French poet Charles Baudelaire liked to walk by Honfleur harbour in France. What he saw there inspired him. He noted in his diary: "Those large and beautiful ships, invisibly balanced on tranquil waters, those hardy ships that look dreamy and idle, don't they seem to whisper to us in silent tongues: 'When shall we set sail for happiness?' ''
Today, if travels are to be a way to act out our dreams, my advice is that you get off the beaten track. Put away the guide books and do away with tour guides. Enter the world of bespoke travel, tailored to your interests, not for the masses.
Travelling has become more of a spectator's sport than an exciting voyage of discovery. Tourists are stripped of experiences and presented with an orgy of landmarks: a Gothic cathedral, a Renaissance painting, a post-modern bridge, a glimpse of a sunset and a dinner at a busy restaurant, all in one day.
I am passionate about cooking and I make my travels meaningful with it: not as a spectator, but by immersing myself in food experiences and connecting with people who open new culinary landscapes for me.
This is bespoke travel. It changes travel from ticking boxes to life-enhancing opportunities.
On a recent trip, I wanted to experience Italian food. It's not just about what you eat at restaurants, it's a culture with rich culinary traditions rooted in local people and their territory.
