For foodies, a visit to a new locale would feel incomplete without sampling some of the unique culinary attractions of that place. If you plan a visit to Miami, Key West or Tampa Bay, give yourself an opportunity to get to know these destinations better -- and walk off some of the calories you'll consume -- by participating in a food walking tour. Florida weather makes for favorable outdoor activities throughout most of the year, so enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the neighborhoods you'll visit.
No other city in the US has as large and thriving a Cuban population as Miami. A visit to the Little Havana neighborhood allows you to immerse yourself in this culture and sample its cuisine. Your guides will take you to small, family-owned restaurants favored by locals but off-the-beaten tourist path. You will get a chance to try the plantain delicacy known as mariquitas and quench your thirst with seasonal tropical fruit juices. You will also have the opportunity not only to eat but to learn how to prepare a maduros omelet. Besides having a unique gustatory experience, you can impress your friends at home with the knowledge you will gain of the distinctions between Spanish and Cuban cuisine.
Sample conch fritters, smoked fish dip with crackers, fresh seafood chowder and a slice of key lime pie while visiting restaurants and gourmet specialty food stores in the historic Old Town area of Key West. You don't have to settle for eating at just one dining establishment on this walking lunch, which also includes insight into the history, culture and architecture of the island.
GourmetTrek offers walking tours of several of the communities in the Tampa vicinity. Your guide will regale your with historical tidbits about different islands and other neighborhoods in the area while you munch on fare such as calamari salad and smoked trout. Tours can take you to downtown Sarasota, Ybor and Honeymoon Island.
