by Belt Drive Betty | Aug 14, 2026 | Travel Tips
The world map, for the serious food traveller, looks like the ultimate tasting menu. Every country has a cuisine shaped by geography, history, and culture — and the best way to understand a place is to eat your way through it. Here are 10 destinations where food is the reason to go, curated by Goway’s destination specialists who’ve actually eaten there.
France — The Birthplace of Fine Dining
France has more Michelin-starred restaurants than almost any country in the world, but its culinary greatness lives equally in the corner bistro, the regional market, and the cheese shop. Each region tells its own story — Brittany’s crêpes, Provence’s bouillabaisse, Burgundy’s wine-braised beef. “Is there anything better than chocolate croissants and French onion soup in Paris? There are honestly too many restaurants, cafes, and hidden gems to pinpoint as my favourite,” says Destination Specialist Teresa Dahl.
Japan — More Michelin Stars Than Any Country on Earth
Tokyo alone has over 200 Michelin-starred restaurants. Japan’s cuisine — recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage — is defined by precision, balance, and seasonal ingredients. Fresh sushi at Toyosu Market, kaiseki dining in a Kyoto teahouse, sizzling street food in Osaka’s Dotonbori — the variety is extraordinary. And Japan’s award-winning whisky distilleries are a revelation for anyone who thought Scotland had a monopoly on the spirit.
Thailand — The Street Food Capital of the World
Bangkok’s night markets and food courts offer everything from authentic pad Thai to Michelin-starred meals at extraordinary value. Thai cuisine’s regional diversity is part of its magic: Chiang Mai’s Lanna farm-to-table recipes, the fresh seafood curries of the south. “Green, Massaman, Yellow Thai curries and Pad Thai — of course!” says Destination Specialist Maria Spitman, who knows the country intimately.
Peru — The World’s Leading Culinary Destination
Lima consistently ranks among the world’s top 50 restaurants with multiple entries. Peruvian cuisine blends Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences into dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and causa. The World Travel Awards have recognized Peru as the “World’s Leading Culinary Destination” multiple times. And yet the most memorable meals are often in humble family-run cafés around the corner from the famous restaurants.
Italy, Morocco, India, Australia, South Africa, and Brazil
Italy’s culinary greatness lives in pasta-making in Bologna, pizza in Naples, and balsamic tasting in Modena. Morocco’s fragrant tajines and mint tea in Marrakech’s medina. India’s vast regional diversity — from Mumbai’s street food to Rajasthan’s royal kitchens. Australia’s world-class Barossa Valley wines paired with farm-to-table feasts. South Africa’s vineyards of Stellenbosch and “boma” dinners under the stars. Brazil’s churrasco in Porto Alegre and Bahian cooking classes in Salvador. The world is a restaurant — and it’s all open for business.
Ready to plan your culinary travel adventure?
Renée Charbonneau is a Certified Travel Agent and proud member of CMTA Travel Services in Grande Prairie, AB.
📩 Contact Renée at CMTA Travel Services
by Belt Drive Betty | Aug 12, 2026 | Travel Features
Italy is more than a destination — it’s a sensory immersion. Nowhere is that more true than in Italy’s wine regions, where rolling vineyard landscapes, medieval hill towns, and centuries-old winemaking traditions create an experience that goes far beyond the glass. Whether you’re drawn to Tuscany’s dramatic cypress-lined roads, Umbria’s truffle-scented forests, or Sicily’s volcanic terrain, Italy’s wine country rewards slow, curious travel.
Tuscany — The Classic
Few regions embody Italian romance like Tuscany. Chianti Classico estates sit tucked between Siena and Florence. Brunello di Montalcino — one of Italy’s most celebrated reds — is best tasted in the hilltop town of Montalcino, paired with local pecorino. Montepulciano’s cellars extend deep beneath its cobbled streets. Collette’s guided tours bring you into these estates before the doors open to the general public, with winemakers who share stories alongside tastings.
Umbria — The Authentic Alternative
Just east of Tuscany, Umbria remains Italy’s best-kept secret. Known as the “green heart of Italy,” it offers the same hill towns, medieval character, and exceptional food and wine — with far fewer crowds. Sagrantino di Montefalco is the bold, complex signature wine. And then there are the truffles: joining a local truffle hunter and their dogs in the Umbrian forests is one of the most authentically Italian experiences available to visitors.
Veneto and Prosecco Country
Beyond Venice’s canals, the rolling hills of Prosecco country offer a gentler, more playful wine experience. Visits to vineyards in the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area pair naturally with Verona — the city of Romeo and Juliet — and nearby Valpolicella, where the powerful Amarone is produced. Lake Garda adds scenic drama to any Veneto itinerary.
Sicily — Volcanic and Extraordinary
Etna wines, grown on the slopes of Europe’s most active volcano, have become some of Italy’s most exciting. Sicily adds Greek temples, Norman cathedrals, and sun-filled piazzas to the mix, making it one of the most layered destinations in Europe. Marsala wine, produced in the town of the same name, has a history as rich as the wine itself.
When to Go
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the prime seasons for wine travel in Italy. Autumn brings grape harvest festivals and truffle fairs across Umbria and Tuscany — a particularly magical time to visit. Collette’s guided tours run across multiple dates, giving Albertans flexibility to find the departure that fits.
Ready to taste Italy?
Renée Charbonneau is a Certified Travel Agent and proud member of CMTA Travel Services in Grande Prairie, AB. She can book your Collette Italy tour and handle everything from Alberta.
📩 Contact Renée at CMTA Travel Services
by Belt Drive Betty | Jul 31, 2026 | Travel Tips
Solo travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry — projected to reach $1 trillion globally by 2030. And women are leading the charge: over 70% of solo travellers are women, with women over 50 driving the boom. At CMTA Travel Services, we’re seeing the same trend. More and more women — from Grande Prairie and across Alberta — are choosing to travel on their own terms, on their own schedule, without compromise. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s Driving the Solo Travel Boom
The reasons are as varied as the women themselves: spiritual retreats best experienced alone, bucket-list destinations where no friend shares the same enthusiasm, the desire to prove to yourself that you can handle the world on your own terms. The rise of eSIMs for constant connectivity, GPS navigation, and Google Maps has made independent travel dramatically more accessible. And culturally, more women are choosing not to wait for a partner before living their lives fully — travel is a big part of that.
Solo Doesn’t Always Mean Alone
Many women choose small group tours for their solo adventures — beginning as strangers and ending as fast friends who bond over shared experiences. This is particularly popular with women who want the freedom of solo travel with the security and social connection of a small group. G Adventures, Goway, and similar operators have built entire product lines around this need, with single-rate pricing that eliminates the frustrating solo supplement.
5 Practical Tips for First-Time Solo Women Travellers
First, arrange transfers in advance — arriving at a new airport knowing exactly where you’re going eliminates a major source of anxiety. Second, choose hotels in central, well-frequented areas near transit. Third, learn a few phrases in the local language — even basic greetings open doors. Fourth, build free time into your itinerary: the joy of solo travel is following your own whims. Fifth, work with a Travel Advisor who understands solo travel — they’ll ensure your itinerary flows seamlessly and that 24/7 support is in place if you need it.
Best First Destinations for Solo Women
New Zealand tops the list for safety, English-language ease, stunning natural beauty, and excellent transport infrastructure. Italy and France are both outstanding for solo women who want to be social — Italy for its warm, outgoing culture, France for its more independent pace. Japan is safe, efficient, and extraordinarily rewarding for solo travellers. And closer to home, Atlantic Canada offers a welcoming, English-speaking maritime culture that’s perfect for a first solo road trip.
