If you are looking for some inspiration for your next vacation look no further, in this article we are revealing some of our favourite budget destinations to visit in the winter for the pure joy of EATING! These 5 destinations have fun winter experiences and of course some of the best food options. Whether you are wanting to escape the cold for your vacay, or want a place that offers a selection of winter warming local dishes we have it all!
Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi has been exploding on the food scene recently with lots of Georiga’s national dishes getting mentioned in many popular publications like The Guardian, National Geographic, The Culture Trip, and more. Also, they made waves with their hugely successful summer hashtag campaign #spendyoursummeringeorgia but there is so much more that Tbilisi the capital of Georgia has to offer once the days have cooled off and winter has arrived.
Georgian food is warm and hearty, and if you are looking for a place that offers incredible food for an exceptional price then Tbilisi is the place for you. Also not far away you can easily travel to some of Georgia’s ski fields and hit the slopes in some of the most beautiful and affordable ski resorts in Europe.
Dishes To Try: Khachapuri (cheesy bread) and Khinkali (soup dumplings) have become well known but also make sure you try the Kubdari (kind of a meat pie) and the Odjakuri (pork and potato), it’ll warm your bones for sure!
==> Find out more information about Georgia here
Merida, Mexico (Cancun)
If winter is a no go zone for you then there is no better place to spend winter than Merida Mexico. You can easily and affordably reach Merida, Mexico via Cancun airport. And by choosing Merida over popular tourist destinations like Tulum or Playa Del Carmen you will find a world of tasty food beyond the typical tacos and fajitas (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Merida is a colourful colonial city that is an Instagrammers dream. While you can, of course, find the classic Mexican dishes that we all love in Merida you can discover some authentic and tasty Mayan dishes that are not only delicious but unlike any Mexican food you’ve probably had before.
Dishes To Try: Queso Relleno – A hollowed out Edam cheese filled with spiced minced pork, topped with a k’ool blanco sauce and finished with rich tomato sauce and olives. Cochinita Pibil – like pulled pork, but with all the Yucatecan flavors and spices.
==> Find out more information about Merida here
Bologna, Italy
Bologna is the capital of Emilia Romagna in Italy, and it’s a place that every food lover should explore at least once in their life. Everyone knows that Italy has amazing food but Emilia Romagna, in particular, is known as the belly button of Italy as so many famous products come from this region. Parmigiana Reggiano, prosciutto, mortadella, balsamic vinegar, tagliatelle ragu bolognese, and even lasagne are all native to this tasty region of Italy.
Bologna is only just starting to take off in popularity so it will be much less busy than other destinations like Rome or Venice and there have been quite a few low cost airlines opening routes to make visiting Bologna even more affordable than ever.
Dishes to Try: All the dishes I mentioned above are must tries in Bologna, but during the winter, in particular, order yourself a serving of Tortellini in Brodo (stuffed tortellini in broth) probably the most famous of the stuffed fresh pasta varieties from Bologna.
==> Find out more information about Bologna here
Bangkok, Thailand
If you’ve got Asia on your mind then visiting Bangkok during the winter months is a perfect vacation option for the travelling foodie. In your perfect Bangkok itinerary, you can have everything from fine dining experiences to street food and everything in between. There’s even a fantastic selection of international foods you can find in Bangkok as well – it really is a foodies dream destination.
Thailand is notoriously affordable for the average traveller and you can often enjoy a higher level of accommodation standard than you can get in many western countries. Plus, Bangkok is also a great place to explore a new and fascinating culture. Why not sign up for a Thai cooking class and really get an authentic look at Thai food from local guides.
Dishes To Try: Of course, the famous Pad Thai is a must, but also keep an eye out for Tom Yum Goong for the lovers of spicy soup dishes and don’t forget a mango sticky rice for dessert. Yum Yum!
Madrid, Spain
Even though Madrid is the capital of Spain, it seems that it is often overlooked as a foodie destination. Often when you think of Spanish food the mind wanders to Barcelona or perhaps Seville, but Madrid also has a host of incredible must try food options all for a very affordable price.
Classic dishes like Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish omelet), Patatas Bravas and Jamón ibérico (Iberian Ham) are a must try of course but we were pleasantly surprised to discover so much more than the tapas favourites we all know and love.
Madrid is a lovely city to visit that doesn’t feel crowded, it is easy to get around using public transport or even to simply walk. Certainly worth a visit for lovers of food and architecture.
Dishes to Try: Meson de Champinons (fried mushrooms filled with chorizo) and of course enjoy a coffee and some Churros con Chocolate for an afternoon snack or dessert.
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While these destinations are all very different they certainly offer something for every sort of foodie traveller. Want to escape the cold? Bangkok and Merida are great warm weather options….even Madrid only gets down to 10 degrees Celsius (50°F) during the day most winter months.
If you love love love the cold and you’re looking for a place to rug up and devour some hearty and tasty meals, then Bologna and Tbilisi are certainly places to explore. Not only will you find that they are amazingly affordable winter destinations but they are ones that you will want to return to time and time again no matter what time of year….the food is honestly that good!
