To better understand the concept behind culinary travel, one must first understand culinary tourism and all that such provides. As such, if one is interested in knowing more about culinary tourism, one may want to request an information package from the International Culinary Tourism Institute, founded in 2006, which is a non-profit education organization for training and education for its members and the public. Of course, there are also many other organizations involved in culinary tourism which one can also find online.

So, what exactly is culinary tourism? Culinary tourism is when one travels to a country or region with the specific intention of experiencing the food native to such an area. As such, dining out has become a valid part of the tourism experience. So, whether one is in the mood for Spanish cuisine from Spain, or food from the Middle East, when one actively travels to such areas in order to experience such native cuisine, then one is often considered a culinary tourist.

In addition, now that food has become an accepted and valid aspect of tourism, it is also believed that food as well as accommodations, climate and scenery all play an active role in such travel experiences. In addition, as individuals often dine out during vacations, while those on vacation may not experience the full art of culinary tourism, most likely one is going to still experience several culinary delights on such travels. As such, culinary tourism then becomes part and parcel to most vacations whether family, romantic or otherwise.

Still, as culinary tourism is defined as the ongoing pursuit of drinking and eating experiences, culinary tourism differs from agricultural tourism. For, although it may be considered a subset of cultural tourism, cuisine is in fact also a manifestation of culture both past and present. Still, culinary and agricultural tourism remain linked due to the growing of foods which are included in the many regional dishes prepared which use locally grown ingredients.

In addition, although one may perceive from the sound of culinary tourism, that all foods consumed as part of such a process are gourmet dishes. In fact, this is not true at all. For, culinary tourism is often more about what is unusual yet memorable and tasty, rather than what is often exclusive, pretentious and overly priced. As such, one can expect to find both basic and gourmet dishes, as well as great beer, wine and cocktails in all price ranges.

So, how does one find out more information about such culinary tourism? Often, one can contact one of many culinary tourist organizations which one can now find online. Of course, one can also decide based on taste and region where to travel to experience such culinary delights. However, if one is interested in specific culinary tourism, one may be able to find some great deals by talking with representatives from one of the many organizations now listed online.

For, whether one contacts an International organization, or a more locally based one, often one can gain a great many ideas of where to go and explore when it comes to such culinary tourism. In addition, as there are often many different dining opportunities available in each region, one may want to read a variety of online reviews in relation to such offerings, along with menu choices to assure one is going to fully enjoy such a dining experience. For, only when one can see first hand how such restaurants operate on an ongoing basis, can one truly decide if a restaurant is one in which one wishes to spend both time and money.

To this end, regardless of the type of food one seeks, one can find a great variety when participating in culinary travel or tourist opportunities. However, to assure one is going to enjoy the atmosphere, food and service, one may want to read a variety of reviews posted by past consumers. For, only in doing so, can one assure that one is going to have an outstanding culinary travel experience in whichever region or area one may decide to visit for such culinary delights.