The Table Less Traveled

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The Table Less Traveled

🌍 Group travel for food lovers
🍜 Live virtual cooking classes
✈️ Insider travel tips It all started with an airline ticket.
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When founder Annie Cheng bought a Round the World airline ticket, hoping to experience something new and find her direction in life. During those seven months, she stayed in private homes, ate meals with local families, and turned her curiosity into relationships with the communities. And when she came home, people were constantly asking Annie’s advice for how to have similar, more authentic trips

. In 2015, she created The Table Less Traveled as a way to stand against the commoditization of travel and cuisine. Instead of adding to the well worn tracks of tourist attractions, she invites people to try a more meaningful way to explore. Through interactive experiences, authentic global recipes, local chefs, and small group sizes, The Table Less Traveled helps people get a better taste of what the world has to offer.

03/06/2024

Photos from our spring trip to Japan!

We’re hosting another one this upcoming fall and it’s not too late to join.

Comment “Japan” and I’ll send you the link!

22/05/2024

A few moments from our spring Heart of Italy trip 🇮🇹

As you can tell, we spend a lot of time introducing travelers to friends and then asking those friends share their favorite Italian dishes with us. Definitely the highlight of our trips!

14/05/2024

Favorite moments from our spring Treasures of Tuscany trip!

We ate cheese, pasta, and fresh veggies daily, sipped wine with each meal, explored artistry in a myriad of ways and had the best time with travelers deep diving into Tuscany.

It’s not too late to join us in the fall. COMMENT “Italy” and I’ll send you the itinerary link.

01/05/2024

Photo dump from our spring 2024 Taste of Peru Trip!

1. Exploring Machu Picchu
2. Learning from local weavers at a Patacancha Textiles Workshop
3. Tasting menu at Mil 🤤
4. Lima Food Tour
5. Painting the traditional Pucara Bulls

And so much more not pictured! If you want to join us in Peru in 2025, we have all our dates listed including a brand new date in the summer!

Comment “peru” and I’ll send you the dates!

25/04/2024

A little photo dump from Japan 📸 (you don’t want to miss the last photo)

There are 192 days until our fall Inside Japan trip. Now is a great time to secure your spot because you have the best availability to guarantee you a spot, increased flexibility for booking flights and more options for your pre and post-trip experiences.

Are photos of delicious food, beautiful sites, and friendly faces convincing you that booking a fall trip to Japan is the best choice you’ll make this week? 😉

Join us November 3rd - 13th for 11 days in Japan!

Comment “Japan” for the full itinerary.

24/04/2024

62% of travelers feel a trip is wasted if they don’t experience the local culture.

Do you agree?

Instead leave your trip buzzing with stories from friends, recipes to remake and lifelong connections with fellow travelers and world explorers.

If you’re still on the fence about joining us on a small group trip, here are two things to think about:

💵 Your trip deposit is 100% refundable for 24 hours after you’ve secured your deposit.

📞 If you’d like to talk to any of our travelers about their experience on our trips, we can set up a time for you to talk to someone!

Let’s make those travel dreams a reality!

04/03/2024

Coordinating a visit to Machu Picchu is no easy feat…

The Ultimate Guide to Machu Picchu was created to make this feat 100% possible because we’ll hold your hand through the entire process.

Christiana, our Peru destination expert shares every single detail you need to know about traveling to Machu Picchu from how to make the most of your visit to exactly which train ticket you should book based on your preferences.

Comment “guide” and I’ll send you the link to purchase!

27/02/2024

Getting lost in a new city may sound romantic but it doesn’t feel that way when you’re on a tight schedule trying to get a specific destination.

In the instances where you’re trying to get from point A to point B, these are our favorite apps to help you navigate a new city on foot or public transportation.

Comment “app” and I’ll send you a link with more information about how to download each app.

26/02/2024

Do you ever get stuck scrolling through restaurant reviews on Yelp when you’re traveling?

Our team compiled a list of our favorite food-finding apps that we use when we’re traveling to Italy, Japan and beyond.

Comment “app” and I’ll send you a link for more information on how to download each app.

26/02/2024

Do you ever get stuck scrolling through restaurant reviews on Yelp when you’re traveling?

Our team compiled a list of our favorite food travel apps that we use when we’re traveling in Japan, Italy, and beyond.

Comment “app” and I’ll send you the link for more information on how to download each app!

20/02/2024

Check out our new partner trip with Dalla Fonte this fall!

Olivia Becker, founder of Dalla Fonte, and Annie Sim, founder of The Table Less Traveled, bonded over their shared passion for deepening connections between individuals and Italian cuisine and craftsmanship, proudly announce their inaugural partner trip to visit Italian makers in Emilia-Romagna and....

12/01/2024

Experience what inspires the founders and creators of your favorite companies and brands - by traveling with them on TTLT created partner trips!

Our first partner trip is with our friend, Olivia Becker at . On this trip you’ll get to shop local markets for seasonal ingredients for your hands-on cooking class and take private tours of local farms, factories, and wineries of some of favorite Italian goods.

Check our stories for a link to learn more about the Dalla Fonte Italy trip.

TAG a business, founder, or creator who you think should create a partner trip with us!

09/01/2024

Comment below - what are you struggling with on your 2024 travel plans? We'll do our best to point you in the right direction!

05/01/2024

In:
- travel that supports the local economy
- stepping out of your comfort zone
- trying new foods
- "pinch me" experiences around the world

Out:
- wearing uncomfy shoes on walking days
- not making dinner reservations and wasting a meal on subpar food
- decision paralysis when planning a trip

Comment below what is on your In/Out travel list for 2024!

05/01/2024

Why we travel to Peru every spring and why you should too!

1. The weather! Peru has a rainy reason that can really cramp your style if you're planning lots of outdoor adventures. April is a great time to go to beat the rain and the cold.

2. Flights are more affordable! And we aren't the only ones who think so! The Points Guy wrote an article that says "if you're looking for the perfect window, consider traveling to [South America] during spring."

3. Food! Some of the best seasonal dishes you can get in Peru are available during the spring!

The Points Guy also said that the best time to buy your airline ticket to Peru was 2-5 months before your travel date, so if you want to join us in Peru in April, this is your moment!

Comment PERU and secure your spot on our trip and one of our travel experts will help you book your flights!

29/11/2023

Join us on a 2024 small group trip!

Our relationships extend beyond tourism on these trips. Visit retired nonnas (grandmothers), shopkeepers, chefs, farmers, artisans, and weavers.

With our local friends, we host a handful of trips each year that give a peek into real life.

During your all-inclusive small group trip, we cover everything you think of and the things you don’t - tips, drinks, transportation, and city taxes.

Let our tour host introduce you to friends on a hassle-free and unforgettable culinary journey.

Comment the destination you’re interested in and I’ll send you the link to the full itinerary!

16/11/2023

Walla Walla Wine Weekend Spotlight!

Just a few of the people you’ll get to meet and learn from when you join us for The Table Less Traveled’s Weekend Event in Walla Walla.

These one of a kind experiences will give you a behind-the-scenes look into this talented and passionate community of makers; including winemakers, farmers, and chefs.

Read about each individual and experience and then COMMENT “Walla Walla” to get the link to register for the event!

31/10/2023

Looking to spend 3 days in Tokyo? Here’s a little itinerary to get you started!

If want help booking experiences and giving advice on how best to spend your time, contact our team! We have a 3-day itinerary to Tokyo for any sized group that is full of insider recommendations AND we’ll book all your experiences on your behalf.

Comment “Tokyo” and I’ll send you the link to our 3 -day itinerary!

19/10/2023

Just a few tips on how we make the most of traveling to Japan regardless of the season we’re traveling!

We’re hosting three trips to Japan in 2024. One in the spring and two in the fall.

These trips are culinary adventures that have you exploring 4 cities in Japan like a local.

Are you interested in traveling in the spring or fall? Comment “spring” or “fall” below and I’ll send you the trip dates!

03/10/2023

You guide to vetting local experiences is here! We pride ourselves in connecting travelers to experiences they couldn’t find on their own whether it’s on our small group trips or through our Travel Consulting Services.

How important are authentic local experiences to you?

13/09/2023

Spanish Paella & Crema Catalana Cooking Class on October 7th!

Meet Elena from Valencia, one of our newest cooking class chefs.

Impress your friends and family with one of the most iconic dishes from Spain, paired with a delicious creamy dessert.

Comment “paella” and I’ll send you the link to grab your spot in class!

09/08/2023

Enter to Win The Ultimate Italian GIVEAWAY!

Win a 4-Day/3-Night Trip to Florence for you AND a travel companion September 12th-15th, 2023, a Heart of Italy Food Box to build excitement for your trip, and pasta-making supplies to recreate your favorite meals once you’re home.

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Answer 2 questions at the link
2. Follow all brands on Instagram

https://www.thetablelesstraveled.com/the-ultimate-italian-getaway

(Giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook. Contest closes August 12th, 2023 at 5:00 PM PDT. The Contest is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. See Contest Rules for full details.)

26/07/2023

A visit to Emilia-Romagna on our Heart of Italy tour could only be complete with a tour and tasting at one of the region's many acetaias.

This is why we had to include this rich and complex taster’s Balsamic Vinegar, produced by VR Aceti, in our Heart of Italy Box to transport you to a balsamico barrel tasting in Modena.

Our favorite way to enjoy it? Take notes: Drizzle this cherry balsamic over your favorite cheeses, grilled vegetables, or, our favorite, vanilla gelato.

Check out our limited edition Heart of Italy box with Dalla Fonte! We only made 50 so grab yours before we sell out!

Comment “Tavola” below and I’ll send you the link to check out!

06/06/2023

Excited to share the latest addition to our shop: Digital Peru trip guide, Sacred Valley Ebook, Travel gift https://etsy.me/3P00B56

06/06/2023

Shop our Father's Day sale: 25% off. https://etsy.me/3MW77H4

11/05/2023

People are flocking to Japan right now and we want to share with you the 4 cities we always take our travelers to when we go on our 11 Day Trip to Japan.

1. Osaka
2. Kyoto
3. Ishikawa
4. Tokyo

You can find the FULL blog post with a few of our recommendations about what to do in the cities at the link in our bio. But we also recognize that planning an 11-day trip is no easy feat. If you want an effortless experience from start to finish and our itinerary piques your interest, check out our small group trips and see when we’re traveling to Japan in 2023 and 2024. Or inquire with us if you want to turn our itinerary into a private group trip for your family or friends.

08/05/2023

Peru is a foodie paradise, not only because it is home to three of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, but also because it offers a wide variety of flavors.

Dishes we recommend to Peru travelers:
- Lomo Saltado. You’ll find Lomo Saltado in just about every restaurant, but not every Lomo Saltado is created equal. One place you can count on getting a good Lomo Saltado is

- Picarones. These donut like treats were invented in Lima, and you can find street vendors all over the city with carts frying them fresh. You’ll usually find some carts in Parque Kennedy, or near anticucho restaurants.

-Pachamanca. is more than just a meal, it’s an experience full of history and tradition. For the full experience, we enjoy having Pachamanca at El Albergue Hotel & Organic Farm in Ollantaytambo on our Taste of Peru trip.

You can taste each of these dishes AND SO MANY MORE on our Taste of Peru trip!

19/04/2023

Srisuda’s Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango

Ingredients
- 2 sweet, ripe mangoes (will peel and cut in class)
- 1 cup Thai sticky rice, also called glutinous rice
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Topping Sauce
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon rice flour, or corn starch, or all-purpose flour for thickening

Optional: 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions can be found at the link below!
https://www.thetablelesstraveled.com/mango-sticky-rice

07/04/2023

Thanks so much for joining us in the workshop yesterday! We wanted to share a few dining recommendations as you plan out your trip to Italy. Here are some of our favorite dishes and where you can find them. Some of them you can find on your own and some of them can only be found on our Heart of Italy trip.

- Il Buco in Sorrento
- La Smorfia in Modena
- Marika’s house in Positano
- Chef Alain’s Pizzeria in Pistoia

(The last 2 are Heart of Italy exclusives😉)

Which would you like to try?

05/04/2023

Join Annie & Kathryn TOMORROW for a 1 - hour masterclass on our Italy Itinerary Building 5 - Step Framework that will get YOU the trip of your dreams.

Comment Italytravel below and I’ll send you a private link to save your spot.

This is our very first workshop so don’t miss this chance! If you have any interest in traveling to Italy either with us or on your own, this workshop is for you 🫵🏼

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Our Florence Pocket Guide can be printed or kept as a pdf file on your phone for easy packing! Either way, it highlights our favorite places to eat, shop, and sleep in Florence plus a few bonus tips about traveling to Italy. If Florence is on your itinerary, grab our Florence Pocket Guide for $13.95. COMMENT “Pocket Guide” and I’ll send you the link to purchase yours!

1. Don’t eat and drink while walking. 2. Being on time means being early. 3. Escalators - they have a fast lane. 4. Avoid talking on the phone on public transit. 5. Don’t show up empty-handed. Gift-giving goes a long way in Japan. 6. Taxi doors are automatic. 7. Take your trash home with you. 8. It’s okay to take the free tissues handed out on the street! For more details and explanation, go to this link! https://www.thetablelesstraveled.com/blog/15-unspoken-rules-when-visiting-japan

We're here to set the record straight that there are other ways to reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site without the need to train like an athlete beforehand. The city of Cusco is most often the starting point for a journey to Machu Picchu. We recommend the 1 hour 20 minute flight since there are numerous daily departures on LATAM and Avianca Airlines and they are relatively budget-friendly. From Cusco you can catch a taxi to Poroy, a small town about 25 minutes away, which has a train station. The train journey is about 3 hours and 20 minutes and stops once on the way to Machu Picchu Pueblo. This route is operated by PeruRail and IncaRail. Spend the night and catch the bus the next morning. Starting at 5:30 AM every day, there is a circuit of buses that ferry travelers on a 25-minute ride to the entrance gates of the ruins. Tickets for the bus should be purchased in advance and you can take the bus round trip to return to Machu Picchu Pueblo. SAVE this post for future reference for your trip to Machu Picchu!

This is the easiest solution for planning your own trip. 1. Get all your questions answered from a trusted source. You want to know how and where to rent a car to explore Orvieto, Italy (plus all the things to be mindful of when driving in Italy) we've got your answers. 2. You want insider knowledge of hotels, restaurants, activities, museums, and more. We've got you covered. PLUS we'll even handle all the booking. As I said, easiest solution. Leave our consultation sessions equipped with information, inspiration, and custom travel plans. Where do you need help traveling this year? Comment your destination below and I'll let you know if we're an expert on your destination.

Just scratching the surface of how we spend our time on the Amalfi Coast on our Heart of Italy 9 - Day Food Tour. Comment below with any questions about the itinerary below! We still have a few spots available on our 2023 trip!

Japan Travel Tips! 1. Avoid talking on the phone on public transit. As another sign of respect and consideration to those around you, avoid talking on the phone on public transit, or even talking too loudly to those around you. 2. Taxi doors are automatic. Don’t try to open and close your own taxi door. Taxi doors are automatic in Japan, just let the driver do his thing. It’s quite nice, actually. 3. Being on time means being early. Punctuality is a sign of respect. 4. Don’t eat and drink while walking. Japanese people tend to enjoy their food, even street food and snacks while sitting down or remaining stationary. 5. Take your trash home with you. Rarely will you find public trash cans in Japan. Want to travel with someone who knows all of these tips and more? Comment JAPAN and I'll send you a link to learn about our September Japan tour!

4 Reasons not to go and the 1 reason we keep going every year! If you want to read Annie's recent article about navigating a trip to the Amalfi Coast and how to make it worthwhile, comment "Amalfi" and I'll send you a link to her article!

Bethany is back with more tips but this time tips for traveling to Italy! Comment below any questions you have or respond in stories and she’ll answer them tomorrow :)

Guinea Pigs in Peru

Would you try Guinea Pig?? A few facts: 1. Guinea pig is a delicacy in Peru 2. In Peru, it’s estimated that 65 million guinea pigs are consumed each year. 3. Guinea pig is an environmentally-friendly meat.� a.) It's not as carbon-costly as beef b.) and it doesn’t require the land that cattle does. 4. Guinea pigs are high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol 5. A guinea pig herd consisting of two males and 20 females can sustain itself while providing meat for a family of six�! So, would you ever give it a try?

Pastel de Nata with Chef Ana

10/10 Would Make Again is how we're rating Chef Ana's DELICIOUS Pastel de Nata pastries. Join us this SATURDAY to learn how to make these favorite tarts from Lisbon in your own home — save your spot here: https://bit.ly/3mq6WVI

What happened when we went from travel company to international cooking class hosts | The Table Less Traveled

As a travel company, when COVID-19 hit we knew we had to do something different, and quickly. What we didn't know is just how big of an impact these online Cooking Classes would have on us, on our international chefs, and on hundreds of people stuck in quarantine around the country and around the world. These classes have provided our friends in Italy, Peru, Japan, Portugal and France with income while their "normal" jobs came to a complete halt. These classes have provided us and our participants a little bit of fun, creativity, and global connection during an isolated time. But mostly, these classes have given us joy, they've given us hope, and they've kept us doing what we love most: providing a platform for othes to share experiences and community. Sending thanks and love to all of you for joining us on this journey. Video by Discover PNW

Meet the sommelier — Jackson from Crunchy Red Fruit — pairing the wines with Gaia's crostini recipes for our NEW Italian Wine Tasting & Cooking class on July 23. Don't forget: sign up by THIS FRIDAY 7/3 to ensure the wines get to you by the class date! Less than 10 spots left — save yours here: https://bit.ly/3gkeyG6

Deep in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains, is where we usually get our Lomo Saltado class from Chef Nacho. As an introduction to Peruvian cuisine, our first night in the country we meet for a private cooking class where Chef Nacho teaches us to make a three course Peruvian meal that has us absolutely drooling by the end. Lomo Saltado is a traditional and popular Peruvian dish that is basically stir-fried beef and veggies paired with potatoes (another Peruvian classic!) and rice — and is a favorite of even picky kids and adults! Bring an international element into your Friday night dinner this week and join us and Chef Nacho tomorrow at 5pm PST to learn how to make this delicious dish you won’t want to miss! All our classes are PAY WHAT YOU CAN and 50% (less processing) will go straight to our chefs! Thank you for joining us and for doing what you can to help those in the struggling hospitality and tourism industries around the world — your contributions are making a real difference. Tell a friend and sign up for tomorrow’s class with the link in our bio!

Meet Chef Brisa from Lima

Join us for a unique Ceviche and Mindfulness cooking class with Chef Brisa from Lima TOMORROW, Thursday 4/9 at 3PM PST. If you’ve been feeling a little out of sorts (haven’t we all!) this class is a great way to bring you into the moment. Brisa is a both a trained chef and mindfulness instructor and she’ll be teaching us a few mindfulness practices for cooking and eating while we make a mushroom ceviche (or seafood, if you’d rather). Join us tomorrow and Sign up here: https://bit.ly/2XnpMUa

We may not be heading to Gloria's Florentine apartment overlooking the Duomo for these Italian appetizers this time, but that doesn't mean they will be any less delicious! Join Gloria tomorrow at 10am PST to learn how to make her stuffed tomatoes with hardboiled eggs and an onion frittata (that's Tuesday, March 24 for any of you who—like us— have already lost track of time for the week). Gloria has taught cooking classes for years, so she'll be sure to give you all of her tips and tricks for making authentic Italian cuisine! Check the ingredients list & sign up here: https://bit.ly/33HTTa7 (and don't forget to invite your friends!)

Pizza Making with Marika

Join us at 11 am PST to make some tasty homemade pizza with our friends in Positano!

FRIENDS, We've got a BIG Announcement for you. Amidst a fast-spreading pandemic, necessary social distancing, and hurting travel & hospitality industries, we asked ourselves, “How do we meet our goals of building community, connecting people with shared experiences, and supporting the small businesses we work with around the world? The answer: If you can’t travel the world, we’ll bring the world to you through LIVE interactive cooking classes with our favorite chefs, home cooks, and friends across the globe. We want this to be an accessible option for everybody, so we've made it "Pay What You Can." We hope these few hours will bring you happiness, hope, and connection with our friends both near and far. JOIN US—Make some pasta, make some new friends, and let us make your nights in a little more fun. Check out the link below for more about our cooking classes and how you can take part: http://bit.ly/2WrFGMX

Making pasta is definitely an art. It takes years for someone to be able to feel the dough and to know that because it just rained, they should add a little more flour and wait for it to rest for 15 minutes longer than usual to have it still come out perfectly. Tajarin, thin noodle cut finely from a thick, rich dough, is a Piedmont specialty. It's most commonly paired with a ragu (meat sauce) and topped with a fine dusting of parmigiano-reggiano (the real stuff! Not from a can!). Luckily, I had the chance to try my hand at making tajarin during my research trip to Piedmont last week. And I think it turned out pretty well! Have you made pasta before? Easier or harder than you thought ?

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Our Story

During a quest for how to best share amazing travel experiences I became a trusted travel adviser, leading exclusive small group tours and building custom itineraries for private travelers. You can rest assured when you journey with The Table Less Traveled we've been there and tried it before we recommend it. We maximize your vacation by getting you insider access to the best of the best.

03/06/2024

22/05/2024

14/05/2024

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04/03/2024

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29/11/2023

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11/05/2023

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Guinea Pigs in Peru

Pastel de Nata with Chef Ana

What happened when we went from travel company to international cooking class hosts | The Table Less Traveled

Meet Chef Brisa from Lima

Pizza Making with Marika

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