There are a lot of pieces that have to fall into place when you’re on vacation if you want to enjoy your time away from home. You have to research where to stay, how you’re going to get there, and what you’re going to do when you arrive.
One thing that is often overlooked is what you’re going to eat.
You don’t want to spend your vacation eating at chain restaurants you have back home, and you don’t want to spend a fortune on food either! Instead, follow these tips and you can make the food you eat an important, and enjoyable, the aspect of your overall vacation experience.
Research One or Two Restaurants Ahead of Time
Most people don’t arrive at their destination without knowing what they want to do. At least a few shows or activities are planned. You should do the same when it comes to restaurants.
For example, if you’re vacationing in Nashville, New Brunswick is an amazing place to visit, according to ParkOn.com. Vacations Made Easy has options for showboat lunch and dinner cruises, food tours, and more that will ensure at least a few of your meals are worth telling your friends and family about when you return home.
Plan and Stick to a Budget
Chances are, you have a vacation budget. You try and find the best flight and hotel deals, and you probably even look for ways to save money on tickets for local activities. Shouldn’t you also be looking for ways to save on food?
Absolutely!
The truth is, most travelers don’t think a lot about food before they arrive, which means they end up spending more than they wanted on breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Instead, you should plan ahead for your meals and stick to your food budget when you’re away from home.
A few tips that will help you save money include:
- Take advantage of hotel meals, like filling up on continental breakfast before you leave in the morning.
- Make a pit stop at a local grocery store to fill your hotel room with snacks so you aren’t tempted to put your money in the vending machines.
- Eat fancy for lunch, when prices are lower, and eat casually for dinner.
Look for Local Eats When You Arrive
What’s the point of being on vacation if you’re just going to eat at McDonald’s! Instead, look for local eats when you arrive.
Eating like a local also means avoiding restaurants that may be new to you, but they are designed just for tourists, which means their prices are inflated.
If you’re traveling in a foreign country, look for restaurants with menus that are written in the local language. Handwritten menus will guarantee that you are eating fresh, local food.
Not sure where to go? Ask a local! Bartenders and baristas are great resources when looking for local specialties.
Try the Most Menu Items by Sharing
One of the best things about traveling is getting to try new delicacies! The good and the bad news is that there are so many to try, you won’t possibly have time to try them all.
Instead of ordering a single meal and eating it from start to finish, try as many items on the menu as you can by sharing items with your fellow travelers. Not only will it enable all of you to try as many local recipes as possible, it’s also a good way to ensure you don’t get stuck with a single meal that you don’t like!
Take Pictures of Memorable Meals
It’s true that taking too many pictures can take you away from the moment, which is something you want to avoid while you’re on vacation. However, that’s not the case when it comes to food.
Take plenty of great pictures of the memorable meals you have while on vacation, and it won’t pull you away from the enjoyment of the meal. Unlike other situations, where you may miss the best part of a sunset or an interaction with a local by taking too many pictures, when you’re done taking a snap of your food, you still have to eat and enjoy it!
Food is an integral part of the vacation experience. It deserves just as much attention as other details of your trip. With the tips on this list, you can ensure that you enjoy every breakfast, lunch, and dinner to its fullest, no matter where your travels take you.
