In pictures: Delicious destinations — 10 tastiest trips

The art of choosing, cooking and eating good food is being adapted the world over in the form of gastronomy tours, which allow the foodie in every traveller to sample — and sometimes prepare — local cuisines. From baking with Berbers in Morocco to truffle-hunting in Italy and cooking fattoush in Jordan, here’s where Clare Thomson had her 10 tastiest trips.

1. JAPAN. Japan’s traditional cuisine has just been added to the United Nations’ cultural heritage list. So now is the perfect time for a trip that takes in the food and culture across the country, from a fresh sushi breakfast at the world’s biggest fish market in Tokyo to tastings of takoyaki (octopus balls) in Osaka and basashi (raw horse) in Matsumoto. Journey through the Japanese Alps and learn how to make soba noodles in the castle town of Matsumoto. In Kyoto, which was the imperial capital for more than 1,000 years, you’ll have a private cooking lesson in a Japanese home, and when you stay at the Buddhist temple on sacred Mount Koya, you’ll enjoy a Shoujin feast of vegan cooking. Koji Sasahara / AP photo InsideJapan Tours (www.insidejapantours.com; 00 44 117 370 9751) offers a 13-night, self-guided trip from £1,720 (Dh10,515) per person, including B& B accommodation and some meals, all transport within Japan, cooking classes and some guided tours.

Travel has always been a great way of tantalising the taste buds with the unique flavours of each country we visit. Most of us like to try the local food on holiday, but why not learn how to cook it, too? Some tour operators now offer gastronomic holidays that highlight the traditional food of a country — whether it’s grasshoppers in Mexico, octopus balls in Japan or haggis in Scotland. Experienced guides can show you where to get the best local street food and take you to food markets, showing you how to choose and cook the ingredients for your own dinner.

Updated: February 20, 2014, 12:00 AM