Rick Steves Says This Travel Splurge Is The Best Way To 'Eat Your Way Through' A European Destination

Travel guru Rick Steves is known worldwide for his top tier travel tips, including helping travelers visit Europe without breaking the bank — but there's one splurge he says is worth every euro: walking food tours. "One of the most popular sightseeing trends is food tours, which reward travelers with a full meal, a local's insights, and edible memories," Steves explains.

"For about $100, you can eat your way through a few neighborhoods in a few hours, while an expert explains the history and tradition behind each dish," he writes. It's a good point — if you're going to be spending money dining out anyway, why not do it with the added benefit of insider insight and a deeper dive into a country's culinary culture? Imagine sipping local wines in Portugal, sampling Spanish street food, and munching on freshly-baked baguettes in Paris — all for the cost of an upscale dinner. The bonus is that these tours are often less about hitting major touristy spots and more about experiencing a destination like a local.

Even for budget-minded travelers, Steves says the value of a guided food walk is unbeatable. Describing his most recent food tour experience in Paris, Steves says, "My guide taught me how to scrutinize and savor baguettes, croissants, and cheese, and how to appreciate the French as expert eaters."

If you've ever wandered through the streets of a foreign city, overwhelmed with Google searches and unsure if you're about to walk into a tourist trap or a local favorite, booking a walking food tour could be the answer. These guided tastings will fill your stomach while also giving you an immersive crash course in local culture. Although, Rick Steves says in another article that one type of food tour to avoid in Europe is any of the "bigger, more expensive, and slower tours."

Foodie tours often introduce you to places you'd never discover on your own — think neighborhood markets and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that locals love — and leave you with delicious memories. That's exactly why Steves recommends not shying away from tours in less-obvious places. "For example, Poland's bigger cities — particularly Warsaw — offer fascinating and flavorful food tours with a focus on vodka, fermenting techniques (for dishes like borscht), and hardy stews that originated in the country's peasant past," Steves says. "These tours provide valuable perspective on how food affects culture, and vice versa."

That might mean learning the backstory of a 100-year-old cheese shop, discovering the secret to perfect paella, or understanding why certain spices define a region's identity. You'll also gain the kind of knowledge only locals know — like the common salad dressing you'll look foolish for ordering in Italy, how to drink vermouth like a Spaniard, or which back-alley boulangerie in Paris sells out by 10AM. Plus, this knowledge stays with you, so you'll have the inside scoop for any return trip.