Culinary Adventures: Cooking Classes and Food Tours to Help You Savor Europe

When you think about your favorite travel memories, how many of them involve food? The rich aroma of fresh bread drifting from a corner bakery, the surprise of a dish you’ve never tried before, the lively conversation over a shared table—food brings people together, tells the story of a place, and leaves a lasting impression. For women traveling solo, especially those of us over 50, cooking classes and food tours offer not just a taste of local culture, but a chance to feel connected, curious, and confident on the road.

Why Food Experiences Are Ideal for Solo Travelers

Let’s face it—solo dining can sometimes feel awkward. But joining a cooking class or a guided food tour turns mealtime into a social, interactive experience. Instead of eating alone, you’re kneading dough next to a fellow traveler, sampling tapas in a lively market, or sipping wine in a centuries-old vineyard. These kinds of experiences naturally create conversation and community, even if just for a few hours.

Food tours and classes also feel structured and safe. You’re in a small group, usually led by a local who knows the area well. Whether you’re wandering through a hidden alley of Florence in search of the best gelato or learning to roll pasta in a farmhouse in Tuscany, you’ll be guided every step of the way. It’s an easy way to explore without worrying about getting lost or overwhelmed.

What to Expect From a Food Tour

Food tours come in many flavors—pun intended! Some focus on neighborhood specialties (like pintxos in San Sebastián or pastries in Lisbon), while others might include market visits, street food tastings, or even a few cultural stops along the way. A typical tour lasts 2 to 4 hours and includes tastings at multiple stops—enough to count as a meal.

You’ll usually meet your guide and group at a central location and spend the tour walking, nibbling, and learning, not just about the cuisine of the area, but also the culture and history. What I love about food tours isn’t just the eating—although that’s a big part of it—but also the storytelling. You’ll leave not only full, but with a deeper appreciation for the place you’re visiting.

Why Take a Cooking Class?

A cooking class gives you hands-on experience and often includes a market visit where you’ll shop for ingredients. You’ll get a peek into a local kitchen and learn techniques you can take home—like how to fold a perfect empanada, whip up an aioli from scratch, or choose the right wine pairing.

Many classes are held in private homes or small kitchens, creating a relaxed, intimate environment. You don’t need to be an expert cook—these classes are designed for all skill levels and often include plenty of wine and laughter.

The best part? You get to sit down and enjoy your meal with your classmates. It’s like being invited to a dinner party, only everyone helped make the meal!

Great European Cities for Food Experiences

Nearly every major metropolitan area of Europe offers amazing culinary opportunities.  Here are a few that I’ve enjoyed:

• London, United Kingdom – Our guide met us at the Shoreditch Tube station and took us on a walking tour of the neighborhood.  We had fish and chips, salt beef, and strawberry rhubarb crumble.  We ended at Spitalfields market with jian bing.

Spitalfields Market, London, UK

• Mykonos, Greece – For a cruise shore excursion, I booked a dining experience at a local farm. The hostess showed us the farmhouse that had been in her family for centuries. We ate stuffed tomatoes, horiatiki, and moussaka. 

Farmhouse in Mykonos

• Paris, France – Our guide met the tour group in Montmartre at the base of the Basilica. He walked us through the neighborhood, stopping at a fromagerie, boucher, boulangerie, and wine shop to purchase meals for a picnic lunch. During the picnic, he explained each of the wines, meats, and cheeses while we listened to Edith Piaf.  

• Brussels, Belgium – During a chocolate tour, the guide and I discussed politics, culture, and bicycling. We tried 2-3 chocolates at each of 8 different shops. We also got a chocolate-making demonstration and made some of our own to take home.

Chocolates in Belgium

• Lisbon, Portugal – On a walking tour of the Alfama neighborhood, we learned about the history while tasting octopus, cod, ginjinha, chorizo, pastel de nata, and vinho verde.

Octopus and chorizo in Lisbon

• Andalucia, Spain – In southern Spain, I booked an olive oil farm tour just south of Granada. We learned about the growing and harvesting of the olives, then were taken to see the processing. We saw where donkeys once turned the mill to press the olives, and heard about the difference between cold press, extra virgin, and other olive oils.  And of course, there was plenty of sampling.

• Barcelona, Spain – My sister and I took a cooking class where we learned to make paella, gazpacho, and local dessert crema catalan. The class started off with a trip to La Boqueria Market to select our ingredients.  Then the chef broke our group of eight into pairs to cook various recipes, which we all enjoyed together.

Seafood paella

Tips for Booking a Class or Tour

• Look for small groups – A maximum of 8–12 people makes for a more personal, manageable experience.

• Choose reputable tour groups – I’ve had great luck with Secret Food Tours and Devour Tours. But you can also find some great experiences offered by locals (like the one I mentioned above in Mykonos) just by Googling “food tour [city].”

• Check what’s included – Some tours include alcohol, transportation, or take-home recipes, while others are more bare-bones.

• Wear comfortable shoes – You’ll be doing a lot of walking! And don’t eat beforehand, because you’ll be stuffed by the end!

• Don’t be afraid to go solo – These experiences are designed for travelers just like you. Many others will also be on their own, or open to meeting new people.
  
  

Bringing the Flavors Home

One of the best souvenirs is a recipe you’ve learned by heart. After your trip, you might find yourself recreating that risotto from Milan or the tinto de verano from Sevilla. Cooking what you learned while traveling can bring those joyful moments right back to your kitchen. Better yet, invite a few friends over and share both the meal and the story behind it.

Food experiences are more than just a way to eat well—they’re a gateway into a culture, a chance to meet people, and a confidence-boosting activity for any solo traveler. So on your next European adventure, leave room in your itinerary (and your stomach!) for a cooking class or food tour. You’ll be glad you did.