About us
This group is for anyone who wants to get to the heart of a culture through an exploration of its cuisine. Through official Meetups we can discover different cultures through small group culinary events, field trips, culinary theaters, and discussions. We also organize small culinary tours to foreign destinations and will have plenty of opportunities to travel and eat!
Upcoming events
2
2026 Eat Smart Culinary, Nature, and Cultural Tour to Kenya, Rwanda, & Zanzibar
Location not specified yet## Embark on a Journey of Flavor, Wildlife, and Heritage - 2 Spots Left!
Discover the soul of East and Southern Africa through a curated journey that blends culinary exploration, cultural immersion, and breathtaking natural encounters. This unforgettable adventure begins in Kenya, where the rhythm of the Great Migration pulses through the savannah and traditional flavors tell stories of ancient trade and tribal heritage. Witness nature’s grandest spectacle in the Maasai Mara, then continue to Amboseli National Park, where elephants roam beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here, you'll experience the deep connection between land, wildlife, and the Maasai people, whose traditions and cuisine reflect a profound respect for nature and community.
Next, venture into the misty mountains of Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills," where you’ll trek through lush forests to meet the majestic mountain gorillas. Alongside this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience, delve into Rwanda’s resilient culture and sample its unique culinary traditions rooted in local produce and community farming.
Finally, journey south to Zimbabwe, where the spice trade has long shaped the region’s palate and history. From bustling Harare markets to exciting culinary experiences, you’ll explore the flavors that connect Zimbabwe to ancient trade routes across Africa. Along the way, discover the country’s rich cultural tapestry, from Great Zimbabwe’s ruins to contemporary art and music.This tour is designed for curious travelers who seek meaningful connections—with people, places, and plates. Whether you're drawn by wildlife, heritage, or the joy of shared meals, this journey promises to nourish your spirit and ignite your senses.
For more information, go to our website: www.eatsmartguides.com, or to sign up, please contact Susan at 608-285-2390, or e-mail info@eatsmartguides.com.
1 attendee
2026 Eat Smart Culinary and Cultural Tour to Turkey
Location not specified yet2026 EAT SMART CULINARY AND CULTURAL TOUR TO TURKEY
October 6 to 15, 2026
Only 8 Spots AvailableJoin Joan Peterson, publisher of the award winning Eat Smart Culinary Travel Guide series, and her daughter and business partner, Susan Chwae, for an unforgettable journey where every day is a feast for the senses. This is more than a tour—it’s your backstage pass to the flavors, traditions, and stories that define a destination.
From market-to-table tastings and hands‑on cooking classes to insider culinary talks and vibrant market explorations, you’ll experience the region the way passionate food lovers do: up close, authentically, and deliciously. You’ll savor iconic dishes, discover hidden gems, and learn the secrets behind the flavors you’ve always wanted to master.
And because travel should be as enjoyable as it is enriching, we balance our culinary adventures with visits to must‑see cultural highlights, plus plenty of time to shop, relax, and soak in the atmosphere. You’ll return home with new skills, new friends, and a deeper connection to the culture.Travel with confidence
Our Culinary & Cultural Tours are ideal for guests with special dietary needs—we work directly with our chefs to ensure every traveler enjoys safe, satisfying, and beautifully prepared meals.
Have limited mobility? We’re happy to make special arrangements so you can enjoy the full experience comfortably. Just let us know when you inquire.If you’re ready for a journey that blends culture, cuisine, and unforgettable memories, this is your moment.
Spaces are limited—and our tours fill quickly.
FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 PARTICIPANTS, MAXIMUM OF 8 PARTICIPANTS
$6,925 per person, double occupancy with 8 participants. $1,270 Single Supplement.
*The tour will proceed if we have a minimum of participants. Final price to be determined by number of participants and will be discussed with confirmed participants prior to final tour commitment and payment of deposits to Turkey tour operator.Deposit:
A non-refundable* deposit of $1000 per person is required upon booking.
*****Your deposit is refundable until you have been notified that the tour has filled and the deposits have been sent to our Turkey tour operator, at which point the deposit is non-refundable.To reserve your spot, please e-mail susan@eatsmartguides.com to receive a Reservation Form and pay the deposit, or call 608-285-2390. Because we have just a limited number of spaces, any names signed up on Meetup who don't request the Reservation Form and pay their deposit will be removed.
Cancellation and Refund: If a written notice of cancellation is received from a passenger 75 days or more prior to departure, all advance deposits, minus any expenses incurred by Eat Smart Culinary Travel or the Tour Operator, will be refunded. If cancellation is made 74 – 30 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour cost. If cancellation is made 29 – 15 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 75% of the tour cost. If cancellation is made 14 – 1 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 100% of the tour cost.
Included Services:
- Accommodation in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Göcek.
- Domestic flights in Turkey: İstanbul / Kayseri, Kayseri / Istanbul / Denizli.
- All airport group transfers.
- Land transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
- Professional English-speaking guide through-out the tour.
- Entrance fees to museums and historical sites.
- Bosphorus cruise with private motor yacht.
- Private boat for river cruise over the Dalyan in Göcek.
- All lunches and dinners, unless specified.
- Cooking class & Dinner in Istanbul at Chef Table with Serkan Bozkurt.
- Baklava Workshop & Brunch at Güllüoğlu.
- Cooking class & Lunch at Village House in Cappadocia.
- 1 Soft drink, tea and coffee during lunch and dinner.
- Bottled water (available on the motor coach and at lunch and dinner).
- Tips for the porters at the hotels and airport.
Services not included:
- International flights for the participants and connection flight on departure day from Dalaman.
- Alcoholic drinks during lunch and dinner.
- Tips for driver and guide.
Optional services not included in the price (subject to change)
- Hürrem Sultan Hamam; Price per person: $ 110 - 24 hours cancellation
- Balloon Tour; Price per person: $ 350 - 48 hours cancellation
Accommodation and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Eat Smart Culinary Travel (ESCT) control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. ESCT also reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or the tour inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control. In case of any appreciable variation in the tour price due to these circumstances, ESCT reserves the right to make adjustments to the tour costs as necessary.
2 attendees
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