Trying new food is quite possibly one of the best reasons to travel. It’s a great way to meet new people and reconnect with a loved one while sharing experiences and discovering new flavors. When you travel to a new country, the food will tell you a lot about its culture, history, agriculture and values. We’ve curated a few of our bucket list foodie destinations for you to drool over! Which will you visit this year?

1. SOUTH AGEAN, GREECE

If you like variety, with a beautiful view, Greece is the place for you! Hundreds of Mediterranean islands and towns to explore, makes Greece a must-see destination for the sun loving foodie. From freshly caught octopus and sesame-crusted sardines to herb-fragrant lamb, fresh feta cheese and all manner of sunny vegetables - the freshest ingredients are integrated into each dish, and most likely grown on site. The experience of eating really comes alive in Greece with its brilliantly blue seas, crisp architecture and colorful dishes. Did I mention that the 50+ islands of these sun-soaked archipelagos are a designated European Region Of Gastronomy? If that alone doesn’t make it worth a visit, then I don’t know what will!

3. Mesoamerica – Mexico & Central America

Prepare for some fresh meals and yummy drinks while you’re in the region of Mesoamerica, which extends approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica. The cuisine of this area has a little bit of everything! Amidst the delicious enchiladas, tacos, and helados and you’ll also find the zestiness of Greek salads and the richness of an Indian curry; the heat of Thai food and the snackiness of tapas. Mexico and Central America have it all! Not to mention you’ll have fun exploring this vast region with different landscapes ranging from green mountain tops to lush oceanside villages. Don’t forget to try out the local tequilas in various parts of this region too!

3. Bangkok & Phuket, Thailand

Delectable noodle dishes and some of the freshest seafood, make Thailand a foodie mecca. Traditionally on the spicy side, Thai food features hardiness, spice and that special flavor which makes it borderline addictive. Thailand’s profusion of exotic flavors and fragrances makes it among the most coveted of international cuisines. Local dishes such as chicken and coconut soup, red and green curries, and a spicy beef salad that will please the most finicky foodie. Be sure to try out the fancy sit down restaurants, as well as the street-side food carts!

4. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

It’s not all stodgy meat and root veg here anymore. Amsterdam is home to one of the world’s most productive agriculture economies, combined with a new generation of chefs and a renewed focus on sustainability it has become a hot spot for innovative restaurants geared toward the plant-based eater. Try the signature dish, Dutch Weedburger (made with seaweed, not marijuana), plus masterpiece menus at venues such as the Meatless District, and the adventurous De Culinaire Werkplaats. Amsterdam is also one of Europe’s greenest cities, so not only can you eat guilt-free but you can walk or bike it off afterward.

5. PORTUGAL

Did you know that Portugal has Europe’s highest fish consumption per capita and is among the top four in the world? The Portuguese really know how to prepare and consume their seafood - combine that with their tapas-style of eating and a local cuisine heavily influenced by Mediterranean and African flavors, you really can’t visit without trying a plethora of delicious dishes. Be sure to try the Portuguese version of sardines, suckling pig, and Feijoada (a meat stew with kidney or butter beans). There’s also a Portuguese dish called cataplana - which will have seafood lovers begging for more. Don’t forget to try Portuguese wine + port which is famous to the region!

Going to a new country and experiencing new flavors means you get to come home with a vast array of ideas and inspiration to put to work in your own kitchen. Even though it might not taste exactly like that pasta you had in Rome or the fish you had in Portugal, it’s the shared new experiences that matter most!