City, the hacienda-style bed-and-breakfast cooking school will immerse you in the day-to-day routines of a Mexican family in its kitchen.
Stay in a restored Tuscan farmhouse located on the top of a hill, with cypress and olive trees surrounding the beautiful gardens and pool. Your hosts will guide you through their family recipes and then take you on excursions to local markets, art galleries and food and wine producers.
Trip Tracker is compiled by Joy Guest. Is there a vacation or excursion that interests you? E-mail jguest@adn.com or comment online at adn.com/life/travel.
Looking for a special, gourmet vacation experience in a beautiful and relaxing destination? Seeking factual travel articles on culinary travel and local gastronomy in the world's finest foodie destinations? See our "Guide to Vacation Cooking & Wine Schools," divided by geographic region, featuring the world's best culinary programs. All programs recommended here offer all-inclusive getaways. -- www.foodvacation. com