Forbes: The Best European Cooking Vacations

Culinary travel opens doors to understanding other people, places and cultures—and sometimes, a chance to trace one's own roots. Although a big splurge, giving someone you love the experience of a European Culinary Vacation (or sharing such a gift with them) is bound to create indelible memories.

Here are some of the best ones available across Europe in 2019 that are bound to whet your appetite: 

Tracing the Roots of Imperial Cuisine - Portugal

For a second consecutive year, Portugal was named “Best European Destination” at the 25th World Travel Awards in 2018. Lisbon, its capital and largest city, is one of the country’s most popular destinations. In partnership with Culinary Backstreets, Atlas Obscura is hosting a 7-day/6-night Lisbon culinary experience that includes an exploration of the city’s history and cultural roots told through a “storytelling lens.”

Led by Célia Pedroso—Culinary Backstreets' Lisbon bureau chief, a freelance journalist and co-author of Eat Portugal— tour participants will eat like locals, meet the fishermen on the historic docks, and get their hands dirty preparing the region’s beloved buttery, egg-custard tarts. They’ll also get an insider’s peek at the city’s essential farms, markets and restaurants as they eat and drink their way through this journey.