Why, it’s always such an important question. It goes to the heart of motivation. It helps us explain and make sense of things. It helps us learn, empathise and make decisions.
Businesses are often asked what’s your why? Taste of Tours why is super simple! I love three things in life (beside my family) that is food, travel and storytelling. Taste of Tours allows me to do all three!
Below I attempt to answer some of the why’s we often get asked. If you have a “why” question or any other question about our tours or destinations or travel in general, please get in toucha nd ask!
Why take a tour?
This is always a great question for me as I have never been an organised tour traveller. So, I created Taste of Tours for people like me, people who love to travel but want more than you can do on your own. This means an itinerary that includes experiences independent travellers wouldn’t have access to. It means vetting, researching and just as importantly scheduling and planning an itinerary that uses our time efficiently.
This not only takes a lot of time it takes knowledge and networks.
A recent Condé Nast Traveller article highlighted the rise of what they termed the ‘Great Decision Detox’. In particular they were talking about the rise of women taking holidays where all the decisions were made, a response to research that shows, when at home, women carry 71 per cent of the household’s mental load. And when it comes to travel planning – women are reported to make 82 per cent of travel decisions.
“Increasingly, women are seeking out holidays where all the decision-making is done for you – this choice has less to do with location and more to do with lightening the cognitive load.” – Condé Nast Traveller
I can attest to this. The majority of women that join our tours are well travelled, very organised, capable women but they have discovered the joy of letting go and trusting us to curate a wonderful trip for them.
Taste of Tours have two key differences from other tour companies. We are staunchly small group (12 guests maximum). I don’t want to be shepherded from one main tourist sight to another in a big bus! I want to be immersed in the country/city/town. I want to meet locals and hear their stories. I want to dine in local restaurants and know the person’s name I am sitting next to.
Nourish guests are 99% Kiwi’s. This makes a difference when sitting together at dinner, at lunch or on the van. Birds of a feather flock together and we find our small group of Kiwis always creates an awesome vibe and many great friendships. For instance, this weekend our Taste of Sri Lanka tour group from June are catching up for lunch and a catch up.
Why is there a Taste of South Australia not a Taste Melbourne?
Before moving back to New Zealand I lived in Melbourne and loved it! I still do. But if I had my time again, I would have moved to Adelaide. Less showy than Melbourne, Adelaide has a vibrant foodie scene backed by its fabulous produce and a quiet confidence.
This is not a region that chases trends or the limelight, it is one that attracts people who love what it produces already – great wine and produce. A shinning example of this is Maggie Beer, whose farm shop we visit. Or Matteo and Fiona who we spend a day with cooking Italian food inspired by Barossa produce.
We visit the Willunga Farmers market, the oldest in the state and see the breadth produce in this region, from cheese to almonds, wine to mushrooms, apples to oysters.
Keen to find out why I love this region so much? Join us this Easter we have just 6 spaces left on our Taste of South Australia Tour.
Why do you have three Taste of Tours to Italy?
My retirement plan is to live in Italy for 6 months each year. It ticks so many of my boxes. I have always been interested in history, in fact I have a BA in history, (majoring in Classical studies). And while at university studying for said degree, I caught the hospitality bug and made a career out of food. Italy combines these two loves.
What I aim to show with our Italian tours is the diversity of this nation. Afterall Italy is technically a younger nation than NZ, only becoming a unified nation in 1861. You can’t see Italy in a week! Yes, you can travel it in that time but to really experience it you need to take time, soak it up and enjoy it.
On our Taste of Emilia Romagna and Taste of Puglia tours we stay in the same place for five nights, taking day trips to explore the surrounding region. We pack heaps in but you don’t have to waste time packing and unpacking, instead you can enjoy a dip in the pool at the end of the day or a relaxing apertivo and enjoy the sun set.
Why do you like Sri Lanka?
If I had one word for Sri Lanka it would be beauty. This is a land of beautiful people, beautiful souls, beautiful wildlife and beautiful produce.
If the frantic pace of India puts you off, Sri Lanka is the place to go. Similar to India but oh so different!
On my first trip to Sri Lanka, I took my 80-year-old Mother n Law, husband and 9-year-old daughter and we all loved it.
The food story in Sri Lanka is different to that of our European destinations, it is less about specific dishes and more about ingredients. These ingredients, be it tea, cinnamon, pepper, rice, nutmeg, coconut, bananas tell the story of this nation and why it has been conquered by so many, why they are so self-sufficient. And for me it is always a thrill to see the ingredients we take for granted growing or being produced and learning this process.
Join award winning food writer Emma Galloway next July on our Taste of Sri Lanka tour – just 6 spaces left!
Why do our guests love Taste of Tours?
Our tours aren’t designed for everyone; they are designed for you – a curious Kiwi who love food and loves to travel.
Our tours attract likeminded people and thus make travelling as a group fun not a chore to be endured.
Food is a key part of our tours but it’s not just an eating tour. History, culture, nature and art and fun are all essential parts of our tours.
But as it’s a food tour we want to ensure you have great dining experiences. We don’t leave it up to you and tripadvisor when it comes to dinners! 90% of all your meals (which include wine) are included in the cost. So, you can just sit back and enjoy!
You are taken care of! Our tours always include a Kiwi host, plus local guides.
Why do you charge a Single Supplement?
Single supplements simply reflect the true cost of a hotel room. When there are two people sharing a room, be it twin or double the cost of the room is divided in half. Very few hotels offer single rooms and thus, if you want a room to yourself you need to pay the full price of the room.
But think of the advantages – you have the whole room to yourself!
If you were travelling on your own and not part of a tour you’d be paying the full price of a room, but you’d also be paying more elsewhere, like transport and guides. And you would miss out on sharing meals and experiences with others.
