If one thing connects people across cultures, it’s food. Whether you’re hitting the spice markets in Istanbul or having espresso in a cafe in Rome, you’re tasting a story every time you take a bite. For Indian travellers, particularly those contemplating a solo international trip from India, a culinary journey is more than just a trip, it becomes an experience that indulges the senses and encapsulates the essence of a place. Let’s take a rather delectable journey around the globe and contemplate the best food destinations every true foodie should experience.
You don’t have to make an international culinary journey complex; today, food enthusiast communities and the availability of “best international tour packages in India” allow anyone to take a trip with a happy stomach, where the traveller itch is satisfied. For food-loving travellers, many packages depict unique experiences of food walks, cooking classes, and market walks, allowing food lovers to immerse themselves in the gastronomic culture of each destination.
Italy
The Art of Simple, Soulful Food
For any food-lover, Italy is a classic trip. What we love about Italian food is the simplicity. Take a dish like spaghetti aglio e olio (pasta, garlic, and olive oil), when made with the right ingredients, this dish tastes like heaven. If you begin your food journey in Rome, you’ll eat crispy Roman-style pizza and creamy carbonara. Then travel to Bologna, where they invented the tagliatelle al ragù (also known as spaghetti Bolognese). If you plan to fly to Italy and you love pizza, you won’t leave Naples without eating an authentic Margherita pizza, made in a wood-fired oven with San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.
For solo travellers, people often say that they might find Italy a friendly country. You could be dining outside on the sidewalk or joining a pasta-making activity, you’ll likely make connections with local people or other travellers. Many of the best international tour packages in India include these opportunities, like wine tasting in Tuscany or a food tour in Sicily, which gives you carefully curated access to the culinary gems of that breathtaking country.
Japan
Excitingly Tasty Presentation
Japan is rightfully known as a food paradise for culinary enthusiasts who appreciate precision, presentation, and bold yet balanced flavours. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, but one does not need to bust their bank account to have a truly great meal. Japanese cuisine ranges from sushi and sashimi to thick-boned ramen stews. Osaka is known as “Japan’s kitchen” and serves delicious street foods such as takoyaki (oyster and pancake balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes).
Japan is the optimal option for a solo international trip for an Indian national, which offers just the right amount of safety, efficiency, and adventure. One can enjoy a sushi course for a solo experience or sign up for guided food tours, which enunciate the history and etiquette behind each dish. Visiting a depachika (Japanese department store food hall) is a ritual for the curious foodie.
Thailand
A Medley of Spice and Freshness
Thai cuisine is a delightful equilibrium of sweetness, sourness, saltiness, and spice. From the street stalls of Bangkok to the beach restaurants located in Krabi, every region of Thailand provides its unique touch to traditional dishes. You can be slurping piping hot and spicy tom yum soup in Chiang Mai or having green curry and coconut rice in Phuket. One of the most exciting aspects of Thai cuisine is street food. Because dishes like pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and satay are not only extremely cheap and very lively, but also authentic.
Thailand is also one of the most sought-after destinations for solo international travel from India, primarily due to cheap airfare, amicable locals and an exciting travel industry. Food tours and cooking classes can be found in most tourist cities and are great vehicles for to meeting local chefs and connecting with travellers from different regions. Best of all, every region of Thailand has vegetarian and vegan options, which is a healthy allure for Indian foodies of various lifestyles.
France
The Country of Culinary Delights
France is the home of all things cheese, baguettes, wine, and the best pastries. Paris is a dream for foodies. It has an abundance of cafés, bakeries, and gourmet restaurants. Start your day with an indulgent croissant, followed by duck confit or quiche Lorraine for lunch, and finish with crème
brûlée or mille-feuille pastry. Lyon is well-known as the culinary capital of France, and is great for eating at bouchons – small family-run restaurants. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to taste wine and cheese in beautiful Bordeaux or Burgundy!
In France, eating alone is standard practice at restaurants, especially in cities like Paris, where you can find plenty of solo travellers enjoying their café au lait along with a book, or simply people-watching on the terrace. You can also look for the best international food and wine tour packages in India, which include France. This will allow you to leisurely experience the magnificent variety of French food without worrying about logistics.
Mexico
An Explosion of Culture & Taste
Mexican food is colourful, vibrant, and traditional. Every bite is a party! Tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and elotes (grilled corn) are incredibly delicious. Mexico City is perfect if you’re a street food enthusiast, as you can spend several hours sampling food and never get bored! Oaxaca is known for its complex moles (rich sauces), and the Yucatán region is famous for its dishes like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork).
For Indian travellers who enjoy spicy and full-flavoured food, Mexico may feel shockingly close to home. This is an up-and-coming solo travel destination. If you’re adventurous and want to experience local culture, Mexico should be on your foodie bucket list!
Spain
A Mosaic of Regional Palmeros
Spanish cuisine is all about sharing meals with others. The tapas, which are like a small plate, are the philosophy of sharing varieties of your dish in one meal – patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, and gambas al ajillo, to name a few. In cities like Barcelona, you’ll find traditional Catalan cuisine, paired with a modern take on gastronomy. In Andalusia, you can taste gazpacho and fried fish, particularly at the coast. In addition, of course, is your authentic paella, which is a staple in Valencia, especially.
Spain is a great destination for solo international trips from India. Many hostels, local bars, and food tours are easy to socialise and learn about the local food culture. Whether it is a tapas crawl or a local market tour, you can still feel the communal nature of the food, which can make a solo traveller feel welcome.
Vietnam
Light, Lively, and Lovely
Vietnamese food is light, lively, and full of herbs. Pho (noodle soup), banh mi (baguette sandwich), and goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) are just the ticket. Street food is very popular in Vietnam. You’ll find it everywhere on teeny tiny plastic stools in the craziest of spots. This is where you’ll get the true experiences through food.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are great places for solo travellers to connect with street food. Both cities are also cheap. An organised food tour in either of these cities is affordable, and you’ll get more than just bang for your buck – you’ll learn a lot about Vietnamese food by learning about local ingredients and local traditions.
Travelling for food is more than simply what you decide to eat; it’s about who you meet (and perhaps eat with), where you eat, and the experiences you gather. For some Indian travellers, and especially those who may be going on a first-time trip abroad as the sole traveller from India, food is a delicious and comforting way to learn about a new place. Food introduces you to cultures and develops shared memories and experiences, without the need to communicate in a shared spoken language.
Where to begin your travel experience relies so much on your preferences – do you lean more towards mild and more nuanced flavours, or do you prefer spikes of flavour, heat, and bold bites? The good news is that this does not have to be a journey defined by you alone. Today, it is common to see some of the best international tour packages in India, including fully immersed culinary travel experiences from farm-to-fork dining experiences in the countryside of Europe, to sizzling street food tours through colourful night markets of Southeast Asia.
At Tripper Trails, we go a step further by offering thoughtfully curated women-only travel experiences to destinations abound with culture and often overlooked, like Bhutan, Baku (Azerbaijan), and Almaty (Kazakhstan). Would you rather be eating traditional khinkali in a local kitchen in Baku, participating in a yak butter tea ceremony in the tranquil valleys of Bhutan, or tasting the rich, Central Asian plov under the stars in Almaty? Each of these travel experiences is more than a meal – each meal is a look into heritage, connection, and story.
With Tripper Trails, you don’t just travel to eat, you eat to connect, to learn, and to grow. We are creating space for women to step into the world, one flavourful experience at a time, safely and easily. So, suitcase packed, appetite stoked, join us for a travel experience to excite your palate and nourish your soul!