Top culinary destinations

The finest Italian pasta in Bologna, traditional cake in Pisa, fresh seafood in Catania, tasty tapas in Madrid, and Provençal delicacies in Marseille. These are our five favourite European destinations for delicious food!

Bologna

This vibrant student city in northern Italy is also called La Grassa, or the fat one, thanks to the many rich and tasty dishes that are served. Some even call it Italy's food capital because it's the cradle of Italian pasta and home of the bolognese sauce. But it's not only delicious pastas that make Bologna worth visiting. Step into any osteria and enjoy the culinary treasures with a nice glass of local wine.

Pisa

In this wonderful city that's mainly known for its leaning tower, you will get a real taste of Tuscany! When in Pisa, you have to try Bordatino alla Pisana. It's a Tuscan soup that originates from the poor peasant kitchen and is a wonderful mix of maize flour, beans and cabbage. Or would you rather go for the traditional cake? Torta co' bischeri, or pilgrim cake as it's known in English, is made of rice, dark chocolate, pine nuts and sugar-preserved fruit in a pastry crust, and is the local delicacy of Pisa.

Catania

The Sicilian kitchen is more than just eating delicious food, it's an art form that celebrates life. Local chefs let their imagination run wild and create the most colourful, sweet, fragrant, exotic and sometimes mysterious dishes you can imagine. Don't miss out on tasting the fresh calamari, squid, mussels and shellfish straight from the fish market. The islanders here also like combining fish with pasta: pasta e pesce is a favourite dish in Catania!

Madrid

There's no doubt in our minds: you'll lose your culinary heart to Madrid. Food lovers can enjoy the best tapas and churros con chocolate in this city. If you happen to be in Madrid on a Sunday, don't forget to visit Mercado de San Miguel, the city's main gourmet market where you can mingle with the locals. Discover every Spanish food imaginable and we guarantee that you'll leave with a full shopping bag and a fulfilled stomach.

Marseille

Foodies come to Marseille for the delightful Provençal cuisine. You'll find trendy little eateries on just about every corner that serve the most delicious local dishes. Les Halles de la Major is the new place to be for food lovers: this new market in large warehouses is packed with modern restaurants, vibrant cafés and tapas bars. Try Mediterranean specialities such as bourride, aioli, tapenade, bistou and bouillabaisse.