By Erin Fisher
Before becoming a travel advisor, I spent 25 years in the restaurant industry, working alongside my family in our restaurant. Anyone who’s worked in food service knows it’s hard work: long hours, constant problem-solving, and nonstop movement. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of making great food for someone and watching it make them happy. A truly good meal creates connection, comfort, and joy, and that same feeling is exactly why food and travel are so deeply connected.
Why Food Is One of the Best Ways to Experience a Destination
When I travel, I love immersing myself in the local culture, and one of the best ways to do that is through food. Every destination tells its story through flavors, ingredients, and traditions. Sitting down to eat what locals love often reveals more about a place than any guidebook ever could.
Some of my strongest travel memories aren’t about landmarks—they’re about meals.
Greece: Honeymoon Memories and the Best Food I’ve Ever Had
The best food I’ve ever experienced was in Greece, during my honeymoon. Everything tasted fresh, simple, and full of life. There was one restaurant in Athens that my husband and I loved so much, we went back twice, not because it was fancy, but because the food made us feel something.
That’s the magic of culinary travel: when a meal becomes part of your story.
Ireland: Comfort Food on a Rainy Day
Another unforgettable moment happened in Ireland around St. Patrick’s Day. On a chilly, rainy afternoon, we warmed up with a big bowl of traditional Irish stew and a perfectly poured Guinness.
It was hearty, comforting, and exactly what the moment called for. To this day, that meal instantly takes me back to Ireland.
Cozumel: Ceviche, Totopos, and a Margarita by the Sea
Then there was Cozumel—sitting in a beachside cabana, enjoying fresh ceviche with crunchy totopos, a salty ocean breeze in the air… and yes, a perfectly made margarita in hand.
That combination of flavors, setting, and relaxation is something you don’t forget. Food memories stick because they engage all five senses, and they’re tied to how we felt in that exact moment.
How My Restaurant Background Shapes the Way I Plan Travel
Having spent decades in the restaurant industry, I understand what happens behind the scenes: the care, passion, and effort that go into creating meaningful experiences. That perspective carries over into how I plan travel for my clients.
Travel isn’t just about destinations or logistics. It’s about experiences, and so many of the best ones happen around a table—at a local restaurant, on a food tour, during a cooking class, or while enjoying a drink that perfectly fits the moment.
When I help plan trips, I love incorporating destinations and experiences where food plays a central role, because years from now, you may not remember every detail of your itinerary, but you’ll remember the meal that made you smile, warmed you up, or helped you fall in love with a place.
And that’s the true connection between food and travel.