Travel for foodies is a booming niche. Travel Agent is taking a look at the top culinary offerings for lovers of beer, cheese, wine and more around the world. Over the course of this special report we've explored Germany, Austria and France. Now we sample the wine and delicacies of Mexico.
For clients seeking a wine experience close to home, and with a beach to boot, suggest Secrets The Vine Cancun. While an aged Don Julio on the rocks or a cold Tecate might first come to mind as drinks of choice in Mexico, Secrets The Vine is centered around the theme of wine. It is home to a 4,500-bottle wine cellar, where guests are led by sommeliers for daily, complimentary wine tastings every afternoon.
There are wine-themed paintings scattered around the resort and each guest room comes with a bottle of wine native to Mexico. Nice Touch: The Secrets Spa by Pevonia also incorporates wine into most of its treatments. It uses tropical ingredients, anti-aging elements and wine-infused indulgences to awaken the senses. Hint: Buyouts and in-room group treatments are available at the spa.
Brew buffs looking for a hops-and-malt experience in this hemisphere may wish to consider a stay at Hyatt Ziva Cancun. Fans of a good, tasty, homemade brew will be delighted by this luxury all-inclusive resort’s own microbrewery. The resort hotel offers an onsite microbrewery and sports bar, “Tres Cervezas,” which showcases innovative and unique beers made by head brewmaster Juan Jose Garcia.
We were told that the brewery will soon be creating some special reserve beers for VIPs. For example, clients getting married will be able to request their favorite flavors and the hotel will create a beer based on those preferences.
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| Agua de alfalfa, made with alfalfa, pineapple and lime, is just the thing to wash down Mexico City’s many delicacies. |
Dedicated foodies owe it to themselves to indulge in Mexico City's many culinary experiences. There are more than 400 city markets in this capital city and we hear Mercado de San Juan is where travelers can find local produce and fish from the coast of Mexico but also delicacies like edible insects, crocodile and Fasisan. Eat Mexico’s culinary tours offer a wide range of full-service culinary adventures, including a Mexico City Street Food Tour. On this four-hour walk, guests move (confidentially) from stand to stand, tasting fresh-squeezed orange juice, tacos, tamales and atole, which is a rice and masa drink. We hear that this tour is well suited for all types of foodies, including vegetarians and vegans.
For the ultimate experience, book the Late Night Tacos and Mezcal tour — an inside look at Mexico’s nightlife food scene. Guests are picked up at their hotel and ride to a Mexican microbrewery. Along the journey, travelers will try esquites, the city’s street-corn specialty, and visit three iconic taquerías. Also included is transportation in a private, chauffeured vehicle. Note: This itinerary isn’t ideal for vegetarians. All tours can be either public or private and custom itineraries can be created. Agents can book online at www.eatmexico.com, or call 011-551-864-0976 and ask for Lydia Carey.