Food is one of the biggest trends around, from local & sustainable to superstar chefs and molecular gastronomy, it is one big topic. Visiting a restaurant is simply not enough these days. As an exclusive reader of Haute Living, we’re letting you in on a little secret: meet Artisans of Leisure, providing private culinary tours for foodies. This is not your typical tour operator where travelers are herded around like sheep from one attraction to another. The company offers customized private trips to every corner of the world and access to experiences one would not normally have access to. You’ll come back from your trip dying to dish on your delectable travels.

Examples of experiences from the itineraries include a private cooking class in the farmhouse kitchen of a world renowned cookbook writer in Sicily, an early morning tour of a busy food market in Bali and private cooking classes at Istanbul’s premier culinary academy. Artisans of Leisure offer 16 different culinary tours. Additionally, activities can be adapted to accommodate travelers with food allergies, gluten free diets, vegetarian or kosher requirements, and other special dietary needs. Artisans of Leisure travel to over 45 countries throughout Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East and the South Pacific.

Here are a few sample itineraries available:

Food & Wine of Portugal (8 Days – Douro Valley, Porto, Lisbon, Sintra, Alentejo & Evora)

Highlights: wine tasting in the Douro Valley and Alentejo, cultural touring in Lisbon and Sintra, tasting port wine in Porto, a meal at the home of a renowned wine family, a private cooking class, olive oil tasting, riding in a private traditional rabelo (wooden boat for transporting wine).

Vietnam for Foodies (11 days – Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon)

Highlights: vegetarian lunch with nuns at an ancient Buddhist pagoda, cooking class at a local village, tours of fish and produce markets, foodie tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Food & Wine of Australia (9 days – Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Adelaide, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Sydney)

Highlights: wine tasting in Australia’s top wine regions, trying Aboriginal bushtucker cuisine, visiting Sydney’s specialty markets, dining in renowned restaurants.

India for Foodies (12 Days – Delhi, Jipur, Udaipur, Mumbai)

Highlights: cooking class and lunch at home of royal chefs, touring local food markets, staying in an extraordinary palace-style hotels, private cooking classes in Rajasthan and Mumbai, riding an elephant, visiting local temples and bazaars, reservations at India’s best restaurants.

Plus, all Artisans of Leisure tours feature private, highly personalized touring and accommodation at the most acclaimed hotels and resorts in the world. Artisans of Leisure Tours are private and depart daily.

See and experience the world as it should be experienced!

For additional information and details about Artisans of Leisure tours, please call 212.243.3239 or visit the company’s website.