Culinary Tours

Runway Travel Co. believes exceptional food and wine experiences are some of the most memorable parts of luxury travel. From private cooking classes and vineyard tastings to chef-led dinners and immersive culinary tours, food offers an authentic way to connect with a destination’s culture and traditions.

Luxury culinary travel goes beyond restaurant reservations. It is about discovering regional flavors, local ingredients, and experiences that bring a destination to life. Whether exploring the vineyards of Italy, the markets of Bali, or the culinary traditions of Japan, every itinerary is thoughtfully designed around your interests and travel style.

Our team curates personalized food and wine journeys featuring exclusive experiences, luxury accommodations, private guides, and insider access around the world.

Explore some of our hand-selected culinary destinations below, and let our team curate a custom food and wine journey designed exclusively for you.

Costa Rica offers fantastic cooking classes that provide a hands-on experience with the country’s vibrant culinary traditions. From coastal seafood dishes to hearty Central American fare, these classes often include visits to local markets for fresh ingredients and insights into Costa Rican culture. Expert chefs guide participants through preparing traditional dishes like gallo pinto (rice and beans), ceviche, and plantain-based specialties, emphasizing sustainability and the use of organic produce. These culinary tours include active participation in the preparation of the dishes, allowing you to dive into the flavors and traditional techniques of our cuisine. Children can participate in the activity, engaging in simple preparation tasks to safely be part of the culinary experience. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to taste the exquisite menu! Experience Costa Rica! Contact Us.

• Traditional – dive into the flavors and traditional techniques of Costa Rican cuisine.
• Tortilla Cooking Class
• Rancho Don Lelo class – In the Chachagua Rainforest Hotel & Hot Springs
• Pure Vida – Recipes will complement the meal time
• Heritage class – You’ll prepare picadillos, patacones, tortillas, chilera, and more.
• Ceviche – Made with fresh local products
• Guanacaste Best Coffee Tour and Cooking Class

Nestled in the heart of Umbria, Vocabolo Moscatelli is a beautifully restored boutique hotel where contemporary luxury meets authentic Italian culture. Here, guests can experience the region through its food, wine, traditions, and warm local hospitality. Here are hand-picked culinary experiences!

Negroni School with Antonio

• Taste five unique Negroni variations and learn the cocktail’s history.

Umbrian Aperitivo Experience

• Sample local wines, craft beers, and olive oils while enjoying chef-prepared bites.

Private Pasta Making with Chef Nicolò

• Learn to make fresh pasta by hand and enjoy your creation with local wine.

PASSATA – 23 August 2026 (Exclusive Date)

• Take part in Italy’s traditional tomato sauce-making ritual.

Home Cooking with Paolo

• Harvest vegetables and prepare a traditional Umbrian meal in a local home.

Runway Travel traded the office for a sun-soaked villa in Greece. A highlight was having a private chef and assistant on-site. The Cretan diet, often hailed as the gold standard of the Mediterranean lifestyle, emphasizes fresh, seasonal, and minimally processed foods that promote longevity and vibrant health. With an abundance of vegetables, fruits, wild greens, and locally sourced ingredients, meals are healthy and varied.

Using the freshest local ingredients, Chef Joannis created authentic and unforgettable meals. He introduced us to regional specialties like Sfakiani pita—a warm, pancake-like pastry filled with local cheese and drizzled with honey—and Tsigariasto, a slow-cooked lamb dish.

Having a private chef meant every meal was tailored to our tastes while giving us the chance to learn authentic Greek cooking through hands-on demonstrations. The experience deepened our appreciation of Greek cuisine and culture while giving us more time to relax, connect, and enjoy the retreat. Enjoy our meals slideshow and contact us, we know your mouth is watering!

Croatia’s food scene is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. From Istrian truffles and Adriatic oysters to ancient vineyards and family cooking traditions, every experience offers an authentic taste of the country’s culture and history. Contact us!

• Truffle Hunting in Istria – Search the forests near Motovun for prized white truffles, considered among the finest in the world. The season runs from September through January, peaking in October and November.
• Oysters in Mali Ston Bay – Taste exceptional oysters cultivated in the mineral-rich waters of this protected bay, where oyster farming dates back to Roman times.
• Wine Tasting on Hvar and Pelješac – Sample wines made from indigenous Croatian grapes and visit historic vineyards, including Hvar’s UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain, where winemaking dates back to 384 BC.
• Cooking at a Family Home in Konavle Valley – Prepare traditional dishes alongside a local family before gathering around the table to enjoy your meal with homemade wine and rakija.

Immerse yourself in the unique stories that simmer in the Slovenian gastronomic pot. Discover the secret of fullness of flavors, learn about the close connection between people and nature in food production and about their dedication to tradition, then indulge in the boldness and innovation of top Slovenian chefs. This 6 nights/7 days culinary trip will take you to the Slovenian Riviera, to the Brda wine region, to the capital Ljubljana and many gorgeous destinations in between. You will dine at several Michelin Plate restaurants that are set in castles, estates, and beautiful restaurants that are unique, such as Kempinski Sophia, which is designed as a tribute to the Sophia Loren. The Slovenian Culinary Tour immerses you in its beautiful landscapes, lakes and dramatic scenery.

Immerse yourself in the cultures of Southern Italy and Puglia, the sun-drenched region forming the “heel” of Italy’s boot. As Italy’s cuisine gains recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the value of authentic local access and seamless execution has never been greater. Every regional detail that shapes a distinctive, effortless experience — from private estate tastings to candlelit dinners in Matera’s ancient caves — is thoughtfully arranged on your behalf, guided by trusted, on-the-ground expertise that extends far beyond the expected highlights.

Among the 10 exclusive experiences are access to the “Liquid Gold” Archive within ancient olive groves, long garden-to-plate lunches at authentic masserie, and interactive cheesemaking that takes guests from field to freshly formed burrata. Travelers may also explore the heritage of Altamura’s celebrated DOP bread, dine privately within Matera’s atmospheric cave settings, and savor the region’s extraordinary seafood along one of Italy’s most celebrated coastlines.

We will craft your bespoke journey through Puglia, with every extraordinary detail curated and flawlessly arranged on your behalf. Inquire to begin designing an experience as refined, immersive, and unforgettable as the region itself. Contact Us.

Step into the soul of Montenegro’s culinary heritage at The Chedi Luštica Bay. From foraging herbs along the Luštica Peninsula to sipping vintage wines in ancestral vineyards, every moment is thoughtfully curated to awaken the senses. Join chefs for an insider’s tour of Kotor’s vibrant market, hand-selecting regional treasures that become part of an exquisite feast. Take your seat at the Chef’s Table for a front-row view of culinary artistry, where a six-course tasting menu comes to life before your eyes.

Prefer a hands-on approach? Immersive Adriatic cooking classes—set against marina views—invite you to master local dishes like Mussels à la Buzara or Basil Gnocchi, perfectly paired with Château Savina Chardonnay. For cocktail enthusiasts, the Barmaster’s Table offers an intimate mixology experience, blending Montenegro’s finest spirits and ingredients into signature creations.

At The Chedi Luštica Bay, dining becomes an expression of place, passion, and memory. Discover a culinary destination where every bite tells a story—and every meal is a masterpiece. Contact Us to experience Where the Adriatic’s finest ingredients meet culinary mastery.

There is no better way to experience Munich than on foot! This carefully curated, four-hour walking tour is a perfect blend of culture, history and of course, local delicacies! Your Munich expert will meet you at your hotel lobby. The first stop is Viktaulienmarkt, a Munich tradition dating back to 1807 where merchants today still showcase their wares from sausages to baked goods. Your sweet craving will addressed at the local chocolatier. The hand-made pralines are what they’re famous for. No Munich tour is complete without a trip to a local brewery! Enjoy ‘Weisswurst’, the traditional veal sausage. The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum and a private visit to an ancient mill are interesting. Read more Munich Food Tour.

Barcelona’s tapas scene is returning to its roots, celebrating the comforting Catalan dishes once served in neighborhood gathering places. Travelers can savor small plates such as garlic shrimp, anchovies, traditional pork sausage, local cheeses and homestyle stews, all prepared with exceptional ingredients and modern culinary technique. It is an authentic and flavorful way to experience the city’s culture, one shared plate at a time.

Runway Travel can arrange a personalized Barcelona culinary experience, including carefully selected accommodations and memorable food-focused activities. Virtuoso travelers receive daily breakfast and a $100 dining credit at featured hotels.

Montage Los Cabos is a luxury beachfront resort on Santa Maria Bay, offering stunning ocean views, world-class dining, and immersive experiences rooted in Mexican culture and coastal beauty. Here are their signature offerings:

Mezcal: The signature restaurant, pays homage to history and culture, the tasting menu ‘Mercados de Mexico’ showcases the best markets and wines in the country serving re-imagined cuisine with sophisticated techniques.

Talay: Chef Marc Narongchai, celebrated as Best New Chef 2020 by Food & Wine en Español, crafts dishes that are as engaging and delightful as the setting itself.

Marea: An ocean-front dining experience featuring Baja-inspired and Mediterranean cuisine.

Sushi Bar at Marea:  The menu spotlights the freshest catch of the day from the Baja Peninsula, fresh sushi, perfectly sliced sashimi, and special creations.

Agave Experience: Discover the history of agave and taste the different varieties of agave spirits, from Tequila and Mezcal to Sotol.

Tequila Tasting: Premium Tasting – Sample Mexico’s best-known libation and learn the differences between its aging styles and flavors.

Cooking Class: Join our expert chefs for a hands-on culinary session using the freshest seafood and local ingredients. Includes apron and signature cocktail.

Portugal’s culinary traditions come alive through its handmade cheeses, artisan breads, farm-fresh ingredients and celebrated wines. From Lisbon to Porto and the Douro Valley, these immersive experiences reveal the flavors and stories behind Portuguese cuisine. Contact Runway Travel to begin planning.

• Lisbon Gastronomy Experience – Explore local markets, traditional desserts and regional specialties through food tours and hands-on workshops with leading Lisbon chefs.
• Undiscovered Foods of Portugal – Pick organic produce for a private cooking class at a 17th-century estate, bake traditional bread and savor Bairrada’s famous suckling pig.
• Douro Valley and Wine Country – Visit family-owned vineyards and taste exceptional wines from Portugal’s northern and central regions.
• Portugal Harvest Experience – Journey through Porto, Vinho Verde, the Douro Valley and Alentejo, combining seasonal landscapes with regional cuisine and wine tastings.
• Traditional Bread-Baking Workshop – Learn the art of Portuguese breadmaking before visiting a family-owned vineyard and enjoying lunch at a local farm.
• Artisan Cheese Experience – Tour a craft cheese producer, participate in a hands-on workshop and sample distinctive Portuguese cheeses.
• Private Cooking Workshop – Prepare traditional dishes with a local chef or home cook during a customized class designed around your tastes and dietary preferences.

Make Craveiral Farmhouse part of your Portugal vacation! It is an authentic and sustainable retreat on the unspoiled Alentejo coast of Portugal. You’ll prepare a typical dish from the region where 70% of the ingredients used are from their farm and local producers source the remaining 30%. When you book through Runway Travel you will receive a 20-minute free massage! Watch this video of a gentleman at one of our favorite shops in Sintra providing tips. Also, port is served in smaller glasses allow you to appreciate the aroma and flavor concentration of the port. Ruby ports often complement rich, dark chocolate desserts, while tawny ports pair nicely with nuts, dried fruits, and aged cheeses. Experiment with different pairings to find what you enjoy best. Contact us for additional details.

Runway Travel’s Jessica Griscavage and Jennifer Dennis recently traveled to Italy visiting Montefiascone, Perugia, Bologna, Parma, Sirmione, Lake Como and Milan. Traditional Italian cooking avoids processed foods and instead focuses on natural, whole ingredients. Meals are typically prepared from scratch, without the preservatives, additives, and excess sugars found in many processed foods. Everything tasted fresher!

Breads do vary by region. For example, the bread in Tuscany (Pane Toscano) is known for being unsalted, a tradition that dates back to medieval times when salt was heavily taxed. This bread has a mild flavor, making it a perfect companion for the region’s flavorful meats, cheeses, and olive oils. The northern region of Piedmont offers grissini, or breadsticks, which are crunchy, thin, and often served as an appetizer. These breadsticks are believed to have originated here and can be found in various flavors.

Runway Travel will customize an Italian itinerary to suit your level of epicurean interest and proficiency. Contact us to curate the perfect wine and dine experience! Enjoy our slideshow of meals.

Jessica Griscavage cruised on Explora Journeys and on the island of Paros, took the most immersive cooking experience! Runway travels to take classes so we can personally experience and recommend this hands-on experience in preparing traditional Greek family dishes. Anezina Village Cooking Class Recipes.

• Comprehensive Menu: Participants prepare a six-course meal, including an appetizer, salad, three main dishes (meat, fish, and vegetarian options), and a dessert.
• Authentic Techniques: The classes emphasize traditional cooking methods, such as making “fillo” dough for pies, offering a genuine insight into Greek culinary practices.
• Local Ingredients & Culture Experience: Used of locally sourced ingredients and learn the elements of Greek culture, such as music and dance, enhancing the overall experience.

A cheese boat, known as “Khachapuri” in Georgia, is a traditional and iconic Georgian dish that combines bread and cheese in a delicious and visually appealing way. The most famous variation is “Adjaruli Khachapuri,” which originates from the Adjara region.

Once the bread and cheese are baked to perfection, a raw egg is cracked into the center of the hot cheese, along with a dollop of butter. The dish is then served immediately, allowing the egg and butter to cook slightly from the residual heat. To eat Adjaruli Khachapuri, diners tear off pieces of the crust and dip them into the gooey cheese, egg, and butter mixture, creating a rich, creamy bite that is both satisfying and indulgent.