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One of the greatest reasons for travel is to get out of the house and experience new and different cultures, whether you roam stateside within the 50 richly diverse states of America or venture abroad. Human instinct eggs us on; we long to witness fresh new horizons and ancient histories that rekindle our inspiration to mindfully live in the present.

What probably doesn't need saying is that our palate longs for adventure too! New culinary experiences and savory eats are as important as an ocean view from our hotel.  

Whether you prefer cosmopolitan meccas of culture full of museums and opera houses or azure coastlines and architecture that does not exceed the sophistication of the thatched cabana roof…. there’s one thing we all have in common: we all gotta eat!

And what happens when the vacation is over? That great Maine bakery is no longer right around the corner from your B&B! So consider a vacation that feeds you not just for a week, but for a lifetime! Here are seven sweet and savory ideas to amp up your cooking skills while you get your vacation on:

1- New York City, NY

If you’ve been thinking of Broadway shows and a visit to the Met to see your favorite 19th century painting, consider a summer weekend class to learn how to prepare anything from Japanese street food to artisan strudel. ICE, The Institute of Culinary Education, has the largest program of recreational cooking classes in the world. Classes here are offered night and day, 365 days a year, which means you can schedule your "handmade pasta class" around everything else you want to do in the Big Apple. ICE

2 - Paris, France

If it's a romantic sojourn in Paris you’ve been dreaming of, with the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and a long stroll down the banks of the Seine, perhaps you’ll also be thrilled to learn how to make your very own croissant at home - or a meal fit for Versailles royalty!  Classes here are taught in English and include tours of the city beyond the normal tourist experience. La Cuisine Paris

3 - Montana, USA

An unparalleled seven-day adventure of Cowboy Cooking lessons that includes butchery, baking, barbecuing, wine pairing and horseback riding excursions all while staying in luxury accommodations of J Bar L Ranch’s deluxe homestead cabins.

4 - Amalfi Coast, Italy

Cooking classes here are taught in the chef’s old family house atop a 1,000-foot cliff overlooking the Amalfi coastline, one of the most beautiful coastlines on earth. Mama Agata's home is not only where she hosts her cooking classes, it’s also the place where she grows and produces almost all of the food she uses for her cooking school.  She raises her own poultry, and her expansive property includes lemon and fruit orchards as well as a vegetable garden. All of this makes for an idealistic setting to learn traditional healthy mediterranean cooking. Mama Agata

5 - New Orleans, USA

Langlois Culinary Crossroads is the place for great hands-on Cajun/Creole cooking classes. If you’re headed here for Mardi Gras, don’t worry, class is in session! A team of highly accomplished chefs teach a variety of classes here, ranging from traditional to modern New Orleans cuisine. You’ll feel inspired to cook just being there; Langlois Culinary Crossroads was built inside a turn-of-the-century Italian Market, and it is located in the historic Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans.  Langlois Culinary Crossroads

6 - Merida, Mexico

Los Dos cooking school is located in the Yucatan Peninsula near those gorgeous beaches and fantastic Mayan pyramid ruins we all dream about. Here chef David Sterling teaches authentic Mayan cooking using local ingredients in his colonial mansion. He also offers food-oriented tours outside of his home to local markets and cantinas. Los Dos Cooking School

7- Walland, Tennessee

If you’re looking for peaceful American country experience and a total luxury vacation, you’ll find it at Blackberry Farm.  In addition to the luxury lodgings on a farm in the heart of the gorgeous Smoky Mountains, you’ll discover a visionary new spa, gourmet dining, and a craft brewery on the premises.  Yes, this vacation comes with its own brewery! Blackberry Farm has an extensive event schedule of educational seminars centered on culinary-techniques, garden visits and custom beer pairing.  It's a bit less hands-on and more of learning through sampling by pairing fine foods with fine beer. Blackberry Farm

Or, you can take Dinesh up on one of his cooking classes!