Elderly and middle-aged women make dumplings from fresh dough and minced meat in a sunlit kitchen in Georgia.

Tastemaker Tours: Luxury Travel Experiences with Experts

Expertise

Our trips are led by chefs, sommeliers, designers, and creatives who open doors few travelers ever get to knock on.

Intimacy

Small groups allow for meaningful connections with people, place, and the culture that lives behind the scenes.

Immersion

From artist studios to wine cellars, experience the places where heritage is preserved and cultural frontiers are forged.

What Are Tastemaker Tours?

Each journey begins with a simple question: who better to guide you than the people shaping the culture itself? From the beginning, Modern Adventure has stood for something more than travel. We’re here for the seekers—for those who believe that discovery isn’t just about where you go, but how deeply you engage with a place. That’s why we created our Tastemaker Tours. These intimate journeys are hosted by some of the most compelling people on the planet, from chefs and artists to explorers and locals. These are individuals who see the world differently and generously invite us into their view. To walk alongside them during these luxury travel experiences around the world is to gain a rare kind of access—not just to experiences but to ideas, perspectives, and meaning. This is travel that feeds your senses and your sense of connection.

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Who Is A Tastemaker?

Gregory Gourdet

Chef

Why We Love Gregory Gourdet

Over the past decade, Gregory Gourdet has become one of Portland’s most distinctive and beloved chef personalities, from his ultra-marathoning to inventive cooking. His place as a Top Chef finalist in 2015 secured him a spot in the foodie limelight, but that was only the beginning.

Heath Ceramics

Robin Petravic & Cathy Bailey

Why We Love Heath Ceramics

Heath Ceramics started out as a small-scale pottery in 1948 with husband and wife Edith and Brian Heath. A half-century later, it’s evolved into one of the most well-known American design brands, now helmed by husband and wife Robin Petravic and Cathy Bailey.

Nina Compton

Chef

Why We Love Nina Compton

Eating Nina’s food is like meandering the culinary backroads of her mind. From Caribbean roots to New Orleans heritage to classical French training. Nina was Food & Wine’s Best New Chef 2017, secured a James Beard Award in 2018, and is the official culinary ambassador to the her native St. Lucia.

Jose Salazar

Chef

Why We Love Jose Salazar

After starting his career alongside some of the world's most acclaimed chefs (Thomas Keller to name one,) Jose decided to leave the city and set up shop in Cincinnati. Now, he’s a Food and Wine “Best Chef,” a four-time James Beard nominee, and a staunch believer that fundamental flavors should never be watered down.

Bonnie & Israel Morales

Chefs

Why We Love Bonnie & Israel Morales

Bonnie and Israel found a way to combine what they felt they had to do–opening a restaurant based on homecooking of the former Soviet Union–even if it didn’t exactly seem like a surefire hit. Portland’s Kachka is the country’s hottest Russian restaurant, and spawned the first Russian cookbook in the US in decades.

Becca Millstein of Fishwife

Entrepreneur

Why We Love Becca Millstein of Fishwife

Becca Millstein cofounded Fishwife, a company devoted to ethically-sourced and premium tinned seafood. Her dedication to marine conservation has earned Fishwife acclaim from publications like The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Vogue.

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Upcoming Tastemaker Tours

Our small-group, scheduled-departure Tastemaker tours include luxury travel experiences that are led by the world’s top chefs, designers, creators, and experts whom we collectively refer to as “tastemakers”. Their insight turns an itinerary into a living, breathing story. With access curated by our team of experts, you’ll be invited into private kitchens, exclusive cellars, and conversations that never appear on a map. If you are deeply curious and want to meet the growers, makers, and families that bring a place’s identity to life, join one of these tours and let us show you what a modern adventure looks like.

Northern Spain with Chris Arellanes

Northern Spain with Chris Arellanes

August 3 - 10, 2025

From $9,600

Morocco with Zach Engel

Morocco with Zach Engel

September 4 - 11, 2025

From $9,300

Portugal with Jose Salazar

Portugal with Jose Salazar

September 6 - 13, 2025

From $9,900

Sicily with Michael Gulotta

Sicily with Michael Gulotta

September 10 - 18, 2025

From $11,500

Northern Spain with Jonny and Monique Black

Northern Spain with Jonny and Monique Black

September 14 - 21, 2025

From $9,900

Sweden and Finland with Heath Ceramics

Sweden and Finland with Heath Ceramics

September 27 - October 6, 2025

From $14,900

What People Are Saying About Tastemaker Tours

“Great guides, innovative programming and attention to detail.”
— Thomas Giannetti
“Fantastic! You guys bring a freshness and ease to travel.”
— Anne P.
“Our MO/AD guide seemed to be sharing his friends with us, he knew every artisan and family we visited.”
— Sally C.
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More
Inspiration

James Beard Award chef cooking a high-end meal.

2025 James Beard Award Nominations: MO/AD Tastemaker Edition

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A Michelin-Starred Culinary Journey Through Northern Spain

Read Now

Questions?

That’s OK, we have answers.
Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.

  1. What is a Tastemaker Tour?

    Tastemaker tours are immersive luxury travel experiences led by cultural experts—chefs, sommeliers, artists, and other visionaries—who guide you through the places they know intimately.

  2. Who leads these trips?

    Our hosts include James Beard Award-winning chefs, acclaimed designers, and master artisans alongside a Modern Adventure trip leader.

  3. How are these trips different from other luxury travel experiences?

    These trips offer unmatched access—in Michelin-starred kitchens, inside private studios, and around tables where friendships (and recipes) are shared. Every moment is intentional, personal, and one-of-a-kind.

  4. What’s included in a Tastemaker tour?

    Each trip includes luxury accommodations, meals at renowned local spots, exclusive cultural experiences, and on-the-ground support from our expert team.

  5. How many people join each trip?

    Our Tastemaker tours are intentionally small, usually limited to 10–20 guests. This ensures a more intimate, immersive experience that allows deeper connection with both your host and fellow travelers.

  6. Can I speak directly with someone before booking?

    Absolutely. Our team is available to answer questions and help determine if a trip is the right fit for your travel style and interests.