This study identified elements leading to memorable food, drink, or culinary experiences while traveling. More than 1,000 respondents in four countries described their most memorable food or drink travel experience. Qualitative analysis found five general elements leading to memorable food travel experiences: food or drink consumed, location/setting, companions, the occasion, and touristic elements (e.g., novelty, authenticity). While these elements were frequently mentioned together, a single element (e.g., extraordinary view or entrée) was sufficient to create a memorable experience. The broad array of memorable experiences ranged from gourmet to simple, intentional to serendipitous. While local or authentic foods were often mentioned, many experiences included foods that were not local. In general, elements leading to memorable culinary tourism experiences were more specific than those for memorable tourism experiences, and a memorable destination was not required for a memorable food/drink experience. Tourism providers can use these elements to better create their destination’s culinary story.

Empirical evidence about the educational outcomes of travel is scattered across many fields of study. This paper reviews the literature on the educational benefits of travel, beginning with the literature on study abroad. Learning outcomes have been found from the travel portion of the study experience, and some research has found that out-of-class experiences were the most impactful portion of study abroad. Personal growth, increase in life skills, and knowledge also result from independent international travel, as well as “objectiveless” travel. A few studies have focused on adults and seniors, but the research primarily has focused on young adults and college students. After a review of the literature, numerous suggestions for future study are provided, including a focus on the educational outcomes of domestic travel, youth travel, and determining which travel experiences result in the most learning benefits.

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Tourism researchers have identified many factors leading to memorable food tourism (culinary tourism) experiences. This research proposes reasons why food experiences while traveling are especially memorable and proposes avenues for future research on food and memory. The act of travel in addition to the act of eating/drinking and individual attitudes and emotions likely work together to create memories. Travelers agreed with many reasons why food travel experiences are connected with memory. These include sensory connections, emotional connections, social and interpersonal connections, novelty and experimental connections, focus and attention, and reflective connections. These connections may also relate to pretrip expectations. Travelers who identified themselves as motivated to travel for food and drink felt more strongly than other travelers about the reasons that food and drink travel experiences were connected with memory. Suggestions are included for researchers to advance understanding of memorable food tourism experiences.

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