3 Hotels Around the World Where You Can Cook Locally

The need for human connection with locals when traveling is growing in popularity among younger generations. Food has become one of the most authentic and powerful ways to help create these connections, and many hotels around the world offer unique experiences to help turn this into a reality.

© Grand Hotel Fasano

Grand Hotel Fasano

Located in Lake Garda, Italy, this hotel allows guests to participate in a hands-on culinary experience, where a local chef welcomes attendees into his home to take part in the stages of preparing traditional Italian dishes, such as learning local recipes, techniques and culinary traditions in an intimate setting. The six-hour experience includes multiple courses, with dishes ranging between various types of fresh pasta to classic Italian desserts and cocktails.

Octant Furnas

Located in São Miguel, Azores, Octant Furnas allows visitors to jump into tradition to help create cozido, a popular Portuguese stew. Each region makes its stew differently; however, guests can anticipate preparing ingredients alongside the chef, followed by a visit to the Caldeiras where local workers bury the pot underground to utilize natural thermal heat (an Azorean culinary tradition). After several hours, participants return to the Calderias to watch locals unearth the meal.

© Octant Furnas

Anthology of Athens

This hotel in Athens, Greece, turns one of country’s most enduring daily traditions of coffee making into an intimate experience for guests. Participants can expect to learn how to prepare traditional Greek coffee using a briki, identify distinctive coffee characteristics, and gain insight into the history and significance of each brewed cup.