You may pop into Whole Foods Market for your weekly fix of organic greens and grass-fed beef, but did you know you can now travel with Whole Foods on foodie adventures around the world?
Earlier this year, Whole Foods launched Whole Journeys, an “experiential travel company” focused on connecting foodies and travelers to the cultures and locales their products come from. The tours, which include feasting on pintxos and wine in Basque country and taking part in tea ceremonies along an ancient Chinese tea route, are billed as “active foodie adventures.” Itineraries include activities like hiking, kayaking and cycling, along with a healthy dose of local flavors through market visits, cooking classes, wine tastings and other culinary experiences.
Not all of Whole Journeys’ itineraries are designed for the active foodie, though. If kayaking through the white waters of Idaho sounds a little intimidating, you might prefer a culinary immersion in Tuscany, where you’ll stroll through olive groves, visit wineries and develop a discerning palette for olive oil while in the Tuscan countryside.
All of Whole Journeys’ tours, whether geared toward active travelers or hands-on foodies, focus on helping participants discover the culture, history and traditions of a destination’s cuisine. Add in the Whole Foods component, and you have excursions that go beyond the run-of-the-mill tasting tours, adding an emphasis on supporting the local farmers and community members who produce the food.
In Provence, for example, Whole Journeys take foodies on a tour that includes oil mills, local markets, organic wineries and a goat cheese producer. The trip also features walking tours of medieval ruins, ancient villages and St. Rémy-de-Provence, where you’ll tour the town in Vincent Van Gogh’s footsteps.
Or, you can hike through the Dolomites, enjoying cooking classes, cheese tastings and dinner in a private wine cellar.
For more information on itineraries, dates and program costs, visit the Whole Journeys website.
(Main image: Whole Journeys)
