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Yugen Earthside connects mindful travelers to sustainable trips around the world. Carbon removals included with each booking!

Connecting mindful travelers to responsible experiences around the world.

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

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If food is a focal point of your travels, then you'll love our sustainable gastronomy tours. Learn how food is connected to land & communities!

Sustainable Food & Gastronomy Tours | Yugen Earthside

Discover self-guided, privately-guided, & small group tours around the world. Our sustainable adventures are customizable, and include carbon removals with each booking!

Trips | Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Adventures

Immerse yourself in South African gastronomy as you travel slowly to discover its food and culture on this tasty tour. Carbon removals included!

 [9 days] Sustainable South African Gastronomy Tour | Yugen Earthside

Immerse yourself in South African gastronomy as you discover its food, culture, and how the two are intricately connected on this tasty tour.

This slow travel, sustainable tour invites you to the table for a festival of flavors dipped in the rich cultural heritage of South Africa. We move at a leisurely pace and travel short distances, taking the time to walk and thoroughly enjoy each experience without being rushed.

A melting pot of many different cultures, South Africa's cuisine has stories begging to be heard! Come listen as you learn how to make some of our most popular dishes under the guidance of friendly locals. We will have you rolling your sleeves up, mixing spices, whisking away creams, trying delicious samples, and pairing wine with cheeses, desserts, and chocolates!

The 9-day gastronomy tour is designed for mindful foodies who want to indulge in great food and are curious to understand its history and origins.

Participate in cooking classes while learning unique histories of traditional dishes

Sample great wines and pair them with cheese, chocolates, & "biltong", a local dried meat

Meet welcoming foodies & chefs as you indulge in South Africa’s favorite delicacies

Experience South African culture by sharing stories and homemade meals with locals

Forage indigenous food in the unspoiled spaces of the West Coast

Enjoy the tranquillity of the Winelands and try seasonal produce

We have put the perfect sustainable gastronomy tour together that combines good food, wine, and great stories from the rich cultures of the Rainbow Nation. This culinary journey will take you from the buzzing city to the lazy coastline, ending on a high in the Cape Winelands. Enjoy home-cooked favorites, sit around the fire with food that makes you feel good, and feel satisfied with the harvest of South Africa's award-winning farms.

While you eat, listen to the fascinating stories of where the food originated. We will take you to visit the homes of locals, authentic markets, traditional restaurants, and typical farms in different locations in and around Cape Town.

You will be spoiled for choice, and you might just be adding to your waistline...Sorry in advance!

The small group, guided tour starts on a Friday and is available several times throughout the year - generally once per season so you can experience the in-season cuisine.

Should you request this itinerary as a Self-Guided version and start on a day other than a Friday, the sequence of the tour will be altered.

South Africa enjoys mild winters and long summers, making it a popular year-round destination. Remember: in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are flipped!

December to March: Summer is the best time for all those seeking the sun and beach days. Harvest time in the wine industry is between February - March. The weather is typically warm and dry. Temperatures average from 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 30°C). It's the peak tourist season, with plenty of sunshine and little rainfall, so popular attractions and wineries can get crowded. 

April to September: This is considered the best time to visit with cooler weather. From March to May, autumn extends, with mild weather and temperatures ranging from 61°F to 77°F (16°C to 25°C). From June to August, when winter sets in, the weather becomes cool and wet, so the country is less crowded with tourists. 

Regardless of when you visit, our food will be created from in-season produce.

Cooking class, olive tasting, food & wine tasting, indigenous food experience

Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do. Our focus is on local culture, the people, the environment and making a positive impact. We believe a collective consciousness is necessary for the traveler, locals, and environment to grow.

Therefore, we intentionally collaborate with those who want to be part of rebuilding an inclusive, more sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders in the tourism industry. All our tours/trips are a combination of celebrating all cultures, connecting travelers to local community experiences and bringing awareness about conservation. Travelers will enjoy the heart of the country through colorful and collaborative journeys that positively impact and empower.

Conscious of our impact on people and planet, we provide travelers with a Pre-Trip Guide to familiarize themselves with the culture, customs, traditions and how to minimize their carbon footprint on the destination.

Environmental Initiatives
South Africa has a conservation culture and from the start, we encourage our guests to join us in our efforts to ensure the preservation of water, save energy, and respect our natural environment. We share tips in our PreTrip Guide which we send guests before departure. Together with our partners, we are committed to running responsible tourism businesses. We carefully select our suppliers to provide locally sourced products. Our accommodation partners on this tour and all our tours are conscious of our impact on the environment. We have incorporated walking tours to minimize our carbon footprint. Sustainability initiatives include solar power and reduced water usage. At our wine estate, we use glass water bottles, compostable cardboard takeaway containers, and biodegradable straws. On-site, there's a recycling sorting plant for glass, cardboard, and paper, and we create compost for the gardens.

Economic Initiatives
We have co-designed this food tour to tell the stories of the local people, many of whom have been marginalized. This tour brings dignity and respect to ordinary people, including the indigenous community who have been overlooked. We have created a platform for wonderful food and life stories to be told in an authentic way. We focus on food entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Cape Town area which will give an economic boost to their communities. We have partnered with a wine farm foundation that offers learning experiences to disadvantaged and abused women, who have no source of income. These women receive training to produce and maintain their own vegetable crops. The vegetable gardens not only provide a sustainable primary source of nourishment for themselves and their dependents but also form a meeting point where women with similar and different life experiences can connect and share with one another and learn entrepreneurial skills to help them live self-sufficient lives. 

Sociocultural Initiatives
We are committed to promoting the cultural stories with the good food of the region. We use in-season products from local suppliers. From the finest food to homemade dishes, participants will get an all-round taste of South African cuisine. We are staying primarily at guest houses that help us in our sustainability journey as they are committed to changing the lives of their local communities. 

All health and safety guidance will be given to guests on guided tours. The Pre-Trip Guide also gives tips on how to travel safely. Travelers do not need to be vaccinated for South Africa.

South Africa is considered a meat-consuming country, but it has a variety of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and most eateries cater to all. Participants need to share their dietary requirements prior to arrival. Meals are provided from in-season produce, and alternative meals will only be replaced when notified ahead of time.

Slow travel through the coastal gem of Izmir in western Türkiye on this food and wine tour where you will experiment with, learn about, & taste local cuisine.

[8 days] Slow Travel Food & Wine Tour in Western Türkiye | Yugen Earthside

Slow travel through the coastal gem of Izmir in western Türkiye on this food and wine tour where you will experiment with, learn about, and taste local cuisine.

Eat your way through the province of ancient Smyrna in western Türkiye, stay in charming hotels, and visit the world’s most impressive ancient sites in between bites!

This trip is designed for foodies who are interested in cultural experiences and love a relaxed and slow approach to travel. You won’t encounter long drives, big tourist attractions, and rushing from one place to another on this leisure adventure. Instead, you will taste organic wines and olive oil, partake in cooking classes, and learn about Turkish cuisine and ancient history. If you enjoy comfortable and charming accommodations, visiting cozy towns, and are also into arts and music, you will love this trip.

1 olive oil tasting at an olive oil museum

2 cooking classes, one with a passionate chef and one with a food researcher

3 wine tastings, including one along the Urla Wine Route

Visit Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Witness a fish auction and visit a colorful local market

Meander the region's largest farmer's market, which includes many artisan stalls

Go to Ephesus, one of the biggest cities in ancient times

Visit Artemission, once rated as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world

Western Türkiye is famous for fertile river deltas which brought prosperity for centuries to the region and have a great impact on the food culture. Aegean cuisine in this region is best known for wild greens, seafood, vegetables, and wine. Our food and wine adventure deliberately balances rustic, traditional food, and top-of-the-line restaurants. You will experience street food, fine dining, and enjoyable cooking classes. We will visit the wineries of the Urla Wine Route and the Ephesus area, and go to colorful farmers’ markets.

This trip is not only about gastronomy and wine. We’ll also explore some of the world’s top archaeological and historic sites. These will include Smyrna, Asclepion, and the Museum of Ephesus. We’ll travel as little as 40-45 miles per day to spend more time experiencing Türkiye rather than on a bus. This form of slow travel is also better for reducing our environmental impact. We drive less and experience more.

The trip will start in Izmir, Türkiye’s 3rd largest city after Istanbul and Ankara, and sits along the Aegean coast. The Izmir province is not only a cultural and historical hotspot, but also the best area with charming and authentic accommodation choices.

It would be fair to say that this is the best food trip in Türkiye and the best value for your holiday budget!

This culinary adventure is available year-round, and depending on the time of the year, your experience will be slightly different. Guests particularly rave about this trip during the shoulder season, specifically early spring. But no matter the season there will be a diversity of wild greens, vegetables, fish, and fruits.

If your schedule allows, we encourage you to travel in the shoulder season (April-May, September-November) for several reasons. It helps reduce the environmental impact of this area, avoids over-tourism, and rewards you with more tranquil site visits. Spring and fall offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

7 nights' accommodation in luxury boutique hotels

All meals: 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners

A big container of water on the van for refills (please bring your own reusable water bottle)

Certified professional guide & their expenses

Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites

We are the only active member of ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) from Türkiye and we have signed the Travel’s Climate Action Agreement powered by ATTA. We are a signatory of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency and have published a Climate Emergency Plan.

We worked with ATTA-South Pole to calculate the carbon emissions for each of our itineraries. As a result, we modified some itineraries to reduce our carbon footprint. We're also proud to say that we're a "carbon neutral" company. We reported our 2020 emissions and will offset them at the end of 2021. We will also add 25 USD/person to our bulk carbon offset for this trip to be used in planting trees.

Our new itineraries are being designed with a "Slow Travel" perspective so that we spend at least two nights at each location and our new trips are more local. We stay in small or remote places, plan to stay more than 1 night at each location, travel in the shoulder season, and cover a small region, rather than traveling long distances. This travel format is not only safer but also helps to absorb and enjoy the experience even better.

As we encourage tourism dispersal in terms of season and areas, this trip takes place in less-traveled parts of the Aegean region of Türkiye. We pick up our guests at Izmir Airport and immediately drive out of the heavily touristic region to small villages and towns. Please take this trip during the shoulder season! 

Environmental Initiatives
We optimize our driving distances to reduce the total distance we cover. Food & Wine Adventure covers only 400 miles of driving for the entire 8 days. We offer low-carbon impact activities on this trip such as hiking, walking, street food, and wine tasting.

Most or all of our accommodations are small and serve local & organic food. Our trips embrace all diets. Turkish cuisine has great diversity and we understand that our guests have various preferences and restrictions about food. This trip is particularly great for vegetarians and vegans.

We expect our clients to bring their own water bottles and we provide refills from big containers during the day. If you forget to bring your own bottle, please purchase a small bottle of water and keep it.

Sociocultural Initiatives
We believe that the most fulfilling experiences occur spontaneously. We create the time and opportunity for such spontaneous interactions. The nature of our trips allows our guests and hosts and random locals to engage, in farmer's markets, artisan workshops, a cooking class, or at the local cafe over a cup of coffee.

Economic Initiatives
On this trip, we cover most of the Izmir province. In addition to the big city center, we'll also visit the most rural areas where tourism income is crucial - especially during the shoulder season. We understand that we have the responsibility to sustain our activities and support the local population. We choose to use the services of local accommodation providers, family-run restaurants, and women-owned businesses.


Slow Travel Food & Wine Tour in Western Türkiye

Visit all the vibrant highlights of Spain on this 11-day sustainable tour, including Madrid and Barcelona, experiencing the culture, gastronomy, and history along the way!

[11 days] Highlights of Spain: Sustainable Tour | Yugen Earthside

Start in the great city of Madrid and end your Spanish adventure in the heart of trendy Barcelona. Dive into Spain’s culture and heritage with guided city tours. and a visit to Segovian monuments as well as the Montserrat Monastery. Explore Spain's famous gastronomy through a cooking class, a traditional tapas night, and an olive oil tasting (you'll learn about wine production, too!). Immerse yourself in the nearby nature with cycling excursions and a tour of the river Tajo.

Your local hosts who will show you the best of this destination!

Oil tasting and learning about the production process

Visit the most emblematic destinations of Spain like a local! Having local people in all the activities will foster an immersive experience throughout this eclectic country. It will also ensure real, meaningful learning about some of the most important traditions and cities.  This sustainable tour combines must-see highlights of Spain like Madrid, Seville, or Barcelona with wonderful off-the-beaten-track locations and activities to bring to life authentic and unique experiences! This perfect combination of history, culture, food, and fun, makes Spain a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

Not to miss while in Spain:

Beautiful beaches: Spain boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, with crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and a warm Mediterranean climate. On this trip, you’ll enjoy a wonderful lunch by the beach!

Rich culture and history: Spain has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with many monuments, museums, and galleries showcasing its past. On this experience, you’ll get guided tours of Barcelona and a World Heritage Site.

Delicious food and wine: Spain is famous for its gastronomy, with a wide range of delicious dishes, such as paella, tapas, and seafood. The country is also home to some of the world’s best wines, including Rioja, Priorat, and Ribera del Duero. During this trip, you’ll eat tapas in a traditional taberna, take a cooking class, and learn about olive oil making, all of which will help bring the gastronomy of Spain to life!

Vibrant cities: Spain has several vibrant cities that you will see on this trip, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. These classic and well-loved cities offer a mix of history, culture, and modernity.

Spring (March to June) and fall (September to November) offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices. This is also a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking, visiting national parks, and enjoying festivals and events. If you like warm weather, the summer months (July and August) are ideal, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C in some parts of the country. However, these months can also be very crowded and expensive. To help curb over-tourism, we recommend avoiding the peak summer months if your schedule allows it. December is also a nice time to visit but it is colder in Madrid, Segovia, and Toledo and you may need to wear additional layers during the outdoor activities.

Low season: November – April

Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program

10 nights in accommodation with double room

5 lunches: Madrid, Segovia, in an olive farm, fish lunch in Barcelona, Penedés

Private transfer from Barcelona airport to the city center

Private transfer included to olive farm in Seville

Private transfer on day trip to Penedés and Montserrat

Activities mentioned in the program
Our assistance during the trip

This trip includes many activities. If you would like to forego some of the included activities, contact us and we will provide updated pricing.

We are a travel agency specializing in sustainable tourism and ecotourism in Spain. With almost ten years of experience, we offer authentic travel experiences in all regions of the country and activities of all kinds.

Environmental Initiatives
As a sustainable company, we prioritize eco-friendly practices and strive to minimize our carbon footprint. We encourage the use of public transport whenever possible and suggest avoiding single-use plastics. Our travel itineraries include low-carbon and alternative activities, such as cycling tours and eco-tours in green areas of the cities. We also carefully select small and local accommodations that recover spaces of historical and cultural interest, with a preference for those run by families. While it is difficult to find eco-friendly accommodations, we make every effort to choose places that serve local and organic food and have consciously designed interiors.

Sociocultural Initiatives
We support local businesses such as small restaurants, producers, and accommodations. Rather than working with large companies for guided tours, we rely on local guides who have firsthand knowledge of the places we visit. Our goal is to create an authentic travel experience that connects travelers with local realities and helps to create a better industry. We also support local and social projects to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared among the communities we visit.
Our travel experiences are designed to highlight the varied cultural and natural heritage of Spain. We believe in meeting the locals, so we don't work with big companies. Instead, we support small and local businesses, many of which are family-run, and encourage you to visit our country from a different point of view. Our tailor-made travel itineraries are created to put the spotlight on local realities and unknown destinations. We carefully select local hosts who are committed to sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and who can provide travelers with firsthand knowledge of the places they are visiting. We also offer activities that allow travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture, such as tapas tours and cooking classes.

Gastronomy

South African Gastronomy Tour

Slow Travel Food & Wine Tour in Western Türkiye

Highlights of Spain: Sustainable Tour

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