Great grub makes for a great holiday, so head to one of these gastronomic destinations

<p>What makes a great holiday for you? Are you a city-break kind of person, or is an all-inclusive resort more your bag?</p><p>If local cuisine is a big factor when deciding where to go, then your options are endless. New York, Paris, Rome and Venice are all foodie-lovers' paradises, and all have their merits. But there are literally hundreds of other foodie retreats out there beyond a croissant in Montmartre or a bagel in Manhattan. </p><p>With that in mind, this is our gastronomically-led round-up of summer holiday destinations. Passports at the ready...</p><h2>Amalfi Coast, Italy</h2><p>You'll probably know that Naples is the birthplace of <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/fiorentina-pizza" target="_blank">pizza</a>, which makes it an obvious place for a foodie's summer holiday.</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vicolidinapolipizzeria" target="_blank">L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele</a> (which makes an appearance in book-turned-movie <em>Eat Pray Love</em>) is worth a nosy for what might be the best Margherita of your life. Having said that, you'll be hard-pressed to find a bad pizza &ndash; or bowl of pasta, for that matter &ndash; along the picture-perfect Amalfi Coast. Positano, Capri and Ravello are particularly stunning &ndash; if you visit during the scorching summer months, make sure to stay hydrated with a citrussy <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/minted-pineapple-and-mango-granita" target="_blank">granita</a> or two. Whatever you do, don't leave without trying a good scoop of local gelato (Pasticceria Savoia is an Amalfi favourite).</p><p>If sea-swimming, sun, good carbs and <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/easiest-ever-ice-cream" target="_blank">ice cream</a> are what you're after, this is the vacation to book now.</p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="italy-silvia-trigo-770046-unsplash__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/italy-silvia-trigo-770046-unsplash_GL?scl=1"></h2><h2>Stockholm, Sweden</h2><p>There is more to <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/scandinavian-recipes" target="_blank">Swedish food</a> than just <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/swedish-meatballs-mash" target="_blank">meatballs and mashed potato</a> (though the meatballs are darn good).</p><p>Food in Stockholm is not inexpensive, but the quality is hard to beat. Get into the 'Fika' spirit and spend a leisurely hour or so tucking into a warm cardamom or <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/princess-leia-cinnamon-buns" target="_blank">cinnamon buns</a> and coffee. Gamla Stan (the city's pretty Old Town) is heaving with cosy cafés, like <a href="http://www.chokladkoppen.se/english/" target="_blank">Chokladkoppen</a>. If you're big on breakfast, you'll appreciate the popular Swedish morning spread of dill-cured <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/whisky-smoked-salmon-and-beetroot-recipe" target="_blank">salmon</a>, rye and caraway bread and soft cheese. Health-conscious Swedes love berries, oats, nuts and seeds, and these things will likely appear at your breakfast buffet, too.</p><p>This is one exceptionally clean city &ndash; so immaculate, in fact, that you'll often spot keen anglers fishing in the waters of downtown Stockholm (we can't see <em>that</em> happening in London, somehow). An advantage of visiting in the summer is that daylight hours are super-long, and temperatures are pleasant, at an average 23 °C (73 °F) in July. Go in August to experience a 'crayfish party' and a refreshing dip in the waters of the nearby archipelago islands.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="screen_shot_2019-01-08_at_12.19.13__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/screen_shot_2019-01-08_at_12.19?scl=1"></p><h2>los angeles, california</h2><p>There are so many fantastic foodie destinations in the USA (New York and New Orleans, to name a couple) - but for a summer holiday, it doesn't get much better than California.</p><p>Los Angeles has sparked more food trends than we can keep track of, and it's hard not to be drawn in by the healthy <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/smoothie-bowl" target="_blank">smoothie bowls</a>, juices and Boba (that's bubble tea, to you and me) on offer.</p><p>The restaurant scene is extremely diverse, with Korean, Mexican, Japanese, Italian restaurants proving as popular as Cali-style eateries. Want Korean barbecue? Head to K-town (Koreatown). Want good old fashioned, fried seafood? Visit legendary Malibu landmark <a href="https://neptunesnet.com/" target="_blank">Neptune's Net</a> for a shrimp basket. Craving tacos? Boy, are you in luck, as you'll find them basically everywhere in LA.</p><p>If you have a car, drive an hour and a half up the coast to the Spanish colonial city of Santa Barbara. Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, it is much smaller and prettier than LA. It also benefits from better beaches, a fresher climate and a fantastic food scene. One last note: check out Santa Monica's famous Farmer's Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is where the city's top chefs go to get their ingredients (you may recognise it from the film <em>Chef</em>).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="la-2-revolt-562438-unsplash__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/la-2-revolt-562438-unsplash__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>San Sebastian, Basque Country</h2><p>San Sebastian is broadly considered one of the culinary capitals of the world, since it's home to so many Michelin star restaurants.</p><p>Forget about <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/Mediterranean-picnic-ideas" target="_blank">tapas</a>, in the Basque Country it's all about pintxos &ndash; small bites (usually presented on skewers or toothpicks), generally enjoyed alongside a glass of wine and in the company of family or friends. Head to the Old Town for a pintxo-fuelled bar crawl, before sitting down for something more substantial.</p><p>It's not surprising considering its scenic setting along the Bay of Biscay, but San Sebastián has access to seriously fresh seafood (the local speciality is cod fried in olive oil). If you're a sucker for a good fresh food market, head to La Brexta or San Martín, where incredible cheeses, wines, pulses, fruit and vegetables are abundant. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="san-sebastian-adam-freeman-685517-unsplash__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/san-sebastian-adam-freeman-685517-unsplash__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Tokyo, japan</h2><p>Known for its hustle and bustle, Tokyo is a must-visit if you want to experience some of the best food in the world, from tasty <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/masterclass-tempura-prawns" target="_blank">tempura</a> to colourful <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/tuna-sushi-rolls" target="_blank">sushi</a> and moreish <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/miso-chicken-ramen" target="_blank">ramen</a>.</p><p>It trumps San Sebastian (and even Paris) with a whopping 226 Michelin-starred restaurants, and is unrivalled when it comes to quality of ingredients. Don't be put off by the city's perceived high prices &ndash; you can have an excellent dinner for around a tenner per head (prices aren't dissimilar to London's).</p><p>If you happen to hit your sushi limit, don't forget that Tokyo has nailed everything from pizza to great burgers and even Parisian fare, too (there's a whole French quarter!). Visit newly relocated Tsukiji fish market to ogle huge tuna steaks, and keep your eyes peeled for the more intimate eateries located in odd places, like apartment buildings. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="tokyo-ivan-davydenko-585628-unsplash-2__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/tokyo-ivan-davydenko-585628-unsplash-2__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Buenos Aires, Argentina</h2><p>A frugal foodie's paradise, Buenos Aires should be firmly on your radar if you like nothing better than a juicy grass-fed beef steak and a glass of good wine.</p><p>You'll also stumble across <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/empanadas-asda-mexican-food-blog" target="_blank">empanadas</a> a-plenty, high-crust pizzas and a lot of <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/dessert-sauces-toppings-mixes/merchant-gourmet-dulce-de-leche-caramel-sauce/910001184024" target="_blank">dulche de leche</a> - an indulgent milk-based caramel. The city has a huge number of well-regarded cafés, serving locally-sourced coffee and homemade food &ndash; but let's be honest, it's the meat that Buenos Aires is best known for. Where to start? Wine-bottle-lined <a href="http://www.parrilladonjulio.com/" target="_blank">Don Julio</a>, perhaps, for sizzling steaks, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pizzeriaguerrin/" target="_blank">Güerrín</a> for Argentine-style cheesy pizza. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="buenos-aires-henrique-felix-113545-unsplash__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/buenos-aires-henrique-felix-113545-unsplash__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Lyme Regis, West Dorset</h2><p>You don't need to go abroad to have a wonderful holiday. Yes, British weather is unpredictable &ndash; but when the sun's shining, what could be better than throwing a suitcase in the back of the car and heading for the coast?</p><p>From Norfolk to Cornwall and Scotland, the UK is home to some truly superb beaches. But for that old-school British holiday vibe, it doesn't get much better than Lyme Regis, the so-called 'Pearl of Dorset'.</p><p>Fish is definitely on the menu: there are stacks of chippies lining the coast, but for seafood with a view, head to <a href="https://www.hixrestaurants.co.uk/restaurant/hix-oyster-fish-house/" target="_blank">HIX Oyster & Fish House</a>. You won't have to look hard to find great ice cream, either &ndash; local favourite <a href="https://www.frankandbeansgelato.com/" target="_blank">Frank & Beans</a> offers Italian-style gelato with a British twist (flavours include Eton Mess, Apple Crumble and Elderflower). <a href="https://www.rivercottage.net" target="_blank">River Cottage</a> fans will be interested to know that the company headquarters are only a few miles away (about a ten minute drive) in nearby Axminster, offering cookery courses and various food-oriented events. Sign us up!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="george-hiles-361985-unsplash__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/george-hiles-361985-unsplash__square_GL?scl=1"></p><p><em>Any of these destinations take your fancy? For everything you need to take away with you on your summer holiday, shop at Asda <a href="https://www.asda.com" target="_blank">online</a>, or pop into your <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">local store</a>.</em></p>

Dreaming of your summer holiday already? These are our top picks for foodies

By ASDA Admin,15th January 2019

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