Food & cooking experiences

Pairing cheese with wine has long been a great way of highlighting the flavours and aromas of the grapes and in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, you’re in for a real treat in both taste departments! You’ll visit a variety of wine estates that either make their own cheese or have specially chosen locally-made fromage. Enjoy a memorable day learning the art of a good cheese and wine duo, combining the best of South Africa's wines with everything from home-cured mountain cheese to Brie. And you couldn't ask for a better view! At the end of the day, stroll around the award-winning gardens of Babylonstoren and visit their artisanal deli to take home a taste of South Africa.

Dig your toes into the sand, take in the glow of the sun (or sunset) and let your senses be heightened by the surroundings, all while enjoying a tasty meal. Whether you'd like to start your day with laidback and breezy breakfast or end it with a private dinner under the moonlight, what better place than a beach on the coast of Mauritius?

Visit a local home where the host (and cooking master) shares the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine, drawing inspiration from her own Malay heritage and the culinary traditions of her Sinhalese and Tamil neighbours. Out on the terrace with views of Colombo life below, try your hand at a menu of curries, sambols and salads, which you'll share together. This professional cooking class makes the art of curry making simple and easy to replicate - you'll want to whip the recipe out the moment you reach home.

The Stellenbosch region has many strings to its bow and this gourmet experience is the chance to discover all of them. You’ll follow the country’s oldest wine route, learning about the history of the area from your seasoned guide as you go; drive through towering mountains and tranquil, vine-filled valleys that will leave you spellbound; sample ostrich carpaccio, nibble on carefully-constructed canapes and taste fresh-from-the-farm olives. That’s without mentioning the wine and there are a number of tastings in store, including an internationally-acclaimed Bordeaux and a unique South African ‘Cape Blend.’ Get a taste for this darling of the Winelands as you're wined and dined by some of the finest estates!

The gentle coastal hills of southern Sri Lanka are especially suited to the growing of cinnamon, which is one of the island's main exports. Welcomed with a cinnamon-infused beverage, visit a working plantation to hear all about its history, see the cinnamon peeling in action as its well-known scent fills the air, and give it a try yourself - the kids love it! After a stroll through the fields, you have the option of finishing off your visit with a spot of tea overlooking the rolling plantations.