What you may have seen on Food Network or in the movie Sideways won't compare with the reality of what you will find on your special culinary getaway - guided culinary shopping, cooking class, farmers' market foray, an eclectic blend of agritourism venues and specialty purveyors who invite you to sample their products. On your second day you will meet producers, learn how to shop for top quality ingredients, and how to use them to create delicious home-cooked meals. Your day begins early with a tour of the Santa Barbara Farmers Market, and then you will roll up your sleeves and cook alongside the chef (Food & Wine Editor for Food & Home Magazine) as you learn new techniques that will empower you to recreate these wonderful dishes at home. After an exhilarating day, you will sit down with a small group (your new foodie friends) to enjoy a five-course, gourmet meal that you helped prepare. Enjoy a wonderful Bellini brunch, and then spend a leisurely Sunday brunch with jazz music and great food. You will want to be sure and scout out places to investigate during your return visit to this magical destination.
Small Group Friendly
ItineraryAccommodationsMapFAQTestimonials
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•2 Nights Deluxe Accommodations
•Market Tour and Cooking Class
•Gourmet Feast After Class
•Fine Dining at Bouchon
•Bellini Brunch at El Encanto
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs,
and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should
speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is
appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Year-Round Based on Your Schedule. However, due to the Sunday brunch and the Saturday cooking class and market tour, this getaway is best suited to weekends.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
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Arrival and Check-In
Welcome to Santa Barbara! With your hotel located just five blocks from the beach, you can explore the rich diversity of shops, galleries, theaters, nightclubs, and cafes that line State Street for blocks in either direction. Within walking distance of the hotel are the Mission Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo Mall, Stearns Wharf, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
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Multi-Course Dining Experience at Bouchon
Savor the experience as you taste only the freshest, high quality local ingredients at Bouchon Santa Barbara Kitchen. Working closely with local produce growers, fishermen and game ranchers, they have created a menu that captures the essence of California's Central Coast. Bouchon Santa Barbara is dedicated to providing an authentic, regional wine dining experience, carefully choosing menu selections whose ingredients, textures and flavors marry well with the incredible wines coming out of California's wine regions.
Day 2
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Market Tour, Hands-On Cooking Class, and Gourmet Feast
Eat like a locavore on a guided culinary tour of Santa Barbara with a real Food & Wine Editor! Meet the fishermen, get introduced to the best growers at the farmers market, and learn to discern the finest regional produce. After selecting the ingredients, you will learn "hands-on" how to prepare dishes you can easily make at home during your 3-hour cooking class back at the studio kitchen. At the conclusion of your cooking class, you will join others in your small group to enjoy a gourmet meal paired with premium wines that captures the essence of California's cuisine.
Day 3
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Bossa Nova Brunch with a View
While away your Sunday to the sounds of samba and light jazz, herbaceous cocktails and artisinal desserts. The savory flavors of Latin America and captivating views complete this sensory experience. Bottomless Passion Fruit Caipirinha, Santa Barbara Bloody Mary, or Riviera Mimosas are included.
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Check-Out and Departure
Time flies when you’re having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious, “Edible Destination.” Should you desire an extended stay, please let your culinary travel specialist know prior to check-in. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!
Hotel Santa Barbara
Begin your getaway by checking into the charming Hotel Santa Barbara that is conveniently located off of State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, offering visitors a Mediterranean-style retreat. Located just five blocks from the beach, Santa Barbara visitors can explore the rich diversity of shops, galleries, theaters, nightclubs, and cafes that line State Street for blocks in either direction. Within walking distance of the hotel are the Mission Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo Mall, Stearns Wharf, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Santa Barbara, California
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Currency is being quoted?
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
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What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
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What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
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Do you recommend Travel Protection?
We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and
your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include
coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency
Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information
on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex
Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries
and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including
limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA
Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire
Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company),
1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N
“
I have used Epitourean 3 times so far and each trip has been a delight. A chance to experience local culture, food, and wine in a small group format with a lot of attention paid to all the details that make a trip memorable. I have been to the trip in Puebla, for the Day of the Dead festivities in 2021, Piedmont for the alba truffle hunt in 2022 , and most recently to Santa Barbara in 2023. I always leave full not only with food and wine, but great memories, and new friends. I plan to travel with them again as soon as I can.
Mani - March 2023
“
The cooking class with Chef Laurence was fantastic. Beth and I were the only students. So, it was very intimate in her home kitchen for just the three of us shopping, prepping, cooking and telling stories. She’s a remarkable woman whose warm and French charm made you feel like a longtime friend immediately upon meeting this beautiful woman. We worked our butts off but the five courses were amazing. She gave us the prep sheet and written instructions on everything we cooked. She taught us proper knife skills, how to properly fold in egg whites into the cake batter and many, many other pearls for the kitchen. On a five-star rating system, there just aren’t enough stars to do her justice.
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