• 71% of Brits believe it is important to eat local dishes while on holiday
• 39% of those surveyed spend up to five hours researching where to eat
• Millennials lead trend for food orientated holidays

New research from leading escorted tour operator Intrepid Travel highlights a trend towards gastronomy and authentic culinary experiences becoming the most important part of a holiday for Brits. Intrepid Travel can unveil that a staggering 71% of Brits believe it is important to eat local dishes while on holiday and almost 40% spend up to five hours researching where to eat whilst on holiday. Almost 50% of those surveyed regard eating local dishes as 'important' and more than half believe guided group tours provide more authentic experiences. As Brits continue to place food at the top of their holiday agenda, Intrepid is adding to its dynamic range of Real Foodie Adventures with new tours in South Korea, Southern Italy, Portugal and Galicia, with the first departures from April.

The new tours offer authentic, mouth-watering experiences by pairing the classic grassroots Intrepid Travel style with a special food focus, uncovering the world's most exciting food cultures, whether its sharing a traditional meal with Buddhist monks in South Korea or sampling organic mozzarella di bufala direct from the source in Italy. An increasing number of Brits are recognising that these small group tours using knowledgeable local guides allow for culinary experiences that wouldn't be possible if travelling alone. The Intrepid survey results underline this as it emerges that 61% of Brits have joined guided group tours because it gives them access to places they wouldn't see on their own and more than a quarter (27%) have joined a group tour as they wanted an authentic experience. Interestingly it is millennials who are putting the most value on eating local dishes on holiday and experiencing culinary culture, contrary to recent reports that it is this generation who are to blame for food wastage. 45% of respondents who said they were 'likely' to book a holiday around food were in the 25-34 year old category, followed closely by the 16-24 year old category at 39%. To further highlight this trend, 40% of those who said they dedicate time to researching where they eat on holiday are in the 16-24 year old category, seconded by the 25-34 year old category.

Details of the new Real Foodie Adventures can be found below:

South Korea, eight days
Be immersed in the many flavours of Korean cuisine and cooking on this adventure where Intrepid takes a journey through South Korea's best culinary areas. Stopover in the county's capital of Seoul, enjoy a behind the scenes tour and tasting of the craft brewery in Busan and visit the foodie capital of Jeonju. Highlights include learning to make green onion pancakes, exploring the intricacies of the countries signature dish, bibimbap and sharing a traditional meal with Buddhists monks. The tour includes seven nights' accommodation, all activities, plus three dinners, five lunches and two breakfasts.

Eight days from £1,480 per person, with departures from April 2017 - August 2018
For more details: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/south-korea/real-food-adventure-south-korea-102613 

Galicia & Portugal, six days
Delight taste buds on this enticing tour of Portuguese and Galician cuisine. Intrepid has developed a trip through Spain's Galicia region and along the coast of Portugal that includes cooking classes, wine tastings and a home cooked meal in Portugal's best kept foodie secret of Alentejo. Be introduced to the rich fishmongering heritage of Vigo, the birthplace of port wine in Douro Valley and see the influence of African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine from centuries of invasion and trade. Finally, finish up with a glass of Portuguese wild cherry liqueur, Ginjinha, in the charming city of Lisbon. This trip offers an exciting, diverse and well-rounded culinary experience. The tour includes seven nights' accommodation, all activities, plus two dinners, three lunches and three breakfasts.

Eight days from £1,480 per person, with departures from June 2017 - May 2018
For more details: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/portugal/real-food-adventure-galicia-portugal-101915 

South Italy, Six Days
Follow Intrepid on a journey through some of Italy's most picturesque and cuisine rich locations. Discover why foodies all over are raving about the southern Italian regions of Abruzzo, Puglia and Campania. Get lost in the ancient city of Matera, which is situated on the edge of the Gravina gorge. Enjoy a hands-on cooking masterclass preparing a traditional Campania feast and experience a memorable dinner by the Adriatic Sea while on a traditional trabocco fishing house in Fossacesia. Soak up the stunning surrounds of Sorrento while enjoying lemoncello and sampling organic mozzarella di bufala direct from the source. The tour includes six nights' accommodation, all activities, plus four dinners, one lunch and four breakfasts.

Seven days from £1,430 per person, with departures from April 2017 - August 2018
For more details: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/italy/real-food-adventure-south-italy-101914 

The full range of Intrepid Travel tours can be seen at: www.intrepidtravel.com

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Media Enquiries:

The Brighter Group intrepid@brightergroup.com / 020 7326 9880

Intrepid Travel team: Amelia Williams and Alyse Edwards

About Intrepid Travel:
Intrepid Travel has been taking people off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 27 years. The Melbourne-based adventure travel company is part of the Intrepid Group, the world's largest provider of adventure travel experiences. Intrepid offers more than 1,500 trips in more than 100 countries and on every continent. Trips are designed to truly explore local culture, meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Award-winning tour leaders, small group sizes and lots of included activities means travellers can have a sustainable local experience that is great value for money.