Enjoying the hospitality of new Brazilian friends. Skol beer, 'papaya poison' (cocktail), sizzling meat on the barbecue and plenty of laughter on the menu! - Campinas (near São Paulo), Brazil
Have you ever been on vacation and exclaimed: "Oh how nice would it be if we knew someone here so they could invite us to their house for an authentic home cooked dinner!"? Some of the richest experiences I've had while traveling is from sharing a meal with friends in their homes; friend's friends throwing us a bbq-pool party in Brazil, star-lit dinner on a terrace in Portugal, new years dinner in a 100+ yr old lake front family home in Switzerland. It's really not just about the food. A whole new dimension opens up when visiting someone's home. You can see how they've decorated, what kinds of things they have around their house, and of course get to hear first hand what life is like in their corner of the world! It's a real bonding experience that makes you believe, even if for just that evening that we can transcend our differences, cultural barriers and just all be... one big happy village. Isn't it why we travel after all? To connect and to find a little bit of ourselves in far flung places?
This is why Alla and I are so thrilled to see *eat with a local* companies like these rising. We now have a direct dinner invitation in the homes of our global neighbors!
• • •
So where to first?
1 - www.cookening.com World (Mostly Europe)
Founded in France by three friends passionate about food and travel. Check out this veranda dining in the beautiful Vico Equense on the Amalfi Coast with a host who makes his own limoncello from lemons growing in his orchard. Oh...Ciao!
• • •
2 - www.plateculture.com (Asia)
Founded in Malaysia by two Lithuanian friends and entrepreneurs. How about a dumpling making lesson with an expat couple living in Singapore?
• • •
3 - www.eatwith.com World (Mostly Europe and Americas)
Founded in Israel, the hotspot for tech start-ups, this company seems to be expanding daily adding new countries and new hosts! How about a real Argentine wood smoked BBQ feast in San Isidrio?
• • •
4 - www.bookalocal.com World (Currently mostly Belgium)
Founded in Belgium by an ex-New Yorker. How about a real Belgian experience of Beer Pairing Dinner with Evelyne & Brian. Or for international flavors you can make sushi with a Japanese host Haruko!
This is not only great for when you're traveling, but also right where you live. Why not try this in your very own city? I can't wait to try a vegan dinner near me and on Alla's list is a Lebanese dinner in Amsterdam! Where will you go?
• • • LESSONS LEARNED • • •
Eat culture, not food and you'll leave
the table more satisfied.
Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is to post a comment, like below or pin on Pinterest! ~ For More ways to Live Like You're Traveling, follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook.
READ NEXT:
