June Foodie Holidays | olivemagazine

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People selling and buying fruits at a market in the streets of Cusco, Peru.

Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in June? Discover our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break this summer, including a boutique hotel in Cornwall, Michelin-starred dining in Estonia, festivals in Peru and more. Whether you're looking for a UK weekend away or a long-haul adventure, we've got you covered.

For more travel inspiration, check out our guides to the 10 best hotels for a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway, 8 secret Mediterranean coastal escapes to visit before everyone else and the best day trips from London by train.

The UK at its best: Norfolk

Norfolk is a holiday hotspot for many reasons – beautiful scenery, a stunning coastline and fabulous food that celebrates the best of both land and sea. Wells-next-the-sea is a foodie town well worth exploring: set along a wide tidal harbour and backed by one of the best beaches in the country, it’s the kind of place where a long coastal walk naturally leads into something good to eat. Start the day slowly with coffee and pastries from Wells Deli or Two Magpies Bakery, or ease into things with a sea swim, sauna and a strong coffee at Flo & Joe, which also serves seafood street food from the East End fishing quarter come lunchtime. At The Globe Inn, you’ll find cosy rooms and a locally driven menu in a relaxed setting, while North Norfolk Cellars at Chandlery is a strong choice for small plates and a glass of something local.

Elsewhere, the pretty market town of Holt is also full of foodie gems. Bakers & Larners is a non-negotiable stop and something of a mecca for locals and visitors alike. Its food hall is packed with the finest pantry essentials, while the deli features standout goods from artisanal producers both near and far. Meadowsweet, set in a beautifully restored Georgian house, offers an intimate setting for thoughtful, modern, seafood-led cooking. Chef-owner Greg Anderson places British fish firmly at the heart of his regularly changing tasting menu, letting seasonality lead the way. Much of the shellfish is sourced from small-scale local fisherman Henry Randell, keeping the cooking closely tied to the Norfolk coast and the catch of the day.

The UK bolthole: Scarlet, Cornwall

The start of summer is the perfect time to escape to the seaside and relax. The only routine at Scarlet, a hotel perching on the edge of Mawgan Porth, is the regularity of the tide: the cool waters pulling back to reveal soft golden sand and thousands of lead-coloured mussels that cling to the rocks as stubbornly as guests sunbathe on the loungers a few metres above.

All of the 37 rooms face the Atlantic so there’s no shortage of sea views and wherever you are you can fall asleep to the sound of waves. The décor is calming: pale wood with pops of colour, deep luxurious baths and powerful waterfall showers. Toiletries are from Cornish eco brand Oula and fluffy robes to wander down to the spa in are also provided. Dogs are very welcome and get their own bed, bowls, treats (and a sausage at breakfast).

The Scarlet restaurant has dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic and a terrace for sunnier days. The three-course set menu dinner is exceptionally good with precise, inventive cooking and an emphasis on the freshest seafood. On our visit, cured local mackerel and monkfish tail with butter masala sauce were particular highlights. There’s also a really well priced wine list with some great Cornish bottles from nearby Trevibban Mill and Polgoon. The upstairs bar has snacks and lighter options such as crab linguine, as well as some expertly crafted cocktails – try a Cornish negroni made with Tarquin’s gin and Knightor rosso vermouth.

Doubles from £275, check availability at scarlethotel.co.uk or booking.com

The Scarlet, North Cornwall - Spa - indoor pool

The seasonal city break: Amsterdam

Though the Dutch capital hasn’t always had a reputation as a foodie destination, a wave of independent restaurants, cafés and wine bars has begun to change that in recent years – and is putting Amsterdam firmly on the culinary map. June is the perfect time to embrace the best of the city's alfresco dining. Nab one of the outdoor tables at Calisto, a relaxed, Italian-inspired trattoria located in Jordaan. It’s an ideal place to unwind after a day wandering the canals, with the menu offering a short curation of handmade pastas and small plates to pair with wine. It’s also particularly welcoming for solo diners, who can perch at the bar and rub shoulders with the locals.

Situated at the intersection of some of the city’s prettiest canals, Café Twee Prinsen is another popular Binnenvisser outpost. This relaxed wine bar is perfect for stopping by for snacks and a glass of wine after an afternoon of shopping or sightseeing. There are no reservations – just turn up and hope for a spot, which might just be a stool perched on the edge of the canal in the summer months. Most of the menu is vegetarian, with fresh, flavourful dishes designed for sharing. Don't miss Salvo Bakehouse to pick up a haul of Italian-inspired pastries, from cannoli to pistachio tiramisu – the perfect treat to take to Westerpark for a picnic. Check out our full guide to the best restaurants in Amsterdam for more.

Exterior of Calisto with tables on the pavement

Credit: @samirakafala for @calisto.ams

The cultural moment: Peru

June is the start of the dry season in the Peruvian Andes, when its ancient Incan capital, Cusco, marks two major festivals. Incan and Christian traditions come together in spectacular Corpus Christi street processions, the former celebrating harvest time through the preparation of traditional dishes, including chiriuchu. This is Cusco’s most iconic meal, showcasing the diversity of Peru’s landscape and the ingredients it produces, from coastal seaweed and fish roe to guinea pig from the highlands, and Urubamba corn and spicy rocoto chillies, grown on the slopes of the Andes. Later in the month, on 24 June this year, the Incan festival of the sun, Inti Raymi, is celebrated. This is the time to try the slow-cooked beef stew, huatia, that takes its name from the earth oven it’s cooked in, while watching local tributes.

If you’re planning a trip to coincide with these celebrations, reserve a balcony table overlooking Plaza de Armas square to soak up the festivities from above while tucking into unique Incan dishes. Or try making Peruvian dishes at home with our recipes.

Cusco, Peru – people selling and buying fruits at a market in the streets.

The culinary destination to explore: Michelin dining in Estonia

Estonia was the first Baltic country to get its own Michelin guide, and here you can enjoy excellent-value tasting menus in diverse locations, from Tallinn’s trendy UNESCO city centre to birch-lined beaches and lakeside houses. Time your star-studded tour with Midsummer celebrations at the end of June, when Estonians flock to the countryside and beaches to celebrate Midsummer’s Day, known as Jaanipäev. Join an alfresco barbecue or picnic beneath the stars, sit round a bonfire on the beach and listen to Estonian folk tales, or dance until dawn to welcome the new summer day.

Start in Tallinn, where two of the country’s star-receiving restaurants both lie on the water outside of the city centre. In a contemporary building with views over Tallin Bay and the Gulf of Finland, chefs at NOA Chef’s Hall use open fire to cook Norwegian scallops, Canadian lobster and locally foraged herbs in a contemporary seven-course tasting menu. In the harbour, 180° by Matthias Diether boasts a large, U-shaped open kitchen, where creative, modern tasting menus are prepared.

For reasonably priced dining experiences, take a tour of the Bib Gourmand winners, including Tallinn’s buzzy all-day brasserie Härg, Mediterranean-style dishes at Mantel ja Korsten in a pretty clapboard house on the edge of Kadriorg park, and modern harbour-front bistro Lore Bistroo. Drive south of Tallinn, through birch forests and lakes, to Viljandi, a rural village with a picturesque old town, rows of colourful wooden houses and its own lake beach. In a red brick building on the edge of the old town, bohemian-style bistro Fellin serves traditional European dishes. Finally, hidden in the trees on the stunning white-sand beach of Kloogaranna on the north west coast, family-run Lahepere Villa has been recognised for its hospitality with the Michelin Service Award. Sit on the terrace with the crackling fire for warmth, and enjoy the likes of frog tempura and sea bass with fennel-pea ragout, along with a pot of homemade granola to take away for breakfast the next morning.

Tallinn overview of rooftops, a church spire and colourful buildings

The boutique retreat: Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa, France

In the sleepy river town of Cognac, Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa is a cognac house turned five-star retreat. The hotel offers visits to several cognac producers, many a short walk away, from global brands including Hennessy and Rémy Martin to family houses like Delamain. For downtime, the hotel has a spa with an impressive indoor/outdoor pool.

Rooms are split between the original building and a modern glass extension, decorated in creamy, natural shades with French toiletries, snack-stuffed mini bars and madeleines on arrival. Book a plush junior suite on the upper floor of the original 19th century part of the hotel, which come with balconies and exposed wooden beams.

In the old ageing cellar, the Michelin-starred Les Foudres occupies a cathedral like space lined with vast cognac barrels. Menus ripple with local seasonal produce in dishes such as slow-cooked egg with mushroom and black truffle, and citrus-cured sea bass with shellfish butternut ravioli. At the more casual La Distillerie, start with aperitifs of pineau des charentes, the local fortified wine, before tucking into the likes of pea risotto with scallops and salmon gravlax with dill cream. The old cooperage houses Bar 1838 – make inroads into the vast cognac collection or whip up sidecars at a cocktail class.

La Distillerie hosts a palatial, diverse breakfast buffet, highlights of which include fresh pastries and breads (try the brioche), heaped piles of the sweetest plums and apricots, eggs cooked to order, waffles, crêpes and, our favourite, pain perdu – especially good served with crispy bacon and salted butter caramel. Discover more of our favourite French food trips here.

From €265 per room, check availability at chaismonnethotel.com and booking.com.

The alternative choice: Zagori, Greece

Think of a Greek summer holiday and your mind may picture hopping on a ferry to an island in a heatwave. However, there's plenty to explore on the Greek mainland too. The cool mountain air of the Zagori region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a world away from Greek island life.

Located in the Pindus Mountains in Epirus, northwestern Greece, it’s home to Vikos-Aoös National Park and the impressive Vikos Gorge, which was carved out by the Voïdomátis river – one of Europe’s cleanest – over half a million years. With its temperate climate it’s made for activities like rafting, cycling and hiking, so you can take in its stone bridges and views of the river and gorge. Or wander the cobbled streets of its 46 stone villages (known collectively as Zagorohoria), including Vitsa, Elafotopos and Monodendri. Forage for mushrooms and stop at cafés or restaurants to try local dishes such as cashew, mushroom or lentil pie (pies are king here), plus fresh eel and meat and herby butter bean stews.

Base yourself at Aristi Mountain Resort + Villas, a leader in sustainable hospitality with its on-site farm and organic vegetable garden. If you’re inspired, take a cooking lesson so you can replicate at home. Check out our full guide to European coolcations for more inspiration.

The scenic pick: Azores archipelago, Portugal

Found about 870 miles west of mainland Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean, this archipelago of nine islands has a wonderfully scenic landscape of volcanoes, geysers, lakes and lagoons.

For divers, Formigas and Dollabarat Bank on Santa Maria Island are renowned as some of Europe’s top dive spots, while São Jorge is a good bet for hiking, canyoning and canoeing, and is known for its eponymous cheese. Thank the mild, sometimes subtropical climate for the food here – lush landscapes and rich volcanic soil allow fruits, vegetables and grasses to flourish. Local pineapples and passion fruits are sweet – try Kima, a popular passion fruit soft drink – and milks and cheeses creamy. The Azores is home to Europe’s only tea plantation too – Gorreana tea is brewed using the naturally heated waters of the Chã das Caldeiras geysers.

Each island has its own culinary speciality. Wine lovers will be intrigued by Pico Island’s black basalt vineyards which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while on São Miguel, the town of Lagoa das Furnas is known for cozido das furnas, a meat and vegetable stew cooked underground using volcanic heat. Just outside the capital of Ponta Delgada is the solar-powered Solar Branco Eco Estate, which prides itself on achieving zero food waste and using specialised software to track energy use. Food is grown on site or sourced locally – sushi with an Azorean touch is a winner. If you’re a gin lover, you’re in for a treat too, as the owner makes his own.

Caldeira Velha - São Miguel Island_Credit Azores Promotion Board copy

The slow travel adventure: Cadiz, Spain

Cádiz is made for slow travel. Reached by a leisurely train ride from Seville, this ancient Atlantic port in southern Spain is a place to unwind rather than rush. Once one of Europe’s richest maritime cities, strategically positioned between the Americas, the Mediterranean and the West Indies, Cádiz still wears its history lightly in elegant facades, atmospheric squares and centuries-old taverns.

Today, life moves at an unhurried pace. Much of the old town is pedestrianised, making it easy to wander narrow streets scented with sea air and church incense, stopping for thick hot chocolate, chilled fino sherry or an impromptu plate of tapas. The city’s compact size means most places can be reached on foot within half an hour, leaving plenty of time to embrace the local art of doing very little.

Food is central to the experience. At Mercado Central, one of Spain’s oldest covered markets, stalls overflow with Atlantic seafood, from seasonal bluefin tuna to tiny shrimp used in Cádiz’s signature tortillitas de camarones fritters. Evenings are devoted to tapeo — a leisurely tapas crawl through lively bars serving sherry, cured meats and fresh seafood. Nearby sherry towns including El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda offer even more opportunities to slow down over cellar tours, beachside seafood and glasses of salty manzanilla at sunset.

Aerial view of the church of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion overlooking the white village of Olvera at sunrise, summer view, Cadiz province, Andalusia, Spain

The blow-out trip: Florida, USA

If you've got a sweet tooth, it's time to plan a summer key lime pie tour. No dessert could be more ‘Florida’ than Key lime pie – although its history isn’t as simple as it seems. The 'key' to this iconic dessert is the citrus fruit that gives it its name. Smaller than the supermarket-variety Persian lime, Key lime has a lifted, floral flavour – and it’s native to Florida, right? Actually, no. It’s a hybrid variety, originally from Southeast Asia, brought to the Florida Keys in the 1830s. And, while the pie’s origin story says that Key lime pie was first made by the Florida Keys fishing community, that idea has been called into question. Some suggest the recipe came from a condensed milk company, others that the original recipe came from (gasp) New York, or that it was originally made with (ugh) lemons.

What’s not up for debate is the taste: one bite of the tart, sharp, creamy filling on a crunchy biscuit base will show why it’s a dessert worth having strong opinions about. In Key West, try the ‘original’ version from Kermit’s Key Lime Shop. In Key Largo, the pies from Mrs Mac’s Kitchen, established in 1976, have dedicated fans.