Travel hotlist 2020 Planning your holidays? From city breaks to indulgent beach retreats and active outdoor getaways, we reveal the foodie destinations to visit this year
Los Cabos, Mexico
u Try fresh fish tacos in Baja California
Los Cabos, Mexico’s newest coastal culinary hotspot
Lyon, France
If you need an excuse to visit France’s de facto culinary capital, the launch of the country’s first International City of Gastronomy is it. UNESCO granted French gastronomy Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity status in 2010, encouraging the establishment of four cities of gastronomy: Dijon, Tours, Paris-Rungis and now, Lyon. Launched in October, Lyon’s debut is permanently set in the 12th-century Grand HÔtel-Dieu, a historic building that’s more of a culinary centre than a museum (citegastronomielyon.fr). It houses exhibits on nutrition, interactive features for kids and wannabe cooks, show kitchens that host demos and tastings led by guest chefs, and showings of foodie French movies. While there, make a pilgrimage to the late Paul Bocuse’s crucible of nouvelle cuisine, l’Auberge du pont de Collongnes (bocuse.fr) or the food stalls of Les Halles de Lyon (halles-de-lyon-paulbocuse.com).
80 BBC Good Food Middle East February 2020
Get cooking with Nick Nairn
u
Sharing a border with California, this Mexican peninsula has long played host to holidaying stars, but its pristine beaches and medalwinning wineries have meant that it has more recently become a sought-after destination for tourists worldwide. Set between the Gulf of California and the Pacific, the Mexican state of Baja California is a long, mountainous spine punctuated by deep turquoise bays. This is the place to swim with sea turtles, indulge in fresh fish tacos and locally-brewed ale. There are over 150 wineries, where tastings and fine-dining restaurants are on offer. At Baja’s almost tropical southern tip, the resorts of Los Cabos have seen a slew of upscale beach hotel openings championing local food in recent years.
Sample classic French cuisine at l’Auberge du pont de Collonges
Scotland
This is the Year of Coast & Waters in Scotland, a celebration of the country’s white sand beaches, soaring cliffs and sea stacks. The coasts, canals, islands and lochs have helped shape Scotland’s cultural landscape, including everything culinary. The growing crop of food tours and experiences are a huge incentive for travellers, who can forage for shellfish, taste peaty whisky and Scotland’s expanding range of gin, or try a hands-on cookery class, such as one at Nick Nairn Cook School (nicknairncookschool.com). Plus, with a wealth of diving, kayaking, coastal rowing, windsurfing, wild swimming and sailing options available, you’re sure to work up an appetite. visitscotland.com
