A 2-week food tour across Europe

For some, it's the city of light, while for others, it's the city of love. Those who appreciate food, however, will each have their own special idea of what makes Paris stand out to them. 

Casual brasseries and bistros stand just around the corner from some of the finest (and most expensive) restaurants in the world. Cafés, bakeries, and chocolatiers line the streets. Parisians live their lives out and about, so when you arrive in Paris, follow their lead and try as many different specialties as you can. 

• Start each day with a different pastry from local bakeries. Parisian bakeries can be found all over the city and feature endless variations of baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolat, éclairs, and much more.
• With superb cuisine across the city, choosing what to eat for lunch and dinner can feel virtually impossible. To help narrow your choices down, opt for national favourites such as hachis parmentier, croque monsieur, macarons and beyond. 
• Eager to try a full Parisian restaurant experience? Many establishments offer a prix-fixe or "fixed-price" menu option that lets you keep within your budget while still dining out. 

San Sebastián, also known as Donostia, is a culinary superstar situated on Spain's northern coast. With Michelin-Starred restaurants and a dazzling variety of local specialties across the city, a phenomenal meal is never far away.

• When you walk into a buzzing bar in Donostia-San Sebastián, you'll likely see a sea of toothpicks holding together an artful array of ingredients balanced atop small slices of bread. Each one of these pintxos will take you on a flavourful journey that represents the best of the region's cuisine. 
• Check out a Baque cider house in the hills outside of the city, where cider and food flow liberally throughout the evenings. Txuleta, a bone-in steak, is a cider house favourite.
• Still hungry? Join a cooking class for hands-on instructions on  the art of Basque cuisine.

Welcome to Barcelona, where the quality and abundance of food options are second to none. Avoid the crowds as much as possible and opt for dining among locals and travellers alike on the city's mellower streets.

• On a fair-weathered evening, dine outdoors on Barcelona's wide squares, such as Plaça Reial, and watch the world go by. 
• From a starter of calamares (fried squid) to a seafood fideuà (similar to paella but with small noodles instead of rice), it's very hard to go wrong with Barcelona's impressive array of seafood. 

• If you're trying to stick to a budget, opt for tapas bars and markets. Head to La Boquería Market for a dizzying variety of simple and tasty local foods. 

Arguably one of the most food-focused cities in all of France, Lyon is particularly famous for its bouchons, small, lively restaurants that serve hearty dishes. Many famous chefs have come from Lyon, and once you dine there, it's not hard to see why.

• Don't miss the chance to dine at a bouchon, a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant. 
• Quenelle, a Lyonnaise fish or meat dumpling swimming in creamy sauce, is a classic dish to try in France's food capital. Vegetarians may opt for a salade lyonnaise (minus the bacon) to get a taste of the richness of cuisine from this city. 
• Check out the Les Halles de Lyon market, where you'll find a wide array of food vendors offering only the freshest ingredients. 

Despite this region being home to some of Italy's fastest automobile producers, such as Lamborghini and Ferrari, you'll want to take it nice and slow when it comes to appreciating Emilia-Romagna's never-ending culinary variety.

• Emilia-Romagna is especially well-known for specialties such as Bologna's tagliatelle al ragù and mortadella, Parma's Parmesan cheese and prosciutto, and Modena's tortellini and balsamic vinegar.
• Emilia-Romagna's products use unique recipes and techniques that date back centuries. Artisan producers throughout the region often offer tours of their facilities, giving visitors a unique opportunity to really connect with the history behind each food. It's a great way to support small, local producers while gaining insight into their processes.

Your journey culminates in Rome, one of the most famous food destinations in the world. Here, you can find plenty of cuisine from around Italy, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do and try local specialties.

• Start the day off right with a maritozzo for breakfast. These sweet bread rolls with fresh whipped cream make for a delicious beginning to a day spent in Rome.
• Pasta carbonara, prepared with a cheesy, egg-based sauce and pan-fried guanciale (cured pork cheek), is a classic dish to try in Rome. Prefer to skip the meat? Cacio e pepe, made with pecorino romano cheese and black pepper, is an equally delicious alternative.
• Craving pizza? Avoid restaurants in the tourist centre and instead opt for pizzerias on side streets in Rome's quieter neighbourhoods.