The #1 Thing You Should Do First When Arriving in Europe

You’ve just landed after a long flight across the Atlantic. You’re slightly disoriented, your internal clock thinks it’s 3:00 AM, and you’re standing on a historic street in Europe holding your phone with a spotty data signal. What’s your first move?

If you ask ChatGPT, it will tell you to drop your bags and head straight for the main cathedral or stand in a two-hour line for a massive museum.

But if you ask us—and if you’ve planned a trip with our team, you know this is practically our religion—there is only one way to start your trip: book a guided food tour on your very first afternoon (or the very next morning).

It might sound counterintuitive to spend your first few waking hours in a new country hopping between bakeries, wine cellars, and side-street markets. But over 40 years of sending travelers across Europe, we’ve found it is, hands-down, the single best life hack for setting up an incredible trip. We get so much excellent feedback on this strategy from our travelers that we will always incorporate it into an itinerary whenever possible!

Here is exactly why we insist on putting it on Day One of your itinerary.

1. It’s the Ultimate "Lay of the Land" Orientor

When you arrive in a historical European city center—whether it’s the labyrinthine alleyways of Seville, the winding trastevere of Rome, or the layered hills of Lisbon—maps can only take you so far. A food tour gets you on your feet immediately, walking through core neighborhoods with purpose.

Instead of wandering aimlessly while trying to keep your eyes open, you're navigating real streets, spotting landmarks, and learning how the city flows. By the time the tour ends, you’ll know where the river is in relation to your hotel, how the local square connects to the main thoroughfare, and which neighborhood feels like the right spot for a late-night stroll later in the week.

2. You Get to Pick the Brain of a Passionate Local

Guidebooks, social media posts and online review apps are great, but they all suffer from the same problem: everyone else is reading them, too. Food tour guides aren’t just people handing out snacks—they are local residents who genuinely love their city — and want you to love it too.

This is your golden opportunity to ask all the burning questions you can’t Google:

• "Where do you personally go when you want a quiet lunch away from tourist traps?"

• "Is it customary to tip here, or does that mark us as clueless outsiders?"

• "What’s the best way to get across town during evening rush hour?"

A great guide will happily unlock the city for you, pointing out hidden courtyards, giving you the real scoop on local customs, and saving you from overpriced tourist traps for the rest of your stay. All of the guides we work with are top notch and aim to please!

3. You Test-Drive Foods You'll Want to Order Again Later

Looking at a menu in a foreign language—or even an English translation that doesn't quite make sense—can be intimidating. A Day One food tour serves as a low-stakes tasting flight for the local culinary landscape.

You’ll sample small bites of dishes you might never have risked ordering on your own. Maybe you fall in love with salted cod croquettes in Madrid, discover that you actually adore chicory salad in Venice, or learn the subtle difference between regional cheeses in Lyon. Once you know what you like (and how to pronounce it!), you can order with total confidence at restaurants for the rest of your trip.

4. It Cures Jet Lag Better Than a Nap Ever Could

The classic travel mistake? Checking into your hotel room at 2:00 PM, laying down "just for 20 minutes," and waking up at 11:00 PM wondering what year it is. Trust us on this!

A food tour forces you outside into natural sunlight, keeps your mind engaged, gets your blood flowing with light walking, and keeps your blood sugar steady with delicious bites every 15 to 20 minutes. It is the most enjoyable jet-lag cure on the planet. By the time 9:00 PM rolls around, you’ll be ready for a solid night's sleep that resets your internal clock completely.

💡 Pro Tips & Tricks for Your Day-One Food Tour

• Schedule for mid-afternoon (around 3:00 or 4:00 PM): This gives you a comfortable cushion for flight delays or early hotel check-ins, while filling that awkward daylight gap before dinner.

• Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes: You’ll likely log 2 to 3 miles over cobblestones. Leave the fancy footwear in your suitcase for day two.

• Pace yourself and go light on lunch: The portions on a good food tour add up fast. Take small bites, stay hydrated, and don't feel obligated to clean every single plate.

• Drop map pins as you go: Don't rely on memory while jet-lagged! Keep your phone out and save a quick pin on your map app every time you hit a bakery or wine bar you want to revisit.

• Communicate dietary restrictions in advance: Always let us know about allergies or preferences before you arrive so the guide can prepare seamless alternatives.

Ready for Your Next European Adventure?

When we build custom itineraries for our travelers, we don't just book flights and hotels—we craft experiences that help you feel like an insider from the moment your feet hit the ground.

Have a trip to Europe on your radar? Reach out to our team at Vacations To Remember today, and let’s start designing your perfect itinerary (starting with Day One deliciousness). Let’s go!