In modern-day life, which is so hectic and torn between managing the home, work, family, and friends, among several other routine tasks, one must find ways to relax. For me personally, it is traveling. Though I do not get so much time to travel for leisure, I do travel a lot for work.
However, I am happy when we take a short vacation with the family, either in India or outside. Traveling can be very relaxing as one is cut off from their routine. For me, it is also wonderful to spend time with my family and be with my husband, my children and my grandchildren. When we go out together as a family, we all stay in one hotel, waking up early and having breakfast and all the meals together, the sightseeing and shopping is great fun.
Apart from being cut off from the routine and spending time with the family, during a vacation, one gets to meet and interact with people from various cultures, which brings a lot of learning.
I love to travel to a place that I haven’t been to before because it helps me understand the region, the people and the culture. In fact, I even read out to my grandchildren about the place that we visit. I always believe that travelling for vacation
should not just be limited to staying in a good hotel or being on the beaches and mountains but also knowing more about the place’s traditions, culture, infrastructure and history. Earlier, I used to read out to my children, and now they do it for their children, and sometimes, I do it. It is quite fun to correlate what you have read with the reality.
Just a few days back, I met one of my friends who had come to India from the UK. He shared a wonderful and unique reason for travel. He and his group of friends travel across the world for food. Their group visits good restaurants to taste amazing and diverse food. In his group of eight, one person selects the country and the cities. Then they research good restaurants in that area that serve food that is authentic to that area, and then they travel to that place, and their agenda is to try out different dishes of that region. They even visit the interiors of that region. Amazed by this, I asked, “what is so special about eating food?” He replied, “It is not just about eating food but more about understanding the culture of the place through its culinary practices.” As a foodie and a cook, this certainly struck a chord with me as I love to cook for my friends and family and taste new and unique food.
So, food travel, or culinary tourism, can offer a range of benefits beyond just the enjoyment of delicious dishes. Trying local foods allows travelers to immerse themselves in the culture of a destination. Food is often deeply intertwined with a region’s history, traditions, and way of life. It can provide opportunities to try new and unique dishes that may not be available elsewhere. This can be a memorable and exciting part of travel. Trying local foods can be a learning experience, providing insights into different ingredients, cooking methods, and culinary traditions. Sharing a meal can be a great way to connect with locals and learn more about their lives and culture. Also, by dining at local restaurants and trying local foods, travelers can support local businesses and communities, contributing to the local economy. If one visits Turkey then one cannot leave Istanbul without eating Bakhlava from Mustafa or the delicious Felafel and Shawarmas of Muscat and Dubai.
The same is the case in India, where culture and diversity are reflected through food. So much learning can happen through our food. In fact, some of the dishes are common yet taste different. For example, the upama made in Maharashtra differs from the upama cooked in North India and again from the Pongal made in South India. One can quote many such dishes with the same ingredients but taste different when cooked in other parts of India.
So decidedly, food is a factor that brings us together, and such unique practices, such as traveling for food, are new-age travel perspectives that can be followed to bring rejuvenation into our lives.
Culinary tourism is what India can actually promote!