Australian-owned Walkabout runs 26 food-focused walking tours in Europe between April and October each year, plus four further itineraries in Victoria and Tasmania during summer. 

Designed for travellers who want to experience life as a local, the packages allow guests to explore character-filled hamlets and enjoy the local cuisine. Run by Provence-based Gabriela Clarke, a cordon bleu chef and outdoor enthusiast, and her husband Graeme, originally from Victoria, Walkabout’s signature 15-day Follow the Gourmet Trail from Turin to Florence is one of the most popular itineraries. 

This year’s tours are sold out, but bookings are now being taken for May 21 and September 9 departures in 2013; from $6,875. Read full article