HUNGRY Brits are being led by their stomachs when it comes to booking a holiday – as the UK establishes itself as a nation of foodies.
Research from tour operator TUI has revealed that 41 per cent of us would consider booking a trip that’s all about the nosh.
It’s little wonder as, even at home, 39 per cent said they prioritise eating out in local restaurants.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the best short-haul breaks in 2026 for those who love their grub . . .
AYIA NAPA, CYPRUS
TO get a bit of guidance on your foodie adventure, take a look at TUI’s new Dine & Discover packages, which are designed to send travellers to hotels renowned for their food.
As well as excellent grub and booze within the resorts’ restaurants, visitors will be treated to special extras, such as a complimentary cookery lesson or a cocktail mixology class, as part of the deal.
The 5H Amanti, MadeForTwo hotel in Ayia Napa, on Cyprus’s south-eastern coast, is marketed as a couples-only resort and is the ideal spot for a romantic escape.
Travellers booked on the TUI package will receive money off a mountain villages tour with lunch and honey tasting.
Or they can opt for a discount on a halloumi-making and bread baking experience.
GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Amanti, MadeForTwo hotel is from £1,192pp including flights from Manchester on June 1, 2026. See tui.co.uk.
MOROCCO
IF it’s authentically traditional tastings you are after, Intrepid is the holiday company for you.
Their 12-night Morocco Real Food Adventure is undoubtedly something for the bucket list, showcasing everything from camel burgers to traditional family dinners whipped up in local homes – as well as tours of traditional markets.
Cuisine is at the heart of this trip, but you’ll tick off some pretty cool sights, too, as you pass through Casablanca, Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Chefchaouen, Fez and Midelt before moving on to Merzouga, the M’Goun Valley and, of course, Marrakech.
You’ll stay in hotels, guesthouses, gites and a desert camp.
GO: The 12-day trip costs from £984pp including accommodation, breakfasts, most dinners and some lunches.
Price also includes several foodie experiences such as a goats-cheese tasting and cous-cous demonstration. Flights extra. See intrepid.com.
DOLOMITES, ITALY
HAVING your hand held is no bad thing – and because of this, you know you’ll get the best of the best wherever you go when you book one of Saga’s food-and-wine holidays.
Every itinerary on a these getaways has been carefully curated, to include the top spots and activities on offer in that region, whether it be a visit to a local market or a cookery workshop combining culture and grub.
How does la dolce vita in the Italian mountains sound?
This week-long Dolomites tour is lip-smackingly good, with a visit to a working dairy farm, a wine-cellar tour with olive-oil samplings, and demonstrations at an apple orchard.
When you’re not tasting goodies, kick back at your hotel, the Alle Dolomiti over-looking Lake Molvano – enjoy the pool or unwind in the sauna.
GO: A seven-night Food And Wine In The Dolomites trip costs from £1,525pp on a half-board basis, including flights from Gatwick on September 21, 2026. See holiday.saga.co.uk.
BODRUM, TURKEY
HOLIDAY firm Jet2 has a specific section entirely dedicated to foodie escapes.
It is called Perfect For Dining – and these places really are.
The collection of hotels offer gourmet food, with extensive a la carte menus, and have an emphasis on local flavours.
Some of the properties even house Michelin-star restaurants.
Unlike many all-inclusive packages, the all-inclusive-plus deals at the 5H Lujo Art And Joy hotel, in sun-drenched Bodrum, cover everything.
That means not being restricted to the buffet each night, as a la carte dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner is available at most of the 11 onsite restaurants and bars.
You will have to fork out extra for the teppanyaki, steakhouse and Asian joints, though.
Kids will be kept happy with a 24-hour ice cream and frozen yoghurt stand.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive-plus costs from £1,828pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Leeds Bradford on April 19, 2026. See jet2holidays.com.
PORTOPETRO, MAJORCA
THE Spanish island of Majorca most certainly pips the other Balearics to the post when it comes to a smashing food and drink scene.
If you’re tempted to visit, it’s worth remembering that customers booking a TUI Dine & Discover package also receive 15 per cent off food and gastronomy experiences with TUI Musement.
And on this gem of an island, that includes a Majorca Winery Visit & Local Food Tasting experience.
You’ll be driven into the heart of the island’s wine country to sample tipples from a small family-run vineyard.
Soak up that booze with homegrown snacks, fresh bread, olive oils and local cheeses.
A stay at the 5H Ikos Porto Petro also includes a free bottle of cava from the hotel’s private cellar, as well as a cocktail event on site.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Ikos Porto Petro is from £2,240pp including flights from London Gatwick on May 5, 2026. See tui.co.uk.