Okay, so I’ve always been a HUGE foodie. Street food, fancy restaurants, weird snacks – you name it, I’ll try it. And when I travel? Forget about it. It’s all about the food. So, I started planning my trips around food festivals. Here’s how I usually make the most of them.
Did Some Digging
First, I hit the internet. I googled “best food festivals [region I’m visiting]” and “food festivals [month of travel]”. You’d be surprised how many awesome, smaller festivals you can find that aren’t on the big tourist websites. I also checked out local tourism websites and blogs for the area I was visiting.
Planned My Trip Around a Festival
Once I found a festival that looked amazing (or a few!), I actually planned my entire trip around it. I booked flights and accommodations to make sure I’d be there for the main event. This is key, guys, because sometimes these festivals are only a weekend long!
Made a “Must-Try” List
Before I even got to the festival, I made a list. Seriously. I went through the festival’s website (if they had one) and looked at vendor lists and menus. I jotted down anything that sounded interesting, weird, or just plain delicious. This way, I wouldn’t get overwhelmed when I got there.
Paced Myself!
This is crucial, folks. When I arrived at the festival, I did a quick lap. I scoped out all the stalls and took mental notes (or actual notes on my phone) of where everything was. It’s tempting to just start eating everything in sight, but trust me, you’ll regret it. I started small, sharing plates with my travel buddies if I had any, so I could try more things.
Talked to the Vendors
Don’t be shy! I always chat with the people working the stalls. They’re usually super passionate about their food and will tell you all about it. Plus, they might even give you a little extra something to try, or tell you about a secret, off-menu item. I learned so much about local ingredients and cooking techniques this way.
Went Beyond the Festival
The festival is the main event, sure, but I always try to explore the local food scene outside of it too. I asked vendors and locals for recommendations for restaurants or markets. Some of the best meals I’ve had were at tiny, hole-in-the-wall places I never would have found on my own.
Stayed Hydrated
Sounds basic, I know, but it’s easy to forget when you’re surrounded by so much amazing food. I always carried a water bottle and made sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It helps you, you know, keep enjoying the food!
Took Photos (of course!)
Gotta document the deliciousness! I snapped pictures of everything I ate, not just for Instagram (though, yeah, that too), but also so I could remember everything later. It’s fun to look back and remember all the crazy and wonderful things I tried.
Embraced the Unexpected
Sometimes, the best things are the ones you don’t plan for. I tried foods I’d never heard of, talked to random people, and just generally went with the flow. That’s how you have the best food adventures, in my experience.
