A world of flavour: Foodie travel destinations and must-try dishes

There's no question that Thai food is one of the world's top cuisines. It's got all the flavours: sweetness, sourness, saltiness, and that famous Thai heat. Then there's the street food, which deserves an article all of its own. While you've probably heard of som tum (papaya salad) and pad Thai, you might not be familiar with Southern Thai cuisine: rich, coconut-milk curries, fresh seafood, and eye-watering levels of chilli. For your next foodie adventure, head to Thailand's southern islands for fresh tiger prawns and blue swimmer crab served up on tropical shores.

• What to eat: gaeng phuu bai chaan (ultra-spicy yellow curry with betel leaves and crabmeat), goong pad krapi sator (Thai stink beans with shrimp); pla tord kamin (Thai style deep fried fish with garlic and turmeric); and moo hong (Thai pork belly stew), a rich Southern Thai dish slow-cooked with star anise and cinnamon.
• Where to stay: Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort offers stunning views over the Andaman Sea. Don't miss their signature restaurant, The Cliff, which serves authentic Thai cuisine featuring a Krabi favourites menu of the south highlighting the region's best dishes.

Colombia’s capital is shaping up to be a Latin American culinary hotspot. On Bogota’s vibrant streets, every bite tells a story of local culture and tradition, with plenty of unique ingredients on the menu, including chiguiro, or capybara meat. Here, you can embark on an epic flavour odyssey daily, starting with richly roasted Colombian coffee and ending with the exotic sweetness of local fruits like lulo, guanabana and grenadilla. Bogota’s also got a thriving street food culture, so you can chow down while you’re on the go.

• What to eat: buñuelos, a ubiquitous doughnut-like street snack; chicharrones, fried pork rinds; and a local fruit salad, to cleanse the palate.
• Where to stay:  Avani Royal Zona T Bogota Hotel celebrates the authentic flavours of Colombia on a daily basis. Tickle your taste buds onsite, or find a wealth of upscale dining options within moments of the hotel.

What is Sri Lankan cuisine, exactly? In a word: spice. Cinnamon, cumin, fennel, cardamom and more, alongside coriander, ginger, garlic and lime. Coconut curries are a big component, as are different types of rice, various forms of tuna, lentils and yams. The local flavour profile is as bold as it gets, with plenty of chilli if you’re brave enough, plus pickles, sweet chutneys and fiery sambals. For drinks, there’s arrack, a local alcohol distilled from coconut flowers, that pairs with citrus, bitters and yes, coconut water.

• What to eat: Sri Lankan crab or fish curry with coconut rice; kottu roti, a street food dish with chopped up roti and a mix of herbs, spices and meat (or veg).
• Where to stay: At Avani Kalutara Resort you can wake up to the sight of the village coconut plucker climbing beachside palm trees for toddy tapping (for arrack). Then in the evenings, you can toast the sunset with signature arrack cocktails at Karadiya Bar, complete with rhythmic beats from local drummers.

Botswanan food is hearty and delicious, and most of its ingredients are locally sourced. Think: slow-cooked stews (called swesaa) with beef, lamb, or goat and vetkoek pastries stuffed with minced meat. The beef in Botswana is world-renowned, so it’s worth getting your beef on at least once during your stay. A good old-fashioned braai, or barbecue, is the way to go. If plant-based is more your style, not to worry; Botswana’s not all about meat dishes. You’ll dig pap, a kind of corn porridge and jugo beans, which are a local staple, and packed with nutrients and fibre.

• What to eat: swesaa, with your choice of protein (try local mutton or goat); watermelon (the fruit is said to have originated in Botswana); vetkoek pastries.
• Where to stay: Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino is your all-in-one business-leisure stay, with the wilds of Gaborone Nature Reserve only a five-minute drive away. Hit Savuti Grill for African cuisine.

Vietnamese cuisine is a masterclass in balance – fresh herbs, zingy citrus, fish sauce and chilli, all coming together in perfect harmony. From steaming bowls of pho (noodle soup) to crispy bánh xèo (savoury pancakes), Vietnam's culinary landscape is as diverse as its geography. Central Vietnam offers its own distinctive fare, known for bold, spicy flavours and seafood-centric dishes that showcase the bounty of the South China Sea. Don't miss the chance to sample local street food, where the most authentic flavours shine. Pull up a tiny plastic stool at a roadside vendor and tuck into a bánh mì sandwich – crusty French baguette meets Vietnamese fillings in a delicious cultural fusion.

• What to eat: bánh xèo thơm ngon (crispy Vietnamese savoury pancakes); bún chả cá bát đá (fish cake noodle soup served in stone bowls); fresh seafood straight from the fishing boats; and for the adventurous, a steaming bowl of bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup).
• Where to stay: Avani Quy Nhon Resort offers a perfect blend of beachfront tranquillity and culinary exploration. Their all-day dining restaurant Tre serves authentic Quy Nhon delicacies, showcasing the distinctive flavours of Central Vietnamese cuisine in a contemporary setting.