It is no secret that the age of "customizable" travel packages and options is upon us. Food Tours are popping up in cities all over the world, country and our beloved state of New Jersey. However, it is not always common for one to innately know what a food tour is or what to expect when attending one. So, let us break down this phenomenon for you! Feel free to leave questions in the comments or to get in touch with us directly if we miss anything.
So, what exactly is a "food tour?"
We here at Sister Cities like to describe it as the following: "A food tour is a guided culinary tour of an area which provides guests with tastings of the food and fare that make up the dining culture of the localized scene." OR in other words....simply put...a food tour is a great reason and a great way to get some friends and/or family together to eat, drink and socialize.
At Sister Cities Tours, each tour typically lasts about 2-3 hours and has between 4 and 6 stops included. When you buy a ticket for the tour, that ticket includes your tastings at all of the stops (and maybe some surprises too)! Tickets range from $50-$70 depending on the tour and the itinerary.
On each stop of the tour, participants get to meet the owners, chefs and managers of the business and try a tasting from off of their menu. It is also common for the business owner to talk about the food, the history and what got them into the industry. It is a great learning experience!
Although we should mention that not ALL of our stops are restaurants. This is where the "shop" comes in with "Food & Shop Tours". We try and give our retail shops some love too and often times when we stop by for a little shopping, there are lite refreshments provided.
In our experience, we have created great friendships with many of the restaurant and shop owners who participate in our tours. Those relationships are what help make the tours so much fun to try. Business owners love to showcase their passions, especially when it comes to food!! We promise- you will leave with your belly SATISFIED!
Tours help guests discover their new favorite place for a night out or their new favorite gift shop. Guests have discovered places they love that they simply wouldn't have known existed if it weren't for their experience on a tour! Tours give people a reason to come back again and again!
A food tour creates the opportunity to share what we love most about these towns. From the local secrets to the hidden gems, we get so much joy out of sharing these places and people with our guests.
So, the next time you find yourself looking for something new and fun to do- consider a food tour. There are several in our great state of New Jersey and there are always tours in most major cities both in and outside of the USA. What better way to understand a new place and it's people than by understanding their food?
Food & Friendship,
Sister Cities