5 Things I Learned While Taking a Food Tour

Sometimes I take my own advice. I’m a firm believer that it’s good for all of us to venture away from of our normal routines and try something new. So last week I went on a food tour. Here are some things I learned…

1.    Food tours are great way to get your bearings.

We talked to one lady in our group who said this was her twentieth food tour. She and her husband think it’s a great way to get a feel for a new location when they are on vacation. Food tours not only introduce you to some great places to eat and some local food items, they also give you some background on the location—all of which can be very helpful when you are visiting a new city for a few days.

2.    Activities like food tours make great gifts

Our party was one of several on the tour who were “redeeming” a Christmas gift. I have often suggested giving events as gifts, and the tour was a gift I gave to my daughter-in-law and my almost-daughter-in-law. (Another example of me taking my own advice.) It turned out to be a really super gift for all of us. Not only did it give us “girl time” but it spread the fun of Christmas into May. My only problem now is thinking up something just as awesome for next year. Hmm…

3.    A shared interest can bridge the gap

The sanguine extrovert in our party loved every minute of the tour because she delights in new experiences. It was EXACTLY the kind of thing she loves. But since it was all about food we introverts loved it, too. I’m not a huge fan of cities, groups, or too much new stuff all at once, but I didn’t have any introvert troubles on our tour. The group was small enough to not feel overwhelming and the location was charming, and I got to eat a variety of delicious tidbits. The lesson here is that so long as people have a strong enough interest in a theme (such as food!), an activity can be fun for a broad range of personalities.

4.    If your spouse isn’t interested, find someone who is

When I told my husband I wanted to give a food tour for Christmas, he gave me one of those funny looks that meant he totally didn’t get it. (The tour took place in Chestnut Hill, which is where my son and daughter-in-law currently live. Why would anyone want to go on a food tour in the place they lived?) Clearly he didn’t want to go, so I didn’t bother to invite him. In contrast, my daughter-in-law had been watching food tours go by for months and was thrilled to finally be a part of one. The moral of the story: You’ll have more fun if you choose friends who are interested in the activity.

5.    Plan extra time to go back for more

Everyone had a favorite stop on the tour. Naturally we wanted to go back and purchase something to enjoy later.  And then there were all the other shops we passed along the way, some of which were intriguing enough to warrant a closer look.  Whether you are on a girls’ day out or a vacation with the family, plan time in your schedule to browse after a tour. You never know when you’ll discover something awesome.

I hope this encourages you to get out there and try something new—even if you try it in your own home town.