Whether you’re an obsessive baker who loves to travel or an avid traveler who loves to bake, there are countless ways to incorporate baking (and eating plenty of baked goods) into your trips.
I love to travel, and although seeking out pastry shops wherever I go is simply part of my routine, I sometimes make baking the entire purpose of the trip. Over the years, I’ve attended several baking retreats where the itinerary revolves around the local baking scene—visiting bakeries, taking baking classes, shopping for specialty ingredients and tools, and immersing yourself in the food culture of the destination. I’ll be sharing my experience attending these retreats in a dedicated blog post in a few weeks.
When I’m not joining an organized retreat, I love planning my own baking-focused adventures. The first thing I do before visiting a new destination is research everything the city has to offer. I make lists of bakeries, baking supply stores, cooking schools, and places offering classes, then organize them in Google Maps and Google Calendar using different icons for each category. I also save restaurants, cafés, museums, bookstores, and any other places that catch my eye. My maps can look a little chaotic until you zoom in, but having everything organized makes exploring so much easier.
Local guides are another fantastic resource. Publications like Time Out and Eater often publish city-specific recommendations for the best bakeries, pizza, ice cream, coffee shops, and other local favorites, making them a great starting point for planning.
Part of my research also happens on Instagram. Before every trip, I follow bakeries and food businesses in the area and search for local hashtags. Once you start following a few accounts, the algorithm usually introduces you to even more hidden gems you might never have found otherwise.
Whenever possible, I also book a food tour early in the planning process. Food tours are one of the best ways to get an introduction to a city’s culinary scene, and local guides always seem to know the places you would never discover on your own. In many destinations, you can even find tours dedicated specifically to bakeries, pastries, desserts, or chocolate, making them perfect for baking enthusiasts.
My final piece of advice applies to every trip, whether baking is the focus or not: leave room in your luggage. Better yet, bring an empty suitcase if you can. You never know when you’ll stumble across the perfect cake stand, vintage baking mold, rolling pin, or specialty ingredient you can’t find at home. If you’re visiting a place you may never return to, it can easily become a now-or-never decision. I’ve regretted leaving treasures behind on past trips, so these days I always make sure I have space to bring a little piece of the journey home.
