By Cindy Clarke, Tauck 

Food has long served as a delicious passport to other cultures, revealing the traditions, values, and rhythms of life in cultures around the world. Whether you are hand-rolling pasta in an Italian kitchen with an affable chef, sipping wine with a vintner among the sun-drenched vines of Tuscany, sampling just-caught sushi at a bustling market in Tokyo, or savoring the hearty comfort of Guinness stew in a firelit Irish pub, new friends all around, you’re not just enjoying a meal—you’re taking part in a legacy handed down through generations. 

And the journey doesn’t end there. Bring those flavors home and let them transport you—one bite, one aroma, one memory at a time. From wood-fired Italian pizza to delicate Viennese strüdel, Spanish tapas to French crêpes, zesty Middle Eastern tabbouleh to handmade Mexican tamales, buttery Maine lobster to earthy French truffles, the tastes of travel linger long after the trip is over, evoking memories and cultural connections that can last a lifetime. 

Street markets, bustling with locally sourced flavors, tell tales of daily life around the world. Hop aboard a Vespa for an after-dark foodie tour of the lively street markets of Saigon, embodying the soul of the city in a diverse array of local treats and goods. Stroll through a farmer’s market in Avignon to select fresh ingredients for a chef-hosted cooking class tempting with fine French fare. Or enjoy handcrafted sausage smothered in homemade sauerkraut, hot mulled glühwein in hand like I did as I wandered through festive holiday markets along the Danube. These sensory experiences—scents, sounds, colors, tastes—can spring back to life the moment you find something familiar at home. 

Local restaurants, from corner paladars in Cuba and neighborhood trattorias in Italy to chic French bistros and centuries-old English pubs, showcase recipes distinctive to their country and are a great way to meet the locals. Travel with local guides to visit chocolate shops, cheeseries, and olive oil farms where time-honored regional secrets are shared in tastings of products, locally produced and personally served by the proud people who made them. Dining on farm-to-table fare, sustainably grown and always authentic – think truffles that I saw being unearthed by specially trained dogs on my trip to Provence, vegetables and herbs freshly picked from my host’s, Catherine Fluvio, Irish garden for a savory soup that captured the season, or a flavor-rich lunch at the Slow Food University in the Langhe Hills of Piedmont – takes you back to those intimate, mindful moments you shared with surprising clarity.   

Culinary workshops and cooking demonstrations offer more than just instruction—they’re an invitation to bring the world into your own kitchen. Vintners, bakers, and chefs teach you how to taste, pair and plate dishes that are as meaningful as they are delicious. Imagine the joy of recreating a recipe you learned abroad and sharing it with friends at a dinner party they’ll never forget. 

Home-hosted meals, whether they’re in a Viennese palace, a country château in Normandy, an Icelandic farmhouse, a baron’s Sicilian villa or a tea house in Kyoto, engender a genuine connection to the long-held traditions of the people you meet in the places you dine. And while you enjoy dishes that reflect the tastes and the times, the conversations and camaraderie you experience promise unforgettable memories too.   

Exploring North America affords opportunities to work alongside lobstermen off the coast of Maine and savor the catch of the day, warm up to chiles at a cooking school in Santa Fe, go Creole in Louisiana, oystering on Prince Edward Island and maple sugarin’ in Quebec. Stays on western ranches wow with cowboy culture in chuckwagon cook outs and campfire s’mores. Coastal New England resorts welcome with summer clam bakes, and Hawaiian luaus are a feast of food and traditional dance you’ll long remember.  

So, whether you want to immerse yourself in the history, the culture, the adventure or the natural treasures of the places you travel, you can discover it all in the local foods you eat. Served with heartfelt stories and smiles, it’s the best way I know to foster friendships, understanding and appreciation for the world around us while enjoying every bite. 

About Cindy Clarke 

Passionate about seeking out and celebrating locally known gems in the destinations she explores, Cindy Clarke is a long-time travel writer and storyteller for Tauck. Her articles have been featured in publications worldwide and have included stories about art, culture, cuisine, wildlife and wilderness adventures, each personally experienced and happily shared.    

About Tauck 

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, Tauck delivers authentic travel experiences through exclusive access with some of the best guides in the world. With all-inclusive trips spanning 70+ countries across seven continents including river and small ship cruising, land journeys, safaris and family adventures, they continually raise the bar to find new ways to connect travelers more deeply with the places they explore. 

The post A Culinary Journey Across Borders: How Food Connects Us to the World  appeared first on USTOA Blog.

By Roberta Saban

Ready to elevate your travel game in 2025? Picture this: a luxurious houseboat, drifting through serene waters, surrounded by stunning landscapes, historical locks and the freedom to explore at your own pace. Whether you’re waking up to the gentle lapping of water, enjoying a sunset dinner on the top deck, or docking the boat for an afternoon of shopping or wine tasting, a private houseboating vacation offers an unforgettable blend of relaxation and adventure. This is the ultimate way to experience nature’s beauty without sacrificing comfort.  Make your 2025 vacation extraordinary—skip the hotels, big cities and crowed cruise ships, and plan a journey that combines breathtaking views, comfortable accommodations and endless possibilities. This is more than just a getaway—it’s an experience that’ll have you talking long after you’ve returned to shore. Don’t miss out—let 2025 be the year you discover the magic of houseboating in style! 

Le Boat, the world leader in boating vacations offers variety of cruising regions to choose from including England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Amsterdam, Germany, Canada and France.  France is their biggest and most popular cruising region and offers a variety of options including the Burgundy Wine Region, Aquitaine, Brittany, Camargue, River Lot, and their most popular route, the historic Canal du Midi. Follow a sample day-by-day itinerary or plan your own schedule and enjoy the slow-paced journey along the canal while discovering lush vineyards, medieval villages, ancient fortresses, and indulging in local cuisine. The 300-year-old Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage stie and is more than just a waterway; it’s a lively region rich in culture and a true haven for wine and food lovers. Each town you pass features local markets and specialty shops, where you can enjoy fresh produce, cheeses, and regional delicacies. 

No boating experience? No problem! With Le Boat, you don’t need a license to embark on this amazing adventure. At check-in, the friendly staff will give you an in-depth training session to make sure you and your crew feel confident as you take the helm and navigate the beautiful inland waterways. The best part? All the boats are easy to operate, and inland waterways and canals are speed-regulated, so you’ll never be going faster than 6.2 miles per hour. It’s the perfect opportunity for a stress-free getaway where you can cruise at your own pace, soak in the stunning surroundings, and immerse yourself in the local culture.  

Wine lovers, get ready for the ultimate tasting tour! The Canal du Midi winds its way through some of France’s most renowned and largest wine-growing region and passes through asses through the Minervois, Corbières  and  Languedoc-Roussillon, the world’s largest wine-growing region, with a variety of wines to suit all tastes.  Along the way, you’ll have the chance to visit charming vineyards for guided tours and tastings or purchase a few bottles to bring back to your boat and savor on the top deck at sunset.  Whether you’re a connoisseur or simply love a good glass of wine, this is the perfect place to indulge in some of the best wines France has to offer while soaking up the stunning scenery.  In addition to its renowned wine, the villages and towns along the Canal du Midi offer plenty to explore. A highlight of the Canal du Midi is Castelnaudary, a charming and peaceful town perfect for those looking to start a relaxing cruise through the heart of the countryside, with many picturesque villages to discover along the way. A 7-night cruise will take you to the famous medieval city of Carcassonne, the second most visited destination in France.  

Whether you’re cruising the canal to experience the local culture, history, food, or wine, a journey with Le Boat offers an unforgettable way to explore the South of France at your own pace.  Visit www.leboat.com for more information. Tel: 1-888-721-6359 

The post Cruising the Canal du Midi: A Journey Through France’s Vineyards and Villages  appeared first on USTOA Blog.

Can I be honest? In my early years of travel photography I didn’t have much interest in visiting Europe. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where nature was a stone’s throw in any direction. That accessibility made it the topic of much of my early work. Growing up my family’s version of a summer vacation growing up was hopping into our minivan, driving mostly forgotten highways, eating at roadside diners, and stopping to read every historical placard we could. The places to be explored in my very own part of the country felt endless. Why would I need to spend all kinds of money getting to a place full of people, buildings, and (what I thought was) very little nature. How wrong I was.

My wife and I are newly married, having tied the knot in early June, and we struggled to peg down a honeymoon destination. There was a list of criteria that needed to bet met before we’d settle on a location: it couldn’t be overly touristy, it MUST have great food, and it should be easy to navigate. A large cruise would never be something that either of us would ever suggest, but our interest was piqued when an opportunity to travel the Seine from Paris to the mouth of the river for a week with boutique river cruise line U By Uniworld came up. Each ship had a maximum capacity of 120 guests and focused on “iconic sites, hidden gems and authentic adventures.”

Having never traveled along the Seine and only once passing through France on a rushed and unorganized work trip a few months before, I came into this region green. However, where I’d once feel concerned about going to a foreign destination with very little planning done, I found relief in the loosely structured itinerary our “U Hosts” provided. During any given day, opportunities to explore a small town or neighborhood on your own or with a small group during an excursion were plentiful.

Paris was a combination of so many of the things that get my gears going while traveling and shooting. Much like the ever-changing landscape from one natural environment to another that I’d grown up capturing, the diverse variety of architectures and art was eye candy for this photographer. History breathes out of every corner. The smell of fresh pastries and pungent Camembert poured from quant shops on Montmarte. World class galleries lined the streets of Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Modest cafes serve delicious chilled wine in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The magical and allure of the city was no falsified story.

Our journey from Paris took us through the Normandy region of France, all the way to the brackish waters of the Seine and English Channel. Each town along the way offered its share of charm and history. Rouen gave us our most delicious meal, perfectly prepared Ossobucco from La Couronne. Giverny took us back in time to the days of Claude Monet as we bicycled its narrow streets. The Cliffs of Étretat rivaled the most beautiful shorelines I’ve ever seen. There was something to appease every travel desire I possess.

As we shared with friends about our adventure, there’s no doubt that there’s more to be seen and explored in each town we stopped in. Of course, we didn’t see everything we’d like to in Paris. However, traveling the Seine by river cruise was undoubtedly the best way to see the amount of France we did in the time we had.

Interested in learning more about Ben’s journey?  Read more about it on AFAR.com, the USTOA blog, and check out U by Uniworld’s The Seine Experience.

A Pacific Northwest native, Ben has spent his life drinking coffee, hiking the Cascade Mountains, and breathing the salty air of the Puget Sound. Ben’s inspiration includes dirt roads, flora, and fauna, and his photographs capture a sense of adventure in warm colors that produce an ambient nostalgia. He recently traveled America to document mobile living: When the Road Is Home.

The post Finding Home While Cruising the Seine appeared first on USTOA Blog.

By Ben Schuyler, AFAR Ambassador

There’s no doubt about it—something really is so romantic about being in Paris. It’s the “city of love” after all, but I’m not talking so much about affectionate romance. I’m talking about the city’s ability to take you to a different reality, to transport you to a different time. As a travel photographer, I find myself experiencing the “losing of oneself” to a place fairly often, but my experience in Paris and the surrounding villages along the Seine River were in a league all their own.

My wife and I chose Paris as our honeymoon destination, as so many other newly married couples do. We had originally entertained the thought of venturing to a tropical beach for a week doing nothing but drinking Pina Coladas to excess and eating endless amounts of fish tacos, but ultimately chose to seize the opportunity of travelling the Seine with U by Uniworld—a boutique cruise line geared towards the “young at heart” – after reading more about their trips. Our time to travel was limited and we wanted to cover as much ground as possible since neither of us had ever been to this area of France. I’ll be honest that taking a cruise wouldn’t usually be of interest to me, but the ability to see so many places without being surround by huge amounts of fellow travelers hooked us.

We embarked on our journey with a small list of recommendations from friends who had been before. Aside from those select places our schedule was at the mercy of our “U-Hosts”, incredible culture guides from the cruise that led our excursions or connected us to an incredible cast of experts on different significant topic. From a list of over a dozen “U-Time” options, we chose a handful of activities that related to our interests in food, art, and the outdoors.

On the top of my personal list of places I’d long wanted to visit were the cliffs of Etretat—beautiful limestone cliffs towering over the shore of the English Channel. These stone monoliths have been topics of lore from Viking ages to the modern times. Standing on the edge of the shore felt like staring off at the end of the world. Monet had painted these cliffs on numerous occasions, attempting to freeze these scenes in time. My wife and I walked along the sun-bleached stones, picking up a few to bring home as earthen souvenirs.

While traveling to the coast, we weaved through the Normandy region—an area known for its biological diversity and rich farming conditions. Manoir D’Apreval—an organic apple orchard specializing in producing organic cider, Pommeau, and apple brandy. Each sip was a refreshing taste of the history of this land.

Rouen shone as one of the gems on the Seine. Each corner revealed layer after layer of history and beauty. Gros-Horloge, one of the oldest astronomical clocks in France, sits in the middle of the old city and has been running since the middle ages. The Rouen Cathedral features a nightly light show at 10pm telling the story of the new creation and Viking invasion of France. Julia Childs once called her dining experience at famous French cuisine restaurant La Couronne “the most exciting meal of my life,” which we affirmed with our meal of gazpacho and veal.

The romance of the Seine is undeniable and endless and best experienced with open hands. Find the few things you HAVE to see, and with the rest just let their ancient stories draw you in.

Interested in learning more about Ben’s journey? Read more about it on AFAR.com and check out U by Uniworld’s France experiences.

A Pacific Northwest native, Ben has spent his life drinking coffee, hiking the Cascade Mountains, and breathing the salty air of the Puget Sound. Ben’s inspiration includes dirt roads, flora, and fauna, and his photographs capture a sense of adventure in warm colors that produce an ambient nostalgia. He recently traveled America to document mobile living: When the Road Is Home.

The post Paris and the Seine River: An Unmatched Romance Uncovered appeared first on USTOA Blog.