My latest obsession while travelling is cooking classes. Here’s why. Beyond sight-seeing, meeting new people, shamelessly taking free walking tours, and endless amounts of Instagram posts, one of the best parts about travel has always been the food. At the core of it, experiential travel is the fundamental shift that we’re seeing which is only for the better. Don’t just see, actually do! Here are my top five reasons you should don an apron and roll up your sleeves on your next trip.
In This Article
Learn History And Culture
At multiple levels, food is representative of a country’s history and culture. The finished product is one thing but you truly get an appreciation of a certain type of cuisine when you see where the ingredients come from and how the food is prepared.
The ingredients used is indicative of how agriculture and trade has developed through the course of time. Most cooking classes, including this private cooking class in Bangkok, include a trip to the local market. This is where locals come to interact, where the freshest local produce is put on display, and also gives a true sense of how people live.
Food preparation is so different from cuisine to cuisine. In Peru, we learned that early Chinese immigrants had a major influence which is why there’s the heavy use of stir fry and soy sauce. It’s this type of thing that I wouldn’t have made the connection if I were just eating in a Peruvian restaurant.
Withlocals is a unique platform and app that connects travellers with local people and cultures while travelling. What you’ll find when you do a search for things to do in a city is a collection of authentic experiences hosted by real locals wanting to share with you what it’s like to be in their home town. The activities vary by things to do (activities and tours, etc.) and food experiences (home dinners, cooking classes, workshops, and food tours and tastings.
Learn How To Eat
How to properly eat local food may not be as obvious as it sounds. How many times have you been in a restaurant in a new country and when the dish arrives, you’re completely bamboozled about what to do. You start looking around and try your best to imitate what the locals are doing or you embarrassingly ask the waiter whether you’re doing it right.
Something I always recommend is to take a cooking class at the beginning of your trip because it sets you up to truly appreciate all the food you’ll have in the country. Through cooking classes, you’ll be taught the proper way of eating the food. It could be as simple as how to use the fish sauce in Thai dishes, the fact that you’re supposed to put a bit of everything in your mouth before chewing in Peruvian dishes, or
Make new friends
One of the best parts about travel is meeting new people. Let’s say you’re in Thailand and looking for something to do in Bangkok, I go straight to the cooking based experiences because I know that it always brings together likeminded travellers. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a group, I always have a ton of fun getting to know people from all walks of life.
In a hands-on environment, there’s always great conversation and laughter which creates a lasting memory. Even though the class may only be for a couple of hours, you’ll make a lasting connection to last a lifetime.
Be Able To Ask A Local
This is your chance to ask all the questions you have about food or even non-food things. Take advantage of all that knowledge from someone native to the area. Your instructor is always awesome to ask where hidden gems are in the city, local markets to check out, top restaurants, or a good place for coffee.
Be Inspired To Cook
Cooking isn’t a lot of people’s jams but even for a throw-it-on-the-grill kind of guy that I am, I always leave cooking classes incredibly excited about making your own food. Most cooking classes will give you a recipe book at the end of it which gives you everything you need to recreate the dishes at home.
The biggest part that these classes teach you is that it isn’t as hard as you think it is. You get thrown into it while being guided all the way through. It’s the kind of thing that spurs you to want to learn other dishes.
The best part of it all is that you take home the best souvenir you could get. It doesn’t take up space like another useless t-shirt and allows you to bring it home for use for many years to come. Friends and family can get a true taste of your travels too!
There’s nothing like being thrown behind the counter to get your culinary juices flowing (even if you didn’t think you had any). Trying anything new is inspiring and can go a long way toward spurring you on to want to continue learning (or at least cooking) once you get home. You’ll feel more excited about food and the possibilities for creating dishes that remind you of your travels.
Food is the universal language a true force for creating authentic connections with a local culture and other travellers. Give cooking classes a shot on your next trip!
Read More Travel Inspiration
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
- AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
