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The Perfect Gift for the Food Loving Traveler

Updated on October 17, 2013

Looking for the perfect gift for the world-traveling foodie?

There is no other book that even comes close. If you're like me, there's almost nothing in the world that compares to the pleasures of good food combined with the excitement of traveling. If you were to ask me to choose one or the other, I wouldn't be able to. There are many people who travel to visit iconic attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or Mt, Fuji. Others focus more on activities such as scuba diving or golf. As for me, I plan my holidays around food. I tend to make detailed meal plans along with long lists of must-try food items at my destination. For me, there is nothing more exciting and satisfying than discovering something new to eat at a foreign destination.

The Passion of Eating and Traveling Around the World

I've been extremely fortunate enough to travel extensively throughout my life. When I was 21, I had the opportunity to visit Germany and it was also my first trip to Europe. I was mesmerized with the foreignness of it all...from the architecture of the buildings to the cars driving on the wrong side, everything was new. However what really impressed me was the food culture. Entering a German supermarket for the first time, I was stunned by how different everything looked. There were so many types of breads I've never seen in my life. And talk about the variety of cheeses. I couldn't even imagine what they tasted like. After Germany I went to Paris and I was even more overwhelmed with the delicacies to be discovered.

My travels didn't stop there. I visited Greece a few months afterwards and tried to order pie from a nice lady who operated a food stall on the street. They looked like sweet pies to me and I thought they could be lemon pies. Instead what I had ordered was a savory spinach pie and although I was shocked at first bit, it turned out to be delicious. For the next few days, I visited the lady and bought a pie from her. On the last day before returning home, she gave me a hug, said something in Greek and gave me a couple of pies to take back with me free of charge. I tried to pay for the pies but she only shook her head and waved me away. I learned two things in Greece. Lesson Number One:The spinach pie is called spanakopita in Greek. Lesson Number Two: It's possible to get by in a foreign country through body gestures and smiling as much as you can. My love for food and travel was born.

Travel to 500 Incredible Places around the World

If you're looking for the perfect gift for the foodie or the armchair traveler that likes food, there is simply nothing better than to receive a hardcover book with lots of beautiful pictures. Food Journeys of a Lifetime visits 500 places around the globe with the focus on the food of each country. Just as in real life travel, you can learn so much about the culture and people of the country through the food they eat. Although I have almost a dozen of these food-travel guides, Food Journeys of a Lifetime would be on the top of my list!

The Ultimate Book for The World-Trotting Foodie

The book includes tons of gorgeous photographs of exotic locales and food that you've never seen before or only have heard about. Travel through the heart of Europe and learn about what makes the cheese so special in France. Fly to the Orient and discover the exotic and unique water markets of Thailand. Discover why sushi in Tokyo really is the freshest in the world. This book also includes delicious recipes as well as essential information on traveling and accommodations to help you with your travel arrangements.

By now it's pretty obvious that I'm a huge fan of this beautiful book. These days, I don't travel as much as I used to but I still manage to travel once or twice a year. ( I used to travel 7 times a year! ) However this book really is the next best thing. I simply sit down with a glass of wine, open up this book and imagine myself back in the bustling streets of Athens munching on some delicious spinach pie.

Books Look Great in the Home

Did I mention that these books look great in the home? Check out my pictures below. Even my dog Justin loves my books.

Photo Gallery

Click thumbnail to view full-size
A small selection of my food-travel books.My dog Justing, posing with some of my books.You can see my New York City Food book goes very well with my bedroom decor.The books also look fabulous in my Tokyo living room.
A small selection of my food-travel books.
A small selection of my food-travel books.
My dog Justing, posing with some of my books.
My dog Justing, posing with some of my books.
You can see my New York City Food book goes very well with my bedroom decor.
You can see my New York City Food book goes very well with my bedroom decor.
The books also look fabulous in my Tokyo living room.
The books also look fabulous in my Tokyo living room.

I have slowly been collecting books like these throughout my adult life. These are just some of my other recommendations and they really do make the perfect gift for the food loving traveler. .Every book below includes stunning photographs of food, culture and everyday life giving you a glimpse into another world.

Lonely Planet Food Lover's Guide to the World: Experience the Great Global Cuisines
Lonely Planet Food Lover's Guide to the World: Experience the Great Global Cuisines
This book comes in at second place for best book to give to a traveling foodie. Each region includes a recipe that you can make at home so it's great for cooks as well.
 
Thailand: The Beautiful Cookbook
Thailand: The Beautiful Cookbook
This was one of the first food-related books that I bought for myself. I had no idea what Thailand was like, but I did enjoy Thai food. The photographs along with stories in this beautiful cookbook ignited a desire in me to visit the actual country. I have now been to Thailand more than 20 times.
 
Arthur Schwartz's New York City Food: An Opinionated History and More Than 100 Legendary Recipes
Arthur Schwartz's New York City Food: An Opinionated History and More Than 100 Legendary Recipes
I've always been fascinated with American food and despite being a young country, the food is surprisngly varied. I am especially impressed with the variety of food you can find in New York. I got this book as a gift from a friend of mine last year and has reignited my desire to visit New York again.
 

Which type of traveler are you?

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