coffee travel
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Though any travel destination could ideally offer a traveler a unique culinary experience, there is also something to be said for finding a culinary mainstay that transcends borders. Coffee culture is undoubtedly global in its scope, and for the coffee enthusiast, making this beverage a travel theme is easy to do. Read on for a few highlights in the coffee tourism scene.

1. New York City

For stateside travel, look no further than the NYC Craft Coffee Festival, tucked in Brooklyn’s Villain venue. For about $50 a ticket attendees can sample coffees from 20 different roasters, in addition to enjoying live music and snacks from the Brooklyn Biscuit Company and Underwest Doughnuts. Moreover, New York hosts hundreds of coffee shops, with the indie counter culture brands outnumbering big chains, meaning you’ll have access to a variety of interesting sipping experiences. The quintessentially on-the-go city, it’s no surprise that coffee culture is alive and thriving in NYC.

2. Bali

Indonesia is the third largest exporter of coffee, and coffee culture varies by region (and purpose, be it culinary, religion, or part of a beauty and wellness routines), often reflecting the confluence of Western and Eastern fingerprints on Indonesia’s history and development. In Bali, Satri Coffee Plantation is a oft-visited and warmly reviewed spot in the Indonesian coffee tourism scene. Reviewers cite the generous coffee and tea sampling held after the tour as the highlight. Indonesia is also the birthplace of the famous kopi luwak civet-process coffee — made from civet droppings; however, you may want to question the ethics of this brew before ordering. 

coffee travel
Photo courtesy of Stasis Photo via Shutterstock.

3. Salento, Colombia

Cafe Jesús Martín comes with rave reviews, but perhaps more intriguing than this is the mission of the Martín family to be “builders of a new story in a time when our coffee production should be valued and appreciated.” Committed to quality, experience, and community, Guardian travel writer Kevin Rushby described the family as one “trying to introduce Colombians to the idea of coffee as a drink,” not just a cash crop. Tourists can visit their “Experiences” page to sign up for one or all three options: the farm, the factory, and the store.

4. Istanbul, Turkey

Considered the country’s national drink, look no further than Turkey for coffee-infused travel. The Turkish Coffee Trail in Istanbul includes a trip to the Turkish coffee history museum (yes, this is real!), a Turkish coffee course, and a tour of historic Turkish coffee sites–a great way to sip on this country’s rich culture. Added bonus: your tour includes a souvenir coffee-making glass.

coffee travel
Photo courtesy of Akimoff via Shutterstock.

5. Florence, Italy

For those who want to try their hand at learning how to craft the perfect coffee, sign up for a class at the Mokaflor Espresso Academy. Plenty of options are available for those with a vested interest in becoming a barista. For those who’d rather remain caffeinated enthusiasts, try the “Discovery” course. In three hours you’ll visit a roaster area, learn about Italy’s coffee history and culture, sample a few roasts, and learn the techniques for making cappuccinos, lattes (including latte art), and espressos.

coffee travel
Photo courtesy of milosljubicic via Shutterstock.

This is just a smattering of options for embedding coffee into your itinerary. Across the globe, one can find ways for this iconic beverage to become a “way in” to learning about and appreciating cultures across oceans and continents, or right at home.

What’s your favorite destination for coffee travel? 

By Paige Sullivan 

Also Check Out:

A Small Farm Tour Exploring Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee [Blog Inspiration]

The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing — Coffees Explored, Explained and Enjoyed by James Hoffmann [Must Reads]

Handpresso Travel Espresso Maker [Travel Accessories]

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Paige Sullivan is currently an MFA candidate in the creative writing program at Georgia State University, where she also works as a composition instructor and the poetry editor of New South, a literary journal. Her poetry appears or will soon appear in Qu, the American Literary Review, Mead, and others. In her spare time, she loves to write about foodways, animal ethics, creativity, and the city of Atlanta.

Paige Sullivan

Paige Sullivan is currently an MFA candidate in the creative writing program at Georgia State University, where she also works as a composition instructor and the poetry editor of New South, a literary journal. Her poetry appears or will soon appear in Qu, the American Literary Review, Mead, and others. In her spare time, she loves to write about foodways, animal ethics, creativity, and the city of Atlanta.

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3 Comments

  1. Whenever I travel, I always try to have a taste of the local coffee. I haven’t been to all of the places you’ve mentioned, but in Bali I really enjoyed their Luwak coffee, although it will cost you. I have also tried Turkish coffee, and really enjoyed it as well.

  2. Harshwardhan Azad Singh

    Hi,

    Very nice for posting it with us.

    Travelling different places gives us this advantage to taste different and delicious local dishes or any eatables. We come to know about what is really famous at that place. Coffee is one of the common time passing or under conversation favorite in many places.

    Coffee’s in different countries have their own taste and class, what is liked by their locality. Have tasted the coffee of Bali and Florence, but not visited there anytime. Made it happen with the help of some of my nice friend’s, who visited there currently and brought it as a gift for me because of my coffee addiction.

    Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
    Have a nice weekend.

    ~ Harshwardhan

  3. I haven’t been in Bali yet but I love to visit the place right now, I’ve been in New York before and I really enjoyed my time there, I have tasted their coffee and it’s very delicious, I wanted to go back in New York but for now, I think Bali is in top of my list.

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