And now you can even save more when you book your dream getaway at TUI. Save £100 per booking when you spend £1,000 or more, or save £200 per booking when you spend £2,000 or more, and, you guessed it, save £300 per booking when you spend £3,000 or more. Only one of the three discounts can be applied on an individual booking.
This deal is available for TUI customers from 20 to 22 December who are logged into a myTUI account, before becoming available for all remaining customers from 23 December 2024 until 3 March 2025.
To help you make your mind up, we’ve put together a list of the top holiday destinations for foodies, whatever your tastes. Happy travelling!
Best holiday destinations for foodies
Italy
Any foodie worth their salt knows that different cities in Italy specialise in different dishes. When in Rome, go for carbonara; when in Bologna, go for tortellini, etc. In fact, did you know that there are over 350 varieties of pasta to try across the nation?
You’ll also find plenty of delicious pizza, of course; the most famous pizza destination being the southern city of Naples. For rustic hearty Tuscan cuisine, Florence is known for dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak) and pappa al pomodoro (tomato bread soup). And for Italian cuisine with a twist, head to Sicily where you can sample seafood spaghetti and delicious arancini, followed by cannoli Siciliano for dessert.
You can wash all of this down with some homegrown Italian wine or a refreshing Aperol spritz.
Explore Italy holidays from £174 at TUI
Spain
When I say Spain, you say tapas! From patatas bravas to jamón ibérico, tortilla española and padrón peppers, these dishes are some of the most beloved from the country. For the authentic tapas experience, head to Seville, famous for its tapas culture and beautiful architecture.
If you’re after a spot of sun, the Valencia region is the place to be. This eastern sand-lined spot is the birth place of paella, and boasts its own local paella valenciano made with rabbit, chicken and beans, which you can wash down with some refreshing Valencian horchata.
If gourmet cuisine is what you’re after, then the northern Basque country is a must. San Sebastián has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, where you can sample pintxos (Basque tapas) like anchovies, chorizo, and salted cod croquettes, as well as the famous Basque cheesecake.
Explore Spain holidays from £172 at TUI
Thailand
Thailand is a dream destination for food lovers. From the endless street food markets of Bangkok to the seafood paradise of Phuket and the beachside foodie spot Hua Hin, there’s something there for everyone.
Bangkok is the street food capital of the world, where you can sample mango sticky rice, pad thai, tom yum goong (spicy and sour prawn soup) and roasted cricket skewers all day long.
Seafood lovers will have the time of their lives, with top dishes including mee Hokkien (stir-fried Hokkien noodles with seafood) hoy tod (crispy oyster omelet) and pla pao (roasted fresh fish stuffed with crushed lemongrass stalks and served with sweet and sour chilli sauce).
Visiting Thai food markets is an experience in itself, so be sure to check which food markets are available at your destination before heading out. If you want to get more hands on with the cuisine, you could also try a cooking class when you’re out there.
Explore Thailand holidays from £1,106 at TUI
India
India boasts a wide range of flavour-rich dishes, from creamy and spicy curries to delicate seafood dishes and traditional Indian sweets. Plus, around 30 per cent of the country’s population is vegetarian, making this an ideal destination for vegetarian foodies.
Cities like Delhi and Mumbai are famous for their street food, highlights of which include parathas (stuffed flatbreads), onion bhaji, butter chicken and vada pav (spicy potato fritter in a bun).
Different regions of India are known for their unique flavours and dishes. Punjabi food, like lassi and amritsari kulcha (stuffed flatbread with butter and chickpeas) can be found in the northwest, while the spicy, rich, and vegetarian-friendly dishes of Rajasthani cuisine will be in western India. Plus, head to Kolkata for Bengali cuisine, as well as seafood and sweets.
Explore India holidays from £685 at TUI
Best holiday destinations for halal food
Morocco
Whether you want to spend your time wandering the spice-filled markets of Marrakech, take an adventurous trip to the stunning Atlas mountains, or enjoy some time along the sandy shore in Agadir, one thing is for sure; you’ll always be able to find delicious halal food.
Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, which means that almost everything on offer will be halal. Some of the country’s culinary highlights include Moroccan couscous, mrouzia (lamb tagine with almonds and honey), zaalouk (cooked aubergine and tomato salad) and bessara (fava bean soup served with olive oil).
And make sure you don’t forget about the deliciously sweet Moroccan peppermint tea.
Explore Morocco holidays from £223 at TUI
Amsterdam
If you’re looking for a halal-friendly destination a little closer to home, then Amsterdam is the spot for you. Islam is the second-largest religion in this European capital, so there are plenty of places for you to enjoy delicious halal food.
While you’re there, you won’t be stuck for things to do. Amsterdam is famous for a number of top tourist attractions – the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam flower market; or, you could simply rent a bike and circle around the beautiful narrow streets lined with boat-filled canals and traditional buildings.
While you’re exploring the city, you can also explore the halal food options, from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine to modern fusion dishes. Be sure to sample traditional Dutch desserts, like stroopwafel and Dutch apple pie.
Explore Amsterdam holidays from £223 at TUI
Turkey
When you think of Turkey, chances are you think of food. The country is known for delicious olive oil, Turkish coffee and baklava, in addition to its rich history, cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes.
Turkey’s diverse geography means that the country’s traditional food will vary from region to region. Be sure to sample the kebabs, baklava and simit in Istanbul, and head to Antalya for fresh Mediterranean seafood and piyaz (traditional white bean salad with tahini, lemon, and olive oil).
The sleepy village of Gumbet is the best place to sample dolma, a meal of vine leaves stuffed with courgettes and aubergines, while balik ekmek, a traditional fish sandwich, is best enjoyed with a sea view.
Wherever you go, sampling the street food is a must. Durums, tasty meat-filled flatbreads, are a must, plus köfte (spiced meatballs), midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and delicious savoury pastry börek.
Explore Turkey holidays from £207 at TUI
Best holiday destinations for rooftop bars
Dubai
When you think of rooftop bars, Dubai should be right at the top of your mind. This modern city is frequently visited by those who enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, and what’s more luxurious than enjoying a cocktail with a view of some of the most famous skyscrapers in the world?
Try rooftop bar Treehouse overlooking both the Dubai Downtown and Business Bay skylines, allowing you to have a tipple in front of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. And speaking of the Burj Khalifa, you can enjoy a drink in the building itself, at Atmosphere Bar and Lounge on level 122.
There are plenty of bars with impressive views (Skyview Bar at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Mercury Lounge Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, White Dubai at Meydan Racecourse to name a few) where you can relax after a day of shopping, water sports and sightseeing in the UAE’s capital.
Explore Dubai holidays from £682 at TUI
Ibiza
Ibiza is well-known as a party destination during the summer season, but if you want to escape the clamour of the strip, the best way to do that is by visiting a rooftop bar. Plus, with Ibiza being a smaller island, you’re almost guaranteed a sea view.
Sa Punta Patchwork rooftop bar adds plenty of colour to the white isle, thanks to its rich interiors and eye-catching food, including platters of falafel, tabbouleh, hummus and pita. Head there in the early evening to catch beautiful views of the sunset behind the mountains.
Explore Ibiza holidays from £417 at TUI
New York
If you want to have a proper New York moment and unleash your inner Carrie Bradshaw, there’s no better place than a rooftop bar, and luckily, this city is full of them!
A.R.T. at Arlo SoHo offers views of iconic New York sites such as the Empire State Building and the Hudson River, while serving surprisingly affordable drinks. You can also head to its sister hotel Arlo NoMad for another rooftop experience, this time with a glass floor, which looks down to street level.
Explore New York holidays from £779 at TUI