The pleasure of eating food in the country of its origin is one of the highlights of travel. We have eaten empanadas in Buenos Aires, lamb in New Zealand, sushi in Tokyo and fish and chips in London to name a few. We’ve also eaten more adventurous fare in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. For us, food is always one of the top highlights of our trips and I like to research in advance where to go to try some typical and delectable fare.

Most tour books and a quick internet search will tell you if there are any particular “must try” foods for which a country or city is known. We have had very good luck asking the tour guide, concierge or better yet some locals, where they like to eat or where they recommend. We have also had outstanding luck just going for a wander around lunchtime and looking for the restaurants that are crowded with locals and off the main tourist streets.

A few quick words on food though…..make sure you check with your doctor before you leave if you have a touchy stomach or special dietary restrictions. A lot of tours ask for dietary restrictions in advance so don’t be shy about letting them know. Also, be sure to ask your doctor or otherwise pack some upset stomach and diarrhea meds and carry them close by. Because when you need them, you need them NOW. I carry them with me at all times in my small purse.

A combination of jet lag, questionable water and street food may well be too much for even a cast-iron stomach to handle, so take it slow and break yourself in. Most tours will only allow you to stay at and dine at properties that have already been vetted, so for these you should be fine. But just in case, ask the guide or concierge upon arrival if you should drink the water, especially if you have a sensitive system.

Sometimes it’s smart to pack your own reusable water bottle, but it is usually more practical to purchase one heavy duty bottle of water and then refill it. That way you don’t have to use up luggage space hauling around a large steel bottle that you may or may  not need. And remember, the water rule applies also to brushing your teeth and includes steering clear of fresh fruit and lettuce (usually washed in water) items if you are somewhere that hasn’t been vetted.

Finally, a word on street food, IE that from street vendors. This can be truly some of the most delicious fresh food you will get, but be wary, especially after you first arrive. Sometimes the conditions aren’t as sanitary as you’d like to think. If you want an authentic food experience in a specific city, it may be wise to look at food tours via a platform such as Viator. We have done this several times and it was a pleasure…the foods were excellent and the guides were very knowledgeable.

Also, there is no shame in taking it slow and ducking out of a few tours if you’re not feeling up to it. It’s more important to feel well and rested than it is to try to do everything, making yourself even sicker.  “Days off” have their place on a holiday as well!